IN the face of the murky politics and primordial leadership failure which have characterised the political landscape of Africa, it is always difficult to identify exemplary leadership with purposeful inclination. Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world and the largest democracy in Africa, with uninterrupted democratic government spanning over two decades had her fair share of this inadequacy in leadership, with attendant developmental deficit, socio-economic imbalance and palpable insecurity. However, the turn of events in one of its federating units, Ogun State, elicits special attention, especially given the unprecedented zeal for infrastructural development and political stability,through inclusive leadership style exhibited by the helmsman, Prince Dapo Abiodun. The speed and frequency of change in the quality of governance in the Gateway State since May 2019, despite the toxic political environment and basterdised economy inherited by the governor, continue to amaze political watchers and pundits alike, hence the torrents of awards around the world to recognise his rare leadership style and developmental drive.
The governor, shortly after his assumption of office and with a strong determination to revolutionise the mainstay of the state’s economy in the bid to ensure food security, conceptualised the ISEYA pillars of action in which agriculture is being touted as an integral factor of socio-economic advancement. He embarked on aggressive interventions in the sector and array of its sub-sectors. These interventions tremendously transformed the sector and its various clusters as the state is being presently adjudged as the largest producer of poultry products and cassava in Nigeria. It was in the face of this feat that Governor Dapo Abiodun won the Governor of the Year Award at the Nigerian Agricultural Awards 2020. The award has so far served as a big impetus for him, inspiring him to do more in the sector and make the state to sustain its leading status in agricultural produce across the country. Also, the political sagacity displayed by Prince Abiodun in the management of the fragmented political environment he met in 2019, which restored normalcy and political stability in the state and put a permanent end to brigandage and volatility, informed the conferment of the Governor of the Year Award for the year 2021 on him simultaneously by the two reputable national newspapers, Vanguard and Daily Independent. For his consistency in providing purposeful leadership and inclusive governance to the people of Ogun State, and his vibrant mechanism for social mobilisation in the collective pursuant of egalitarian society through the soul-lifting slogan of collectivism, coined “Building Our Future Together”, Governor Abiodun again was honoured with the Leadership Governor of the Year Award in 2022.
Meanwhile, among several awards that have been conferred on Governor Abiodun in the last four years, the Forbes Best of Africa Award in industrial revolution for the year 2023 was significant and distinct. The award showcased the exceptional political will and capacity of a governor to industrialise his state and create necessary enablers for business to thrive against the age-long economic ideology of consumption without production, which has brought about stagnation and starvation in many African nations and sub-nationals. The status of Ogun State as the industrial hub of Nigeria, with deliberate policies that entrench the best environment for the Ease of Doing Business among the comity of states, coupled with dynamic Multi-modal Transport plan and conscious efforts towards sustainable energy sector, through the Light-up Initiative indeed culminated in this global recognition of importance.
As the Forbes’ Award was being celebrated in the state and among Abiodun’s admirers and followers around the world, the Federal Government of Nigeria at almost the same time honoured the governor with the Industrial Revolution Award, which further gave credence to Governor Abiodun’s profound achievement towards industrialisation in the Gateway State. Obviously, the dual recognition by the Sun newspapers and Silverbird Group did not come as a surprise; it is simply the manifestation of Governor Abiodun’s tenacity and consistency on the path of greater and advanced Ogun State and the conscious resolve to create a better environment for human development and good standard of living for the citizenry. In a letter signed by the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief, of Sun Newspapers, Onuoha Ukeh, while communicating the nomination to Govenor Abiodun, Ukeh said the award was in recognition of Governor Abiodun’s strides in Ogun State, by turning the state into an industrial giant, while also improving its revenue base. In the same vein, Silverbird Group hinted that Governor Abiodun emerged 2023 Silverbird Man of the Year Award from four nominees after a rigorous voting process.
In a statement signed by Jacob Akinyemi-Johnson, Chief Creative Officer/Chairman Editorial Board of the organisation, Governor Abiodun, since his assumption of office has contributed immensely to the advancement of the Nigerian society through his many laudable projects, hence his nomination. In truth and indeed, the lies and blackmails of the fifth columnists have been neutralized by the stellar performance of Prince Dapo Abiodun in Ogun State, despite experiencing the most hostile political climate in the whole of Nigeria, where a sitting President was once stoned and embarrassed by some disgruntled element led by an incumbent Governor; Abiodun remains focused, determined and undaunted, and the rest now became history.
Prince Dapo Abiodun, by his nature and strenght of character has become an institution to study in the democratic enclave of Nigeria and Africa in general; cool, calm and collected, with strong will of leaving indelible footprints at the end of his tenure, this Governor deserves more accolades and honours without blemish.
Sincerely, “ Man gives you the award but God gives you the reward; as winning an award is always a special moment “, May God reward Prince Dapo Abiodun more abundantly as we continue to celebrate this special moment with a special Governor of high esteem.
- Ajibola, SSA to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Strategic Media, writes in from Abeokuta.
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