…tasks people seeking to lead to be well prepared
…appeals to citizens to always present and support the best for leadership
Nigerian leaders have been encouraged to let the quality of their service always leave a sweet taste in the mouths of the people they are privileged to govern, even long after they have left office.
Secretary to Ondo State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, who was having a conversation on the state of the nation at a breakfast meeting with some political associates in Akure said quality of governance at the subnational level will determine the kind of nation Nigeria will be.
She therefore appealed to Governors to provide quality leadership that is innovative, people-centred and which is relevant to the present and future development of society.
Odu, who made specific reference to the quality of leadership which Ondo state had under Dr Olusegun Agagu, and which the state is presently enjoying under Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said the imprints of both leaders will forever be stamped on the minds of the people.
The APC stalwart while thanking the associates for finding time to have a conversation with her on the continuity of the great works being done by Akeredolu after his tenure in February, 2025 said she feels blessed to have served with the two great men — Dr. Agagu and Arakunrin Akeredolu, whose passion for the development of the state could never be questioned.
“The years I worked with Dr Agagu and my experience with Arakunrin Akeredolu has shown me that politicians could be truthful and selfless because I have learnt so much about purpose-driven and impactful governance that would ensure generational good for the state.
“I find in both men too many similarities about leadership. They brought real focus, charisma, and most importantly, sincerity and innovation to governance.”
Odu stressed that former Governor Agagu’s courage to continue the projects of his predecessor, Chief Adefarati, who was in the opposition at the time was a big pleasant surprise to the people, and that act showed his level of maturity, exposure and sincerity to the cause of developing the land and people.
The Secretary to Government pointed out that Governor Akeredolu then took that act of maturity a notch higher by not just continuing the projects of his immediate predecessor, he went on to continue Dr Agagu’s unfinished projects which were abandoned by his successor, including the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, which he (Akeredolu) even renamed in Dr Agagu’s honour.
“Anyone who serves with both men cannot be better prepared for governance. There is another striking thing about the two men; Agagu was too particular about making his programs and projects have massive impact on the future generations, while Akeredolu tells us every time that he is not bothered about not sitting under trees which he plants as long as those who will come in the future after his tenure in 2025 enjoy the shade.”
Princess Odu expressed confidence that if the next governor of the state from 2025 will be deliberate about continuing from where Arakunrin Akeredolu stops, Ondo state will blossom beyond the imagination of the entire nation.
“Ondo state has the massive capacity to be the economic hub of Nigeria when you consider the volume of minerals, the length of our coast line, the vegetation and agricultural potentials, crude deposit and the capacity of the people to drive development through hard work and sincerity of purpose among several other endowments. This is, however, dependent on the quality of leadership.”
She affirmed that anyone who will continue the race of developing Ondo state after Governor Akeredolu in 2025 must be a bridge builder, an experienced politician, a sincere lover of people, and an intelligent person.
Odu encouraged the people to be deliberate in choosing a leader who has these qualities irrespective of gender, if truly the economic and social prosperity of the land and people is their ultimate desire.