Kayode Akinmade: Dapo Abiodun – 65 hearty cheers to a change agent

TODAY, to the glory of Almighty God, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (MFR, CON) is 65, and precisely six years in workplace because the fifth democratically elected Governor. The street has been tough however grace has made the distinction, so let the drums launch nice rhythms and let the music play on in reward of, the God of all creation the One who day by day hundreds us with advantages. In all ramifications, Dapo Abiodun’s story exemplifies that of the proverbial man folks mentioned couldn’t construct a hut, however who has now constructed an enormous edifice. A baby of future born in 1960 when Nigeria obtained independence, and particularly on Might 29, a day now put aside to mark freedom from navy rule and signpost freedom and liberty, Dapo Abiodun is a change agent whose story is intertwined with Nigeria and Ogun State’s future.

He was elected in 2019, however that wasn’t the primary time he had aspired to occupy the Oke Mosan Governor’s Workplace. In 2002, he and Chief Gbenga Daniel contested for the governorship ticket. He got here second however 17 years later, the divinely appointed hour, which we all know by no means ever fails, arrived. And now trying again on the final six years, there’s a lot to be glad about. The Gateway State, Nigeria’s industrial capital, is now Nigeria’s funding vacation spot of alternative because the Iperu-born prince day by day attracts enterprise from all over the world, making the state an enormous development website. Instructively, a chief political group just like the Southern Governors Discussion board additionally discovered him worthy to steer it, and he has been talking for it and the zone. He’s additionally arguably one of many staunchest defenders of President Bola Tinubu’s insurance policies, pointing to Nigeria’s freedom from IMF debt peonage. He’s extraordinarily obsessed with his mission and imaginative and prescient, and the way forward for Ogun State.

As Prince Abiodun turns 65, the land is basking within the transformations which have taken place. Ogun folks, because the world noticed throughout the Opening Ceremony of the continuing Nationwide Sports activities Competition, can maintain up their heads in delight, figuring out that they’ve in Oke Mosan a person who actually cares, and who day by day makes the state a enterprise haven. As students of management have been eager to level out, nice leaders lead by instance, set clear imaginative and prescient and course, talk successfully, foster a optimistic tradition, make knowledgeable selections, allow others to develop, embrace change and innovation, and display emotional intelligence. Absolutely persuaded that management is downside fixing, Dapo Abiodun has targeted on social transformation in Ogun State. He acknowledges that world change brokers, together with South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, who promoted racial reconciliation and nationwide unity and addressed poverty, inequality, and social injustice, and China’s Deng Xiaoping, who launched market-oriented financial reforms, opening up the nation to international funding and commerce, didn’t obtain landmarks attending to demented opposition figures.