Golden Jubilee: Taiwo Announces ₦500,000 Scholarship for Best Graduating Students Across Public Schools in Ondo
Date: 2nd February, 2026
By: Olusegun HOSEA
Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has announced a ₦500,000 scholarship scheme for the best graduating students in public secondary schools across Ondo State as part of activities marking the state’s Golden Jubilee.
Oyedele made the announcement at the DOME in Akure while delivering his lecture at the Ondo State 50th anniversary celebration. Speaking during the lecture series with a title yesterday, today, and tomorrow, he described fifty years as more than a passage of time.
“Fifty years ago—that’s half a century. This period transcends a mere timeline. It is a tapestry woven with monumental achievements, marked by struggle, collective sacrifice, and the unyielding, resilient spirit of the great people of Ondo State,” he said.
According to him, the celebration is not just about the passage of time but about five decades of progress, pride, and inspiration. “Today is a day of deep pride and renewed possibility,” he added.
Ondo State, he noted, has reached a golden milestone that calls for gratitude, honest reflection, and confident anticipation of the future. He recalled that the state was founded on big dreams, strong values, and an unshakable belief in education, hard work, and integrity.
“We honor those who laid the foundation, many of whom are still with us today. We also acknowledge those who sustained the journey, including our dear Governor and Governor Mimiko, and those who will carry this dream forward. Many are here, while others are watching from home and abroad,” he said.
He stressed that the Golden Jubilee was not merely a historical celebration but a moment to reflect on the collective destiny of the state and ask critical questions about the next fifty years.
Reflecting on what he described as the “Golden Foundation,” Oyedele stated that Ondo State was deliberately created, rooted in a rich heritage of exceptional intellect, cautious wisdom, and unwavering courage.
“The demand for its creation was championed by intellectual giants and visionaries who wanted a structure that would allow their people to harness immense human and natural resources,” he said.
Education, he explained, was envisioned not just as a right but as the primary currency of success, where creativity and innovation would flourish and every citizen would have the opportunity to realize their God-given potential.
“Our greatest asset remains our intellectual capital. It is invaluable and non-depletable,” he said, adding that this vision earned Ondo State the reputation of having one of the highest concentrations of educated elites in Nigeria.
From classrooms in both cities and remote villages, Ondo State has produced teachers, jurists, economists, artists, engineers, and public servants who have served Nigeria and the world with distinction.
He described the free education policy of the founding fathers as a legacy that continues to define the intellectual DNA of every Ondo indigene. For five decades, the state has consistently produced excellence across all fields, shaping Nigeria’s political, legal, economic, and cultural landscape.
Oyedele referenced iconic figures such as the former Governor, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin; Chief Adebayo Adefarati; legal luminaries including the chairman of the event; human rights activist Gani Fawehinmi, SAN; and former Chief Justice of Botswana, Dr. Akintola Aguda, as symbols of justice and integrity.
Economically, he highlighted figures like former CBN Governor, Chief Dr. Joseph Olanrewaju Sanusi; oil magnate Obateru Akinruntan; and former NNPC GMD, Engineer Funsho Kupolokun, as drivers of industry and commerce.
The Sunshine State, he said, has also left an indelible mark in arts and entertainment, producing global icons such as King Sunny Ade and Nollywood star Omotola Jolade Ekeinde, among many others.
Sharing a personal reflection, Oyedele said his own journey was shaped by these enduring values. A native of Ikaramu Akoko, he recalled receiving a ₦500 scholarship from his village association 35 years ago, which enabled him to register for his final secondary school examinations.
“That modest sum changed my life. Without it, I might not be standing here today,” he said, noting that the story underscored the power of community support and collective belief.
As a gesture of gratitude and inspiration, he announced a scholarship of up to ₦500,000 to cover final examination fees for the best graduating students in every public secondary school across the state during the Golden Jubilee year.
Turning to the present, Oyedele described Ondo State as a true Sunshine State—blessed with fertile agricultural land, a 180-kilometre coastline, the mystical Idanre Hills, and globally significant bitumen reserves.
Over the past five decades, he said, the state has demonstrated strong governance and human development, particularly in education and human capital. Ondo State indigenes continue to excel nationally and globally in academics, technology, arts, and governance.
He noted that Ondo State currently has the lowest poverty rate in Nigeria, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, despite being among the bottom ten states in budget size.
“This is not because we are the richest, but because we invest in what truly matters—education, health, and dignity,” he said.
Oyedele highlighted ongoing infrastructure development, industrialization, deep-sea port projects, bitumen exploration, agriculture, tourism, and fiscal transparency reforms as indicators of steady progress.
Despite challenges over the years, he said the resilience of the Ondo people has remained the state’s greatest strength. He cited improvements in fiscal performance rankings and democratic accountability through the publication of citizens’ budgets.
Looking ahead, Oyedele outlined what he called the “Purpose Reimagined: Agenda 2076,” urging the state to embrace bold vision, disciplined execution, and long-term planning.
He identified five strategic pathways: a productive and diverse economy, technological innovation, security and investment climate, youth empowerment, and institutional development.
According to him, he said “We must move from dependence to value creation. Our task is to unlock the full potential of the blue economy, industrialize our solid minerals, transform agriculture, and grow faster than the national GDP. In doing so, we will further reduce poverty and steadily advance toward an upper-income economy.
To secure this future, we must leverage our intellectual capital to build a resilient, knowledge-driven economy. Digital governance will replace inefficiency, security will be strengthened, land administration reformed, and the ease of doing business improved. Through comprehensive tax reforms, fiscal transparency, and true grassroots accountability, trust in governance will be restored and sustained.
At the heart of this transformation are our youth. They must be empowered with quality education, practical skills, strong mentorship, and access to capital. Only then can we build an inclusive economy—one that creates opportunity, rewards innovation, and works for everyone.”
He explained that “We must govern for generations—not just for today, but for those yet unborn—ensuring stable electricity, deeper prosperity, and irreversible progress,” he concluded.
