…we are a people blessed with distinguished men and women qualified to be Governor.
..by Olusola Akinwumi
I have over time read on several platforms where people who really may not understand what it means to be qualified to lead people at the level of Governor of a state have said very funny things about Akure not being blessed with sons and daughters who have capacity to be Governor.
When this annoying yet funny line of thought first surfaced I didn’t give it much attention because in my view it was just an expression of how much some people feel intimidated by the level of success of Akure sons and daughters, the uniqueness of our values, culture and leadership capacities, the fact that our level of hospitality naturally draws people to us and love us and so many others
Quite frankly it is sad that history was expunged from our curriculum otherwise many people would understand how strategic Akure has been through its sons and daughters in the past and present, and certainly in the future.
From our first King, the legendary Ademuwagun to the eminent jurist Akinola Aguda, iconic politician, Chief Wumi Adegbonmire to distinguished personalities like Barr. Deji Adegoroye who was a strategic part of the passionate fight for the creation of the same Ondo state that funny people say an Akure man can’t govern, or living legends like Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Oba Olu Falae, Prof Olu Aderounmu etc
THE LIST IS ENDLESS
What about those who are still very active and doing excellently well? One will easily lose count
Sir (Prince) Ademola Adegoroye – A man who as Minister of State for Transportation did exceptionally well within just 10 months of being in the Federal Executive Council that his colleagues at FEC described him as a most distinguished ambassador of Ondo state
Senator Niyi Adegbonmire– Senator representing Ondo Central, and whose representation of our Senatorial District at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly is a reflection of his
Ifedayo Abegunde– Current ED, Corporate Services of the NDDC
Eyitayo Jegede A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Attorney General of the State and former governorship candidate
Omowumi Olatunji-Ohwovoriole– a former member of Lagos State House of Assembly and excellent philanthropist
Femi Meshe– Oil Security expert representing Akure very well outside the shores of Nigeria
Chief Ifedayo Adedipe– A Senior Advocate of Nigeria whose place in the legal profession is secure
Olumuyiwa Adu– lawyer, accountant and security consultant in the oil and gas sector
I have mentioned these people not just because they are successful in their private lives but because each time national or state duty called or calls they always give a good account of themselves.
THE LIST OF SUCH AKURE SONS AND DAUGHTERS IS INEXHAUSTIBLE
So for any person, persons or group of persons to stay in one corner and be throwing stones of inability is at best absolutely irresponsible.
However we must ask ourselves a fundamental question; Have we in any way contributed to the spread of that falsehood in any way? Maybe yes, and I say so essentially because we have not been projecting our collective strength enough and showcasing our best adequately
It is time to STOP the insult and show the world what we are capable of doing.
By the grace of the Almighty God an Akure man will be the Governor of Ondo state immediately after Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and he or she will be the best Gover state has ever produced, so help us God.
