Akeredolu Sworn in, Promises to Rebuild State

At a capacity filled Akure Township Stadium, in the state capital, the new Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu was yesterday sworn in with a promise to rebuild the state economy, resuscitate damaged infrastructure, restore hope and return the state to a prosperous land.

Akeredolu, who was elected on November 26, 2016 on the platform of the All Progressives Congres (APC), was sworn in along with his deputy, Mr Agbola Ajayi.

The duo were sworn in by the Acting Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Temitayo Osoba a ceremony attended by dignitaries from all walks of life and party supporters from within and outside the state amidst tight security.

Some of the dignitaries at the occasion were the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Lasun Yusuf, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun, the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, and many party leaders from different states.

Also among the guests at the inauguration were the governors of Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, and Sokoto states, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, Abiola Ajimobi, Ibikunle Amosun, Godwin Obaseki, Muhammad Badaru, Yahaya Bello and Aminu Tambuwal respectively while Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Idiat Adebule.

Akeredolu in his inaugural speech entitled “Journey to Redemption,” said the administration was ready to transform the state, calling all the people of the state to join hands with him in achieving the goal of transformation.

“We are determined as an administration to break down the barriers that have made stagnation possible.

“We will break down the barriers to honest leadership, to comprehensive development, to physical growth and social security. These we intend to do through the promotion of transparent leadership, rule of law, extensive consultation, quality and accessible public utilities and social security; all in a sustainable manner”, he said.

The legal practitioner who admitted that there were challenges ahead for his administration said he could not do it alone without the support of the people of the state.

He said: "There are many mountains before us to climb. As we climb up these steep mountains, sometimes we may trip or slip, we will get back up. We will focus on the journey. We will never stop. In the end, we will reach our goal.

"For all these to happen, I am humbly going to ask only one thing from you. What I ask for is attitude. We need to come with an attitude of belief and transformation "

He promised to create job through agriculture, entrepreneurship and industrialisation. He also pledged to provide massive infrastructural development and maintenance.

Akeredolu also promised to provide functional education and technological growth for the people of the state.

He said there will be "provision of accessible and qualitative health care and social service delivery, rural development and community extension services."

He charged the civil servants in the state to collaborate with his government to transform the economy of the state, saying the economic challenges facing the state will be successfully addressed with the support of the state workers.

“Our administration shall, decidedly, try to close the gap between the hinterland and urban centres. Real development can only be actualised and accentuated through an active symbiosis between the two, an understanding predicated on collaboration and co-existence designed for amity and progress.

“Our people will be encouraged to participate in the massive reconstruction contemplated by our administration in this regard”, he stated.

The governor said the administration would make the welfare of the people priority and that the government shall be for everybody in the state.