MY MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR LUCKY ORIMISAN AIYEDATIWA & THE GOOD PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE.
As Your Excellency Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa steps into the saddle of state leadership on the platform of APC as the 7th Executive Governor of Ondo State tomorrow, Monday, February 24th, 2025, it has become necessary to draw Your Excellency’s attention to the worsening mood of the people and their growing concern about their yearnings and expectations for good governance and ethical standards of leadership. You should deeply reflect on how we, as a state, got to this point and how and why you found yourself at this juncture of fate.
Towards the end of 2023, the people had become so apprehensive about the future of our state. The atmosphere was precarious and fraught with ominous signs of clear and future danger. It was clear to the more discerning leadership of our party and critical stakeholders in the state that our initial rescue mission as progressive had largely miscarried.
The polarization and division of opinion, by personalizing what was initially a collective leadership within the system of government then had come to replace the unanimity of purpose that informed your emergence as Acting Governor against all odds. The government in the absence of the Governor during his travails were becoming torn into factions, if allowed to continue and gain root , grave dangers lay ahead.
Remember, Your Excellency, that a king who neglects to sharpen his sword will eventually find himself chased out of his dreams. In leadership, this is a powerful reminder: you must always be prepared and constantly improving. You cannot afford to ignore the tools, skills, and knowledge that make you effective, because without them, you risk losing everything.
True leaders understand the importance of learning not just from success, but from failure. While success may look shiny and appealing, it can sometimes be superficial, masking the real lessons that come from struggle. Failures, on the other hand, hold the wisdom that success often hides. They teach you what doesn’t work, challenge your assumptions, and refine your strategy.
As we celebrate Your Excellency’s inauguration as the 7th Executive Governor of this state, we must remind ourselves that the wise don’t just celebrate triumphs; they study others’ failures. By understanding where things went wrong, they can avoid repeating the same mistakes. Failure is the ultimate teacher—it forces you to grow, adapt, and become stronger. The lessons you learn in moments of battle shape you into a resilient, capable leader.
So, as a leader, don’t fear failure. Embrace it as a tool for growth. Sharpen your skills, learn from both your own and your predecessor’s experiences, and remember that the most valuable wisdom often comes from the toughest lessons. Prepare yourself for success by learning from failure, and keep moving forward, no matter the challenges. Surround yourself with growth-minded people because the people you surround yourself with shape your mindset. No wonder the book of Proverbs 13:20 in the Bible says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” The success or failure of any leader depends on the kind of people surrounding that leader—a case study of your predecessor whose Associates took advantage of his weaknesses to manipulate him all through.
Your Excellency, may God Almighty release unto you the enablement of choosing rightly, because in life, who you surround yourself with and those you choose to share your dream with matters. Being too close to the wrong people can derail your dream, vision, and mission for the state, just like a lion wouldn’t work with a sheep, and an elephant wouldn’t live in the city. Each creature thrives in the environment where its strengths and potentials are fully recognized and valued.
Know Who to Work With!
Not everyone is meant to be part of your vision. Your circle of influence should empower and challenge you to grow. A lion does not seek to lead sheep, just as you should avoid working with people who pull you down or hold you back. Surround yourself with those who inspire, motivate, and push you to be your best. Let’s put an end to the recycling narrative of state appointments across board, as we have seen in Ekiti State under BAO, which has since been yielding positive results in the state.
Know Where to Work!
Where you focus your energy matters just as much as who you do it with. Just as an elephant isn’t suited for city life, you must be mindful of whom you work with. Choose discreetly people that align with your goals, who complement your strengths to make your goals appreciated and flourish.
Know this:
Success comes when you’re intentional about both the company you keep and the quality of people you give access to you. Find those who promote your vision and support your goals to thrive. Don’t settle for people or leaders that stifle your plans. Choose wisely, work wisely, and watch your back.
In leadership, true strength comes from knowing how to navigate relationships—whether with competitors or adversaries. Your Excellency must understand that success isn’t just about working with those who agree with you, but also with those who challenge or even oppose you due to the complexity of leadership.
Tomorrow, Monday, February 24, 2025, you will assume office as the state’s 7th Executive Governor, fully aware of the many challenges confronting the state, having been around for over 14 months. You have no illusions about the direction in which to move the state. You have long-standing convictions about Ondo State, born of many decades of comprehensive consultations with a broad spectrum of compatriots from nearly all walks of life. Having been part of the immediate past government, you have become quite familiar with the wishes and aspirations of our people, and by now, you should have developed a template of what needs to be done, at least from your modest perspective. The new government must have a genuine desire to end the cycle of instability in both the politics and general history of the state. This must be made very clear in your inaugural address to the state tomorrow. Your commitment to a better and greater Ondo State is of public knowledge. But unknown to many, however, is your encounter with fate.
“Since its creation in 1976, this state has had a history mixed with turbulence and fortune. We have witnessed our rise to greatness, followed by a decline into a state of bewilderment. Our human potential has been neglected, and our natural resources have been wasted. A phenomenon of constant insecurity and overbearing uncertainty has become characteristic of our existence. There is no joy in seeing the people of this state shoulder burdens that should have been shed years back. You can’t afford to fall the people of Ondo for posterity sake.
TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE:
It’s my belief that only those who can endure the pain will enjoy the gain. We need to persevere in order to achieve a brighter future for Ondo State. It’s imperative to cooperate with the new government and pray to God Almighty to give the Governor sound health so as to be able to deliver his promises.
Congratulations.
Psalm 122;6
Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper.
HK Bello ✍️from Ehin-Ogbe, Owo
