Your rewards in life will be determined by what you do, how well you do it, and the difficulty of replacing you.
This timeless quote by Brian Tracy aptly captures the literally triumphant entry into Akure by Adewale Olumuyiwa Akinterinwa, immediate-past commissioner for finance.
Suave and unassuming Akinterinwa was in Abuja, the nation’s capital, when the dissolution of the state cabinet was announced. Of course, the unprecedented three-term commissioner was in Abuja, doing what he knows best- defending the interst of the Sunshine state.
In a rare show of appreciation to good service rendered the state in the last seven years, the people of the state trooped out in large numbers to welcome a true son and patriot.
Sure, you cannot blame the people, they have found in Akinterinwa a man they can trust. Do not forget that in politics, one indispensable quality a man must have in large quantity is loyalty. For Ajangamoo, one thing that perhaps has been underreported about him is his loyalty to friends and the pillars that holds the principle of freindship.
Over the years, this warm and great achiever has shown that he is both a venerable and noble that gives his all for friendship. His friends, colleagues and bosses have all at different times have easily attested to this uncommon attribute.
Nowhere is this uncommon attribute more pronounced than the places he has worked, both in private and public practices, his good deeds and excellent track records have become a badge of honour which he wears with great pride.
Recall that the then young and energetic Akinterinwa was one of the beautiful brains behind the huge turn around and success story of the Lagos real estate industry, when between 1999 and 2002, as a special assistant on investment and strategy to the CEO, he worked with his team to turn the wobbling corporation into a viable, profitable, self-financing and self-sustaining entity,
The achievement set the pace for the corporation’s aim of attaining and maintaining the leadership position in the Real Estate Sector, with emphasis on housing delivery. Akinterinwa’s timeless contributions also helped in streamlining and designing a new organizational structure, budgetary system and quality control standards that helped in the repositioning of the corporation.
Fastforward to 2024, it is to Akinterinwa’s credit that despite the bad global economy, Ondo State has continued to remain as one of the few states across the country with steady economic growth, beginning from 2017 till date.
It was, therefore not suprising that the good people rolled out the drums on Thursday to receive a dear son who has dedicated his life to the service of the state and its people. For hours, they waited patiently at the Akure Airport.
From across the 18 local government areas of the state, the huge crowd stormed the Akure Airport as early as 9:00 am to welcome the Ile-Oluji-born financial expert in appreciation of his meritorious service to the state.
Surprisingly, the people were resilient as they waited till 6:08 pm when the private jet in which Akinterinwa flew to the state.
The flight was delayed due to poor weather as many flights were cancelled due to the hazy weather.
Addressing the mammoth crowd from the open roof of his Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) at the airport, Akinterinwa appreciated the people for their love for him.
He said: “I am humbled by your perseverance. You have been here since morning. I came late due to a delay in my flight as a result of poor weather. A lot of flights were canceled due to the weather.
“We had the opportunity to fly when the weather became clear enough and approved by the authority.
“I know you have been waiting for about eight hours to express your appreciation to me after my meritorious service to our state for about seven years.
“Your gesture is a testimonial that when you do well, people will appreciate you. This is a manifestation of better things to come.”
Ahead of the 2024 governorship election in Ondo State, Akinterinwa, better known among his peers as Ajangamoo is ready to reap from his good deeds and stewarship in the past. Like the popular Bishop of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great, once said, “A good deed is never lost. He who sows courtesy, reaps friendship; he who plants kindness, gathers love; pleasure bestowed on a grateful mind was never sterile, but generally gratitude begets reward.”
Ajangamoo has sown bountifully with his sterling records in both the private and public sectors. He is better armed to steer the ship of our the Sunshine state into calm waters with his expertise and experience.
The highly urbane and gentle Akinterinwa was the chairman of the Forum of Commissioners of Finance in Nigeria.
The forum, consisting of the 36 states finance commissioners in Nigeria, picked Akinterinwa as chairman as a result of his sterling performance in managing the economy of Ondo State.