Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has assured the people of Ondo State of abundant dividends of good governance through policies and programmes in line with the Renewed Hope of President Ahmed Tinubu.
The Governor gave this assurance on Tuesday, during the 64th independence day celebration, held at Gani Fawehinmi arcade, Akure.
Governor Aiyedatiwa described the independence day celebration as a day to reminisce on our successes and challenges as a country.
He said "Let us recall with a deep sense of history that, this day 64 years ago, the chain of colonization of Nigeria was destroyed and her glory restored as we gained independence to manage our economic and socio-political destiny. We all deserve to be celebrated because since then, we have successfully weathered the travails of the journey of nation-building. Without equivocation we can confidently say that we have reasons to celebrate as a people.
"In the last 64 years, we have made remarkable progress in our nation building and socio-economic growth-path for a better Nigeria by deliberately tackling and overcoming serial challenges that had threatened our unity and peace.
"Therefore, this day marks a high point in the sanctity and sacredness of our nationhood as it signposts a significant mileage in acknowledging the selfless sacrifices of our founding fathers, mothers and unyielding patriots who through activism, struggles and relentless agitations fought to secure our sovereignty and independence from the shackles of the colonialists who greedily scrambled for our commonwealth and enslaved us.
"So far, we have demonstrated unwavering resolve to harness and sustain the benefits of our differences and diversity in the best interest of our togetherness and brotherhood. The benefits are making our country stronger, as we reshape and grow our socio-political economy".
Governor Aiyedatiwa also emphasized that his administration shall remain steadfast, considerate, empathetic and continue to raise the bar of passionate leadership in its determination to assuage the impacts of the present economic hardship and bring comfort to the people.
He noted that all these has been demonstrated with the resuscitation of the Free Shuttle Buses as a social safety net for students, the groundbreaking infrastructural reengineering, the stable health sector reforms, the O' Datiwa mass meter distribution to eliminate estimated billings and darkness, relief packages to temper the impact of rising costs of food, social services, unabated inflation occasioned by the painful but necessary removal of fuel subsidy and strategic human capital development, among others.
"The reality of the harsh impacts of the transformative economic reforms and the attendant inevitable sacrifices must be acknowledged. We are however on the threshold of setting our socioeconomic prosperity on the upward drive, to banishing hunger, misery and wants from our land through robust economic policies and programmes that would engender significant growth that would resonate with our transformational agenda for the State.
"No matter our socio-political persuasions, let us with incurable optimism, be more tolerant and profoundly focused on the possibilities of our greatness as an emerging country, let us keep our eyes on the legacy of a greatly prosperous Nigeria that we hope to bequeath to upcoming generations".
Speaking on the forth coming gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the Governor stressed the need to be alive to civic responsibility. "We must all play by the rules and recommit ourselves to a peaceful and credible election.
"Let us be more bonded in our hope and desire to build a stronger and abundantly prosperous Ondo State. Together, let us continue to nurture our shared expectations, aspirations and hope of a glorious Ondo State", he concluded.
The highlight of the event included; march past by secondary schools across the State and groups.
In attendance were: Deputy governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, Members of Ondo State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, Secretary to the state government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi, Chief of staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, members of the State Executive Council, Religious leaders, Labour leaders, among other top government functionaries.
