| Kinsmen of Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in the historical city of Owo have described him as a worthy son of the land who has made them proud through his monumental achievements across the state within two years of his administration. They expressed their joy during his appreciation tour to Owo local government where he rounded up the week-long statewide tour. Accompanied by his party, All Progressives Congress, APC leaders in the state, he went round on an appreciation tour across the state’s 18 local government areas to thank the people for voting his party’s candidates in the last House of Assembly election. APC, the ruling party, had won 23 of the 26 seats in the 9th Assembly, which takes off in June. They praised the Governor for having executed various life-transforming projects in all the state’s local governments, an achievement they said has brought honour and respect to every Owo person. Leading is the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, who spoke through his brother, the Ojomoluda of Ijebu-Owo, Oba Kofoworola Oladoyinbo. He described Akeredolu as a man whose work in just two years has endeared him to the hearts of the people, and appreciated him for not letting Owo people and the state down. The royal father said: “I immensely thank you for all you have done for us and I commend our people for their massive support for you at all times. “I am filled with joy that you have performed well and have met the yearning and aspirations of not only Owo people, but those of people of the state. “On behalf of the people, I can assure you that if you continue to do this wonderful work you are doing, you can be rest assured that we will give you all the necessary support required of us.” Oba Oladoyinbo said: “On behalf of the Olowo of Owo, Oba Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, other traditional rulers and the good people of Owo, we thank you for appreciating us and we assure you of our cooperation”, he said. Also, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, described as overwhelming, the level of acceptance and reception accorded the Governor during the thank-you-tour across the state by the elated people who refer to him as a visionary leader and an achiever whose impacts have been felt across the state. He said: “As you can see, the feeling is not different in Owo, a rousing welcome for a man that has made everyone proud through his giant strides. This simply shows that the people support and appreciate what he has been able to do in the first two years of his governance. “To the Owo people, Akeredolu means a lot. He represents hope, infrastructural development, manpower development, overall development for the people and that is why he is deserving of this rousing welcome.We all see him as a man that has performed beyond people’s expectations. “In the next two years, people of the state should expect further achievements in the area of infrastructural development, especially for the communities that are yet to benefit from road construction, rehabilitation of more boreholes and the next batch of renovation of primary schools which would commence next month. “Civil servants too can be rest assured that their welfare will continue to be the priority of this administration. We will be committed to monthly payment of salaries and promotion of workers. “Everybody should have the belief that they will have their own bit from this government, their interests would be catered for in the next two years, we are giving them the hope and assurance, that their welfare would be prioritized.” Also, another son of the soil and Consultant to the Ondo/Linyi Industrial Park in Ore, Chief Alex Ajipe described the Governor as a man that has brought honour and respect to every Owo person through his monumental achievements within his two years of assumption of office. “Not all leaders are celebrated, but those who are distinguished by their achievements, truly deserve to be honoured. Akeredolu has proven to be one of such people and that is why we are rolling out the drums in his honour to appreciate him for making us proud. “You can see what is happening here, the people’s joy knows no bound; these are not just Owo indigenes only, both the Igbo, Ebira, Hausa and other ethnic groups are all here to celebrate the man they describe as the architect of modern Ondo State. “From the last House of Assembly election results, you will realize that Owo delivered the highest number of votes and I’m very happy that we appreciate and support our own son. “We appreciate what he is doing in Owo and across the state. He has made all of us in Owo proud including Owo indigenes all over the world.” Earlier, Akeredolu who marveled at the mammoth crowd who converged at the popular Aruwajoye Hall to receive him, thanked them for the love, loyalty and support shown him and his party. He said:”Entering into this hall, I felt like weeping, for I don’t know what I have done to deserve this unquantifiable support from you. It has been like this everywhere we have visited across the state, I don’t think I can thank you enough. “To me, I don’t think I have done much, we are just starting and with your unbending support for us, we are going to do more, besides what you have seen so far, expect more life-changing projects, but we need your support to achieve this. “During my first election in 2012, I won heavily in Owo here, though, I lost the election. In 2016, I also recorded the highest votes here which were part of those votes that made me Governor and during the last elections, you massively voted for our candidates for the two constituencies; Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi (Owo 1), Adeyemi Olayemi (Owo 2) as well as Timehin Adelegbe who will be representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives. “Without your support, we won’t be here today. You have always shown me great love, I am very proud of you all and I will continue to make you proud. “To all the Christian and Muslim leaders praying for us, we thank you. The impacts of your prayers are felt, we will not let you down”, he assured. At the event were the Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi, Secretary to Ondo State Government, Hon Ifedayo Abegunde, State APC Chairman, Engr Ade Adetimehin, Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Engr Raimi Aminu and others. |
