We’re striving to make Ondo entrepreneurial hub, says Aiyedatiwa

• Empowers 20 young startup entrepreneurs with cash, equipment
• Politically, you’re irrelevant to PDP, Ajayi tells Mimiko’s allies

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, yesterday, said that efforts had begun towards transforming the state into one of the country’s leading hubs for entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology.

The governor said that his administration was committed to fostering an environment where young entrepreneurs could thrive and shine on national and global stages.

Aiyedatiwa, who spoke during the entrepreneurship prize-giving ceremony organised by the Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) tagged ‘My IDEA 2.0,” in Akure, the state capital, said: “The end has come for the narrative of Ondo State being a civil service state.

“In my time as governor of this state, Ondo State will be known as the capital for entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology.

“History has shown that prosperous regions are often transformed by innovative solutions that address challenges and create new industries. In Ondo State, we recognise the power of entrepreneurship and technology to reshape our economy and elevate our people’s lives.”

Each of the 20 winners that emerged from hundreds of applicants from across the state is expected to get N1 million cash and N2 million worth of working equipment to enhance their businesses.

Aiyedatiwa, who emphasised the need and benefits of supporting young entrepreneurs, stressed that the state government is dedicated to providing the necessary tools, resources, and mentorship to help them succeed in a technology-driven world.

In another development, the campaign organisation of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming off-cycle November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, has described the allies of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who defected from the party, as inconsequential.

According to the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity of the campaign organisation, Ayo Fadaka, the defectors had for the past years been moving from one political party to the other.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, yesterday, Fadaka said: “We take due cognisance of the actions of some people led by Joseph Akinlaja that have since joined the APC two months ago.

“We note conclusively that these people are mere rolling stones who gather no moss as they relocate from one party to another during every election cycle.

“They have never been politically stable, which is why we are not missing them. They will add nothing to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his party; rather, they will become unlucky, and we congratulate him and APC on this account.

“To serious-minded people remaining in APC, we urge them to take cognisance that a large chunk of their colleagues responsible for APC’s success in the past has since teamed up with us. So, they must waste no further time to join the PDP in our quest to reposition our state for development and productivity.”