The Governor of Ondo State, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has described the state’s 50th anniversary as a defining moment of reflection, renewal and recommitment to sustainable development, unity and good governance.
In a statewide broadcast on Tuesday to mark the Golden Jubilee of the creation of Ondo State, the governor said the celebration went beyond the marking of time, noting that it represented a historic intersection of the past, present and future of the Sunshine State.
Aiyedatiwa traced the evolution of Ondo State from the former Ondo Province to its creation on February 3, 1976, following the dissolution of the old Western State into Ogun, Ondo and Oyo states by the Murtala Mohammed administration.
He said the creation of the state affirmed the identity of its people, brought governance closer to them and laid the foundation for inclusive development and participatory governance.
The governor paid tribute to the founding fathers and advocates of statehood, particularly members of the Ondo Provincial Movement, led by the late Chief Gilbert Benjamin Akinyemi Akinyede, for their relentless struggle that culminated in the creation of the state.
He also acknowledged the roles played by traditional rulers, community leaders, public servants, artisans, farmers and market women in sustaining the state during its formative years, despite administrative and infrastructural challenges.
Aiyedatiwa noted that Ondo State was a major contributor to the economic strength of the defunct Western Region through agricultural exports such as cocoa, palm produce and timber, which financed landmark projects and supported national development.
Reflecting on the state’s journey through military and democratic administrations, the governor said Ondo had recorded steady progress in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, industrialisation and public service reforms over the past five decades.
He added that the creation of Ekiti State in 1996 marked another milestone in the state’s history, while Ondo continued to produce outstanding professionals excelling across various fields nationally and globally.
The governor commended his predecessors, both military and civilian, for their contributions to the growth and stability of the state, assuring that their legacies would continue to be honoured.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration was focused on consolidating past achievements while advancing a realistic and inclusive development agenda, with priority on security, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, youth and women empowerment, and economic diversification.
He urged residents to renew their commitment to hard work, unity and civic responsibility, calling on all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, to support the government in building a more prosperous and sustainable Ondo State.
The governor reaffirmed his vision of a state that works for its people, promotes shared prosperity and competes favourably on the global stage.