In view of the fact that governance is about the utilization of the capabilities and resource potentials of the people within a geographical area, understanding the yearnings and aspirations of the people are therefore critical for the effective management of their affairs.
Those thoughts permeated the views of members of the Ondo State Cabinet from 1995 to 1999 during which the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, served the state as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
The Cabinet members took turn at a programme to celebrate one of them who was the number law officer in Ondo State and now the number one citizen of the state being the governor of the Sunshine State .
They were unanimous to describe the governor as a rare colleague who understood the people of the state within the context of their potentials and challenges.
They expressed happiness that in less than 50days in the helm of affairs as Governor of Ondo State , Arakunrin Akeredolu had amply demonstrated that he has workable antitodes to the problems of the people of the state having had a deep knowledge of their plights.
They therefore pleaded with the people of the state to support the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu adminstration to enable the governor do what he knows best to do which is, delivery of excellent services and empowering the less privileged , all in a bid to move the state geometrically forward.
Chief Daniel Ojo, a former Commissioner for Finance said Ondo State was always at the centre of their deliberations at the state Executive Council meeting during their term.
In her remarks, Hajia Fawehinmi who served as Commissioner for Women Affairs and later as Commissioner for Education said though they served under a Military administration, they however served the state with an uncommon passion and unity of purpose which had kept them in close contact till the present time.
Chief Olubunmi Fashonu who was the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources said though it was a privilege to have been part of those who served the state about two decades ago, he was happy that their services were patriotically selfless.
To Princess Oladunni Odu who served as Commissioner for Education and later as Commissioner for Women Affairs, the boldness and rare frankness of Arakunrin Akeredolu on all issues concerning the state were great impetuses that propelled members of the State Executive Council into actions.
To a former Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Trade and later as Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Olaoye Onunhungbogbo, the unity among the Commissioners since leaving office about two decades ago attest to their commitments to service which Arakunrin Akeredolu who he described as a focused and forthright man of ideas had brought to bare on the governance of the state within two months of his administration.
In his response,Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, appreciated his colleagues for coming to celebrate his victory which he described as “for everyone” but that “the honour will forever be for God”.
Governor Akeredolu said he was not in government for self aggrandizement but for service to the people and as such would work assiduously to take Ondo State to greater heights.
While saying that men and women committed to quality service delivery would be brought on board to help advance the frontiers of development in Ondo State, Governor Akeredolu said “the best is what is good for Ondo State”
