Yesterday- August 17th, 2024, I added yet another feather to my cap with the unveiling of my memoir, “The Journey: Long Road to Stardom – The Political Trajectory of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa”.
I am deeply grateful to God Almighty for His loving kindness. Allow me to share with you the acknowledgements as they appear in the book.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The idea for this memoir came from my friend, Otunba Bankole Betiku, who also inspired its title. I am grateful for his foresight and insightfulness in recognizing the need to document the events that led to Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa becoming the Governor of Ondo State. I thank him for reigniting my passion to create this book.
I wish to extend my special thanks to the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for granting me the unique opportunity to interact with him and delve into his past, present, and future.
Writing a book about a sitting Governor would have been extremely challenging, if not impossible, without His Excellency’s full cooperation. On many occasions, the Governor even compromised his official protocol to assist me.
I must also thank my wonderful wife, Ngozi, and my children, Christabel and David. I acknowledge that I took time away from our family to write this book. You are indeed my pillars of support.
I am indebted to Mr. Williams Aiyedatiwa, the Governor’s younger brother, who provided detailed accounts of the family’s background at Obe-Nla.
I would like to specifically acknowledge my friends, Mrs. Doris Adekanle, Alex Fabiyi, and David Adeyemo Akingbade, for their companionship. Whenever I was exhausted, they were always there in the evenings to offer me solace.
I must thank Mr. Banjo Ayodele and the Chief of Protocol to the Governor, Mr. Abayomi Olasanya for their support and testimonies. They were always there telling the Governor that I could do it.
My profound appreciation goes equally to those who have appreciated my creative writing and to those who have sometimes critiqued my style and phraseology on various new media platforms. You have all contributed to making me the writer I am today.
I must not forget to acknowledge my friend-editor, Olumide OLUGBEMI-GABRIEL, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Languages and Literary Studies, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.
Allen Sowore Esq
SSA to the Governor on Strategic Communication