Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa on Tuesday night, celebrated the enduring legacy of Ondo State while honouring service and excellence, as the Golden Jubilee of the state’s creation climaxed with a Gala and Award Night in Akure.
Speaking at the International Culture and Events center (The Dome), the governor described the ceremony as a moment deliberately set aside to reflect on five decades of shared sacrifice, collective effort and enduring aspiration.
He noted that while earlier activities captured the mass spirit of the people, the grand finale focused on legacy, recognising excellence and reaffirming values that sustain institutions.
Governor Aiyedatiwa paid tribute to former President Obasanjo, chairman of the occasion, acknowledging his long record of national service and leadership as lending historic weight and symbolic significance to the Golden Jubilee.
He stressed that the awards conferred were not mere ceremonial tokens but expressions of collective gratitude and public affirmation of merit, discipline and sustained contribution.
He stressed that society progresses when integrity is upheld, service is honoured and character is celebrated alongside achievement.
He noted that the careful selection of award recipients reflected the state’s belief that merit matters and that excellence should be recognised as purpose-driven service rather than momentary success.
Looking ahead, the Governor said Ondo State at 50 represented a pivot between memory and mandate, stressing that the milestone was not an endpoint but a call to action.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building stronger institutions, a diversified economy, deeper social cohesion and expanded opportunities, particularly for the youth.
Congratulating the award recipients, the governor said the gala night was both a celebration and a covenant to uphold the standards being honoured and to transmit to future generations a state that is stronger, fairer and confident in its destiny.
He urged all citizens to renew their resolve to serve with integrity and place Ondo State ever higher on the pedestal of national relevance.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the Golden Jubilee Committee, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, reflected on Ondo State’s remarkable transformation, noting that many who grew up in local communities would barely recognise familiar landmarks.
He recalled that there was a time some people did not even know what Alagbaka looked like. Fasoranti prayed for safe journeys for all guests, especially awardees who travelled from abroad, including the United Kingdom and expressed confidence that the celebrations would remain memorable for generations to come.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Adewusi, representing President Obasanjo, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa and his wife, describing the First Lady as a source of pride to Osun State.
He also paid tribute to former Governor Mimiko, lauding him as an Iroko and reformer who made significant contributions to Ondo State.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, said the Jubilee offered a platform to chart Ondo State’s future, particularly the role of youths.
He disclosed that an essay competition for youths aged 20 to 25 attracted 118 entries in five days, with ten adjudged outstanding and three selected for prizes.
Ajulo added that the initiative was conceived as a time capsule projecting the state’s trajectory over the next 20 years.
“A formal charter prepared by the Ministry of Justice will be signed by the Governor, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of Ondo State and the Secretary to the State Government, with other officials as witnesses, before being sealed as a binding covenant across generations,” he stated.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa; Ekiti State Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former governors Olusegun Mimiko and Olayide Owolabi Adelami; former deputy governors Omolade Oluwateru, Ali Olanusi, Lasisi Oluboyo, and Alfred Agboola Ajayi; Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; retired jurists Hon. Justices Olusegun Odusola, Sunday Akinola Akintan, and Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju; senior military officers including Commodore Olabode Ibiyinka George (rtd), Major General Olu Bajowa (rtd), and Vice Admiral Akintunde Aduwo; traditional ruler Oba Olu Falae; and music legend King Sunday Adegeye, popularly known as Sunny Ade.
Other honourees included Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, Engr. Bernard Aliu, Prof. Oluyinka Olutoye, Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele, Rt. Hon. Bamidele David Oloyelogun, Hon. Chief Mrs Mobalaji Osomo, High Chief Johnson Fagbemi, Asiwaju Oluyemi Ogunyemi, Dr Amos Akingba, Chief Michael Ade Ojo (Elizade), Engineer Emmanuel Adewunmi of Denki Wires, Prof. Anthony Olusegun Adegulugbe, Pa Oyekan Arije, Engr. Funsho Kupolokun, Chief Sunday Ehindero, Chief Joseph Sanusi, Chief Solomon Oladunni, Chief Pius Akinyelure, AVM Kola Ademuwagun, Oba Samuel Egunjobi, the Alafo of Afo, and Madam Winifred Adefolahan Awosika.
Posthumous awards honoured figures who shaped the state and nation, including General Murtala Mohammed; former governors Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, Chief Adebayo Adefarati, Dr Olusegun Agagu, and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN; prominent jurists Hon. Justices Akinola Aguda and Gladys Olateru-Olagbegi; activists and professionals such as Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, Henry Oloyede Fajemirokun, CON, Dr Sir Samuel Layinka Manuwa, Chief Olu Adeyemi, and Chief Gilbert Akinyede; religious leaders Pastor T. B. Joshua and Chief Afolabi Iyantan; and senior military officers including Wing Commander Ita David Ikpeme, Brigadier-General Esijolomi Tuoyo, Commodore Michael Bamidele Otiko, Captain Okhai Mike Akhigbe, Colonel Ekundayo Babakayode Opaleye, Navy Captain Sunday Abiodun Olukoya, Lt Colonel Lucky Mike Torey, Colonel Ahmed A. Usman, Navy Captain Anthony Ibe Onyeagubulem, and Colonel Moses O. Fasanya.
The occasion was attended by political appointees; APC Chieftains; Elder Statesmen; wives of former Governors; civil servants; among other eminent personalities.
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