SWEARING IN: GOD CHOSEN GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA TOOK OATH IN SUIT INSTEAD OF AGBADA. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT?

By Chief Dr Odomode Adeyemi LaCrown

First off, congratulations to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Owolabi Adelami, mni for their glorious day of OATH taking as the 19th governor of Ondo State, the Sunshine State. I have no doubt that he would perform because he's not new to the office. He has been with the past governor, and he will learn from the mistakes of the past. We are ready to work with him, even to fight with him. As a fighter himself, he has won several battles before settling down for the coveted office on Monday, February 24, 2025.

I watched the Thanksgiving service on Sunday, the eve of the swearing in, where he publicly proclaimed that his emergence as the 19th governor of the state is divine. I want to agree with him, and I am glad that he knew that. It's good to know so that one doesn't become a pauper for some political jobbers around his corridor who will think they planted him there. I am quite aware that he faced a lot of challenges from Wannabe Governor's Commissioners of the past administration, and it's my turn regular governorship contestants like Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, just to mention one name. I say kudos to you.

Now that you are settling down for legacy build-up, I need to remind you of the story of a fine and vibrant young man in the Bible, King Saul. He also became the very first king of Israel by divine intervention. His people loved him, and they cherished everything he did. Unfortunately, King Saul was carried away with the encomiums, and his popularity led him to do things by himself. In the stead, he offended God, and you know the end of the story like we all know. Please, be very strict with whom you bring on board to your kitchen cabinet. Your commissioners should be individuals who share your dream and are ready to work for the people. They shouldn't necessarily be Engineer Adetimehin boys even though the party made you their flag bearer. You're the governor of Ondo state, not APC. So, we expect true leadership and good governance. Enough of status quo and billboard style of democracy. We demand equity and total accountability 

Mr. Governor, your excellency, I am totally disappointed in seeing you in a suit during the official swearing in ceremony. Almost every guest that came to celebrate with you, including but not limited to other LOOBO states’ governors and past governors showed up in their flowing agbada but you. O ga o. You're a governor in one of the key southwestern states of Yoruba nation. What informed you of your decision to show up on the stage in a suit? I care less about whoever designed the suit, but what about our flowing agbada in a civilian society? How long should we be enslaved by the westerners that we have become copycats in almost everything. Mr. Governor, apa mi ja bo. You silenced and bruised our egos on that day. "O ti po ju"

I was shocked to see you sing the Oodua Anthem in that outfit with pride. It just shows the caliber of folks who are your closest allies who couldn't insist that our culture must be promoted at every opportunity we have. The whole world was watching you on that day, but you failed us.

We’ve been missing the target for years as far as promoting our culture with language and our dress. I think it's time you help us to get it right. We would love to see you embrace any other program through your ministry of culture and tourism that is capable of permanently lifting people up as knowledge does. From as far back in history as we can see, it has always been knowledge that empowered people while ignorance destroyed them.

We wouldn't want you to make unnecessary but avoidable mistakes in your tenure. So, focusing on any ‘feel sorry’ programs to satisfy the party at the detriment of the people of the state will be suicidal in this era of unabated inflation. Needless to remind you that we have eighteen local governments in the state, and resources must be balanced across the board. Let's give maximum attention and dedication to the universal attainment of the highest educational possibilities for all the boys and girls of all backgrounds that will sustain the state in the future

Ondo state is an agrarian state, and the idea of reviewing the RUGIPO's MOU for conversion is applauded. Nonetheless, development of the state has nothing to do with location, especially where intelligence is concerned and as a result, indoctrinating certain groups of people that need to be given special handouts to be successful will be mind wasting. This will be one main reason why some of us might be fed up with the widening inequalities and disparities in our state. 

Against the backdrop of correcting this normalized suicidal mindset of previous administrations, we will champion the most powerful socioeconomic equalizer in the world from our diaspora base for an inclusive government of the people. We're waiting for the shortlisted names of teachers that you promised to release immediately after installation. We hope and believe that you would include in your policy a robust education and sustainability practices, which would acknowledge how a changing world impacts food systems, community health, access to space, and other issues related to health and wellness into your program of ease.

May your reign be blessed with great achievements. Long live Ondo state.