ONDO PROGRESSIVE ELITES FORUM
The 10-day nationwide protests in the country ended on Saturday, August 10, 2024. The demonstrations led to violence in many states of the federation. Lives were lost and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.
The violence has justified the fear expressed ahead of the demonstrations that hoodlums might hijack the action of the youth.
However, throughout the period of the demonstrations, the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in Ondo state was not affected.
This is attributable to the exemplary leadership displayed by the amiable governor of the state, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and his uncommon proactiveness.
Weeks before the commencement of the nationwide protests, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa engaged the critical stakeholders in the state.
These critical stakeholders included traditional rulers, religious leaders, market women, traders, artisans, students and youths among others.
The governor emphasised the importance of peace to development and the need for the organisers of the protests to see reason and embrace dialogue.
As a listening and compassionate leader that he is, he approved an additional intervention fund of 2 billion naira to enhance food security and cushion effects of economic challenges being faced by the people of the state.
Food commodities received from the federal government were distributed to the vulnerable people across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Neighborhood markets where food would be sold at reduced prices every Thursday and Sunday in the three senatorial districts were initiated by his administration. The expectation is that the initiative will provide relief from the high costs of food commodities in the state.
Considering the purposeful leadership Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has been providing since he came into the saddle, the people of the state listened to him and decided not to embark on any protest.
The decision of the people of the state to embrace peace is a testimony to his exemplary leadership.
Therefore, the Ondo Progressive Elites Forum, a socio-political group, commends the governor for taking steps that sustained peace in the state during the period of the protests. Our state has become a reference point in terms of peaceful environment.
This has added to the investment potentialities of the state. No investor will be afraid to invest in the economy of the state. Our members consider this as a delightful development.
May God enrich Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa with more wisdom to run the affairs of our dear state.
E-Signed:
Dr. Omoduni O Akinyombo-Adebo
Secretary
Ondo Progressive Elites Forum
August 12, 2024.
