The Chairman of Odeda Local Government, Hon. (Dr.) Waliat Folasade Adeyemo, on Tuesday, led a colourful ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ogun State, joining the rest of the Gateway State in celebrating five decades of sustained development, resilience, and impactful governance.
The event, which resonated with the theme of grassroots celebration at the Odeda Local Government Council Secretariat, was attended by a broad spectrum of the community. Party faithful from across the ten wards were joined by traditional rulers, including Obas and Bales, leaders of youth and women groups, and various community associations.
In her address, Dr Adeyemo described the state’s creation in 1976 as a defining moment anchored on excellence, industry, and visionary leadership. She noted that Ogun State has emerged as one of Nigeria’s foremost centres of industrial growth, educational advancement, cultural heritage, and economic dynamism, living up to its reputation as the Gateway State by producing distinguished sons and daughters who have excelled nationally and internationally.
The Chairman expressed profound gratitude to the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, for what she described as “a befitting 50 years celebration” and for creating an enabling environment that supports effective governance at the local level. She attributed recent developmental strides in Odeda to the GBAYI governance mantra, which aligns with the state’s ISEYA development agenda.
Reassuring constituents of her administration’s dedication, Dr Adeyemo promised to “continue working towards good things for Odeda,” building on the state’s developmental strides. She highlighted Odeda’s integral role in the state’s journey through agricultural productivity, grassroots governance, and cultural preservation, strengthening food security and upholding indigenous values.
She also commended traditional rulers, security agencies, civil servants, political leaders, development partners, youths, women, students, non-indigenes, and all residents for their unwavering support.
In his remarks, the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Nasiru Yaya Adigun, described Ogun State as a home to exceptional talents making meaningful contributions across the globe. He urged citizens to remain actively engaged in the democratic process as a pathway to sustaining development and good governance.
Marking the symbolic golden jubilee, the celebration featured the empowerment of fifty (50) market women with support packages at Odeda market and the distribution of educational materials to students across schools in the local government. Other activities included a Jumat prayer at the secretariat mosque, the presentation of gifts to beneficiaries across the ten wards, and the ceremonial cutting of the Ogun @50 anniversary cake.
Dignitaries at the event included the Executive Chairman; the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Nasiru Yaya Adigun; the Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon. Rotimi Adeyemi; the Secretary to the Local Government, Mr. Oyekunle Adebayo; members of the Legislative Council; Royal Fathers; past chairmen; leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC); the Head of Local Government Administration, Mr. Oluwole Fateru; and Directors and Heads of Departments.
Also present were members of the Council of Balees, community and religious leaders, market women, labour unions, students, staff of the local government, and other well-wishers.
