CELEBRATIONS of 100 Days in office by Nigerian elected Presidents and Governors have become a tradition through which the governed, and the government measure their performances. In Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa recently marked his one hundred days in office, showcasing his various people’s oriented programmes and policies so far delivered in line with his campaign promises.

THERE has been a consensus by the people that the last 100 days of Governor Aiyedatiwa were marked by many laudable feats like massive infrastructural development, a remarkable turnaround in the education, health, agricultural sectors and a few others.

ON infrastructural development, the incumbent State government embarked on some rural projects to change the landscape of the various affected communities across the state. This is to give credence to one of the promises made by the governor  upon assumption of office to give attention to urban renewal projects. The governor’s infrastructural revolutionary drive which is being experienced across the State under the ‘Our Ease’ agenda include reconstruction, asphalt overlay and rehabilitation of over 50 selected township roads across the 18 local government areas of the State. The 10-kilometer dualisation of the Akure-Idanre road, the 7.8 kilometers stretch of Soda road, the 8.1 kilometers Ijoka road project inherited from the immediate past administration, the Shagari/Onyearugbulem Flyover project which is 70 percent completed among others. The focus is not only on the state capital city as a total of 60 kilometers of road projects are being implemented with 20 kilometers in each Senatorial district in the state.

THE HOPE particularly lauded Mr Governor for identifying the proposed Modern Banquet Complex project at Alagbaka initiated by the administration of Dr. Olusegun Agagu, 20 years ago as one of such abandoned projects that needed to be attended to and completed in due course. The inauguration of 7km Gbangbalogun road project which connects Irowo road to the high-traffic Arakale-Oke-Aro-Idanre road which was abandoned for years.

THE recorded steady progress observed in the ongoing construction of the Onyearugbulem/Irese flyover in the state capital city and the ongoing road  rehabilitation across the state is a good thinking that will not only significantly enhance rural access, but will also improve transportation, facilitate access to essential services, and contribute immensely to the state economic growth by connecting people.

OF commendable step is Governor Aiyedatiwa’s effort at repositioning education in the State by recruiting 2,000 teachers into the public schools to address teachers shortage. To alleviate the financial burden on parents, the present administration in the state equally released N550 million for the payment of 2024 WAEC fees for students in public secondary schools. The governor equally approved the payment of N1 billion for the construction of a new Senate Building at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, and N1.2 billion for the completion of abandoned projects at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, among others. 

THE health sector has also witnessed significant turnaround within the one hundred days of Mr Governor in office. The administration has recruited health workers for primary healthcare centres across all the 203 wards in the state. The launch of the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS) which ensures affordable healthcare access for residents speaks volume of Mr Governor’s care for the people. 

THE support provided for farmers in the state is another clear sign of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s vision for food security. The farmers in the State have been enjoying the governor’s support through promotion of agribusiness, providing financial assistance, and collaborating with the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA) to enhance water resource management, and promote youth involvements in agribusiness.

ASIDE the pledges to create farming zones for displaced farmers. The artisans and traders in the state are not left out as they were given N220 million soft loans to stimulate economic activities.

BEYOND agriculture, the governor provided 25 Toyota Hilux vehicles to security agencies, bolstering their operational capacity. The senior citizens are not forgotten as over N1.5 billion has been disbursed for the payment of gratuities in the last three months.

INDEED, the last one hundred days have seen Governor Aiyedatiwa traversed Ondo State in a bid to deliver on his covenant and promise to the people. No doubt, the task of setting Ondo State on the path of sustainable development remains daunting, but there is an air of renewed hope and early signs of steady progress.

THESE achievements underscore Governor Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to prudent resource management and people printed governance by prioritising essential projects over political appointments. Since the first hundred days of any administration serves as a defining period, setting the tone for governance and providing an early glimpse into the leader’s vision, priorities, and capacity to effect change, there is no doubt that Ondo State is in capable hand.

FOR a fact, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s achievements within hundred days is a bold declaration of his capacity and readiness to lead the state into a new phase of sustainable development. While congratulating the governor for attaining these feats within a short time, we however, urge him to do more in the area of environment and security to stem incessant kidnappings and other nefarious acts in the state.