Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has praised Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his impactful leadership and dedication to the state’s development.
He said the state had witnessed progress under his leadership.
Dr Mimiko, who gave the commendation during a visit to the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, said Governor Oyebanji had combined competence and character to drive development.
Speaking with reporters after the visit, Mimiko, who lauded the giant strides made by Oyebanji in infrastructure, education, health care and youth empowerment, noted that his rare blend of qualities had enabled him to implement impactful policies, foster unity among stakeholders and prioritise the welfare of the people.
Reflecting on his long-standing relationship with Oyebanji, even before the creation of Ekiti State, Mimiko expressed satisfaction about the pace of progress in Ekiti, saying Oyebanji had shown preparedness for governance, having undergone the required tutelage and imbibed essential political values.
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He said: “Well, let me start by saying what I have seen in terms of outcomes, I am not disappointed. I feel good about it and like I said, Biodun Oyebanji is prepared for the job. He went through the required tutelage because apart from the technical competence, there is also the character.
‘’This is a man who is good in the head and is good in his heart and these have translated to the transformation we can see in the state.
“Oyebanji has deployed his personality cachet, which is why every past governor in the state, irrespective of political persuasion, has endorsed him for second term. This speaks a lot about what he has been able to achieve and also his relationship with people. I am very proud of him.”
Oyebanji, who thanked the former Ondo governor for the visit, described Mimiko as his political mentor and a leader who discovered his political talents.
He said the visit was long anticipated.
Oyebanji, recalling how Mimiko introduced him to politics and instilled in him values of honesty, competence and integrity, attributed much of his leadership style, including his simplicity and focus on people-centred governance, to the mentorship he received from Mimiko.
Speaking about the ex-governor, Oyebanji said: “Mimiko is a mentor to me and I used to tell people that if Ekiti State was not created, I would have been a critical part of his government. I worked with him closely and I studied him. He was my first political contact and he instilled some values in me. Values of honesty, values of competence, of being satisfied with little, and values of living for the people were picked from him.”