By Osho Oluwatosin

In preparation for the Ondo gubernatorial election coming up sometime this year, the aspiration of Engr. Dr. Funmilayo Ayinke Waheed-Adekojo has become the talk of the town. Her intention to become the next governor of the state which many initially perceived as an uphill task has begun to gain the attention of power brokers in the state.

There are several politicians who have also expressed their intentions to contest for the highly coveted number one position of the state but despite being a ‘green horn’ in vying elective positions, Funmi Ayinke seems to have a wider acceptance from the people and the ‘king makers’.

Although Funmi Ayinke’s aspiration was not borne out of her personal will but the pressure she got from the good people of Ondo state, she appears to be the most prepared among other aspirants vying for the position. Just earlier this week, her campaign office opened in Akure, Ondo state in preparation for the vigorous campaign activities that will begin when she eventually emerges as the APC flagbearer for the election.

Her campaign slogan, ‘Hope For All’ indicates the direction her administration, if elected, will be focused on. It simply implies that in a dispensation where the people of Ondo state are losing hope, she will be there to restore hope for them with her Midas touch. While the people are worried about what the future holds for them, Funmi Ayinke will impact Ondo state with her excellent administrative skill and allow the people to enjoy the dividend of democracy. As against the norm, she will also carry everyone along regardless of their political affiliations, religion, ethnic group, academic qualification, and every form of difference.

‘Hope For All’ is just a reinstatement of what Funmi Ayinke has been doing for decades. She has consistently poured herself, given her resources, inconvenienced herself, let go of valuable properties for the sake of humanity. Over the years, She has created more than 2,000 jobs for Ondo citizens through Funmi Ayinke Nigeria Limited, contributed immensely to the growth of the youth community through constant empowerment programmes, donations of funds, setting up businesses for women and widows, paid hospital bills, sorted accommodation issues for innumerable beneficiaries.

For 20 years, Funmi Ayinke engaged in humanitarian services with her funds with the establishment of Funmi Ayinke Humanity Foundation (FAHF), and through the years, she was responsible for the school fee payments of over 5,000 students, education scholarships, sponsoring of interested students overseas to further their academics, to mention a few. On a daily basis, she gives hope to everyone she comes across therefore, becoming a governor will only mean that it will be done on a larger scale and platform.

As her ambition gains attention across Ondo state, it’s not surprising considering the impact she has made even beyond Ondo state. During her birthday celebration that was held in Lagos, some traditional rulers from Ondo state left their palace to honour Funmi Ayinke in Lagos state, showing how known and loved she is even without any political position.

As the day for the primary election gets closer, it is important to address the attention Funmi Ayinke’s ambition has garnered. All things being equal, Ondo state may set a record of having the first substantive female governor in Nigeria.