On Wednesday, Lucky Aiyedatiwa took the oath of office as the new governor of Ondo State, succeeding the late Rotimi Akeredolu.
After a protracted fight with blood cancer, Akeredolu passed away on Wednesday.
Here are 5 things to know about the state’s newest governor:
– Born in 1965, Aiyedatiwa is a native of Obe-Nla, located in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. Aiyedatiwa’s hometown is located close to the center of Ondo’s oil-producing region, and Ilaje is well-known for its oil reserves.
– Aiyedatiwa completed his education with a National Certificate. He went further to earn a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Liverpool as well as an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan.
-In 1982, he began working at Scoa Assembly Plant Plc. as an inventory/store officer. He later advanced to positions as assistant head teacher, marketing officer, assistant investment analyst, and general merchandise manager.
“-Aiyedatiwa founded the Blue Wall Group, a conglomerate engaged in travel, tourism, foreign exchange, and commerce, in 1996.
– He was chosen to be Akeredolu’s running mate in 2020 and won the position of deputy governor. He has held the position of Acting Governor twice in the last three years, from June to September 2023 and again from December 12, 2023.
On December 27, 2023, Aiyedatiwa took the oath of office as governor in the wake of Akeredolu’s passing.