Ori (head) and Oruko (name) play important roles in man’s daily life. In the past, babies were not given names haphazardly. Parents seek guidance from ifa priests, who consult the oracle. Ifa – knowledge of the old not only provides names for parents, but also explains the meanings of each name. We accommodate civilization while ignoring ifa wisdom, and many ‘Alowonles’ now work as garage boys, while many ‘Iyiolas’ function as political thugs.
When you revere your ori (head), you allow it to boost spiritual forces and protect you from dangers and external invasion. ‘Ori’ is worshipped to deliver one from peril and profound trouble. We also worship ‘ori’ to hasten our route to greatness. Ori serves as a go-between for a man or woman and the divinity they worship. Ori also represents the physical body in the spiritual realm. Your ‘ori’ is your own divinity who governs your life in accordance with the wants of the divinities who exist to serve the broad public benefit.
Ori serves as God’s primary means of communication with people. Ori depicts the fate selected by everyone of us at birth. We should not rush to give names to newborns. The name is the label of destiny or identity stapler. We must use our knowledge of Ifa to provide suitable names for possible intercession.
Ori is simply destiny. Oruko is a label for or to one’s destiny. Ori is more than just a chamber for the brain; it also houses one’s spiritual intuition. It is more than just a reflection of human consciousness; it also indicates one’s reward system. If you use all of the energy that your ori is against, you will suffer differently. If you perform anything with little or no energy that your ori supports, you will have a different experience.
Ori ni eja fi n labu, ori eku ni fi la igbo – I hold my head and pray that it would not work against me. Ori, I ask you to constantly bring me blessings. Ori, as a divinity notion, is essential to men’s activity. When I look at Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and how he became Ondo governor, I see a guy whose success was echoed by his ori (head) and oruko (name). Since the creation of the state in 1976, 19 people have served as governor, 12 military governors and 7 civilian governors. Ayedatiwa has joined the list of privilege persons who served the Sunshine state.
Aiyedatiwa, a native boy from Obe Nla, an Ilaje community, is now Ondo State’s governor. Lucky denotes fortune. Orimisan translates to “my head is good.” Aiyedatiwa means “we inherited the world.” He did not only bear these names, but they also reflected in his life. When you read about his early life and how he began his profession as a shop officer and teacher, you will realize that there are truly exceptional people who have experienced and continue to enjoy privileges.
He attended Saint Peter’s UNA Primary School, Obe Nla/Obe Adun, in Ilaje, Ondo State. He traveled to Lagos and completed his secondary education at Ikosi High School in Ketu. From 1982 to 1983, he worked as an Inventory/Store Officer at Scoa Assembly Plant Plc in Apapa, Lagos. He later attended Lagos State College of Education (now Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education) at Ijanikin, where he earned a Nigeria Certificate of Education (NCE) in Economics and Government. In 1987, he was Assistant Head Teacher at Reliance International Schools in 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 became the MD/CEO of Blue Wall Group of Companies which he established in 1996 which includes; Blue Wall Nigeria Ltd, a Trading Company, Blue Wall BDC Nigeria Ltd, a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licensed foreign exchange trading company and Blue Wall Safety Travels and Tours, an IATA licensed Travel Agency and Logistic Company.
He later attended University of Ibadan for Advanced Diploma in Business Administration in the year 2001. He also obtained Post Graduate Certification in Chief Executive Education (CEP) in Business Management at Lagos Business School – Pan Atlantic University, Lekki, Lagos. In 2013, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
In 2011, Ayedatiwa entered active politics as a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which later combined with other political organizations to become the All Progressive Congress (APC). He was one of Ondo State’s National Delegates at the 2014 All Progressive Congress (APC) National Convention in Abuja. He ran for the federal House of Representatives for the Ilaje / Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in the 2015 Presidential and National Assembly General Elections. From 2018 to 2019, Aiyedatiwa was the federal commissioner representing Ondo State on the Niger Delta Development Commission’s Board.
Late Akeredolu and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, had a disagreement that turned into a power struggle. Ajayi confronted the late Akeredolu. He informed Akeredolu that he was elected in the same election as the late governor. He told late Akeredolu that as a lawyer, he must not violate the constitution. After a protracted battle, Agboola completed his time as deputy governor. He confronted the man he calls boss and eventually left the APC for the PDP. Ayedatiwa filled the vacuum created by his exit.
The late Akeredolu did not miss Agboola Ajayi. He swiftly chose Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as his campaign mate for the 2020 Ondo State governorship election. The Independent National Electoral Commission confirmed on October 11, 2020, that Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa were elected governor and deputy governor of Ondo State respectively. He was entirely devoted to him. He allowed the late Akeredolu to act like the boss he is. He didn’t question his decision. He warmed late Akeredolu’s heart by revealing that the latter was unaware that he had hoped for Ayedatiwa to succeed him as governor.
On February 25, 2021, they were sworn in as governor and deputy governor of Ondo State, respectively. They both enjoyed working together until illness undermined their skills and capacity. Akeredolu grew so ill that he had to manage Ondo State from his home in Ibadan. Unfortunately, Akeredolu passed away. The brave hunter did not return from his hunting trip. Following Akeredolu’s death, Aiyedatiwa became the acting governor of Ondo State.
He finished Akeredolu’s second term in office. He also tossed his hat into the ring. According to Ayedatiwa, he contested because he wants to fulfill the late Akeredolu’s aspirations and succeed him. He competed against major APC hopefuls before being elected flagbearer. Despite how difficult the APC primary was, all disgruntled parties, including Jimoh Ibrahim, Akeredolu’s close confidant, were able to reconcile difficulties. They banded together to form a cohesive entity.
Agboola Ajayi, a former deputy governor and late Akeredolu’s running mate in the 2016 Ondo governorship election, also entered the race. He ran for the Peoples Democratic Party’s ticket and defeated other aspirants in the party. Olusegun Mimiko, the state’s previous governor, among others, left the party, while others decided not to contribute. Ajayi was unable to mobilize enough resources to unseat Ayedatiwa, a sitting governor, and, more importantly, he was unable to overcome the internal conflict raging within the Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP.
On 17th of November, 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state. Aiyedatiwa polled 366,781 votes while his closest rival, Ajayi Agboola polled 117,845 votes. He defeated his closest rival, Ajayi with 248,936 votes. Ayedatiwa will be the first politician or gubernatorial candidate to defeat his closest rival with 248,936 votes since 1999.
If you comprehend the significance and spiritual interpretation of his names, you won’t be astonished by the political game that took place in Ondo state. There are some people with whom you cannot compete and win. It is divinely scripted in this manner. If you marry them, they will take the lead. If you give them work, they may take over. If you are ahead of them in terms of career or status, they will eventually replace or lead you. Like Aiyedatiwa, Like Good luck Jonathan.
May the people of Ondo enjoy themselves and Orimisan Aiyedatiwa succeed.
Sodiq Lawal Chocomilo writes from Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.
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