Mimoko finally hands over to Akeredolu as Ondo governor

Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state has finally ended his two-term tenure as governor and handed over to Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had won the governorship election in the state late 2016 after beating the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties.

Mimoko used the opportunity to reel out his administration's achievements in the last eight years

The handing-over ceremony was done on Thursday, February 23, 2017 in Akure, the states capital amidst tight security

Speaking at the event, Mimiko said in a lengthy speech: “Today, eight years on, by the special grace of the Almighty God, Ondo state has not only done well, it has indeed become a benchmark across the globe in several of our well-conceived and well-delivered programs.

“It is now time to go and turn over the baton of state to another governor. As I take my exit, I recall, in modesty, some of the programs that have these past eight years set our State apart.

“Our life enriching programmes with the acronym ‘A Caring Heart’ was activated to propel masses-centered approach to governance.

“We developed frameworks for setting Key Result Areas (KRA) for each MDA, performance objectives and standard were defined while the activities of MDAs were constantly measured to ensure that they conform to the vision, mission and objectives of government.

“We developed conducive physical working environment to enhance customer – focused and result – oriented governance by enthroning reforms and designing scientific human capital development architecture to bring out the best in every public servant and citizen.”

Mimiko noted that his administration had put the state in a sound footing in different areas of development apart from education in which its students have done excellently.

“For eight years, we deployed an Urban Renewal paradigm that is virtually a repudiation of the ‘trickle-down-theory.’

“We renewed our markets and our motor parks. We built over forty (40) neighborhood markets across the state.

“In Ore alone, we set out to build a 1000-capacity trailer park, the first phase for 300 trailers of which has been completed. On the whole, our urban renewal program was good enough to attract an award from the UN Habitat in 2012.

"The testimonies of our urban renewal efforts are evident in the successful completion of a new Akure-Ondo axis Motor Park, construction of an ultra-modern Automart, beautification of our towns, reconstruction and dualisation of strategic roads while road side slums and ghettos have been transformed into beautiful greenery and scenery,” he said.

Concerning agriculture, he said: “Our desire to have our educated youths back on the farm was canalized through our four Agro-business villages located at Epe, Isuada, Auga and Ore.

“Our Cocoa Revolution program continues to post impressive results, as the attention to the average farmer in Ondo State remains unprecedented in its impact.

“For example in the year 2016, we recorded the highest turnage of graded cocoa in the history of Ondo State. We added value to the production of agricultural products, as well as its processing and marketing.”