Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has described Nigeria’s 66 years of independence as a continuing responsibility to the past, present and future, urging Nigerians to renew their faith in the country and contribute to building the nation they desire.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who spoke on Thursday at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Akure, during the state’s celebration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, said the country’s freedom was secured 66 years ago by a generation that believed people of different tongues, traditions and faiths could share one destiny.
He said that generation did not bequeath a finished country to succeeding generations but the responsibility to build, preserve and improve it.
“Independence, therefore, is more than the memory of a date; it is a continuing responsibility to the past, the present and the future,” the governor said.
He said the anniversary should prompt every generation to ask: “What have you done with the inheritance entrusted to you?”
According to him, building the Nigeria of citizens’ dreams could not be left to government alone, stressing that it required the collective efforts of Nigerians.
“The Nigeria we desire will not be built by government alone, but by the collective efforts of its citizens,” he said.
The governor consequently urged Nigerians to uphold peace, unity, patriotism and responsible citizenship, saying the bonds of unity, peace and shared purpose celebrated at independence must continue to guide the country.
He particularly appealed to political leaders, party members and young people to approach the unfolding electoral process with maturity, tolerance and restraint.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said political differences are natural in a democracy but must not destroy the bonds that unite people as families, neighbours and citizens.
“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.
The governor expressed gratitude to Almighty God for His faithfulness, mercy and continued protection over Ondo State and Nigeria, as well as for the peace being enjoyed, the strength to confront prevailing challenges and the privilege of witnessing another year in the life of the country.
He also appreciated the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its continued support and partnership with the state.
He acknowledged the Federal Government’s efforts towards strengthening the economy, infrastructure and investment environment, particularly the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, proposed Deep-Sea Port and other projects capable of expanding Ondo State’s economic prospects.
Reviewing his administration’s activities under the OUR EASE agenda, Governor Aiyedatiwa disclosed that about 3,323 health professionals had been recruited and deployed across the 18 local government areas.
He said diagnostic capacity had also been enhanced with the provision of a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine and a 160-slice CT scanner at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex.
The governor added that fully funded health insurance coverage had been extended to retirees and pensioners through ORANGHIS.
“In healthcare, we have continued to strengthen both human and technological capacity,” he said.
“We shall continue to ensure that these investments translate into compassionate, professional and quality healthcare for our people.”
On education, Aiyedatiwa said the government had continued to recruit teachers into primary and secondary schools, with plans to further strengthen the teaching workforce.
He said subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions had been increased and implementation of the Federal Government/union agreement approved, alongside other measures aimed at improving institutional stability and staff welfare.
He added that students were being supported through bursaries, scholarships and financial assistance.
On agriculture, the governor said the state had secured 26,000 hectares of agricultural land and distributed more than two million cocoa seedlings to support production.
He said interventions under the L-PRES programme had continued, rural market development had been strengthened and the establishment of a modern Farmers’ Market in Akure advanced.
About 14,000 smallholder cocoa and oil-palm farmers, he added, had been profiled under an FAO-supported programme, with attention to climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, mapping and forest restoration.
He said the state is also pursuing measures towards compliance with international standards for deforestation-free cocoa while encouraging private-sector investment in agricultural value chains.
On power, Governor Aiyedatiwa said electricity remains fundamental to economic development, adding that the state is taking steps to sustain improved electricity supply.
He said the Ondo State Power Sector Law had strengthened the legal and institutional framework through the establishment of the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
According to him, work is ongoing towards private-sector participation in the 30MW Ore Independent Power Plant and other opportunities for reliable and affordable energy.
He said the government is equally advancing strategic investment opportunities around the Olokola Industrial and Free Trade Zone and proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port, alongside other major projects, including the proposed petrochemical fertiliser plant.
“Our objective is to translate these opportunities into industries, jobs, stronger value chains and broader economic prosperity for our people,” he said.
The governor commended public servants for their dedication and continued service to the state, saying the government had sustained regular payment of salaries and continued the progressive settlement of pension and gratuity obligations.
He said regular promotion exercises had also been sustained, while 32 Permanent Secretaries had recently been appointed to strengthen the administrative leadership of the bureaucracy.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said the government would continue to strengthen the state’s security architecture and support security agencies operating in the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide useful information to the appropriate authorities, stressing that farmers, businesses and rural communities must be able to operate in safety.
He said governance had also been strengthened through the appointment of commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants and special assistants across the 203 political wards, as well as chairmen and members of boards and commissions.
“These appointments are intended to bring competence, expertise, fresh ideas and stronger grassroots engagement into government,” he said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa appreciated the people of Ondo State for their continued support, patience, understanding and constructive feedback, assuring them that his administration would continue to listen to the people, improve where necessary, attract investment, expand opportunities and ensure that the benefits of governance reached communities across the state.
He assured the people that his administration remains committed to building a better, stronger and more prosperous Sunshine State.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, called for renewed hope and a stronger sense of collective responsibility among Nigerians towards building a greater country and a more prosperous Ondo State.
Fasoranti said the October 1 celebration was the third and final day of the anniversary programme, which began on Friday, September 25, 2026, with a jumat service at the Akure Central Mosque and continued on Sunday, September 27, with a Thanksgiving service at Agape Christian Church of God in Akure.
He said Nigeria’s journey since independence on October 1, 1960, had been marked by “seasons of promise and difficulty, moments of triumph and trial”.
Fasoranti, however, said the country had remained standing and hopeful despite the challenges, attributing its resilience to the sustaining hand of God.
The SSG urged Nigerians to continue believing in the possibilities before the country and the capacity of its leaders to translate their vision into meaningful and tangible development.
Present at the occasion were the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji; Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola; State Chairman of APC, Hon Kolawole Babatunde; Senator representing Ondo South, Prof. Dayo Faduyile; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Chief Olusegun Odusanya; members of the Ondo State House of Assembly; members of the State Executive Council; traditional rulers; religious leaders; labour leaders; heads of security agencies; political appointees; civil society organisations; top government functionaries; among other eminent personalities