Future of states in Nigeria depends on consistency in policies, strong institutions – Oyedele

2026-02-02 - 17:18

By Dayo Johnson, Akure The Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, has declared that the future of states in the country depends on consistency in policies, strong institutions and plans look beyond every administration. Oyedele said this while delivering a public lecture entitled ” Ondo state yesterday, today and tomorrow” to mark the 50th anniversary of the state. He equally asked governor’s “to govern not just for today but for generations yet unborn,ensuring stable electricity, reducing poverty, and creating lasting wealth and prosperity. According to him the future of the states will be strongest when policies are consistent, institutions are strong, and plans look beyond every administration. Narrowing it down to Ondo state, Oyedele said that ” The government must provide the platform, the private sector must drive the growth, our traditional institutions must enforce social cohesion, and every citizen must work hand-in-hand, committed to diligence and unity, to build the prosperous and exemplary Ondo State of our dreams. “The story of Ondo State at 50 is a powerful narrative of immense promise fulfilled and extraordinary potential waiting to be fully realised. “We stand today at a powerful intersection: a moment to genuinely honour the sacrifices of yesterday, celebrate the achievements of today, and most importantly, to boldly embrace the possibilities of tomorrow. According to Abraham Lincoln, the best way to predict the future is to create it. “It is a celebration of who we are, and a declaration of our next level aspirations. We have the talent. We have the resources. “We can create bigger opportunities and multiply our impact faster and better. What we need now is shared commitment, from government, from communities, from the private sector, and from every citizen. “If we stay united across communities and generations notwithstanding political or religious differences, there is no limit to what Ondo State can achieve. Oyedele added that “If we work together, plan wisely, and stay true to our values, the next 50 years will deliver more prosperity, greater opportunity, and enviable dignity for our people. “Let us rise from this celebration not just with cherished memories, but with a renewed, unapologetic commitment to excellence, unity and progress. Let us continue, in word and deed, to be the true Sunshine State – a radiant source of light, inspiration, innovation, and unwavering progress for the entire nation and the continent. Speaking on tax reform, the chairman asked the Ondo state government to “implement the new tax reform acts, enact the State Tax Harmonisation law to curb nuisance and illegal taxes. “The state can even host the national Tax Ombud office for the South West region to lead in taxpayer rights and protection. ” Beyond implementing the new tax reform acts and the State Tax Harmonisation law, Ondo State can introduce a Tax Accountability Report to be sent annually to every taxpayer and develop a holistic State Tax and Fiscal Policy Framework to guide spending, revenue mobilisation, and debt management. On the creation of the state, Oyedele said “0ver the past 50 years, Ondo State has witnessed and spearheaded tremendous transformation, setting standards for good governance and human development. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa,in his address said that the lecture forms a moment that invites reflection, gratitude and renewed commitment to our collective future. “It represents a conscious pause in our journey as a people, an opportunity to take stock of where we are coming from, to interrogate our present realities with honesty, and to deliberately shape the future we desire for generations yet unborn. “Fifty years on, Ondo State stands transformed, not without challenges, but with remarkable progress and renewed confidence. “Our economy is steadily transitioning from primary production to value addition and industrial processing. Flagship initiatives such as the Sunshine Free Trade Zone, the Golden Ceramics Industrial Plant, and the Ethanol Plant in Ore, the Ondo Deep Sea Port and others underscore our commitment to job creation, investor confidence and industrial diversification. ” Tourism is also being deliberately repositioned as a growth driver through the development of our coastline, eco-tourism assets and rich cultural heritage, creating new opportunities for local enterprise and community participation. ” We continue to invest deliberately in education, skills acquisition and youth empowerment, fully recognising that human capital remains our most strategic asset. Scholarships, vocational training programmes, digital literacy initiatives and innovation hubs are being deployed to prepare our young people for an increasingly competitive global economy. “In the area of infrastructure and connectivity, strategic investments in roads, bridges, transport corridors, energy and water infrastructure, including the Onyearugbulem–Irese Bridge are enhancing mobility, trade and social integration across both urban and rural communities. “The story of Ondo State would be incomplete without its people, both at home and in the diaspora. Development is not the exclusive responsibility of government; it is collective and collaborative. “Our citizens must continue to contribute through entrepreneurship, innovation, community service and civic engagement, while our Diaspora should bring invaluable skills, capital, networks and global perspectives. Engaging the Ondo diaspora is, therefore, not optional, it is strategic and imperative for accelerated development, knowledge transfer and global competitiveness. “As we look ahead to the next fifty years, our vision is bold, inclusive and ethically anchored. “We envision an Ondo State where economic prosperity is broad-based and sustainable; where education produces innovators, ethical leaders and problem-solvers; where infrastructure supports growth, inclusion and environmental stewardship; where governance remains responsive, transparent and accountable; and where social cohesion is strengthened by shared values and civic pride. ” This future will be driven by economic diversification, technology and innovation, human capital development and strong institutions, being some of the thematic areas that our Distinguished Guest Lecturer is eminently positioned to illuminate. The Chairman of the public lecture, Chief Wole Olanipekun,asked yoruba elders and leaders to rise above complacency and take deliberate, passionate steps towards the development and long-term security of the South-West. Olanipekun warned that political power at the centre would not remain in the region indefinitely. According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a son of the South-West, would not be at the helm of national affairs forever, noting that another region would most likely assume power by 2031. He stressed that leaders and elders of Yorubaland must therefore act with urgency, foresight and unity, warning that failure to do so could be costly. According to him “A stitch in time saves nine,” he said, urging elders to speak out rather than remain docile in the face of pressing regional and national challenges. He described development, progress and evolution in Yorubaland as a collective responsibility that required courage, strategic thinking and sustained engagement beyond partisan interests. Olanipekun, also described former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, as a “living legend,” advising the incumbent Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to tap from Mimiko’s wealth of experience, particularly as he remains the only surviving civilian governor of the state. He also lamented that another former governor, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, had not been duly recognised for his landmark contributions to Ondo State’s progress. Olanipekun recalled that Olumilua consistently referred to Ondo State as “our Canaan,” stressing that it was his vision, courage and determination that laid the foundation for the state’s current status, recognition and wealth as one of Nigeria’s oil-producing states. Tracing the historical process, Olanipekun explained that the achievement was the product of teamwork and strategic engagement during Olumilua’s administration. He said the late governor mandated his deputy, Dr Olusegun Agagu, the then Commissioner for Health, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and himself, as Attorney-General of the state, to vigorously pursue the recognition. According to him, when the documents were first presented, Chief Clement Akpamgbo, SAN, a native of Anambra State and then Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, insisted that Imo and Abia states be included to strengthen the agitation before it could receive federal approval. Fresh documentation was subsequently prepared to include his request and submitted, making the recognition a reality in principle. However, Olanipekun noted that the process stalled when General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida stepped aside in August 1993, leaving the recognition largely on paper. He added that the team later went to Abuja, and engaged the Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, and reached an agreement which culminated in Shonekan’s pronouncement during a visit to Ondo State that the state had officially become one of Nigeria’s oil-producing states. The ceremony attracted the only surviving state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, top government officials, traditional rulers, academics, professionals and stakeholders from across the state and beyond.