ONDO @ 50: A WELL DESERVED GOLD MEDAL?

By Deacon Sam Aroge

As the people and government of Ondo State roll out the drums to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of its creation, can it be said unequivocally that the Sunshine State has earned its gold as a finished medal or as a promise?

Has the potential that necessitated its creation on 3rd February, 1976 been turned into prosperity?

At creation, Ondo State inherited a strong reputation for education, a disciplined public service, and a culture that valued community development.

Early investments in schools, teacher training and civil service professionalism gave the state a head start.

Before state creation, the territory that now constitutes Ondo State was part of the Western Region.
Its creation was meant to bring governance closer to the people and accelerate development.

In 1996 however, a major territorial adjustment occurred with the carving out of Ekiti State from Ondo State, reducing its landmass but at the same time allowing Ondo to redefine its administrative and economic priorities.

Ondo State indigenes are predominantly Yoruba with dialectal and cultural plurality across Akoko, Ondo, Ówó, Ikale, Ilaje and other sub – groups.

The unique and strategic positioning of the state gives it both inland and coastal advantages.

Aside fertile land, extensive forest reserves, bitumen deposits and crude oil, the state’s coastline is the longest in Nigeria.

To say that the state is blessed will be an understatement. Ondo State could be rightly described as the most naturally endowed state in the country!

For 50 years, Ondo State has experienced both military and civilian administrations.

The Military Administrators who were 12 in numbers include: Ita David Ikpeme, Sunday Esijólómi Tuoyo, Michael Bamidele Otiko, Michael Okhai Akhigbe, Ekundayo Opaleye, Raji Alagbe Rasaki, Bode George, Sunday Abiodun Olukoya, Mike Torey, Ahmed Usman, Anthony Ibe Onyearugbulem, and Moses Fasanya.

While the Elected Civilian Governors who are 7 include: Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Bamidele Olumilua, Adebayo Adefarati, Olusegun Kokumó Agagu, Olusegun Rahmon Mimiko, Oluwarotimi Odunayó Akeredolu and Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

Although, its the key Institutions of any state that matters, but leadership direction has often determined whether policies matured or withered.

As expected, Ondo State has had its own fair share of different leadership experience in the past 50 years and the tell tales are there for discerning minds to see.

Can we then honestly say therefore that Ondo State really deserves a gold medal at 50 judging from past and present history?

Ondo State with its capital in Akure has an estimated population of about 5.3 million and a medium Human Development Index (HDI) relative to other Nigerian States, which means that the state has not faired too badly among the committee of other federating units.

Many Public and Parastatal – Based industries established few years after state creation like the Owena Textile Mills, Ifôn Ceramics, Ondo State Glass Factory, Sunshine Biscuits and Olokola Liquified Natural Gas (OKLNG) Plant are now moribund or stalled.

The economy of the state pre – 1999 to early 2000s were largely agro – based and public – sector driven. This was the good and golden era of the Sunshine State.

However, at some point in the history of the state, the once bouyant state joined the league of debtor states with little or nothing to show for all the humongous federal oil revenue allocations received from the Federal Government.

The state hemorrhaged financially while some past leadership chose to played politics rather than engaged in serious and enduring developmental legacies.

Luckily, successive governments from 2010s to the present day have been driven by reforms, public – private partnerships (PPPs) and industrial clusters revolution.

In the area of modern Agro – Processing and Agric businesses, Ondo State now boast of Cocoa Value Chain Processing Plants, Oil Palm Industrial Plantations, Rice milling and processing hubs, Cashew processing factories, Maize and feed mills and Livestock and Poultry Processing.

The Industrial Park in Óré, Special Agro – Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) and other new small and medium – scale manufacturing clusters are some of the revolutionary efforts by recent administrations in Ondo State to rejuvenate the economy and which have been yielding positive results.

Other initiatives of government include but not limited to Technological hubs and digitally driven services and software development.

The Maritime and Blue Economy is also emerging, which will place Ondo State on the global map and market in no distant future.

In the area of Infrastructure and Connectivity, Ondo State Government has continued to invest hugely in major road upgrades and dualizations linking cities and rural towns.

The state now has two flyover bridges located in Óré and Akure the state capital.

The present administration of Hon (Dr) Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa appeared to have embarked on a silent but sure revolution to change the developmental narrative that will alter the history of the Sunshine State even as the state marks its Golden Jubilee of existence.

With 3 universities, a polytechnic, hundreds of secondary and primary schools, the recent increment and payment of subvention by Mr Governor, teacher recruitment, payment of public exam fees for students, bursary, scholarships and rehabilitation of schools show a broad push toward educational development.

Technical colleges are also being modernized.

The lucky Governor also scored “A’s” in Health Sector progress, Agriculture, Economic potentials, Budgeting and Governance.

Recent state budgets have heavily prioritized capital expenditure and development projects, allocating large chunks to infrastructure, education and health.

Kudos to the present team of financial experts put together by Mr Governor to superintendent the fiscal and monetary policy of the state.

The Sunshine State is now DEBT FREE as a result of prudent and astute financial resources management.

The state’s Commissioner for Finance – Hon Ómówunmi Isaac and the Commissioner for Justice – Chief Kayode Ajuló, SAN are worthy of mention here.

The duo have helped to reshape and reposition governance that is 21st Century compliant.

With Honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa in the saddle at this critical juncture in the history of Ondo State, the good times are back.

Once the government remain focused on human capital renewal, economic diversification, institutional continuity and inclusive development, the next decade will witness unprecedented development and growth.

Ondo State is not stagnant, but its full potential – especially as an industrial and export – oriented hub is still emerging.

The Sun can still shine brighter.

The state Governor must not rest on his oars especially in the fight against insecurity.
He should be impervious to distractions in whatever form.
He has a once in a life time opportunity to write his name in gold as the architect of a modern Ondo State.

In 10 years time, Ondo State will be 60 and the history of today will become the story of tomorrow.

Gold is precious but a diamond is forever!

Happy Golden Jubilee Celebration Ondo State!

Deacon Sam Aroge an indigene of Ondo State writes from Akure.