Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved upgrading and converting the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, to a University of Agriculture and Agribusiness.

The conversion of the state Polytechnic came after the state government’s last administration reviewed the initial proposal to upgrade the institution to a University of Management Science and Technology.

Governor Aiyedatiwa announced the school’s conversion to the University of Agriculture and Agribusiness upon his assumption of office after the inauguration. He said the school would be the model for the state government’s agri-food security revolution initiative.

The Governor added that the government would set up a committee to work out the modalities for implementing the conversion while assuring that this would not negatively affect the current students and staff of the institution.

Also, the governor approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and a private investor to inject N15 billion into a youth-oriented agriculture initiative.

The MoU was an agreement between the government and AgroMall Discovery and Extension Limited to establish and operate the Young Ranchers Agricultural Cluster Development Programme.

The company will use 5 hectares of land in each of the state’s three clusters, with three higher institutions, including the newly upgraded RUGIPO, as host pilot beneficiaries.

The initiative will focus on practical farming for young people and practical training for agriculture and related operations students.

Aside from training of the students, each of the three institutions to be used as hosts also stands to benefit a percentage from the proceeds of the operations.

In a related development, Governor Aiyedatiwa has approved a Memorandum of Understanding with BBA Consult on developing and deploying secured ICT to enhance state resources planning and management and increase revenue generation.

This agreement, which aims to reform the internally generated revenue profile of the State, will be on a Build, Operate and Transfer basis.

The governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the appointment of Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

The appointment came as the governor resumed work in his office a few minutes after he was sworn in as the 7th democratically elected governor of Ondo State on Monday.

RELATED: Aiyedatiwa Sworn In As Ondo Gov

Until his appointment, Dr Fasoranti, who hails from Akure South local government area of the State, was the chairman of the State Hospitals Management Board.

 

In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP by the chief press secretary (CPS) to the governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Governor Aiyedatiwa also approved the reappointment of Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac as Commissioner for Finance.

 

According to Adeniyan, the governor has also reappointed some of his former Special Advisers.

 

The new Special Advisers are; Engr. Johnson Alabi, Power; Dr Seun Osamaye, Women Affairs; Comrade Bola Taiwo, Union Matters and Special Duties, and Prof Simidele Odimayo, Health.

Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, has been elevated to the position of Special Adviser, Infrastructure, Lands and Housing.

Adeniyan further stated that all the appointments take immediate effect.

Governor Aiyedatiwa urged the new appointees to hit the ground running in providing effective and efficient services to the people of Ondo State.

The newly sworn-in Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has expressed deep sorrow that his predecessor, the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, was not alive to witness his swearing-in ceremony.

Speaking during his inaugural speech after being sworn in as the 7th governor of Ondo State, Aiyedatiwa paid tribute to Akeredolu’s visionary leadership and tireless efforts in developing the state.

He said, “Permit me to express special gratitude to my immediate predecessor, our visionary leader, the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, who worked tirelessly to develop our state for about seven years before he took a glorious bow to join the Saints Triumphant.

“We must not forget this courageous and personable leader who literally emptied himself in the service of Ondo State and Nigeria. His legacy continues to inspire us to build upon the foundations he laid.”

Aiyedatiwa acknowledged that Akeredolu’s public and prophetic declaration at the inauguration ceremony four years ago, where he was sworn in for a second term, set the tone for his eventual emergence as governor.

He lamented that Akeredolu was not alive to witness the fulfillment of what he had foretold.

He added, “I am particularly indebted to him for choosing me as his Deputy and for his public and undisguised prophetic declaration at about this time, on this same podium, four years ago. That declaration must be appreciated for setting the tone for me as his successor to the office of Governor.”

“I must say that I am deeply pained that this great leader who saw tomorrow is not here with us to witness and savor this auspicious occasion, which marks the fulfillment of what God spoke through him.

“May the gentle soul of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, continue to rest in peace (Amen).”

Aiyedatiwa described the moment as a crucial point in the state’s history, reflecting on the struggles of the past, the sacrifices of heroes and the resilience of the people.

“This moment is very pivotal in our history as a people. It reminds us of the struggles of our past, the sacrifices of our heroes, and the resilience of our people,” he noted.

He also paid tribute to the founding fathers and former governors of the state for their contributions to its growth and development over the past 49 years.

“In celebrating this significant milestone, I pay glowing tributes to all the founding fathers and former governors of our great state, who have contributed immensely to her growth and development over the past 49 years.

“Their selfless service, vision, and leadership have laid the groundwork for the progress we enjoy today.”

Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been inaugurated as the Governor of Ondo State, commencing his first full four-year term following the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in December 2023.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Monday at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure, the state capital, two months after Aiyedatiwa won the governorship election under the banner of the All Progressives Congress.

According to details on the state government website, he was born on January 12, 1965, in Obe-Nla, an oil-producing community in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. Aiyedatiwa’s education began at Saint Peter’s Primary School in Obe-Nla, and he completed his secondary education at Ikosi High School, Ketu, Lagos, in 1982.

He holds a Nigeria Certificate in Education in Economics and Government from Lagos State College of Education (now Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education), obtained in 1986.

Furthering his education, he earned an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan in 2001, a Postgraduate Certificate in Chief Executive Education from Lagos Business School in 2009, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Liverpool in 2013.

Before entering politics, Aiyedatiwa had a diverse career spanning education, pharmaceuticals, finance, and general merchandise. In 1996, he founded the Blue Wall Group of Companies, which had interests in trading, foreign exchange, and travel logistics.

His political career began in 2011 with the Action Congress of Nigeria, which later merged into the APC. He served as a Federal Commissioner representing Ondo State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission from 2018 to 2019.

In 2020, he was elected as Deputy Governor alongside Governor Akeredolu and assumed office as governor following Akeredolu’s passing.

Meanwhile, Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, at the age of 67, after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. His death led to Aiyedatiwa’s succession as governor.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has said the Peoples Democratic Party’s decision to boycott the Saturday’s local government election was due to the fear of losing.

According to Aiyedatiwa, the decision of the opposition party can be attributed to cowardice.

PDP had earlier withdrawn from the election over what it described as lack of credibility on the part of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, ODIEC.

The governor, who spoke after voting at his polling unit 5, Ward 4, in the Ilaje Local Council Area of the state commended ODIEC for the smooth conduct of the poll.

“For the PDP to pull out, that is cowardice. They participated in the whole process; the ODIEC released the timetable for the election.

I don’t know the reason for that. Maybe the fear of losing, every election has its own logistics, and other political parties are participating for whatever reason that made them withdraw; I am not privy to that.”

Ondo State governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Saturday, voted in the ongoing local government elections in the state, describing the exercise as a step towards enhancing grassroots development.

The governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to the effective running of the local government system in the state in line with the provisions of the law.

Governor Aiyedatiwa cast his vote at Polling Unit 5, Ugbo Ward 4, in Ilaje local government area of the State, where he commended the electoral process.

Speaking with journalists after casting his ballot, the governor commended the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) for the seamless conduct of the polls.

Governor Aiyedatiwa also thanked the people of the State for participating in the elections.

Also, the State’s deputy governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, voted at Igbooroko Unit 16, Ward 3 in Owo local government area around 9.45am.

The deputy governor, who expressed delight with the level of voter turnout, urged the people to vote enmasse to repeat the outstanding success recorded during the last governorship election.

Dr Adelami said local government administration was critical to good governance and democracy, hence the need for the people to participate actively in the process .

He expressed satisfaction with the level of turnout at his polling unit.

Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa has dissolved his cabinet with immediate effect.

Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, directed the affected cabinet members to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.

The governor, however, retained the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.

Aiyedatiwa hinged the decision exempting the two commissioners on the critical nature of their duties.

“The Governor of Ondo State, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has approved the dissolution of the State Executive Council, with immediate effect.

“However, the Governor has exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution, due to the critical nature of their duties.

“They are the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.

“All the affected cabinet members are to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.”

Aiyedatiwa thanked them for their service and contributions to the development of Ondo State under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours.

In a touching act of compassion commemorating his 60th birthday, Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has extended the hand of mercy to 40 convicts in the state.

Aiyedatiwa said among the beneficiaries, 15 convicts will experience the profound relief of outright release effective from January 12, 2025.

The decision of the governor was announced by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN.

 

Ajulo who also chairs the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, said the decision reflects a profound commitment to rehabilitation and the transformative power of second chances.

 

According to him, “This noble initiative emerged from recommendations put forth by the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, underscoring the governor’s dedication to fostering a justice system that prioritises reform over retribution.

 

“Among the fortunate beneficiaries, 15 convicts will experience the profound relief of outright release effective from January 12, 2025.

 

“In a further demonstration of mercy, several death sentences will be commuted to life imprisonment, while others will see their terms of incarceration reduced, thereby nurturing renewed hope for reintegration into society.”

 

Ajulo added that, “The signing of the release orders coincides with the governor’s 60th birthday, marking a significant occasion with an act of grace.

 

“It is noteworthy that Governor Aiyedatiwa chose to forgo his birthday celebrations in honour of the late Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi (Tuykana), who died last weekend.

 

“Governor Aiyedatiwa’s actions are in accordance with Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

 

He further remarked that the Council’s deliberations were enriched by insights from correctional authorities, legal experts, and esteemed community members, focusing on the nature of the offences, duration of incarceration, age, health, and behaviour of the inmates.

 

Ajulo further emphasised that the compassionate gesture underscores Governor Aiyedatiwa’s unwavering commitment to extending grace and mercy unto the said convicts which represent a vital component of his administration’s ongoing justice sector reforms.

President Bola Tinubu has rejoiced with the Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa on his 60th birthday on Sunday January 12, 2025.

President Tinubu commended Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering dedication and political consistency, beginning from his membership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011.

Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga said Aiyedatiwa’s steadfastness throughout the party’s metamorphosis and final transition to the All Progressives Congress (APC) exemplifies his loyalty, dedication, and commitment”.

Aiyedatiwa became deputy governor of Ondo State in 2021 but by a stroke of fate, he became the acting Governor and was ultimately sworn in as Governor in 2023, succeeding his mentor, late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

“Aiyedatiwa’s impressive political trajectory is a testament to the potential and possibilities in Nigerian politics”, Tinubu remarked.

He further recognised the Governor’s unprecedented landslide electoral victory in 2024, which has allowed him to continue raising standards in key areas such as health and education, directly improving the lives of citizens.

Tinubu further commended Governor Aiyedatiwa’s invaluable contributions as a Commissioner representing Ondo State at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“His deep understanding of grassroots development has played a crucial role in strengthening the institution to better serve its purpose,” the statement added.

As Governor Aiyedatiwa marks this milestone, President Tinubu prayed for God’s blessings, while wishing him good health, wisdom, and a long life.