Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has urged all ministries, departments and agencies in the state to hit the ground running, emphasising that the expectations of the people must be matched with the prompt delivery of projects and programmes.
Aiyedatiwa, who spoke this on Monday at the First Working Day Prayer Meeting for 2026 at the Governor’s Car Park, Governor’s Office, Akure, also called on citizens to support the government by meeting their obligations and embracing the New Year with optimism, patriotism and a shared sense of responsibility as stakeholders in Ondo’s progress.
He, however, reaffirmed that the 2026 Budget would be implemented faithfully and to the letter, underlining the need for strict adherence to targets, accountability and transparency across the public service.
The Governor described these measures as critical to sustaining the state’s development trajectory.
The Governor recounted achievements of the past year under the “OUR EASE” agenda, including road construction and rehabilitation spanning 190 kilometres, the construction and renovation of 280 classrooms in primary, secondary and technical schools, and the perimeter fencing of a substantial number of schools.
He stated that the 2026 Budget contained additional provisions to further improve educational infrastructure.
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On healthcare, the Governor said 112 health centres awarded for renovation and new construction in 2025 were being completed and put into use, while the solar lighting initiative, launched in Akure, was being expanded to all local government areas.
On economic development, he noted the revalidation of the Ondo Deep Sea Port licence and ongoing arrangements with development partners for a refinery and allied petrochemical industries in the Free Trade Zone, as well as other industries along the Ondo South–Ogun–Lagos road corridor.
He said the administration was also reviving moribund industries, such as the Ifon Ceramic Industry and Okitipupa Oil Mill, with new industrial projects planned for the Ore axis.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said security in Ondo State had improved significantly through strong collaboration among security agencies, boosting logistics, operational capacity and crime response.
To strengthen the Amotekun Corps, he said he had approved the recruitment of 500 additional personnel and investments in equipment, pledging continued synergy among all agencies to safeguard lives and property across the state.
Reaffirming his commitment to workers, the Governor said regular promotions, prompt payment of salaries and steady settlement of inherited gratuities for state and local government retirees had been sustained. Gradual recruitment would continue to ensure effective succession planning and provide employment for young graduates.
He also commended labour union leaders for their cooperation in sustaining industrial peace, while urging all public servants to maintain professionalism, dedication and ethical standards to advance the state’s progress.
Bayo Philip, the Head of Service of Ondo State, in his welcome address, noted that the public service had continued to record steady and verifiable progress under the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa, describing such achievements as undeniable.
According to him, the current administration tops the chart in prompt and massive recruitment into the service, bold steps to stabilise gratuity and pension backlogs, an open-door approach to labour matters resulting in enduring peace, improved workers’ healthcare through a contributory health scheme, and prompt payment of salaries and allowances.
