One Year After, The Sun Continues To Shine In Ondo Under Aiyedatiwa

By Idowu Ajanaku

“Your emergence at this critical time is a testament to the trust and confidence reposed in you by the good people of Ondo State. We are confident that your administration will build on the foundations of progress and deliver purposeful leadership that will drive sustainable development across the state.”-Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state ( praising Gov Aiyedatiwa at the Southern Governor’s Forum )

When the wise ones insist that coincidences do not really take place, as events evolve on daily basis but that they are acts of divine design from the almighty creator, from which He wants us to learn lasting lessons about life that indeed, should serve as food – for – thought for us all.But sadly, we hardly do.

So, such a situation triggers some pertinent questions with specific regards to the political trajectory of no other person than the affable, resourceful and visionary Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state. He is that notable Nigerian political leader whose pragmatic and people – driven policies have beamed bright and brilliant sunshine into millions of lives since his assumption of office and more so, as a democratically elected governor of Ondo state over the past one year.

For instance, is it mere coincidence that he is the first citizen from the acclaimed “back waters ” of the state, the first ever with a proud pedigree in business management and the first deputy governor to take over the baton of political leadership is the one at the helm of affairs to host the 50th anniversary of the creation of the agrarian state? The answer, one dare say is profound.

With regards to sustainable educational development, as Nelson Mandela rightly stated: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.Good enough, Aiyedatiwa has kept faith with the vision of the founding fathers such as the late sage,Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Currently, his administration is promoting digital education with the creation of special science schools, teacher training and a school renovation scheme. This has been launched with a special focus on the improvement of educational infrastructure around the eighteen local government areas of the state.

Furthermore, the employment of over 2,000 teachers in both primary and secondary schools as well as the construction and renovation of schools have advanced 21st Century education delivery. This would eventually reduce unemployment by providing jobs for several youths.To ease the financial burden on families, the government paid ₦633 million to cover the WAEC fees of 23,000 secondary school students. This praiseworthy intervention ensures that no child is left behind due to economic challenges.

Driving the vision of improved learning resource forward, the state introduced a 1:1 textbook-to-learner policy,. The aim is to ensure that every pupil has access to core learning materials. Added to these, books, tablets, and sports equipment were distributed to elementary schools to promote holistic educational delivery. Little wonder that this laudable initiative has elicited widespread commendation from different quarters.

On agricultural development it is worthy of note that Ondo state is blessed with fertile forests, vast arable land,water resources and favourable climate.That explains why majority of the citizens are farmers. So, to boost the state’s food security status is the creation of alternative development agricultural schemes to fully engage the agile youth. The salutary aim is to shift their attention from the growth of illicit drugs, including cannabis.Instead, they channel their energy to the production of cocoa, coffee , cashew, yam, cassava, maizeand other cash crops.

The government has therefore, launched the “Youth on Ridges” scheme for leveraging on the abundant opportunities in the agriculture sector. So , far over 5,000 hectares of arable land have been dedicated to cocoa cultivation. There is also the “Tomato Revolution,” scheme which now accounts for about 40 per cent of Lagos market daily supplies of the produce.It is good to note that the state government is pushing the sector forward with about 30 billion Naira as allocated in the 2026 budget. This is to support modern farming, smallholder farmers and improve access to credit in the sector. This is highly commendable.

As the major cocoa producer in Nigeria, there is growing focus on chocolate processing, including the Johnvents Cocoa Processing Factory, to increase the amount of cocoa processed locally. Also, on Agriculture and Youth Empowerment, over 100 youths received training in modern farming techniques, boosting food security and employment opportunities.In addition is that of acquiring 10,000 hectares of land to position agriculture as a key driver of economic growth of the state.

Notable too are his records on infrastructural development These include the reconstruction and rehabilitation of over 60 kilometers of roads across various parts of the state. These include the construction of the 7km road at Gbangbabalogun axis at Akure city stands.Not left out are the rehabilitation and reconstruction of selected roads, totaling 60 kilometers, reducing travel time and improving connectivity. The government has also flagged off the dualization of the Akure–Idanre Road, a critical route that supports commerce and tourism.

When it comes to the critical health sector, the upgrading 102 health centres has truly improved access to primary healthcare delivery. Also, a modern drug warehouse was commissioned in Akure, designed to improve the availability and distribution of essential drugs to health facilities across the LGAs of the state. The rehabilitation of 50 primary healthcare facilities is underway across different communities..This solidifies the grassroots healthcare system and improving access to essential materials to boost the people ‘s wellbeing.

On the compelling need to strengthen security, more so, in the state once ravaged by the frequent farmer- herder clashes which informed the setting up of the Amotekun Corps under his predecessor,Akeredolu ( of blessed memory ) the governor ensured the completion of the second phase of utility vehicle distribution to security agencies. This has significantly increased mobility and rapid response of the security operatives. More funds were released to support security operations across the state, to bolster safety for all and sundry.

With the guarantee of safety and security the state has been turned into one massive construction site, as well as an industrial hub. In this regard, isthe development of a deep-sea port at Araromi Seaside, popularly called the Ondo Sea Port. This project is a catalyst to the state’s economic development strategy, with plans of a 75-kilometer stretch of unbroken Atlantic coastline and an adjacent Free Trade Zone. The deep-sea port is to be located two kilometers offshore. With that in place Ondo state will become West Africa’s epicenter of viable sea trade.

For a holistic economic growth and ensure gender equity his administration is actively empowering women. In fact ,grants were distributed to 1,000 low-income women to support small-scale businesses and income-generating economic activities.

All said and done, so far his achievements over the past one year have elicited well-deserved accolades, allbecause they are people- friendly; with even distribution across Ondo state. One can therefore,urge him to keep up the *great* work with his prudent financial management of state funds that has restored great confidence in the state’s economic future.

Ajanaku, is the honourable Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Ondo State.