30/05/2025
Itโs Time for Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa to Deliver for Ilaje.
On the shorelines of Ondo State lies a people forgotten not by history, not by fate, but by the very son they helped rise to power. Ilaje, the land that birthed a governor, still waits, its roads crumbling, its waters restless, its children watching for a promise long delayed. When will home become more than a memory for those who lead from it?
Ondo State has been privileged to produce leaders who proudly wore the identity of their roots and translated that pride into visible development in their respective local governments. From Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Epe in Lagos State, to Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo Town, and the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Owo, each left an indelible legacy in their hometowns. The people of Ilaje had hoped for the same when Lucky Ayedatiwa, a son of the soil, ascended to the highest seat of power in the state. But so far, that hope remains painfully unmet.
Dr. Olusegun Mimiko transformed Ondo Town into a model of infrastructural and healthcare excellence. His Mother and Child hospitals, modern markets, and school revamps were visible signs of a leader investing where his heart truly belonged.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, during his time as Lagos State Governor, did not forget Epe. Roads, streetlights, housing schemes, and schools were developed, turning Epe into one of the most modern and accessible towns in Lagos State.
Even the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu left his marks in Owo with massive road constructions, the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, and the general upliftment of public facilities across the ancient town.
In sharp contrast, after 18 months, Governor Lucky Ayedatiwaโs administration has yet to make a firm developmental statement in Ilaje Local Government. A region that remains vital to Ondo Stateโs economyโhome to vast oil and gas resources, a proud riverine culture, and rich potentialโIlaje has long endured systemic marginalization. One would have expected that an Ilaje indigene in power would finally bridge the historical neglect. But the silence has been deafening, and the absence of impactful, legacy projects is alarming.
Ilaje roads are still impassable. Healthcare access is minimal. Education infrastructure is poor. Basic amenities that other parts of the state enjoy as a right are treated as a privilege for Ilaje communities.
This is a clarion call to Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa: history is watching. Posterity will remember either your silence or your boldness. The same people who danced when you became governor are still waiting for signs that their joy was not misplaced. It is time to act, and act decisively.
Governor Ayedatiwa must take deliberate steps to prioritize Ilaje in his development agenda. Signature projects that reflect the dignity and needs of the Ilaje people must be initiated nowโwhether in the form of modern schools, hospitals, bridges, fishery hubs, marine transport systems, or shoreline protection.
Being the first elected governor from Ilaje is an opportunity. Wasting it would not only betray the people but also deny future generations a vital example of what it means to lead with vision and belonging.
Ilaje Advancement Forum
May 2025
