Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has called on Nigerians to see nation-building as a collective responsibility rather than a task for government alone, using the occasion of Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary to deliver a sober reflection on the responsibilities that come with freedom and a pointed appeal for peaceful political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Aiyedatiwa said the anniversary was more than a ceremonial milestone. "Independence, therefore, is more than the memory of a date; it is a continuing responsibility to the past, the present and the future," he said. "It challenges every generation to ask: What have you done with the inheritance entrusted to you?" The governor said the generation that secured Nigeria's independence 66 years ago had handed over not a finished country but the responsibility to build, preserve and improve it. He urged Nigerians to renew their commitment to peace, unity, patriotism and responsible citizenship, stressing that the Nigeria of citizens' dreams would not be built by government alone.
The governor's most politically consequential message was directed at the unfolding electoral process. With the 2027 general elections less than four months away and the political atmosphere already charged, Aiyedatiwa urged political leaders, party members and young Nigerians to approach the elections with maturity, tolerance and restraint. "Political differences are natural in a democracy, but they must never destroy the bonds that unite us as families, neighbours and citizens," he said. He specifically appealed to political actors to eschew violence, embrace issue-based engagement and respect the right of every citizen to participate peacefully. He warned that the democratic process should provide an opportunity for citizens to express their choices freely without fear, intimidation or violence. The intervention came amid heightened concern over political violence across the country, including attacks on opposition convoys, disruptions of political gatherings and inflammatory rhetoric in several states.
Aiyedatiwa used the occasion to present a detailed account of his administration's record, framing the achievements under the OUR EASE agenda as evidence of his commitment to improving the welfare and economic prospects of Ondo residents. In healthcare, he disclosed that approximately 3,323 health professionals had been recruited and deployed across the state's 18 local government areas. Diagnostic capacity had been strengthened with the provision of a 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine and a 160-slice Computed Tomography scanner at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex. He added that fully funded health insurance coverage had been extended to retirees and pensioners through ORANGHIS. "We shall continue to ensure that these investments translate into compassionate, professional and quality healthcare for our people," he said.
In education, Aiyedatiwa said his administration had continued to recruit teachers for primary and secondary schools while increasing subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions. He said the government had approved implementation of the Federal Government-union agreement and continued to support students through bursaries, scholarships and other forms of financial assistance. Public servants were commended for their dedication, with the governor noting that salaries had been paid regularly and pension and gratuity obligations were being progressively addressed.
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. About 14,000 smallholder cocoa and oil-palm farmers had been profiled under a Food and Agriculture Organisation-supported programme focusing on climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, mapping and forest restoration. Interventions under the L-PRES programme were ongoing, while efforts had been made to strengthen rural markets and advance the establishment of a modern Farmers' Market in Akure. Aiyedatiwa said the state was also pursuing compliance with international standards on deforestation-free cocoa while encouraging private-sector investment in agricultural value chains.
The governor identified power as fundamental to economic development, noting that improved electricity supply across the state had encouraged his administration to take steps to sustain the progress. The Ondo State Power Sector Law had established the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Commission and strengthened the legal and institutional framework for the sector. Work was ongoing towards private-sector participation in the 30 megawatts Ore Independent Power Plant and other opportunities for reliable and affordable energy. He also listed the Olokola Industrial and Free Trade Zone, the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port and a proposed petrochemical fertiliser plant as strategic investment opportunities being pursued to translate into industries, jobs and stronger value chains.
Aiyedatiwa expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as the Federal Government's continued support and partnership with Ondo State. He specifically acknowledged initiatives aimed at strengthening the economy, infrastructure and investment environment, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the proposed Deep-Sea Port. "We particularly appreciate the cooperation surrounding initiatives such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the proposed Deep-Sea Port and other projects capable of expanding the economic prospects of our state," he said. "We look forward to deeper collaboration in the interest of our people and the continued development of Nigeria." The governor's relationship with the Federal Government has become a significant political issue in Ondo State, particularly given his endorsement of Tinubu's re-election bid and his role in mobilising support for the President ahead of 2027.
The Independence Day celebration at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade featured a parade by students and workers, with Aiyedatiwa acknowledging each school and worker by saluting them as they marched past. The event drew a cross-section of government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents who gathered to mark the anniversary. The governor's choice of venue, named after the late human rights lawyer and democracy activist Gani Fawehinmi, added a symbolic dimension to his message about freedom, responsibility and the obligations of democratic citizenship.
Aiyedatiwa's address positioned him within a broader pattern of state governors using the 66th Independence Anniversary to reflect on national unity and the responsibilities of leadership. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele issued similar messages urging Nigerians to protect the country's unity and support peaceful democratic processes. For Aiyedatiwa, however, the message carried particular weight given Ondo State's position as a key South-West battleground in the 2027 elections and his own stake in the political outcome.
For the people of Ondo State, the governor's address offered a blend of reflection and report card, combining a philosophical meditation on the meaning of independence with a detailed inventory of projects and programmes. For Nigerians watching from across the country, his appeal for peaceful elections and his warning that political differences must not destroy national bonds resonated against a backdrop of mounting tension as the 2027 campaigns intensify. As Aiyedatiwa put it, the Nigeria that citizens desire will not be built by government alone, but by the collective efforts of its citizens. The coming months will test whether that conviction can survive the pressures of a competitive election season.
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