Lucky Aiyedatiwa Explained

Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Honorific Prefix:His Excellency
Office:Governor of Ondo State
Term Start:27 December 2023
Deputy:Olayide Adelami
Predecessor:Rotimi Akeredolu
Term Label1:Acting
Term Start1:13 June 2023
Term End1:7 September 2023
Predecessor1:Rotimi Akeredolu
Successor1:Rotimi Akeredolu
Office2:Deputy Governor of Ondo State
Term Start2:24 February 2021
Term End2:27 December 2023
Governor2:Rotimi Akeredolu
Predecessor2:Agboola Ajayi
Successor2:Olayide Adelami
Birth Name:Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa
Birth Date:12 January 1965
Birth Place:Ilaje, Western Region (now in Ondo State), Nigeria
Party:All Progressive Congress
Spouse:Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa
Children:3
Alma Mater:University of Liverpool

Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa (born 12 January 1965) is a Nigerian businessman and politician who has served as governor of Ondo State since 2023. He previously served as deputy governor of Ondo State from 2021 to 2023 under Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.[1] [2] He is a former commissioner of Niger Delta Development Commission.[3]

On 13 December 2023, Aiyedatiwa became acting governor following the departure of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on medical leave.[4] He had previously served as acting governor from June to September 2023 when Akeredolu was on medical leave.

Early life

Aiyedatiwa was born on 12 January 1965, he hails from Obe-Nla,[5] an oil-bearing community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Background

Lucky had his Primary education at Saint Peter's UNA (now FAC) Primary School, Obe Nla/Obe Adun in Ilaje LGA of Ondo State between 1970 and 1976. He had his secondary education at Ikosi High School, Ketu, Lagos, in 1982. In 1986, he obtained Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Government from Lagos State College of Education (now Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education), Ijanikin, Lagos, he later attended University of Ibadan for Advanced Diploma in Business Administration in the year 2001. He became an alumnus of Lagos Business SchoolPan Atlantic University, Lekki, Lagos where he obtained Post Graduate Certification in Chief Executive Education (CEP) in Business Management in 2009. In 2013, he obtained a Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Career

He worked as an Inventory/Store Officer at Scoa Assembly Plant Plc. Apapa, Lagos, between 1982 and 1983. In 1987 he was Assistant Head Teacher at Reliance International Schools, Ijokodo, Ibadan. He became Marketing Officer at Universal Pharmaceutical Supply Co. Ltd, Ikeja, Lagos in the year 1990. In 1992, he was an Assistant Investment Analyst. Global Trust Limited, Gbagada, Lagos, he was General Merchandise Manager, Biz Mart Nigeria Limited, Lagos Island, Lagos, 1994.

He is the MD/CEO of Blue Wall Group of Companies[6] which he established in 1996 which includes; Blue Wall Nigeria Ltd, a Trading Company, Blue Wall BDC Nigeria Ltd,[7] a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licensed foreign exchange trading company and Blue Wall Safety Travels and Tours,[8] an IATA licensed Travel Agency and Logistic Company.

Early political career

He joined active politics in 2011 as a card-carrying member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) which later merged with other political parties and became All Progressive Congress (APC). He was one of the National Delegates from Ondo State at the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Convention at Abuja in 2014. He contested for the federal House of Representative[9] for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in 2015 Presidential and National Assembly General Election.

Niger Delta Development Commission

Aiyedatiwa served as the federal commissioner who represented Ondo State on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission from 2018 to 2019.[10]

Ondo State Government

He was selected as the running mate of the governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu in the 2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election.[11] [12] [13]

On 11 October 2020, Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa were elected governor and deputy governor of Ondo State as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

On 25 February 2021, they were sworn into office as governor and deputy governor of Ondo State respectively.[14]

Aiyedatiwa became acting governor of Ondo State on 13 December 2023, as Akeredolu left for end-stage leukaemia treatment.[15] He was previously acting governor from June to September 2023 when Akeredolu was on medical leave.

Governorship

On 27 December 2023, Akeredolu died and Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as governor.[16] [17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-02-25. Akeredolu, new deputy sworn in for second term. 2021-04-06. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. en-US.
  2. Web site: 'Compete fairly' The Nation Nigeria . 2022-03-11 . thenationonlineng.net.
  3. Web site: 2020-07-29. Akeredolu picks Lucky Aiyedatiwa, ex-NDDC commissioner, as running mate. 2021-04-06. TheCable. en-US.
  4. News: Akeredolu embarks on another medical leave, hands over to deputy . 12 December 2023 . The Cable . 12 December 2023.
  5. Web site: SUNSHINETRUTH. 1 August 2020. en-US.
  6. Web site: Meet Akeredolu Running mate: Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa » 9jainsider.com. 1 August 2020. 9jainsider.com.
  7. Web site: Central Bank of Nigeria All Financial Institutions Bluewall Bureau De Change Limited. 1 August 2020. www.cbn.gov.ng.
  8. Web site: Blue Wall Nigeria Limited. 1 August 2020. en-US.
  9. Web site: 1 March 2014. Ilaje poll: Farukanmi urges APC chieftains to reconcile. 1 August 2020. Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. en-US.
  10. Web site: Senate confirms Buhari's three NDDC board nominees. 1 August 2020. Punch Newspapers. 12 April 2018 . en-US.
  11. Web site: Ondo Election: Akeredolu Names Aiyedatiwa As Running Mate. 1 August 2020. Channels Television.
  12. Web site: Ondo poll: Akeredolu picks Ayedatiwa as running mate. 1 August 2020. Punch Newspapers. 29 July 2020 . en-US.
  13. Web site: 2 July 2020. Akeredolu unveils Aiyedatiwa as running mate, inaugurates Otetubi, Francis as new cabinet members. 1 August 2020. Ondo State Radiovision Corporation. en-US.
  14. Web site: 25 February 2021. Akeredolu, new deputy sworn in for second term. 10 March 2021. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. en-US.
  15. News: BREAKING: Akeredolu proceeds on medical leave, transfers power to deputy . 12 December 2023 . Vanguard . 12 December 2023.
  16. Web site: Lucky Aiyedatiwa sworn in as Ondo governor . . 27 December 2023 . 27 December 2023 .
  17. Web site: JUST IN: Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo governor, dies at 67 . . 27 December 2023 . 27 December 2023 .