Aiyedatiwa Urges Ondo Residents to Shun Violence, Highlights Development Milestones at 66th Independence Anniversary
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has urged residents, political leaders and young people in the state to shun violence and embrace peaceful, issue-based engagement as Nigeria approaches another election season.
Aiyedatiwa made the call while marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, saying political differences were natural in a democracy but should not be allowed to destroy the bonds among families, neighbours and citizens.
The governor, who spoke on the progress and challenges facing Ondo State, appealed to political actors and citizens to approach the unfolding electoral process with maturity, tolerance and restraint.
“I particularly appeal to our political leaders, party members and young people to eschew violence, embrace issue-based engagement and respect the right of every citizen to participate peacefully,” he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s 66 years of independence, Aiyedatiwa said the country’s founding generation left behind a responsibility for subsequent generations to build, preserve and improve the nation.
He said independence should not be seen merely as the remembrance of a historic date but as a continuing responsibility to the past, present and future.
The governor also commended the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for its support and partnership with states, particularly on infrastructure and economic development initiatives.
He highlighted the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the proposed deep seaport and other projects as initiatives capable of expanding Ondo State’s economic prospects.
According to him, the state government is pursuing investment opportunities around the Olokola Industrial and Free Trade Zone and the proposed deep seaport at the Ondo State Sunshine Free Trade Zone, alongside plans for a petrochemical and fertilizer plant.
He said the government’s objective was to convert such opportunities into industries, jobs, stronger value chains and broader economic prosperity for residents.
On healthcare, Aiyedatiwa said his administration had recruited and deployed about 3,323 health professionals across the state’s 18 local government areas.
He added that diagnostic services had been strengthened with the installation of a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine and a 160-slice CT scanner at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex.
The governor further disclosed that the state’s fully funded health insurance scheme had been extended to retirees and pensioners.
In education, he said the government had continued the recruitment of teachers for primary and secondary schools, while efforts were ongoing to strengthen the teaching workforce.
He added that government had increased subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions and approved the implementation of the federal government union agreement, alongside measures aimed at improving institutional stability and staff welfare.
Aiyedatiwa also said the government was supporting students through bursaries, scholarships and other forms of financial assistance.
On workers’ welfare, the governor said his administration had sustained the regular payment of salaries and continued the settlement of pension and gratuity obligations.
He added that regular promotion exercises had been maintained, while about 32 permanent secretaries had been appointed to strengthen administrative leadership within the state’s civil service.
Agriculture, according to the governor, remains a major component of the state’s economic transformation agenda.
He said the state had secured about 26,000 hectares of agricultural land and distributed more than two million cocoa seedlings to boost production.
Aiyedatiwa also disclosed that about 14,000 smallholder cocoa and oil palm farmers had been profiled under a Food and Agriculture Organization-supported programme focusing on climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, mapping and forest restoration.
He said the state was also taking steps towards compliance with international standards for deforestation-free cocoa while encouraging private-sector investment in agricultural value chains.
On electricity, the governor said improved power supply across the state was encouraging, adding that the government was taking measures to sustain the progress.
He said the Ondo State Power Sector Law had strengthened the legal and institutional framework for the sector through the establishment of the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
According to him, work is also continuing towards private-sector participation in the proposed 30-megawatt independent power plant and other initiatives aimed at providing reliable and affordable electricity.
The governor also praised security agencies operating in the state, including the Army, Police, Civil Defence, Amotekun Corps and other paramilitary agencies, for their efforts in maintaining law and order.
He pledged continued government support for the security architecture of the state and urged residents to remain vigilant and provide useful information to relevant authorities.
Aiyedatiwa said the government was also strengthening grassroots governance through appointments to various positions, including commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants and special assistants across the state’s 203 political wards.
He said the appointments were aimed at bringing competence, expertise, fresh ideas and stronger grassroots engagement into governance.
The governor urged residents to remain patient and committed to the development of the state, assuring them that his administration would continue to listen, attract investment, expand opportunities and ensure that the benefits of governance reached communities across Ondo State.
“As your governor, I assure you that our administration remains committed to building a better, stronger and more prosperous Sunshine State,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa concluded by urging Nigerians to renew their commitment to peace, unity, patriotism and responsible citizenship, stressing that the Nigeria they desire could not be built by government alone but through the collective efforts of citizens.
