With Adedotun Ajayi
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa started the week on a high note by hosting the Ondo State team that emerged overall winners at the maiden National Basic Education School Sports (BESS) Competition.
The team clinched an impressive 31 medals—9 gold, 15 silver, and 7 bronze—outperforming all other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at the competition held in Abuja.
The Governor, visibly proud of the team, described them as “ambassadors of excellence” and lauded their dedication. Speaking at the Government House grounds, he emphasized the importance of nurturing talent from a young age, pledging his administration’s commitment to grassroots sports development.
He acknowledged the vital role of sports in shaping a child’s physical and mental growth and expressed gratitude to the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (ODSUBEB) and its chairman, Mr. Victor Olabimtan, for their role in the team’s success. The Governor also assured the athletes and their coaches of proper recognition for their efforts.
On Tuesday, governor Aiyedatiwa, along with his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting was part of post-election engagements to thank the President for ensuring a peaceful and credible election process in Ondo State.
During the visit, the governor presented his Certificate of Return to the President and used the occasion to brief him on the challenges and opportunities in Ondo State.
President Tinubu congratulated the Governor and commended the people of Ondo for their peaceful conduct during the election.
He advised the governor to honour the overwhelming mandate given to him by focusing on policies that would uplift the state and improve the welfare of its citizens.
Accompanying the governor were key political leaders, including Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, highlighting the importance of the visit.
The governor’s week culminated with his attendance at the joint 34th and 35th convocation ceremonies of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) on Saturday. The governor delivered a goodwill message, praising FUTA as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation in Nigeria.
He congratulated over 6,500 undergraduates and 1,280 postgraduate students who graduated during the event, including 519 first-class degree recipients.
Acknowledging the institution’s transformative role, Governor Aiyedatiwa pledged continued support for its vision of advancing education through technology and research.
Highlighting Ondo State’s commitment to collaboration with academia, the Governor tied FUTA’s achievements to his administration’s developmental framework, “OUR EASE” (a focus on Security, Urban and Rural Development, Industrialization, Healthcare, Education, and Agriculture).
He reiterated the state’s role as a strategic partner in fostering an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship
Governor Aiyedatiwa concluded his remarks by encouraging the graduates to be ambassadors of progress, emphasizing resilience, integrity, and innovation as tools for societal transformation.