Afrigather Fortunate Aiyedatiwa, has been sworn in because the substantive governor of Ondo State following the information of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s death on the age of 67.
BusinessDay reviews that Aiyedatiwa, who has been in an appearing capability for some weeks now, was sworn in by the Chief Choose of the state, Justice Olusegun Odusola, after the demise of the previous governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Aiyedatiwa, who had gone to his hometown for the Christmas break when the information of the governor’s demise broke, arrived on the state capital, Akure, for the swearing-in ceremony round 4:30pm.
Aiyedatiwa, in his maiden tackle as substantive governor of Ondo state, stated, “It’s with a heavy coronary heart that I settle for this onerous accountability of taking on the reins of governance and affairs of our State following the unlucky loss and passing of our beloved Governor, chief and pricey boss, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON.
“The demise of our Governor is certainly a devastating shock to us all, as we now have all been praying earnestly for his fast restoration and subsequent secure return to Ondo State, having launched into one other medical depart on Wednesday, thirteenth December 2023. Certainly, there isn’t a armour in opposition to destiny, demise lays his icy hand on kings.
“Allow me to make use of this chance to condole with the speedy and prolonged household of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, HRM Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the Olowo of Owo, the folks of Owo and certainly all the folks of Ondo State over this monumental loss.
“The demise of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, is certainly a big loss to me as a person as our relationship dates again to a few years in the past, having carefully labored with him when his gubernatorial journey began in Yr 2012. The loss then didn’t have an effect on our relationship as we maintained a detailed political and private relationship, which climaxed in 2020 when he graciously picked me as his working mate for his second time period as governor of Ondo State.
“Governor Akeredolu was a person of braveness and conviction who at all times stood for the reality even at his personal detriment. I bear in mind vividly once we had a case in court docket difficult our second-term victory. He nonetheless pursued emplacing a robust safety community for the folks of the Southwest codenamed ‘Amotekun Corps’. The Folks of Ondo State and all the folks of the Southwest can be eternally grateful for this daring act, which has tremendously improved the safety structure within the Area and decreased incidents of kidnapping, banditry and different acts of criminalities to the barest minimal, particularly in Ondo State. His many legacies within the well being sector, infrastructural improvement, schooling, industrial improvement as symbolised within the Ondo-Linyl Industrial Hub, Ore, his innovation in Ondo State Entrepreneurial Improvement Company, his Tech Hub, and so forth can be troublesome to surpass.
“The occasions which culminated in at this time’s ceremony is a watershed within the historical past of Ondo State as that is the primary time we’re having a transition in an administration. In the present day’s occasion has positioned a burden on all of us to drag collectively and keep collectively as one, as a result of we now have the onerous accountability to proceed to maintain the legacies of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, which was good governance, correctly known as. Our chief and Governor, throughout his time embarked upon a number of landmark tasks, a lot of which have been accomplished and several other ones ongoing. We now have the accountability to finish them. It’s to the credit score of Arakunrin Akeredolu, that the State now has a flyover in Ore, whereas the one in Akure is ongoing. We should acknowledge with satisfaction the great achievements and legacies of Arakunrin Akeredolu. His data of efficiency are monumental and unprecedented.
“I wish to guarantee the folks of Ondo State that underneath my watch, this administration shall proceed to advance the welfare of the folks. We will at all times place the folks first in each determination we take. It’s my prayer, as soon as extra, that God Almighty shall grant the household and the folks of Ondo State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“Let me use this chance to convey our deep appreciation to President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Nationwide Chairman of our celebration, His Excellency Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, the leaders of the celebration each on the Nationwide and State ranges, the elders of our State, for offering succour and help to our State at this vital time.
“Women and gents, I wish to urge the folks of Ondo State to recollect us of their prayers as we proceed to emplace good governance in our pricey State.”
