I write to congratulate you on your inauguration as the seventh Governor of Ondo State, my home state. I would have sent this letter to you privately or even come to your office to congratulate you, but I could not do so now for two reasons. First, I am currently out of the country. But, secondly, and more importantly, I wanted the public to know that I have accepted you as my Governor, despite my public opposition to your election. It may interest you to know that, in the same vein, I did not support your predecessor, late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (may his soul rest in peace) during his first election in 2016 but rallied around him once he was inaugurated as Governor. I even successfully mediated between him and then Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola over the scuffle between his SSG, Ifedayo Abegunde, and Osun’s Commissioner for Regional Integration, Bola Ilori. I also went on to support Akeredolu’s re-election in 2020.
I look forward to discussing matters affecting our state and, particularly, Idanre Local Government, my beloved cradle. Ondo State, even as part of the Old Western Region, was the bastion of democracy and home of progressivism. It was the home base of numerous associates of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, including Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Gabriel Akin-Deko, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Adebayo Adefarati, and Chief Wumi Adegbonmire.
Each of them left a significant mark on the development of the state. Chief Ajasin, for example, built the Secretariat, which continues to be the seat of the Ondo State government till today. In the current democratic dispensation, Chief Adefarati took off where Chief Ajasin stopped and saw to the establishment of the Ondo State University in its present location, after splitting with Ekiti State University. His successor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, notably established the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, named after him by your boss, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN. Agagu’s successor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, built the iconic Dome, initiated the concept of Mega Schools and built many of them across the state. Above all, he established the first University of Medical Sciences in the country.
Akeredolu, who succeeded Mimiko, developed the expansive structures opposite the Dome, housing the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, the IT Hub, and other facilities. He also expanded teaching hospitals and facilities for UNIMED, and constructed a network of roads throughout the state, including two iconic flyovers at two major intersections in Ore and Akure.
Every Governor since 1999 invested heavily in infrastructure in major sectors, notably in education, healthcare, transport, agriculture, and trade. It is hoped that you, too, will put your own stamp on the development of the state. Indeed, the task before you is enormous, given the current financial and security situations in the state. The good news for your administration is that state allocations have increased, and I trust you are making effort to also increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue. State residents are anxiously looking forward to the dividends of democracy from increased revenue inflow.
But it is to Idanre I now turn for the rest of this letter, because of an urgent task before your administration.
Your Excellency will recall that our beloved monarch, Oba Frederick Aroloye, Arubiefin IV, the Owa of Idanre Kingdom, joined his ancestors nearly seven months ago, precisely on July 30, 2024 (see my tribute, Kabiyesi, Oba Frederick Adegunle Aroloye, Arubiefin IV, 1926-2024, The Nation, August 7, 2024). As indicated in my tribute, Idanre people are anxious for government action in order to avoid the seven-year delay and confusion that attended the installation of his immediate predecessor. Already, Idanre people are suffering from the disruption of traffic, following the relocation of major markets in the town as a result of the traditional mandatory change until a new monarch is installed.
The delay and disruption so far are understandable in view of the three-month window provided in the Declaration and the reorganisation of the Local Government, including an election. It is now hoped that there will be no further delay since the election had already taken place, followed by your inauguration.
Fortunately, the procedure for the selection of the Owa of Idanre had previously been approved by the Ondo State Government, following its review of the Morgan Commission’s recommendations. For example, the Ondo State Government approved, as a general rule, that “the concept of ‘Omo Orite’, ‘Aremo’, and ‘Abidagba’ should be abolished wherever it was being practiced”.
With particular reference to the Owa of Idanre Chieftaincy Declaration, it is important to emphasise that the Ondo State Government recognises in the Declaration (a) that Idanre has only one ruling house, that of Agbogun; (b) that Idanre has only 12 Kingmakers (titles provided); and (c) that “all male ‘direct’ descendants of the past Owa of Idanre” are qualified to be proposed as candidates (see page 65 for details).
Another major task for which the people of Idanre would be very grateful is the dualisation of the Akure-Idanre Road. This was discussed with Governor Akeredolu but he put his preference on a new link road between Akure and Idanre through Ijoka, for which the community remains grateful. However, the major artery to Idanre from Akure remains the one between Oke-Aro through Alade and Atosin. Your immediate attention to this road will be highly appreciated, especially given the tonnage of cocoa, timber, and foodstuff hauled through the road.
Here’s wishing you a successful tenure.
Professor Niyi Akinnaso, MFR.
