Post by Adewale ADEKANYE (@Ajagunna)
How many governors today can say this about themselves like Adekunle Ajasin did in 1983?
That year, when his tenure came to an end after 4 years as Governor of Ondo State, Michael Adekunle Ajasin, publicly declared:
"I came into office in October 1979 with a set of my own rich native dresses and left office in December 1983 with same set of dresses; no addition and no subtraction. I had two personal cars at the time I assumed office but left without any: one had ended its serviceable lifespan with its use for the shadow elections in 1982, while the other was borrowed by a political associate with whom it ended up its lifespan.”
In just 4 years, Ajasin's government under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), achieved:
👉Expanded the UPN policy of free education across Ondo State.
👉Built new primary and secondary schools and increased access to education, especially in rural communities.
👉Signed the law establishing Ondo State University in 1982 at Ado-Ekiti (now Ekiti State University).
👉Established The Polytechnic, Owo, now known as Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, to promote technical and vocational education.
👉Introduced free healthcare services and expanded health facilities across the state.
👉Promoted industrialisation by establishing:
- A state-owned bank.
- An insurance company.
- A sheet glass factory.
- A cocoa processing factory.
👉Constructed and rehabilitated roads.
👉Developed housing estates.
👉Built dams and expanded pipe-borne water projects.
👉Extended electricity to many towns and villages.
👉Invested in agricultural projects to boost food production and rural livelihoods.
👉Established a state television station to improve information dissemination and public education.
Ajasin is remembered as one of Nigeria's most principled Second Republic governors.
The administration of Major General Muhammadu Buhari which took over from the civilian government, went ahead arresting most politicians of that era and putting them on trial before military tribunals. Ajasin was charged twice but discharged and acquitted on both occasions. The junta kept him in jail nonetheless as a septuagenarian.
Born on 28 November, 1908, Ajasin served as governor between October 1979 and October 1983.
Culled from Ethnic African Stories
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