Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu took his oath of office today in Akure. It was at his inaugural ceremony, which was attended by many dignitaries, including the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, serving governors and former governors.

Iyiola Pedro of NAN TV captures the moment:

The newly sworn-in governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has promised to make the collective interest of the state his paramount focus. Akeredolu said this on Friday in Akure in his address shortly after taking oath of office amidst pump and pageantry. Akeredolu also pledged not to renege on his campaign pledge that the peoples’ welfare shall form the basis of his government.

“We listened to our people in the course of our campaign to all nooks and crannies of the state. We heard them loud and clear through their votes. We witnessed firsthand the deplorable conditions under which they exist, and we are determined to make the difference with the specific mandate of redemption liberally handed over to us. Our platform for change is erected on strong pillars which consist of the core sectors of government activities that our blue print lays emphasis on,” Akeredolu said.

According to him, these core sectors are finance and management of state resources, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Commerce and industrial development, education and Technology, Land, Housing and Environment, among others. The governor said that the main mission of his administration was to lead a patriotic, highly inspired and competent team “to rescue the ship of our state”

Akeredolu, who acknowledged the enormous challenges faced by the state, pointed out that the blue print of his administration was anchored on five cardinal programmes popularly known as “our platforms for change” According to him, the cardinal programmes are: Job creation through Agriculture, Entrepreneurship and industrialisation; massive infrastructural development and maintenance; provision of functional growth and technological growth; provision of accessible and qualitative health care and social service delivery; rural development and community extension services. Senate President Bukola Saraki led dignitaries across all walks of life to witness the swearing-in ceremony.

Other dignitaries present at the epoch making event held at the Akure Stadium included Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) and John Odigie-Oyegun, national chairman of APC. Also present at the event were the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Communication, Barr Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Senators Dino Melaye, Tayo Alasoadura and Isiaka Adeleke.

Serving governors including Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Senator Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Simon Lalong of Plateau, were also present at the event Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa and Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, Senator Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau were also present while former Gov.Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State represented former Presden Olusegun Obasanjo.

Traditional rulers, including Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredric Akinruntan, the Osemowe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kinladejo, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, also attended the event.

Highlight of the event at the jam-packed stadium was a parade by men of the Nigerian Police and different interest groups. Party faithful and various interest groups, who were clad in different uniforms, also participated in a colourful march pass where Akeredolu took salute.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akeredolu of the APC defeated Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the Nov. 26, 2016 gubernatorial poll in Ondo State to become the governor of the state. NAN also reports that former Gov. Olusegun Mimiko formally handed over the reins of power to Akeredolu in a brief but colourful ceremony on Thursday evening