– Beyond the rapture, thrill of his re-election
– Ogun jubilates as gov’s swearing-in coincides with his 63rd birthday, CON award
– Why his melody of governance must be learned
This minute, fate snuggles with Dapo Abiodun, like an attractive beau. This may be ascribed to his fragrant depth, or sweet-scented humanity, if you like.
The arithmetic of Abiodun’s attraction to the cosmic element is absolute, like the third movement of Beethoven’s A Minor Quartet.
Thus endowed with sweet patronage by fate, three things distinguished Abiodun from his fellow governors at his inauguration on May 29. First, was his celebration of his inauguration for his second term as Ogun State governor. Second, his inauguration date happened to be his 63rd birthday. Third, was his investiture with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) national honour by immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, just before he handed over to newly elected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Only a man favoured by providence could enjoy such a tripartite boon on such an auspicious day.
The attraction of Governor Abiodun in public office is very much like that of the maven for the crowd. There is always the hope that something transcendent may happen.
Even fate acknowledges his genius. Perhaps because it is intrepid and eager, and the fruits of its achievement manifest beyond abstraction. Ask the blessed citizenry of Ogun State.
The achievements of Abiodun manifest beyond their minor and major wish-fulfilment. There’s no denying Abiodun came with music in his soul, his exploits in public office are unparalleled. Perhaps because he was born with grit.
If there is a spark of genius in Abiodun’s leadership function at all, it must lie in this transcending ability to assemble a clearly articulated vision of the future that is at once simple, easily understood, clearly desirable, and energizing.
In the political arena, Abiodun is a virtuoso. He treats governance like notes of a symphony—every verse must be played, every score correctly toned. He’s always been an extraordinary statesman. And his body of work through his first term made that clear. Hence his gift of a second term.
His matchless exploits during his first term of governing the “Gateway State” have earned him his place in the hall of heroic and achieving governors in Nigeria’s political landscape. His work rate is legendary. And his project timing is unparalleled.
Little wonder all tinseled paths led to Dapo Abiodun’s “Gateway State.”
On May 29, the entire confines of Ogun State tickled with pomp and an infectious celebration of his swearing-in for a second term. The citizenry and political establishment also celebrated his attainment of the ripe age of 63 and investiture with the CON national award.
And in apparent congruence with the auspicious day, the heavens opened up with a torrential shower of rain and what the citizenry described as divine blessings from Almighty God.
At Abiodun’s inauguration, a floating, cosmic bash shouted its way through the streets of Ogun State and its political universe, flinging the sweetness of its cassations to every window, pounding at every door in a hilarity beyond all liking and happening, until even his detractors and All Progressives Congress (APC) political prodigals trooped out to partake in or get a glimpse of the epochal event.
Abiodun’s journey to the present clearly started on Saturday, March 18, when a dazzling interplay of the earthly and divine boosted his mortal strides to gift him a second term as Executive Governor of Ogun State.
It was no doubt, an honour well deserved; even as the odds stacked against him, menacingly, within and outside his own party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogun people eloquently spoke with their votes, choosing Abiodun.
At the March 18 gubernatorial polls, Abiodun was clearly the candidate to beat but the man no one could defeat. His victory alone doesn’t evoke the kind of passionate response that birthed it, without a story behind it. The reason it feels so good to Governor Abiodun is that en route to his victory, he fought endless drafts of discord and opposition from within and outside his own party.
If success is a mountain peak, Abiodun has braved its arduous climb and now stands at the summit. Some random climber would simply sit down and admire the view. But a man of destiny knows that beyond his recent conquest lies another and another. The journey is never complete in the universe of Abiodun.
Since his pronouncement as the victor of the March 18 gubernatorial polls, Abiodun hasn’t rested on his oars; there have been countless times he was up at all hours of the night, not to celebrate in the delicious glow of the light bouncing off his hard-won victory, but racking his brain and challenging his soul to device a sustainable blueprint worthy of the trust reposed in him by his people.
Sometimes all the puzzle pieces fall into place at the perfect time. A combination of razor-sharp instincts, killer wit and genuine care for the people whose destinies and hopes depend on his capacity to lead effectively proved to be a winning hand.
It’s magical to see through his first term that all the manifestos, rehearsals, baby steps, false starts and dead ends can lead to an extremely driven and unfathomably talented man unwinding in a lounge chair surrounded by her winnings. Abiodun and all that he has achieved are worthy of the moment that beckons him.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, having spent four years in office, has touched practically all sectors of government, bringing renewed development to Ogun State. This undoubtedly informed the widespread clamour for the continuity of his term in office. A few of the countless achievements of the Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State include his remarkable strides in education, health, and the provision and rehabilitation of public infrastructure.
On Abiodun’s watch, a journey through Ogun State manifests as a pilgrimage of sorts. Whether sojourning by land, sea or air, the sights and seasons of “The Gateway State” emit the shine that diamonds give in a landscape of coarse, leaden stones. Ogun, on Abiodun’s watch, sparkles enchantingly.
Its glitter travels across neighbouring states even as its lustre illumines large, distant tracts beyond its borders. More shining feats have been recorded on Governor Abiodun’s watch since he assumed the governorship seat of the state.
That Abiodun distils splendour out of slog is an open secret. He approaches governance, like a visionary, in a beneficent, all-values-connected sort of context.
Through his first term, for instance, the Ogun State governor gave succour to the voiceless. He heard their cries and responded with compassion – the hallmark of humane leadership.
But he didn’t just listen to the citizenry, he treated every citizen and constituent of his domain as their own planet, rather than simply one of his moons.
To date, Abiodun approaches people and communities with curiosity, compassion, grace, and excitement while encouraging a huge community of followers to do the same. It’s a gift to be alive at the same time as this admirable leader.
Since he assumed office, Abiodun has been tackling tough projects and issues with passion and very evident love. His governance style is all about triggering genuine progress and constructive exchanges between state actors, irrespective of class and social boundaries.
He’s always in search of the truthful moment that will give the masses real practical solutions to difficult issues. He’s a visionary in that way.
Inspired by his sterling efforts, billionaire moguls and philanthropists including Otunba Mike Adenuga and Abdulsamad Rabiu have identified with him and collaborated with his government to deliver excellent service to the citizenry.
Governor Abiodun is undoubtedly doing everything right to attract the good graces of corporate organizations and the international community in alignment with his vision to create an enabling environment for Public Private Partnership (PPP) to thrive in Ogun State while leveraging on very strong previous relationships to attract support for the state in all sectors.
Actual governing could be difficult. And through his first term, Abiodun had to deal with problems inherited from his predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun, in the statehouse; from infrastructure lapses, paucity of funds, and administrative shortcomings, he got his work cut out for him but Governor Abiodun was never one to back down from a fight or a daunting challenge.
The actual vision was to form an all-inclusive government marking the first time an Ogun State governor would unite seemingly irreconcilable factions in the state on the strength of his charisma, maturity, and political sagacity. Baring recalcitrant elements who also tried to prevent him from winning a second term, Abiodun has surely succeeded at his task. What he has managed to create is a sacred space of governance, where everyone is respected and aligned with the vision of his administration and the narrative of his progress.
He promised Ogun citizenry freedom, growth, and prosperity. And so far, he has exerted himself convincingly.
Now, he has another four years to deliver on all counts.
