Olasunmibo Aboluwade, Abuja
A former Director of Finance at the Nigeria Defence Academy, Brigadier General Olamide Ohunyeye(retd) has revealed that residents of Ondo state must look out for an experienced and selfless leader who would engineer the socio-economic development of the state.
He explained that the state has the needed natural and human resources to compete with other oil producing states of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and the rest, saying a leader with genuine interest for the people would tap into these potential in the overall interest of the people.
Ohunyeye spoke at the weekend in Ilutitun, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo state during a civic reception organized for him by the people to mark his recent retirement from the Nigerian Army.
At the event, mammoth crowd of residents, well wishers from the community and the 16 Local Government Areas of the state including traditional rulers were in attendance.
While lamenting the increasing level of unemployment rate among the youths and other negative economic indices in the state, he maintained that the state is too endowed and gifted to be experiencing hardship and lack of infrastructural facelifts.
According to him, ” For Ondo state, I want a leader that will place the state at the platform of oil producing states of Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom,Rivers and others. I want to see massive and rapid infrastructural development, I want to see complete capacity building, I want to see complete efficient and judicious use of our numerous resources and agricultural products, which are hidden in the soil of Ondo state.
” I want to see an Ondo state where the unemployed youths are employed, teachers are properly trained, education and healthcare systems are improve upon. A state that will witness development in all ramifications of life.”
The retired Army General who appreciated the people for the recognition and honour accorded him during the reception, said he would be more committed and dedicated to the upliftment of the people in the area and the state at large.
” I feel extremely very excited and joyous that after 36 years of my sojourn in the military, my community and even the state are celebrating me that I have done well to serve my fatherland, the federal Republic of Nigeria and welcoming me back to the society for more service to the people, ” he said.
Speaking, the chairman of Murobodo Development Council, Sehinde Akinbuwa commended the retired army general for his selfless service to the nation and the community in the last 36 years , adding that the community would continue to support him in his future endeavors.
While congratulating him for his retirement from the active service of the army, the community leader advised Ohunyeye to consider taking up leadership role in the state for the people to benefit from his wealth of experience and expertise in administration.
Akinbuwa said, ” As General Ohunyeye transitions into civilian life, it is incumbent upon us to encourage and support him leveraging his wealth of experience and wisdom to continue serving our community, and the state.
” Just as great generals of the past have transcended their military service to lead their nations in times of peace, we urge him to chart a new path in civilian leadership, inspiring and mentoring the next generation towards excellence,” he said.
