By our Reporter
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has said his administration is implementing key projects across health, education, agriculture, power and infrastructure as part of efforts to improve the welfare and economic prospects of residents.
Aiyedatiwa stated this on Thursday at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Akure, during the state’s celebration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. He described independence as a continuing responsibility to past, present and future generations and urged Nigerians to contribute to nation-building.
The governor also appealed to political leaders, party members and youths to shun violence and embrace issue-based engagement ahead of the 2027 elections. He urged citizens to respect one another’s political choices and uphold peace, unity and responsible citizenship.
Reviewing his administration’s achievements, Aiyedatiwa said about 3,323 health professionals had been recruited across the 18 local government areas, while a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine and 160-slice CT scanner had been provided at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex. He added that the government had also expanded health insurance coverage to retirees and pensioners.
In agriculture, the governor said the state had secured 26,000 hectares of farmland and distributed more than two million cocoa seedlings, while about 14,000 smallholder cocoa and oil-palm farmers had been profiled under an FAO-supported programme. He also highlighted ongoing interventions in power, including efforts to attract private-sector participation in the 30MW Ore Independent Power Plant, as well as investment opportunities around the Olokola Industrial and Free Trade Zone and proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration had maintained regular salary payments, continued the settlement of pension and gratuity obligations, recruited teachers and supported students through bursaries and scholarships. He also pledged continued support for security agencies and urged residents to provide useful information to authorities to help keep communities, farms and businesses safe.
