Mayowa Akinfolarin, a former member of the House of Representatives from Ondo State, has advised the state government not to pay lip service to the informal sector, particularly farming.
Akinfolarin, who spoke in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday, posited that Ondo, with its abundant resources untapped, has to be reconfigured for rapid transformation with agriculture.
The two-term federal lawmaker, who represented Ile-Oluji Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency between 2015 and 2023, noted that the state was known for its potential in human and materials skills but had lost the glory in recent times.
“Ondo State is full of potential, human and material alike. It is one of the most prosperous states in this country because we have so many things that can make us great.
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“Ondo state is where 70 per cent of the population are engaged in farming but nobody is paying serious attention to that, all we are doing is to bring projects that will bring money for us, we must start paying attention to the informal sector where we have the majority of our people,” he said.
While noting that the government needed to invest in the agricultural sector, the former federal lawmaker lamented the wide gap between the government and the people.
He stressed that the stage is now ripe for a technocrat in the next election to reconfigure the state for development and prosperity.
“If you look at the state of affairs in the state, you will all agree with me that Ondo State needs to be reconfigured, we need to reconfigure the developmental structure of this state because there seems to be some gaps between government and the people in recent times.”
Declaring his intention to contest the November 2024 governorship race, Akinfolarin said the experience he channelled in navigating the political and economic terrain of the state would be used in bringing succour to the people.
He said, “We are coming out to give hope, we are coming out to make some corrections, all the past. But for me, I need to reconfigure this state and by the time I get the votes of the people of this state, I know that they will be very happy having me as their governor.
“I want to offer myself now to be the governor of this state to serve the good people of Ondo State, and with what Mr President is doing in this country, we need someone that will compliment his efforts here in Ondo State.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is to make Nigeria great and reclaim her position in the comity of nations. Under this agenda, Ondo State must not be left out and I am the right person to make this happen.
“Therefore, I put myself forward to seek the support of all and sundry to enable me to serve as the governor of Ondo State so we can change the narrative and transform the state for good for our and our children’s children.”
While eulogising the late former governor Rotimi Akeredolu for his giant stride and developmental work in the state, Akinfolarin tasked Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to immortalise his predecessor.
He, however, noted that he was prepared to fill the gap left by the former governor in the forthcoming governorship election of the state.
“I am the bridge between successive governments, having been a key part of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu’s government and that of Dr Olusegun Mimiko. I know where the gaps are and I know how to fill them,” he added.
