Thrills as Mimiko renders account of stewardship

Posted by admin Ondo, State News Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

The people of Ondo State, especially the state’s stakeholders, last Monday were
in festive mood as Governor Olusegun Mimiko rendered accounts of his stewardship
for the last three years at a Stakeholders Forum in Akure, the state
capital.

Mimiko, who said he could not afford to let the state down
disclosed that one thing that has been propelling his administration was the way
the people received him at his inauguration on February 24, 2009, stressing that
he has fulfilled his campaign promises to the people.
He told the gathering
of politicians, administrators, traditional and religious leaders, students’
body and youths that he has bridged the gap between the people and government by
pursuing masses-oriented programmes in all the sectors:

“When we assumed
office, I said that I would work for the people. Then, there was a disconnect
between government and people. I can say confidently now that, not only are
people participating in governance, they feel that they are also part of
government.”

He maintained that he was bold to tell the people that his
administration made its presence felt in virtually all towns and villages in the
state and in all spheres of human life, stressing that the people of the state
could testify to this achievement.
Mimiko said his administration had not
abandoned the social security project and the world-class events centre known as
the “Dome,” which he inaugurated over two years ago and paid billions of naira
for the take-off, stressing that there was delay due to technical
lapses.

The governor, who assured the people that the two projects would
be completed within a year, explained that each resident of the state would be
issued with a computerized residency card, which would be used to access
government social services while the dome, which is meant to be an event centre
of international standard, would be delivered in a record period of six
months.

Critics of the administration had accused it of profligacy and
embarking on several projects at a time, which had led to the abandonment,
leading to a waste of tax payers’ money:
“I wish to assure critics of our
administration that neither the Dome project nor the Kaadi Igbe-ayo (social
security programme) had been abandoned. The two projects are very dear to my
heart. I can assure everybody that the computerized Kaadi Igbe-ayo would be
distributed to residents of the state in the next two months.

“We
encountered some technical hitches but we had overcome them. The Dome is almost
completed and it will be ready for use before the end of the year. We are taking
time to put the necessary state-of-the earth facilities in place because it will
be the biggest modern event centre when fully completed.”
The governor, who
reeled-out his achievements in the last three years in the areas of agriculture,
health, education, infrastructure, food security, job creation and empowerment
as well as sports, among others, noted with satisfaction that he had not
disappointed the electorates.

In the pictorial presentation of his
achievements, the governor took the audience through the process of governance,
especially the implementation of his 12-point programme, which he code-named
“Caring Heart.” The exposition covered agriculture and food security, wealth
creation. employment generation, community development, infrastructural
development, rural electrification, education, health care services, housing and
sports.
The event was moderated by the Deputy Managing Director and Deputy
Editor-In-Chief (DMD/DEIC) of The Sun Publishing Company, Mr. Femi Adesina. He
was supported by Editor, Sunday Sun, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, president, Nigeria
Guild of Editors, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Sam Adesua, MD Nigerian Tribune and Bayo
Onanuga of The News magazine among others.

Former Federal Commissioner
for Youths and Sports, Major-General Olufemi Olutoye (retd), described the
governor as “an Awolowo incarnate. Mimiko had built on the achievements of the
late sage in the Sunshine State.
“Since 1978 when I retired from the Army, I
have been fully resident in Akure. I have witnessed all the administrations. In
terms of performance, I can say that this is the second Awolowo. He has
performed. He has tried his best. Somebody said that he is a candidate that
should go to the centre later. I fully agree and pray that it will be
so.”

Olutoye said Mimiko has revolutionalised the state with his
welfarist programmes targeted at the people who endorsed him at the poll, urging
them to continue to support his administration and aspiration to render more
services to the state.
Some of the stakeholders that also spoke at the forum
included the Minister for ICT, Mrs. Omobolaji Johnson, who said the state was
fortunate to have someone like Mimiko as the governor at this period, as he had
brought innovations into governance.

Former secretary of Yoruba Council
of Elders (YCE), Dr Kunle Olajide, also described achievements of Mimiko’s
administration as tremendous: “I am a particular lover of masses-oriented
government, unlike the elitist government that is the norm in the nation. Mimiko
has performed well.”
Adefaye told the gathering that Mimiko had set a record
for good governance in the South-West: “Don’t let us talk about Lagos because
the Yoruba can no longer lay claims to it. Lagos has become a commonwealth for
all Nigerians. With what I have seen in Ondo State, I think I will be correct to
say that Governor Mimiko has set up a model that should be replicated by other
states.”

Welcoming the guests earlier, Akin Adaramola described the
forum as a stocktaking avenue and moment of evaluation, adding that as the
governor tenders his stewardship, he would tap from the wealth of ideas and
experience of people. He said Mimiko government is not a one-man administration,
urging the people to see themselves as partners in progress.

The
stakeholders forum, held at Ondo State Cultural Centre, Ule-Ise Adegbemile,
Akure, was witnessed by the deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, wife of the
governor, Olukemi, former Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University,
Akungba-Akoko, Prof. Funso Akere, Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo,
Owa of Idanre, Oba Fredrick Aroloye, Olubaka of Oka, Oba Adebori Adeleye, Jegun
of Ole-Oluji, Oba Adejugbe, Ajobu of Araromi-Obu, Oba Aderemi Adelugba, and
Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh.

Also at the meeting were Senator
Boluwaji Kunlere, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, Secretary to the State Government,
Dr. Rotimi Adeola, Head of Service, Joseph Ogundaibe, Mr. Joseph Akinlaja,
Labour Party (LP) chairman Olu Ogidan, Chief Imam of Ondo Kingdom Alhaji Bashiru
Alimi and Head of Mass Communication Department, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye,
Information Commissioner Kayode Akinmade, Bishop Joshua Ketiku, Rotimi
Obamuwagun and Waniko Akinfolayan,.wp_posts