50 YEARS OF GRACE: A Celebration of Our Ease And Progress* _-Prof. Simidele Odimayo_

As the sun rises over the lush hills of Idanre and the vibrant coasts of Ilaje today, it illuminates a monumental milestone: “`Ondo State is 50.“` Five decades ago, the Sunshine State was carved out with a vision of self-determination and excellence. Today, as we stand at this golden junction, we don’t just look back at how far we have come; we look forward with confidence, guided by the steady and visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

_A Healthy State is a Wealthy State_

As His excellency’s Special Adviser on Health, I have had a front-row seat to the silent revolution taking place in our medical sector. Governor Aiyedatiwa understands that the heartbeat of development is the health of the citizenry.

Under his administration, Ondo state have moved beyond mere rhetoric to tangible, life-saving interventions:

Infrastructure Revitalization: From the upgrading of Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs) across all 18 Local Government Areas to the massive investment in the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), the Governor has ensured that world-class care is closer to the doorsteps of our people.

Significant investments in medical equipment and the aggressive recruitment of healthcare professionals have reversed the “brain drain” trend locally, ensuring our hospitals are not just buildings, but centers of healing staffed by motivated experts.

“`Health Insurance for All: The expansion of the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC) has brought affordable healthcare to the informal sector, ensuring that no artisan, trader, or farmer is bankrupted by a medical emergency.“`

Beyond the health sector, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s impact radiates far beyond the wards of our hospitals. His “Lucky” touch is felt in every sector of the Sunshine State:

frastructure

#The completion and rehabilitation of rural-urban link roads, easing the movement of goods and people.

#Education Strategic funding for state-owned institutions and the consistent payment of bursaries, ensuring our youth remain the intellectual powerhouse of Nigeria.

#Civil Service: A commitment to worker welfare, marked by the regular payment of salaries, pensions, and the implementation of other emoluments.

#Empowering our farmers with modern inputs and securing our forests to ensure Ondo remains the food basket of the Southwest.

A jubilee is a time of “liberty”—a time to cancel debts and start anew. Governor Aiyedatiwa is doing exactly that for Ondo State. He is clearing the developmental debts of the past and laying a foundation for a digital, industrial, and healthy future.

His leadership is a blend of empathy and executive precision. He listens to the heartbeat of the streets and responds with policies that put people first. As we celebrate 50 years of our collective identity, we celebrate a Governor who truly embodies the “Orimisan” (good head) philosophy—leading us with wisdom into a new era of prosperity.

Happy 50th Anniversary to the Sunshine State!

Long live Ondo State.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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