Ondo at 50: Aiyedatiwa Reflects on State’s History, Charts Future

Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has called for unity, innovation and collective responsibility as the state marks 50 years since its creation on 3 February 1976.

In a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, the governor described the golden jubilee as a moment to reflect on Ondo’s history while setting a clear direction for the future.

“This Golden Jubilee is far more than the celebration of figures and marking of time,” he said. “It is a civilisational landmark; an honest appraisal of the past and a recommitment to the future we must consciously build.”

From Ondo Province to Statehood

Before becoming a state, Ondo was part of a vast province stretching from the northern hinterlands to the Atlantic coast, with Akure serving as its administrative headquarters.

The governor recalled that unresolved structural tensions in post-independence Nigeria led to demands for state creation, culminating in the 1976 restructuring under General Murtala Mohammed, following recommendations by the Justice Ayo Irikefe Panel.

Ondo State was created alongside Ogun and Oyo states, a move Aiyedatiwa said restored identity and brought governance closer to the people.

“That singular act affirmed dignity, strengthened participation and laid a durable foundation for inclusive development,” he said.

The People Who Fought for Ondo State

Governor Aiyedatiwa paid tribute to the architects of Ondo State, particularly members of the Ondo Provincial Movement, led by the late Chief G.B.A. Akinyede, with Mr Deji Adegoroye as secretary.

Their campaign, which began in Akure in 1973, mobilised communities and sustained advocacy until statehood was achieved.

Using Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere, as a point of reference, the governor honoured both living and deceased leaders whose efforts secured Ondo’s place in the Nigerian federation.

Economic Roots and Early Struggles

Ondo Province was a major economic driver of the old Western Region, contributing cocoa, palm produce and timber that funded landmark projects such as Cocoa House in Ibadan.

However, the early years of statehood were modest.

Government ministries operated from rented buildings, and civil servants commuted daily from neighbouring towns.

Under the pioneer administration of Wing Commander Ita David Ikpeme, the foundation of the public service was laid, leading to the eventual establishment of the Alagbaka Secretariat Complex.

The governor praised early public servants, traditional rulers, religious leaders and ordinary citizens who endured the inconveniences of those formative years.

Five Decades of Progress and Change

Over the last 50 years, Ondo State has experienced military rule, democratic transitions, economic downturns and reforms.

According to the governor, democracy helped deepen civic participation and long-term planning, resulting in progress across education, healthcare, agriculture, urban development and infrastructure.

Ondo has also expanded its relevance nationally through its oil and gas resources, solid minerals, tourism potential and human capital.

Creation of Ekiti and National Impact

The creation of Ekiti State in 1996 marked another turning point, reshaping boundaries but reinforcing Ondo’s role as a hub of talent.

Today, Ondo indigenes are prominent in medicine, law, academia, public service, science, technology, sports and entrepreneurship across Nigeria and beyond.

Honouring Past Leaders

Governor Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the contributions of former military administrators and civilian governors, including Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Bamidele Olumilua, Adebayo Adefarati, Olusegun Agagu, Olusegun Mimiko, and his immediate predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

“We shall continue to celebrate their enduring legacies,” he said.

What’s next: The Road to the Next 50 Years

Looking ahead, the governor said his administration is focused on consolidating gains while pursuing inclusive growth.

Key priorities include:

Strengthening security

Investing in infrastructure

Revitalising agriculture

Expanding healthcare access

Empowering youths and women

Supporting enterprise and innovation

He called on citizens to support government efforts regardless of political affiliation.

“Let us build a state that works, a state that cares and a state that can compete globally while upholding its values,” he said.

Public impact

For residents, the anniversary highlights how far the state has come and the expectations placed on government to deliver jobs, security and opportunity in the decades ahead.

Read Full Broadcast Below;

BEING THE STATEWIDE BROADCAST BY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. LUCKY ORIMISAN AIYEDATIWA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE GOLDEN JUBILEE OF THE CREATION OF ONDO STATE ON TUESDAY, 3RD FEBRUARY, 2026

Today, history pauses, if only for a moment and invites us to stand still at the confluence of memory and destiny. With hearts lifted in profound gratitude to Almighty God, it gives me great delight to address you on this momentous day as Ondo State marks 50 remarkable years of existence: fifty years of aspiration and resilience, of struggle and sacrifice, of faith in today and prosperous future.

2. The great land we now proudly call Ondo State was historically known as Ondo Province, a vast, contiguous, and resource-rich territory stretching from the northern hinterlands to the Atlantic coastline, bordered by Oyo and Ijebu Provinces to the west, the former Midwest to the east and the old Kwara axis to the north. Under colonial administration, it functioned as a single provincial unit with its Residency headquartered in Akure. Fast forward, certain unresolved structural contradictions strained the fragile fabric of the young post-independence Nigerian State and culminated in the tragic civil war of 1967. The twelve-state structure introduced by the General Yakubu Gowon administration was a courageous step, but it did not fully address the root causes of these tensions and the fear of the minorities. It therefore, fell to the visionary and reformist leadership of General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, guided by the recommendations of the Justice Ayo Irikefe Panel, to undertake a more fundamental reconfiguration of the Nigerian federation. Thus, on 3rd February, 1976, the old Western State was dissolved into Ogun, Ondo and Oyo states. That singular act did more than redefine administrative boundaries. It affirmed identity, restored dignity and brought governance closer to the people, thereby laying a durable foundation for participatory development and inclusive growth.

3. This Golden Jubilee is far more than the celebration of figures and marking of time. It is a civilisational landmark; where reflections on the past intersect with the journey forward. It is an honest appraisal and a solemn recommitment to the future we must consciously and courageously build for generations yet unborn.

4. On this historic day, I salute every son and daughter of Ondo State: farmers and fisherfolk, artisans and professionals, public servants, elders and youths, those at home and those in the diaspora, for being living testimonies in the unfolding story of the Sunshine State. Ondo State is a living moral community, defined by resilience, sustained by learning, ennobled by industry and bound together by an abiding faith in progress through collective endeavour.

5. My good people of Ondo State, no commemoration of this Golden Jubilee can be complete without solemn homage to the patriots whose vision and tenacity made Ondo State a reality. With reverence and gratitude, we salute the architects of modern Ondo State: men and women who transformed collective yearnings into historical fact. Foremost among them were the members of the then Ondo Provincial Movement, under the distinguished leadership of the late Chief Gilbert Benjamin Akinyemi Akinyede with Mr. Deji Adegoroye as Secretary. From their maiden meeting at Omolere Nursery and Primary School, Akure on 11th November 1973, they mobilised communities, harmonised divergent interests and sustained relentless advocacy until destiny yielded. Using our revered living legend and foremost Leader of Afenifere Group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, we honour the memory of those who have answered the final call and celebrate those still with us, traditional rulers, statesmen, scholars, administrators and activists, whose sacrifices secured our rightful place within the Nigerian federation. Their vision was clear and compelling: to unlock the immense human and natural endowments of this land and to pursue development that is people-centred, inclusive and enduring.

6. Long before the proclamation of statehood, Ondo Province stood as a major economic pillar of the defunct Western Region. Historical records attest to its overwhelming contributions in cocoa, palm produce, timber and other agricultural export commodities that financed regional infrastructure, iconic projects in the Southwest like the famous Cocoa House in lbadan and underwrote national growth.

7. Like all enduring institutions, Ondo State began humbly. Ministries operated from rented and improvised spaces; public servants travelled daily from Ondo, Owo, Ikere and neighbouring towns. Under the pioneer administration of Wing Commander Ita David Ikpeme, the foundation of a functional public service was firmly laid. From the early days at Oke-Eda to the eventual emergence of the Alagbaka Secretariat Complex, the State steadily acquired administrative coherence and stability. We must pay glowing tribute to the pioneer Head of Service, Chief Theophilus Ayebogbon Iwajomo, his successor Chief Elkanah Adeneye Emuleomo and the first generation of public servants whose sacrifices laid a solid foundation for institutionalised public service and governance in Ondo State. We also acknowledge the quiet heroism of ordinary citizens, market women, artisans, farmers and transport workers, who bore the inconveniences of urban renewal with patience and patriotism. Our traditional rulers and religious leaders were indispensable partners in mobilising social consensus during these formative years.

8. Over the past five decades, Ondo State has traversed periods of military rule and democratic governance, policy disruptions and reforms, economic downturns and recoveries. However, democracy eventually deepened civic participation and long-term planning. The State has recorded measurable progress in education, healthcare, agriculture, urban development, industrialisation and public service reform. Commerce expanded, infrastructure networks grew and our vast endowments in solid minerals, oil and gas, tourism and human capital increasingly commanded national relevance.

9. Ondo State has also given birth to another State with the creation of Ekiti State on 1st October, 1996. This development marked another defining moment, reshaping administrative boundaries. Today, Ondo State stands proud as a crucible of excellence with our sons and daughters distinguishing themselves in medicine, law, academia, public administration, science, technology, arts, sports, enterprise and other areas of public endeavour.

10. Let me also use this opportunity to salute all my predecessors, both military and civilian leaders for their contributions: Group Captain Ita David Ikpeme, Brigadier Sunday Esijolomi Tuoyo, Commodore Michael Bamidele Otiko, Navy Captain Michael Okhai Akhigbe, Colonel Ekundayo B. Opaleye, Commodore Bode George, Navy Captain Sunday Abiodun Olukoya, Colonel Mike Torey, Colonel Ahmed Usman, Navy Captain Anthony Onyearugbulem, Colonel Moses Fasanya, Late Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Late Chief Bamidele Olumilua, Late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, Late Dr Olusegun Agagu, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and my immediate predecessor, the Late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON. We shall continue to acknowledge and celebrate their enduring legacies.

11. As we celebrate this Golden Jubilee, our administration remains steadfast in consolidating past gains while pursuing a bold, realistic and inclusive development agenda. We are strengthening our security architecture, investing in critical infrastructure, revitalising agriculture, expanding healthcare access, empowering youths and women and fostering an enabling environment for enterprise and innovation.

12. My dear people, the next fifty years call for renewal of purpose, unity, innovation, discipline and faith. Let us, therefore, recommit ourselves to hard work, civic responsibility and mutual trust. Let us support the government to continue to advance the frontiers of development of our dear Sunshine State. Let us build cities and rural communities that are productive, inclusive and environmentally sustainable.

13. On this Golden Jubilee, I call on every citizen and resident irrespective of political affiliations to join hands with our administration in building a virile State: a State that works; a State that cares; a State that stands shoulders to shoulders with its peers and can compete globally while upholding its values; truly, a place of OUR EASE. Happy 50th Anniversary, Ondo State. God bless you all.