Mimiko deserves second term
MIMIKO DESERVES SECOND TERM
With less than one week to the Ondo State Governorship elections, it is important to restate my convictions that Dr Olusegun Mimiko deserves a second term. Beginning with Dr. Mimiko’s moral footings and pleasant candor which continually provided a sound footing to demonstrate his good governance capabilities; his medical degree (which was not obtained from Chicago) launched him first and foremost to the cadre of a manager of men and resources with a successful private medical practice from where the desire to further serve humanity propelled him to join partisan politics. Since he has been occupying public office, his outstanding records has ever remained luminous, inspiring, and transparent compared to his peers in the Nigerian political firmament.
In three and a half years as Governor of Ondo State, Dr Mimiko has concretely bridged the disconnect between government and the citizenry in all spheres of human affairs with a plethora of people centered, home grown policies and programmes which are unprecedented in the annals of Ondo State.
With an avowed commitment to deliver his promises to the people despite an avalanche of baseless provocations and arm chair criticisms of an opposition that is detached from the contemporary realities of the Ondo State people; Dr Mimiko has in no small measure turned around the fortunes of Ondo State and lived up to expectation as a true son who has refused to hand over the precious heritage of the people to any ferocious godfather. He has remained grateful to God and the Ondo State people for their support at all times knowing fully well that the people are with him because of their conviction on his competence rather than any form of gratuitous imposition from outside.
To start with, Dr Mimiko introduced a bottom-up approach to governance. This approach is novel as the people themselves determine what their priorities are. Through his commitment to community development; close to one thousand projects that are spread over the nook and crannies of Ondo State had been completed and put to use. Also, the Abiye (Safe Motherhood) maternal and child care concept has become a benchmark for WHO (World Health Organisation). Not only that; the over 11,000 women who have put to bed at no cost in the World Bank-endorsed Abiye Hospitals are joyful just as the over 4,000 women who have undergone caesarean operations at no cost. Interestingly, the University College Hospital (UCH), which was established several years back and the remaining states in Nigeria now understudy what goes on in Abiye. Oyo State for instance has copied the Abiye programme and branded it ‘Abiyamo Oyo’!
Dr Mimiko also has a unique record as the governor paying the highest minimum wage (N22, 000) in the country as against the Federal Government’s N18, 000. This feat and several other worker friendly policies led to the public endorsement of Dr Mimiko by members of the Nigerian Labour Congress in the State and at the National level.
Agriculture which is said to hold the key to Nigeria’s economic emancipation is another area Iroko has curried the interest of the people. In the spirit of its Caring Heart ideology and under the Ondo State Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), the Iroko government inaugurated three farms settlements in Epe, (Ondo Central), Auga (Ondo North) and Ore (Ondo South senatorial districts). Each of these three farms caters for the agricultural peculiarities of its district’s farm settlements which are unique in their project of pooling their farmers, not among the traditional farmers, but from the sea of hitherto unemployed graduates.
And the mega schools? These are perhaps the greatest milestone recorded by the governor. The sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, made Yorubaland Black Africa’s most urbanised environment through his free education policy. What makes the Mimiko project unique, however, is the construction of a school environment without parallel anywhere in the world, with an inspectorate division strengthened to monitor activities in the schools, including constant assessment of teachers. School children get free bus rides to school and even school uniforms, books and bags are free. At the tertiary level; while tuition in neighbouring Soutwestern States ranges from N250,000 to N350,000, Ondo State owned tertiary institutions charge a token of N25,000 while student support by Government is on a strong footing.
Market women at the ultramodern neighborhood markets that are spread across the State are happy for the paltry N50 per week that they pay to operate in the world-class environments. Similarly, Auto workers who now have a world class Mechanic Village to operate from (paying only N40 per day for the maintenance of the facility) and car leaders who ply their trade at the first of its kind International Automart have cause to be happy. Day in, day out, the lives of Artisans, members of NURTW, RTEAN, cooperative societies and the mass public continually get turned around with credit facilities and a conducive environment to operate in a manner that has never been witnessed in Ondo State. Mimiko has also firmly structured a landscape and foundational basis for rapid industrialization, wealth creation and employment.
Dr. Mimiko who has already received an award for running the most peaceful state in the country also initiated an Urban Renewal scheme. Under this programme, cities in Ondo State are wearing a new look as facilities that were once considered as exclusive landmarks of big cities in Europe and America have come to berth in Ondo State. An infrastructural rebirth of utilities such as roads and water schemes has also been prioritized by this Government. Apart from the road projects in Akure; completed and on-going road projects are spread across the State while the Awara (Ikare-Akoko) and Ifon Water Scheme have been made functional. Also, the several untapped tourism potentials of Ondo State are now been harnessed beginning with the Mare Festival in Idanre and several others that are gradually positioning Ondo State as a strong Tourist destination.
In the area of Information, Communication and Technology; Mimiko has laid the foundation for technology villages and by the time the projects materialize; Ondo State might take the lead in Africa, spreading the gospel of ICT, bio-fuel and renewable energy across the continent. For the ordinary man travelling by public transport, Mimiko's model motor park is a sight to behold. Parks are now designed with stimulating facilities that pleasantly conditions the psychological state of commuters thus safeguarding the sanctity of human lives.
Apart from being honoured by reputable institutions at home and abroad for his commitment to good governance and outstanding people-centered policies; the UN Human Settlements Programme had, in its 6th World Urban Forum in Naples, Italy, entered Mimiko's name on the 2012 UN-HABITAT SCROLL OF HONOUR. The citation says: "Many commendable candidates were considered for this award. It was our unanimous opinion that you should receive the award for your drive to reduce urban poverty and make Ondo State the best run in your country"!
The score card is indeed endless as the Mimiko led administration has in less than four years taken Ondo State to the front row of political communities in Nigeria and beyond with the numerous home-grown policies and frameworks that are unprecedented in Nigeria nay Africa’s quest for development and good governance. The truth is that if a leader has performed creditably well and has now put himself forward for re-election; massive votes that translates to victory is the sure incentive that can make him perform better. On these impressive records and many more, I recommend Dr Olusegun Mimiko to the Ondo State electorate for a re-election into office as Governor, come October 20, 2012. A resounding victory for Mimiko at the polls is needed to take his gospel of unmatched progressivism many notches higher and to continue to make Ondo State the benchmark for progressive good governance in Africa and beyond.
With less than one week to the Ondo State Governorship elections, it is important to restate my convictions that Dr Olusegun Mimiko deserves a second term. Beginning with Dr. Mimiko’s moral footings and pleasant candor which continually provided a sound footing to demonstrate his good governance capabilities; his medical degree (which was not obtained from Chicago) launched him first and foremost to the cadre of a manager of men and resources with a successful private medical practice from where the desire to further serve humanity propelled him to join partisan politics. Since he has been occupying public office, his outstanding records has ever remained luminous, inspiring, and transparent compared to his peers in the Nigerian political firmament.
In three and a half years as Governor of Ondo State, Dr Mimiko has concretely bridged the disconnect between government and the citizenry in all spheres of human affairs with a plethora of people centered, home grown policies and programmes which are unprecedented in the annals of Ondo State.
With an avowed commitment to deliver his promises to the people despite an avalanche of baseless provocations and arm chair criticisms of an opposition that is detached from the contemporary realities of the Ondo State people; Dr Mimiko has in no small measure turned around the fortunes of Ondo State and lived up to expectation as a true son who has refused to hand over the precious heritage of the people to any ferocious godfather. He has remained grateful to God and the Ondo State people for their support at all times knowing fully well that the people are with him because of their conviction on his competence rather than any form of gratuitous imposition from outside.
To start with, Dr Mimiko introduced a bottom-up approach to governance. This approach is novel as the people themselves determine what their priorities are. Through his commitment to community development; close to one thousand projects that are spread over the nook and crannies of Ondo State had been completed and put to use. Also, the Abiye (Safe Motherhood) maternal and child care concept has become a benchmark for WHO (World Health Organisation). Not only that; the over 11,000 women who have put to bed at no cost in the World Bank-endorsed Abiye Hospitals are joyful just as the over 4,000 women who have undergone caesarean operations at no cost. Interestingly, the University College Hospital (UCH), which was established several years back and the remaining states in Nigeria now understudy what goes on in Abiye. Oyo State for instance has copied the Abiye programme and branded it ‘Abiyamo Oyo’!
Dr Mimiko also has a unique record as the governor paying the highest minimum wage (N22, 000) in the country as against the Federal Government’s N18, 000. This feat and several other worker friendly policies led to the public endorsement of Dr Mimiko by members of the Nigerian Labour Congress in the State and at the National level.
Agriculture which is said to hold the key to Nigeria’s economic emancipation is another area Iroko has curried the interest of the people. In the spirit of its Caring Heart ideology and under the Ondo State Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), the Iroko government inaugurated three farms settlements in Epe, (Ondo Central), Auga (Ondo North) and Ore (Ondo South senatorial districts). Each of these three farms caters for the agricultural peculiarities of its district’s farm settlements which are unique in their project of pooling their farmers, not among the traditional farmers, but from the sea of hitherto unemployed graduates.
And the mega schools? These are perhaps the greatest milestone recorded by the governor. The sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, made Yorubaland Black Africa’s most urbanised environment through his free education policy. What makes the Mimiko project unique, however, is the construction of a school environment without parallel anywhere in the world, with an inspectorate division strengthened to monitor activities in the schools, including constant assessment of teachers. School children get free bus rides to school and even school uniforms, books and bags are free. At the tertiary level; while tuition in neighbouring Soutwestern States ranges from N250,000 to N350,000, Ondo State owned tertiary institutions charge a token of N25,000 while student support by Government is on a strong footing.
Market women at the ultramodern neighborhood markets that are spread across the State are happy for the paltry N50 per week that they pay to operate in the world-class environments. Similarly, Auto workers who now have a world class Mechanic Village to operate from (paying only N40 per day for the maintenance of the facility) and car leaders who ply their trade at the first of its kind International Automart have cause to be happy. Day in, day out, the lives of Artisans, members of NURTW, RTEAN, cooperative societies and the mass public continually get turned around with credit facilities and a conducive environment to operate in a manner that has never been witnessed in Ondo State. Mimiko has also firmly structured a landscape and foundational basis for rapid industrialization, wealth creation and employment.
Dr. Mimiko who has already received an award for running the most peaceful state in the country also initiated an Urban Renewal scheme. Under this programme, cities in Ondo State are wearing a new look as facilities that were once considered as exclusive landmarks of big cities in Europe and America have come to berth in Ondo State. An infrastructural rebirth of utilities such as roads and water schemes has also been prioritized by this Government. Apart from the road projects in Akure; completed and on-going road projects are spread across the State while the Awara (Ikare-Akoko) and Ifon Water Scheme have been made functional. Also, the several untapped tourism potentials of Ondo State are now been harnessed beginning with the Mare Festival in Idanre and several others that are gradually positioning Ondo State as a strong Tourist destination.
In the area of Information, Communication and Technology; Mimiko has laid the foundation for technology villages and by the time the projects materialize; Ondo State might take the lead in Africa, spreading the gospel of ICT, bio-fuel and renewable energy across the continent. For the ordinary man travelling by public transport, Mimiko's model motor park is a sight to behold. Parks are now designed with stimulating facilities that pleasantly conditions the psychological state of commuters thus safeguarding the sanctity of human lives.
Apart from being honoured by reputable institutions at home and abroad for his commitment to good governance and outstanding people-centered policies; the UN Human Settlements Programme had, in its 6th World Urban Forum in Naples, Italy, entered Mimiko's name on the 2012 UN-HABITAT SCROLL OF HONOUR. The citation says: "Many commendable candidates were considered for this award. It was our unanimous opinion that you should receive the award for your drive to reduce urban poverty and make Ondo State the best run in your country"!
The score card is indeed endless as the Mimiko led administration has in less than four years taken Ondo State to the front row of political communities in Nigeria and beyond with the numerous home-grown policies and frameworks that are unprecedented in Nigeria nay Africa’s quest for development and good governance. The truth is that if a leader has performed creditably well and has now put himself forward for re-election; massive votes that translates to victory is the sure incentive that can make him perform better. On these impressive records and many more, I recommend Dr Olusegun Mimiko to the Ondo State electorate for a re-election into office as Governor, come October 20, 2012. A resounding victory for Mimiko at the polls is needed to take his gospel of unmatched progressivism many notches higher and to continue to make Ondo State the benchmark for progressive good governance in Africa and beyond.
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