Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has renamed The Dome International Event and Cultural Centre in Akure after former Governor Olusegun Mimiko in recognition of his contributions to the development of the state.
The facility, now to be known as the Dr Olusegun Mimiko Cultural and Event Centre, was renamed at the weekend as part of activities marking Mimiko’s 72nd birthday at an event organised by young professionals in Abuja, titled An Evening of Celebration and Conversation with Mimiko.
Aiyedatiwa, who announced the decision in his goodwill message, commended the former governor for his contributions to healthcare, education and other critical sectors, particularly his free shuttle bus scheme for students, which he said reflected his commitment to improving the welfare of the people.
The governor also praised the organisers for celebrating Mimiko’s legacy and urged them to remain worthy ambassadors of Ondo State and Nigeria, while continuing to uphold the values of hard work, service and responsible leadership.
In his remarks, Mimiko challenged young professionals to invest in personal development, embrace hard work and prepare themselves for leadership, stressing that the desire to occupy positions of authority must be preceded by the deliberate cultivation of character, competence and capacity.
The former governor said young people must first strive to become good individuals and build expertise in areas of their chosen pursuits before seeking leadership positions, noting that effective leadership depended on the ability to offer solutions and add value to society.
“You are bustling with energy and zeal and have access to readily available, knowledge-enhancing information. You therefore have to make the best of the opportunities available and maximise your chances,” Mimiko said.
Commenting on the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the former governor described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a significant intervention capable of widening access to higher education by reducing the extent to which students’ educational opportunities depend on their parents’ financial circumstances.
He urged young Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that continuity could help sustain and expand the student loan initiative and other policies of the administration.
The event coordinator and former Speaker of the Nigeria Youth Parliament, Hon. Ayo Obe, said the celebration was conceived as a way of appreciating Mimiko for the moral, intellectual, political and material support he had extended to young people over the years.
Obe explained that the initiative was inspired by the organisers’ personal experiences of the former governor’s mentorship and his willingness to support their aspirations, adding that the gathering was an opportunity to recognise his influence on a generation of emerging professionals and leaders.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, described the young people mentored by Mimiko as one of his most enduring legacies, noting that their decision to organise the birthday celebration demonstrated the depth of his impact on their lives.
“The best of all the achievements of Dr Olusegun Mimiko, the former governor of Ondo State, are the young people he built through mentorship,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The minister urged political leaders and public office holders to make youth mentorship an integral part of their service, warning that the true measure of leadership should extend beyond achievements in office to the people prepared to sustain progress after their departure.
“This is a lesson for all of us in government, no matter how long. For every entry, one day, there will be an exit. But when the exit comes, who will be there to hold your hands?” he asked.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, through his representative, Tolu Adegbie, also commended Mimiko for his developmental achievements despite the financial constraints he encountered during his tenure.
Adegbie said the current economic policies of the Tinubu administration had increased resources available to states, creating opportunities for governments to pursue development initiatives and improve service delivery.
The Olowo of Owo and Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, praised Mimiko’s contributions to healthcare, education and infrastructure, praying for the former governor’s continued good health and strength to serve Nigeria and humanity.
Similarly, the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo, represented at the event by Otunba Bademosi, commended the former governor’s contributions to the state and praised the young professionals for recognising his impact. He expressed hope that the initiative would inspire other leaders to demonstrate greater commitment to mentoring and developing younger generations.
Other dignitaries at the celebration included former Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada; Senator Dayo Faduyile, representing Ondo South Senatorial District; member of the House of Representatives, Festus Akingbaso; Hon. Joseph Akinlaja among others.
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