Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Photo: Ministry of Interior
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has praised the leadership qualities of former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, describing his greatest legacy as the people he mentored and prepared for leadership.
Tunji-Ojo said this at the “Birthday and Conversation with Dr Olusegun Mimiko”, an event held in Abuja on Saturday to celebrate the former governor’s 72nd birthday.
The minister described Mimiko as the architect of modern Ondo State and the best governor the state had ever produced.
He highlighted Mimiko’s achievements in healthcare, education, youth empowerment, infrastructure and other sectors of governance, despite the difficult situations he faced.
“Beyond all of that, he showed the people, over his eight-year tenure, that government can work for the people. And till tomorrow, his legacies are still there; the mother and child hospital, the medical university, the records are there.
“The best of his achievements happens to be the people he built through mentorship. The reason why I have to be here today is because the young people that he mentored decided to celebrate him. He didn’t ask to be celebrated,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He encouraged other leaders in public service and governance to mentor and develop younger people.
“This is a lesson for all of us in government, no matter how long, for every entry, one day, there will be an exit. But when the exit comes, who will be there to hold your hands?” he asked.
“I met Doctor Mimiko as an aspirant running for the House of Representatives. He mentored us and never saw us as people who were too junior to be on his table. And today, to the glory of God and courtesy of Mr President, I’m a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But even as the Minister of Interior, I remain your boy. Because you have invested and deposited in our lives.
“Our present today is a reflection of your yesterday, and we are grateful to you, sir. It is my prayer that God grants you good health, so that you can continue to mentor us, because we can’t learn enough from your table.”
The minister also praised Mimiko’s reading habits, encouraging young people who wanted to remain relevant in leadership to emulate him.
He said Mimiko achieved things in Ondo State that many had considered impossible through governance, assuring the former governor that he and other younger leaders would continue to draw on his ideology.
“Mimiko is not a magician, but he did magic through governance in Ondo State. I can assure you, sir, that we will continue to leverage your ideology,” he added.
Also present at the event was the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who, in his remarks, directed that the Ondo State International Centre for Culture and Events, popularly known as the Dome, in Akure, be renamed after Mimiko.