Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Ondo’s Mr. Providence
By Julius Alabi, Akure
Newly sworn-in Governor of Ondo-State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, is a man whose life is defined by hard-work, firm belief in God and uprightness.
This tireless man is not just an enigma; he is a restless man with a sense of mission and passion for humanity. He is a true homeboy who has made his personal life and conduct open to all without pretending to be who he is not.
For the man popularly called Lucky, every man and woman has a right to be distinguished through the exhibition of his or her talent. And this explains why he (Lucky) is largely successful in life, family, business and other spheres.
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Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is a native of Obe-Nla, an oil-bearing community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. He was born to the family of Mr. Titus Akande and Mrs. Rosanah Moyebi Aiyedatiwa (of blessed memory) on the 12th day of January, 1965. He had his elementary 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. He then proceeded to Lagos State College of Education (now Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education), Ijanikin, Lagos where he obtained Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Government in 1986.
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After a period as a classroom teacher and subsequent diversification into business, Aiyedatiwa later attended University of Ibadan for Advanced Diploma in Business Administration with distinction in 2001. He is an alumnus of Lagos Business School – Pan Atlantic University, Lekki, Lagos with Post Graduate Certification in Chief Executive Education (CEP) in Business Management in 2009. He is also an Alumnus of University of Liverpool, United Kingdom where he obtained a Master Degree of Business Administration (MBA) in 2013.
Prior to the establishment of his own business in 1996, Aiyedatiwa worked in other organizations and institutions which includes; SCOA Assembly Plant Plc in Apapa Lagos as Inventory/Store Officer between 1982 and 1983, Reliance International Schools, Ijokodo, Ibadan as Assistant Head Teacher between 1987 and 1990, Universal Pharmaceutical Supply Co. Ltd., Ikeja, Lagos as Marketing Officer between 1990 and 1993, Global Trust Limited, Gbagada Lagos as Assistant Investment Analyst between 1992 and 1993, Biz Mart Nigeria Limited, Lagos Island as General Merchandise Manager between 1994 and 1996.
Aiyedatiwa is a business development professional and a successful business man with interest and substantial experience in Marketing, Financial and Human resources management, New Product Development, Forex Trading and Management, Construction, Real Estate, Hospitality, Public Relations, Travels and Tours. He was the MD/CEO of Blue Wall Group of Companies 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 has attended further trainings and acquired knowledge and skills in business management, project management, crisis management, leadership, strategy and new product development, nationally and internationally.
He joined active politics in 2011 as a card-carrying member of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014. He was one of the National Delegates from Ondo State at the All-Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention in Abuja in 2014 and later became the House of Representative Candidate of the Party for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in the 2015 Presidential and National Assembly General Election. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as Federal Commissioner, who represented Ondo State on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), 2018-2019.
Prior to his appointment by the President, he held other positions in other social and professional bodies. He was the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) 2004-2010, Chairman of South West Zone of ABCON 2010-2011. Trustee/Treasurer, Ilaje League of Professional, President of Chief Executive Class ’18 (CEP18) of Lagos Business School, Alumni Association, Executive Member of Lagos/South West Network of University of Liverpool Global Alumni.
He was also conferred a platinum award by the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration of Nigeria (CILGPAN) on 16th September, 2021.
On Sunday 11th October, 2020, Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa were re-elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Ondo State, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
On 24 February 2021, Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa were sworn into office as Governor and Deputy Governor of Ondo State respectively. Lucky is married and the marriage is blessed with three children.