Gov Aiyedatiwa charges Ondo workers on transparency, accountability, ethical standards

By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has urged workers across state to continue to give their best, uphold transparency, accountability and ethical standards in the best interest of the State.

The Governor made this call on Monday during the first working day prayer meeting held at the Governor’s car park, Governor’s Office, Akure.

 

According to him, the essence of the gathering is to express gratitude to Almighty God in the outgone year and to commit the New Year into His hands for divine guidance as that is the only sure way to successfully steer the ship of the State to greatness.

 

“We have every cause to be grateful to God for the outgone year because all that we were able to achieve on all fronts, would not have been possible but for His grace, upon whose shoulders the burden of our Administration is rightly placed. I, therefore, thank God Almighty for the gift of life, the opportunity to serve our dear people, and the grace and resilience that sustained the State through the challenges of last year.

“By the grace of Almighty God, the administration has, within about one year, recorded significant sectoral strides in line with the “OUR EASE” Agenda. The government has continued to confront infrastructural deficits head-on, particularly in the areas of road construction, education, healthcare and electricity supply. Ongoing efforts in road construction and rehabilitation cover about 190 kilometres across the length and breadth of the state, with projects currently at various appreciable stages of completion.

“In the education sector, about 280 new classrooms have been constructed and renovated in primary, secondary and technical schools, alongside the perimeter fencing of several institutions, while substantial provisions have been made in the 2026 Budget to further upgrade school infrastructure. The health sector has also received renewed attention, with 112 basic health centres awarded for renovation and the construction of additional facilities in 2025, many of which are being completed and put into use.

“Meanwhile, the state’s solar lighting initiative, which began in Akure, is being expanded to all local government areas, with assurances that no part of the state will be left out.

 

“Our focus on the economic transformation of the State is non-negotiable. We are pursuing economic commanding heights that will drive the transition of Ondo State from a predominantly civil service State to an industrial giant. Just recently, we have secured the revalidation of the licence for the Ondo Deep Sea Port (Port Ondo), and arrangements are ongoing with development partners for the construction of refinery and other allied petro-chemical industries in the Free Trade Zone in the southern part of the State, in addition to other industries expected to spring up along the Ondo South – Ogun – Lagos road corridor.

“Arrangements are also ongoing through public-private-partnership to reactivate and re-modernise some moribund industries including the Ceramic Industry, Ifon and the Oil Mill in Okitipupa alongside a host of new industries planned for Ore axis”.

Speaking on security, the Governor noted that the security situation in Ondo State has improved tremendously through the synergy among security agencies in the area of provision of logistics and support.

“The Amotekun Corps is being deliberately strengthened in both personnel and equipment by our administration. Recently, I approved the recruitment of an additional 500 personnel to further reposition the Corps. We will continue to sustain the synergy amongst all security agencies in the State to ward off criminality in all its forms, within and across our borders. We cannot afford to do less”.

 

“We have continued to strengthen our public service for optimum efficiency and effectiveness. It is our firm belief that no administration can rise above the delivery capacity and capability of its Bureaucracy. I wish to, therefore, acknowledge the commitment and dedication of our Public Service: the backbone of our Administration. To every public servant across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Local Governments, your industry and professionalism account for the modest progress we have recorded.

“I express my profound gratitude to every civil servant, teacher, health worker and political office holders for your patriotism and hard work. I cherish you all! Be assured that this Administration will continue to recognise and reward your invaluable contributions to the steady implementation of “OUR EASE” Policy Blueprint”.

“To date, we have kept faith with our workforce. Regular promotion and prompt payment of salaries can now be taken for granted. We have also taken bold step in steady payment of inherited gratuities, to both State and local government retirees and we remain committed until all arrears are defrayed. Gradual and steady recruitment across the Service will be sustained to ensure effective succession planning, while providing employment opportunities for our teeming young graduates”.

He acknowledged and appreciated the partnership, cooperation and maturity of the Labour Union leadership, which have contributed immensely to the industrial peace being enjoyed in the State.

He also admonished all public servants and political office holders to always uphold the larger interest of the State. “We must roll up our sleeves in our respective stations and work assiduously toward the urgent development of the State. Let us remain steadfastly committed to “OUR EASE” Agenda, ensuring that all its thematic areas are simultaneously and effectively pursued”.

He assured all that the 2026 Budget will be implemented faithfully and to the letters, urging all MDAs to hit the ground running.

“The expectations of our people are high and they must be matched with prompt project and programme delivery. I beseech our people to continue supporting the government by meeting their obligations and to embrace the New Year with optimism, patriotism and a shared sense of responsibility as critical stakeholders in the Ondo State project”, he concluded

 

Earlier in his address, the Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip, noted In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip noted that the essence of the gathering, is to acknowledge the mercies of God, thank Him for the outgoing year, and to commit the new year onto his capable hands to guide in plotting our bearing.

According to him, the public service keeps recording steady progress under the current administration. “The evidence are verifiable and therefore undeniable. It is no flattery to publicly acknowledge that in the recent history of our state, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration tops the chart in prompt recruitment, prompt and massive recruitment into the service, in taking bold steps to stabilise the free areas of gratuity and pensions, in open-door disposition to labour matters and requests leading to an enduring peace in our state, in supplementing workers’ health care through a contributory health scheme, in prompt payment of salaries and allowances”.

 

He appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for the remarkable progress recorded as a result of his labour friendliness. ” I know it is humanly impossible to solve all service problems and cravings in one fell swoop. As the head of service, I never pretended I could, nor assured the government would”.

He urged the workers to reciprocate the good gestures of the government, adding that the time has come for them to think more of ourselves as stewards, not workers.

“Don’t deliver short, don’t deliver late. We must not only know what to do, but we must do what we know. Therefore, delete every inclination towards lateness and laziness, mismanagement and corrupt practises, any form of indiscipline”.

He thanked the generality of workforce and the leadership of the labour unions for the understanding, sacrifice and cooperation.

The civil service is recording progress in this era, he acknowledged that in the recent history of Ondo State, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration tops the chat

In his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Rev Dr Jude Ayodeji Arogundade, urged leaders and senior civil servants in Ondo State to embrace purpose-driven leadership, integrity and sacrifice.

The bishop said those in government were custodians of the lives and resources of the state and constituted its highest governing body, stressing that leadership was not about power but purpose and service to the people.

He challenged office holders to make government work for citizens by administering the commonwealth for the common good, guiding the people and unlocking development through their God-given talents.

Arogundade highlighted Ondo State’s abundant resources, including fertile land, mineral deposits, bitumen, forests and a vibrant, intelligent population, describing the state as a land richly blessed by God. He urged leaders to harness these endowments responsibly and with integrity.

The bishop decried environmental decay, poor urban planning, markets on highways and open defecation, calling for decisive government action, even if unpopular, to restore order, cleanliness and dignity, particularly in Akure.

He stressed that leadership was about integrity, conscience and courage, not popularity, and urged leaders to reflect God’s values of justice, education, love and hard work.

Calling 2026 a defining moment, Arogundade appealed for collective sacrifice to build Ondo State, preserve its values and secure a better future, urging leaders and citizens alike always to ask whether they were doing their best for the people.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ademola Olapade, expressed appreciation to the governor for implementing the minimum wage and granting promotions to workers.

He, however, urged the governor to do more, noting that many workers have yet to benefit from the last promotion carried out in the state.

He assured the Governor that all organised labour in the state was in support of him and his administration.

Clerics, both Christian and Muslim, prayed for the governor, the state, workers and the country in general.

In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji; Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Ayedun Odusola; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; State Chairman of APC, Engr Ade Adetimehin; members of the State Executive Council; members of the Ondo State House of Assembly; labour leaders; permanent secretaries; religious leaders; political appointees; and other top government functionaries.