Exiting appointees commend Akeredolu for not politicising governance
LAST Thursday, February 18, 2021, the sixth civilian governor of Ondo state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, drew the curtain on the executive council. It was time for members of the Akeredolu cabinet to exit the stage after about four years of serving the state and her people.
A few hours before the governor finally dissolved the council, it was an emotional moment, when at the extraordinary meeting, valedictory speeches were made, with cabinet members commending the governor and reliving the good moments they had together.
The exiting cabinet members took turns to pour encomiums on Akeredolu, commend the notable feats he achieved in his first tenure and offer their views of his personality. To all of them, Governor Akeredolu is a leader who has uncommon passion for developing the state. According to them, the governor ran the affairs of the state in the last four years with a sense of responsibility and patriotism. A view shared by all of them is that Governor Akeredolu is a courageous, audacious, blunt, truthful, sincere and compassionate leader.
Secretary to the State Government ( SSG), Temidayo Oluwatuyi, shattered the impression that Akeredolu was an administrator whose approval is difficult to obtain. Oluwatuyi said to get Akeredolu’s nod for anything, you must be ready to deploy convincing arguments. Once you are able to prove the altruism of your proposal and how beneficial it is to the state and her people, be rest assured that you would get the governor’s approval, Oluwatuyi said.
The SSG recalled how he once secured the approval of his boss for 13 out of the 15 files he brought to him. He was then Commissioner for Natural Resources.
According to him; “When I came back from the governor with the approvals, some people wondered how I performed the miracle. To them, it was a miracle to have got the governor to approve 13 of the 15 proposals I brought to him. But I told them that all they needed to sway the mind of Mr. Governor was the ability to convince him.”
In the opinion of Chief of Staff to the governor, Olugbenga Ale, Akeredolu is a leader that cherishes merit. Ale said he was surprised when the governor appointed him as his COS, because he did not lobby for any appointment. To him, Akeredolu is a thorough administrator, whose eyes don’t gloss over errors. He hailed the governor for being a good representative of Owo town, where he hails from. Ale, who is a retired permanent secretary, commended the governor for not politicising the state’s civil service.
Akeredolu, according to the COS, is man who appreciates family values and loves his family. He said the way the governor protects and cares for members of his family is worthy of emulation.
The Head of Service, Oluwadare Aragbaye, said Akeredolu is a man who enjoys divine mercy. He ascribed the mercy of God to the purity of Akeredolu’s heart. Aragbaye, who described Akeredolu, as a compassionate man, said the governor always has deep feelings for people. Noting that Akeredolu is loyal to friends, Aragbaye said the governor always remembers people and keeps relationships.
The HOS thanked the governor for what he has been able to do for the state’s civil service and government workers. He hailed the appointment of 42 permanent secretaries by the Akeredolu administration, describing it as unprecedented in the history of the service. Aragbaye mentioned regular promotion as one of the gains of the service from the government.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, identified grace as the secret behind the string of successes that Akeredolu has achieved in life. Ojogo described the governor as a benevolent leader, saying he is one of the beneficiaries of his boss’ benevolence. Apart from saying Akeredolu possesses uncommon integrity, honesty and courage, Ojogo added that the governor’s bluntness is such that is rare in the country.
These qualities, according to Ojogo, are very difficult for ordinary minds and ordinary eyes to discern. Saying he counted himself lucky to be part of the modest lifestyle of Akeredolu and the modest but very lasting legacies and successes of his administration, Ojogo noted that the governor has never regretted any decision carefully articulated by him.
He said: “The most costly and most expensive of all gifts of nature is the rare grace of God. You possess it. And the grace of God cannot come without personal moderation and God- given wisdom. You are a man of grace. I congratulate you and I confess that grace.
“Office consumes intellectual capital. It does not create it. The best leaders are those who master the art of what decision to take at very critical moments. When you took certain decisions, as politicians, most of us were not happy.
“You made up your mind that you were not going to politicise governance. And one of the ways you did it was not to be frivolous in the award of contracts. You are very strict. Today, we are all happy because it bred good governance. That was a sound decision you took.
“Another critical decision you took was the insistence that Amotekun must be launched. Today, it is a success story and I am happy for you. That was a sound decision that was taken and laced with courage.”
Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Omolola Fagbemi, is one of the women in the cabinet. Fagbemi described Akeredolu as a leader with a sense of humour, adding; “I will never forget your sense of humour, your unparalleled sense of humour that acts as a soothing balm for us each time we see you.”
She commended efforts of the governor’s wife, Betty Anyanwu- Akeredolu, to change the fortunes of women in the state, when she said: “During this four- year tenure, women have had a better time under her. I am already sure this second term, you will continue to provide necessary financial logistics for her to continue her good work.”
Commissioner for Environment, Funso Esan, said: “After the election, I was sitting in my house in Lagos when you called me that ‘ Mr. Esan, can you work with us?’ I replied: ‘ In what capacity, sir?’ You said either commissioner or special adviser. Then I said, ‘ I can work with you.’