• Tinubu salutes Ondo at 50, vows to support state’s development drive
• Aiyedatiwa reels out vision for Ondo’s next era

Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has pledged to offer more excellent service to the public as he was honoured by the Oyo State Government yesterday.

The government, in a letter conveying Olaopa’s nomination as a recipient of the Oyo State merit award to mark the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the state’s creation, said that he (Olaopa) was being honoured for his “selfless service to the growth and development of Oyo State and for ably representing the state on the world stage.”

In his statement of acceptance of the award, which was conferred at an event hosted by the state governor, Seyi Makinde, at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Olaopa acknowledged what he described as the subtext of the recognition of his modest accomplishments which was to keep up his “unfailing efforts in pushing the boundaries of institutional and governance reforms that will connect, for example, the Oyo State public administration system to the larger federal system in terms of delivering the dividends of democratic development that the citizens of Oyo State need so badly, to make life better for them.”

Olaopa, however, expressed his determination to serve the state more and be a source of inspiration for its development.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has assured Ondo State of his administration’s readiness to partner with the state in its quest to become a model for national progress and a powerhouse of innovation and education in the country.

Tinubu, who hailed the state on its 50 years since its creation, stressed that Ondo has the talent, resources, and capability to be a hub of agriculture and technology.

The President, while speaking at the Akure Township Stadium during the celebration of the 50th anniversary, was represented by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who lauded the state’s journey over the last five decades, particularly its contributions to education, public service, and economic development.

However, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who unveiled a five-point policy framework focused on security, economic diversification, infrastructure and human capital development, described the Golden Jubilee as both a celebration of the past and a call to shape the future.

Aiyedatiwa disclosed that his administration’s vision for the next phase of the state’s history would be anchored on people-centred, inclusive and sustainable development.

The governor also charged the youth to take ownership of the next chapter of the state’s history, saying: ‘This Golden Jubilee is yours. You are not merely inheritors of history; you are its authors. The future of Ondo State will be shaped by your creativity, discipline and courage.”