“You can criticize the farmer, but do not deny the harvest.” – African Proverb
Critics will always talk, but results speak louder than rhetoric.
Months after stepping in to steer the ship of Ondo State, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has not only kept the state stable in a turbulent national economy but has delivered projects and programmes that speak for themselves.
While a handful of political actors hide behind hashtags on Facebook, the reality on ground tells a different story, a story of deliberate investments, infrastructural renewal, stronger healthcare, and economic empowerment quietly transforming lives across the Sunshine State.
Healthcare: Building a Healthy Future
Governor Aiyedatiwa has injected fresh energy into the state’s health sector with bold and practical actions:
50% increase in subvention for the Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
Renovation of 102 primary healthcare centres and plans for 203 new centres — one in each ward.
Through the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Scheme, 4,265 safe deliveries, including 380 twins, 10 triplets, and 2 sets of quadruplets.
Over 101,000 public servants enrolled in the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS) and 56,700 vulnerable citizens benefiting from free coverage.
460 life-saving surgeries performed under the scheme, plus distribution of drugs and medical commodities worth ₦100 million.
These are lives saved, families strengthened, and healthcare within reach of ordinary people.
Infrastructure: Roads That Connect, Roads That Empower
Roads remain the lifeline of economic growth, and under Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State is witnessing a new wave of connectivity:
Over 50 township road projects approved across the 18 local government areas.
60 km of asphalt overlay completed between 2024 and mid-2025.
Landmark Projects:
Dualisation of Ijoka Road (On-going)
Expansion of Akure-Oda Road
Construction of a flyover at Onyeagbulem-Shagari/Irese Junction (On-going)
These are roads that reduce travel time, open up communities, and boost local commerce – real development you can drive on.
Economic Empowerment and Agriculture: Jobs and Food Security
While others talk about youth empowerment, Aiyedatiwa is doing it:
Expansion of the Youth-in-Agriculture Scheme with modern farming support.
Distribution of tractors, fertilizers, and improved seedlings to farmers to cut food imports and boost productivity.
SME loans and grants for traders and artisans, cushioning economic shocks and fueling local businesses.
The goal is simple: make Ondo State self-sufficient, create jobs, and put food on every table.
Security: Keeping Ondo Safe
The security of lives and property remains a top priority. Under Aiyedatiwa:
Amotekun Corps has recruited and trained more personnel.
Proactive intelligence and patrols have reduced incidents of kidnapping and armed robbery across the state.
A secure state is the foundation of growth and Ondo remains one of the safest in the region.
2025 Budget: Capital and Recurrent Breakdown
Actions speak louder than promises and the 2025 budget shows where Aiyedatiwa’s heart is:
- Total Budget: ₦395 billion
- Capital Expenditure: ₦222 billion (56.2%)
- Recurrent Expenditure: ₦173 billion (43.8%)
This allocation prioritizes growth, with a strong tilt toward capital projects like roads, schools, health facilities, and agricultural infrastructure – the real engines of development.
Beyond Slogans, Beyond Noise
These achievements are verifiable, not political propaganda. Constructive criticism should seek accountability, not hostility. Governance is not a sprint; it is a marathon and in twenty months, Aiyedatiwa has planted seeds of progress: accessible healthcare, road connectivity, agricultural revival, and economic empowerment.
Hashtags don’t build roads. Noise doesn’t deliver babies. Social media propaganda doesn’t put food on the table. Real governance does and Aiyedatiwa is delivering it.
Isijola is Special Assistant on Digital Media to Ondo State Governor.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
