Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, alongside Taiwo Oyedele, who chairs the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, has urged the governors and political leaders of the South-West to take advantage of what they term a rare political opportunity provided by Bola Ahmed Tinubu's presidency to accelerate the region's development.
The appeal was made on Monday in Akure at a public lecture held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ondo State’s establishment. They cautioned that such an advantageous political climate may not be available again after the conclusion of Tinubu’s second term.
During the Golden Jubilee lecture titled “Ondo State: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – Agenda Setting for the Next 50 Years,” Olanipekun emphasized the necessity for the South-West to work together with cohesion and vision to fully utilize federal opportunities for infrastructure advancements, industrial growth, and economic reforms.
“Tinubu will not remain in office indefinitely. His tenure will conclude in 2031. We must unify and come together. There needs to be cohesion, unity, respect, love, and thoughtfulness,” stated Olanipekun.
He noted the importance of the region organizing itself to articulate a shared economic agenda and engage productively with the federal government. Failure to do so would mean missing out on significant opportunities after Tinubu's presidency. He encouraged South-West governors to put aside political differences and collaborate on vital regional initiatives such as rail transport, agricultural development, and mineral resources exploitation.
In his keynote address, Prof. Oyedele outlined the historical background of Ondo State and acknowledged its founding principles centered around education, integrity, and collective growth. He pointed out that even with one of the smallest budgets in Nigeria, Ondo State has the lowest rates of multidimensional poverty.
“This is not due to being the wealthiest state but because we strategically invested in crucial areas—education, health, and dignity,” Oyedele stated, referencing information from the National Bureau of Statistics.
Looking forward, Oyedele presented a long-term developmental strategy identified as Agenda 2076, focusing on industrialization, technological advancement, security, youth empowerment, and the establishment of robust institutions.
“The coming 50 years must prioritize value creation instead of reliance on federal allocations. Ondo State must evolve from cocoa to chocolate production, from crude extraction to industrial processing, and from basic farming to agro-industrial output,” he mentioned.
He highlighted potential transformations available such as the Ondo Deep Sea Port, bitumen utilization, and the blue economy, emphasizing that these sectors represent significant but unexplored economic avenues due to the state’s extensive coastline and bitumen reserves.
Regarding financial reforms, Oyedele encouraged the state government to adopt tax harmonization and transparency to enhance internally generated revenue while avoiding imposing excessive burdens on citizens, pointing out the need to eliminate unnecessary or illegal taxes.
In a personal anecdote, Oyedele shared how a ₦500 scholarship from his village association enabled him to complete his secondary education. He announced a new scholarship program providing up to ₦500,000 for outstanding graduates from public secondary schools in Ondo State as part of the golden jubilee celebration.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State remarked that the occasion provided the chance to reflect on past achievements while planning purposefully for the future.
“Fifty years later, Ondo State has undergone significant transformation, facing challenges yet demonstrating notable advancement and renewed optimism,” the governor remarked, citing initiatives like the Sunshine Free Trade Zone, Golden Ceramics Industrial Plant, Ethanol facility in Ore, and the Ondo Deep Sea Port as manifestations of the state’s commitment to diversifying its economy, creating jobs, and attracting investment.
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