Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebration in Akure, the Ondo State capital, turned into a moment of reflection and renewed optimism as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa declared that the country is making steady progress under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking at the state event, Aiyedatiwa commended the president for what he described as bold economic reforms, social re-engineering policies, and ongoing infrastructural development that, according to him, are shaping Nigeria’s journey toward greatness.
The governor stressed that despite the nation’s struggles, Nigeria continues to produce globally acclaimed figures in entrepreneurship, economics, science, the arts, and sports, all of whom have carried the green and white flag with pride across the world. He noted that unity remains one of the country’s strongest pillars, reminding the audience that more than 200 million Nigerians of diverse tongues, faiths, and traditions remain bound together under one identity.
Reflecting on the nation’s path since independence in 1960, Aiyedatiwa highlighted its resilience in the face of numerous trials. He pointed to civil strife, years of military rule, and economic upheavals that did not break Nigeria’s spirit, but instead reinforced its place as Africa’s largest democracy. He also emphasized the country’s role in peacekeeping missions across the continent, saying Nigeria has proven to be a giant not just in size but also in responsibility.
Turning to Ondo State’s developmental strides, Aiyedatiwa listed a range of projects executed under his administration. In infrastructure, he announced progress on major road dualisation projects, including Akure–Idanre, Akungba–Ikare, and Okitipupa–Igbokoda, as well as jetties and walkways in riverine areas. He disclosed that each of the 18 local government areas now has approval for the rehabilitation of at least 5km of roads.
In the health sector, the governor cited the expansion of the contributory health scheme, completion of a pharmaceutical-grade warehouse, hospital renovations, and the recruitment of additional health workers. Education has also seen attention, with classroom rehabilitation, provision of learning materials, scholarships, bursaries, digital learning tools, and continued operation of free shuttle services for pupils in riverine and urban areas.
For agriculture, he revealed that the state has allocated 26,000 hectares of land and invested ₦7.5 billion to promote food security and job creation. On security, Aiyedatiwa pointed to the procurement of 75 modern Hilux patrol vehicles equipped with advanced gadgets to aid rapid responses to threats across the state.
The governor insisted that infrastructure, particularly road construction, remains central to his administration’s vision. He described roads as lifelines that boost commerce, aid agriculture, reduce travel stress, and improve daily living conditions. He pledged that Ondo State would sustain this momentum, affirming that both the state and Nigeria as a whole are moving forward and that nothing is beyond reach.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, paid tribute to Nigeria’s founding fathers and hailed the current administration’s achievements. He praised the governor’s emphasis on fiscal transparency and accountability, noting that his policies have created an enabling environment for economic growth and industrial expansion. According to him, Ondo people are now presented with opportunities to thrive and contribute to national progress.
The celebration, which combined tributes to the past and promises for the future, projected a message of resilience, reform, and renewed hope as Nigeria marked 65 years of independence.
