By Bisi Oladele and Osagie Otabor, AkureMy new strategy will accelerate development of Ondo State, Governor Rotmi Akeredolu said yesterday.He spoke after his inauguration for a second term in Akure, the state capital.The senior lawyer outlined his approach to governance, which he captured in an acronym, REDEEMED, reflects current realities.The governor and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, were sworn in by the Chief Judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, at the Akure International Culture and Event Centre.The REDEEMED means rural and agricultural development, educational advancement and human capital development, development through massive infrastructure and efficient service delivery and policy implementation. Others are effective healthcare and social welfare services, maintenance of law and order for adequate security, energy, mining and sustainable industries as well as digital revolution and entrepreneurship.A strategy christened JMPPR guided his administration in the last four years.Read Also: Nigerias federalism twisted, says AkeredoluAkeredolu singled out insecurity, saying it had become more encompassing than it used to be. He added that paucity of funds also militated against the quest to actualise many lofty objectives, which his administration conceived to ameliorate the deplorable conditions under which the people live.The governor said the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted all projections, including revenue generation to execute ambitious projects conceived for the benefit of the people.Promising not to depart from the redemptive and restorative promise, Akeredolu said he would proceed with keener enthusiasm to justify the renewal of his mandate to serve the people.He said various sectors such as education, health, agriculture and infrastructure received attention across the three senatorial districts in his first term in office.He said: Our administration is determined to make our state safe for residents and visitors alike. We have had our share of security challenges since assumption of office. We have been able to confront these problems headlong.Amotekun has done very well in its short time of existence. It has been able to work within the law establishing it. Its operations and successes recorded justify its establishment. We have instructed the commander to recruit more capable hands.We will not depart from the trodden path which has earned us affection and deep reverence from the citizenry. We shall continue, with more vigour, to justify the trust earned by our administration. The second term, for us, is not a time for relaxation. We are not under any illusion that it will be easy. We are, however, ready to proceed on the journey with renewed enthusiasm and vigour.The COVID-19 pandemic has had a deleterious effect on global economy. Things may get worse. Loss of jobs has been on a frightening scale. Production of goods and services has plummeted. Our national economy is in recession. Ingenuity, resourcefulness, courage and hard work will be the needed virtues for survival in the days ahead.He thanked President Mohammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other party leaders, including Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, as well as fellow governors, for their support during the election.In attendance were Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, his Osun State counterpart, Adegboyega Oyetola, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).Also at the event were Tinubu, former Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Senator Iyiola Omisore and former National Vice Chairman (Southwest), APC chief Pius Akinyelure.Members of the National Assembly from Ondo State were led by Senator Ajayi Borrofice, members of the Ondo State House of Assembly were led by Speaker David Oleyelogun.Traditional rulers were led by the Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Frederick Akinruntan who is the Olugbo of Ugbo.
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