BEFORE the creation of the old Ondo State with Akure as its capital, the entire province was in shambles, backward and in dire need of meaningful development. During this trying time, came visionary leaders like Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, Baba S.O Animashaun, Pa Olu Adeyemi, R.A Olusa, J.A Olukoju among others who became heroes of our giant strides, championing causes and offering relevant advise to make sure that we have our dream of a Sunshine State. Consequently, Ondo State was created on February 3, 1976 from the former Western State. It originally included the present day Ondo and Ekiti States with the latter gaining an independent status  on  October 1,  1996.

THIS was the reason, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, deemed it fit to honour these living legends who had worked and  contributed their quota to the development of the State to mark its 46 years of existence.

THOUGH, this is not the first time the state will be celebrating individuals who have contributed immensely to the realisation of our statehood, it would be recalled that in 2010, the then Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko engraved names of outstanding citizens of the states in the state’s almanac. However, Governor Akeredolu’s style of celebrating the state heroes this year was unique because they are celebrated while alive.

GOVERNOR Akeredolu, who commended the living heroes’ unalloyed patriotism towards making Ondo State work, demonstrated his belief that it is more rewarding to honour our heroes while alive than to express a veritable avalanche of accolades when they are long dead. This was the reason these eminent citizens of the State were recently honoured for their glorious history of the struggle for a better Ondo State at a special event which took place at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Alagbaka  Akure.

GOVERNOR Akeredolu who described the elder statesmen as uncommon citizens of the State said: “We celebrate you, most enthusiastically, for your vision. We remember the departed elders who have gone to join our ancestors. I must not fail to express gratitude to the past leaders of this State, and by extension, those of our sister State, Ekiti, for their contributions to her development. We acknowledge their roles as pivotal to the advancement of this State within the permissible limits of the current political configuration in the country. We shall continue to insist on the best arrangement for our people in the Nigerian Federation.”

IT is hard to find the right words to capture the essence of formidable elders who are the faces of the struggle of the Sunshine State we all claim to be ours. These noble sons of Ondo State can be best described as feisty, courageous, endurance, fortitude, tenacity, fearless and resilience.

WHILE congratulating our distinguished elder statesmen for the honour well deserved, The Hope appeals to them not to be tired in giving useful advises from their wealth of experience towards the actualisation of the Sunshine State our dream.

THE Hope also notes the commendable efforts of Governor Akeredolu’s forthrightness to think outside the box by honouring the living legends in a country where giving posthumous awards has become the order of the day.

WHILE  appreciating the Governor for this laudable initiative, we equally urge him to incorporate the event of honouring our living heroes into the State yearly programme when celebrating the birth of Ondo State. This will help to recognize other living legends in the State and also challenge more citizens of the State to emulate their exemplary life styles.

IF living heroes are truly patriotic, who have used their innate talents to serve humanity at every opportunity, The Hope urges other State Governors to borrow a leaf from Governor Akeredolu by honouring living individuals whose lives have become a watershed and

blessing towards the development of their respective states. Doing this will nudge other citizens to take concrete and constructive steps towards attaining the enviable feat of being honoured as living heroes.