FORMER Ondo State military administrator, retired Cololonel Ahmed Usman at the weekend hailed the re-lection of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, saying that Mimiko was a worthy successor who had taken Ondo State to heights hitherto unimagined going by the spate of unprecedented developmental projects being carried out all over the state.
Usman, who administered the State between 1994 and 1996, was in Akure on Saturday where he was the Chairman of a wedding ceremony between Christiana Ale and Samuel Olotu.
According to the Infantry Officer who confessed that he lost his way into Akure, the State capital, which he noted had been radically developed and now compared favourably with the capitals of any advanced country due to the numerous developmental projects that had been done by the Olusegun Mimiko’s administration, enthused that the people of the State voted for a performer who had turned Ondo State into a modern one.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that Dr Olusegun Mimiko has recorded a lot of monumental achievements which are not only there for people to see but also to celebrate. This is a man who has brought to bear fresh ideas of his own to develop this state into such a modern one within the space of three and a half years. Indeed, Dr Mimiko is a true Democrat, a patriotic Nigerian who has distinguished himself through impeccable credential and I am glad that the people of Ondo State decided to vote for a performer who am sure would take Ondo State to even greater heights during his second term in office.
“Having administered this State before, I am aware of the enormous challenge that governing the State could pose; but for Mimiko to rise to the occasion and put Ondo State on the global map, build on the foundation we were able to lay between 1994 and 1996, and today be a toast of the world is no mean feat and one is gratified that the people saw these qualities in him and voted overwhelmingly for him in spite of the odds against him. Dr Mimiko really deserved to be re-elected and I must say that I am proud of the people of Ondo for not allowing this great man to slip between their fingers and he would definitely not disappoint them as I can see a greater Ondo State in the making during his second term of office,” The ex-Military Administrator assured
Usman who disclosed that he was in Ondo State last August for the first time since he left office 15 years earlier, however noted that he was abreast of happenings in Ondo State since Mimiko took over even though he lived in far away Plateau State, noted that this would be his second visit to the State adding that he had not ceased marvelling at the rapid development he had witnessed.
His words: “The situation reports in Ondo State since the inception of Dr Olusegun Mimiko’s administration in Ondo State has been quite impressing, exciting and commendable. For example, I nearly missed my way into the Government House last August and I still missed my way into Akure again yesterday because of the monumental reconstruction and improvement of township roads. I was really impressed by the new look being given to Akure, the State capital.
“Last year, I had the privilege of making a limited tour of facilities put in place in Akure by His Excellency, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. They are: (1) Neighbourhood Market: the first phase which was completed and occupied within three months of his assumption of office. I observed that the market women were very happy with the Governor for providing them with cheap, modern, neat and secure place to do business. I even purchased some plantain from the markets.
“(2) Mega Primary School Complex: Almost completed, meant to contain about four (3) Mega primary schools. The concept is unique and the structures are children-friendly and of international standard comparable to what are found in advanced countries. (4) Mother and Child Hospital; the hospital, I understand is one of the best in the world serving not only Ondo indigenes but other States in Nigeria.
“The unique thing about the hospital is that treatment for mothers and children is free even for non State indigenes. I have not seen any hospital in Nigeria that is as well equipped and maintained as this one and it was completed within one year. It takes only a focused and purposeful Governor to do that or much within a short time. (4) Auto Mart: The last but not the least place I visited was the Auto Mart Complex completed with offices, licensing office, solar powered lights, fire service, water, bank, security etc.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the administration has recorded a lot of monumental achievements which are not only there for people to see but also to celebrate in times like this. And one is happy that Dr Mimiko was able to build on the foundation we tried to lay down and has brought to bear on governance his own fresh ideas like we did during our time and I can see that the people are now happier and have voted for him again, he enthused.