Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, saying people-oriented policies and programmes are being implemented to ensure that the impact of government is felt across Ondo State, including in the remotest communities.
The Governor stated this in Akure while rendering an account of his stewardship, where he also thanked the people of the state for their support, patience and constructive feedback.
Orange FM’s Olumide Adeluwoye reports that Governor Aiyedatiwa said his administration remains committed to building a better, stronger and more prosperous Ondo State through the OUR EASE Agenda, which he said has recorded significant achievements across key sectors.
In the health sector, he said about 3,323 health professionals had been recruited and deployed across the 18 local government areas of the state.
He said diagnostic capacity had also been enhanced with the provision of a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine and a 160-slice CT scanner at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex.
The Governor added that, through ORANGHIS, fully funded health insurance coverage had been extended to retirees and pensioners, assuring that the government would continue to invest in compassionate, professional and quality healthcare.
On education, he said his administration had continued to recruit teachers into primary and secondary schools, with plans to further strengthen the teaching workforce.
He said government had also increased subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions and approved the implementation of the Federal Government/union agreement, alongside other measures to improve institutional stability and staff welfare.
According to him, students are also being supported through bursaries, scholarships and other forms of financial assistance.
In agriculture, the Governor said the state had secured 26,000 hectares of agricultural land and distributed more than two million cocoa seedlings to boost production.
He said interventions under the L-PRES programme had continued, alongside efforts to develop rural markets and establish a modern Farmers’ Market in Akure.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also disclosed that about 14,000 smallholder cocoa and oil-palm farmers had been profiled under an FAO-supported programme, with emphasis on climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, mapping and forest restoration.
On electricity, he described power supply as fundamental to economic development, noting that improved electricity supply had been recorded across the state.
He said the Ondo State Power Sector Law had strengthened the legal and institutional framework for the sector through the establishment of the Ondo State Electricity Regulatory Commission, while efforts were ongoing towards private-sector participation in the 30-megawatt Ore Independent Power Plant.
The Governor also highlighted investment opportunities around the Olokola Industrial and Free Trade Zone and the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port, including the proposed petrochemical fertiliser plant.
He said the objective was to translate these opportunities into industries, jobs, stronger value chains and broader economic prosperity for the people.
Governor Aiyedatiwa commended public servants for their dedication, saying the government had sustained regular payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, as well as regular promotion exercises.
He added that the recent appointment of 32 Permanent Secretaries was aimed at strengthening administrative leadership and promoting merit, professionalism, career progression and accountability in the public service.
On security, the Governor said his administration would continue to strengthen the state’s security architecture and support security agencies operating in Ondo State.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide useful information to the appropriate authorities, stressing that farmers, businesses and rural communities must be able to operate in a safe environment.
The Governor also said the appointment of commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, as well as chairmen and members of boards and commissions, was intended to bring competence, expertise, fresh ideas and stronger grassroots engagement into governance.
He assured the people of Ondo State that his administration would continue to deliver more dividends of democracy and ensure that the benefits of governance reach every part of the state.
