Apostle Temitope Dadeowo Olowofoyekun, popularly known as Tope Liberty Cares, has condemned what he described as “shameful and unnecessary” attacks on Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, over educational institutions located in Ilaje Local Government Area.
Olowofoyekun, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Interest and Public Engagement, stated this in a post obtained from his Facebook page, while reacting to calls by some individuals for the replacement of the Ondo State School of Nursing at Kofawe and the Ondo State College of Education at Aboto with a Maritime University Institute of Oceanography.
He said there was nothing wrong with Ilaje demanding a specialised maritime institution, stressing that the area’s strategic location and maritime resources make such a demand worthy of serious consideration.
However, he questioned the wisdom of condemning existing educational institutions in the process.
According to him, the Department of Marine Science of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, already has a presence at Ugbonla, making it possible to build upon existing maritime-related educational structures while simultaneously pursuing additional specialised institutions.
“Why should asking for more mean destroying what we already have?” he queried.
The Governor’s aide said the School of Nursing and College of Education should be viewed as assets to Ilaje rather than obstacles to its development, noting that both institutions can help train young people and expand access to professional education.
Olowofoyekun also strongly condemned the alleged personal insults directed at Governor Aiyedatiwa, saying criticism of government policies is a legitimate democratic right but should not degenerate into attacks on the personality or intelligence of the Governor.
He described it as particularly unfortunate for a younger person to publicly insult an elder and leader, stressing that such behaviour does not reflect the traditional values of respect and responsible engagement.
He said anyone genuinely interested in Ilaje’s development should focus on solutions rather than insults.
“Such language does not strengthen an argument; rather, it weakens the credibility of the person making it,” he stated.
Olowofoyekun further urged stakeholders to make a strong case for maritime education while supporting the development of existing institutions.
He said Ilaje has enormous opportunities in fisheries, marine transportation, oceanography, offshore activities and the wider blue economy, adding that the government and people should work together to unlock these opportunities.
He stressed that political differences should not be allowed to turn every government initiative into a battlefield.
“Let us separate politics from development. Let us disagree without being disagreeable. Let us criticise policies without abusing personalities,” he said.
He maintained that the future of Ilaje requires collective action and constructive advocacy, insisting that the interest of the people must always come before political rivalry, personal interests or financial considerations.
