Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has called on the Yoruba nation to begin deliberate preparations for political and economic relevance beyond President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tenure.
Speaking at a public lecture in Akure, Ondo State, titled “Ondo State: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” Olanipekun emphasized that the region cannot afford complacency while the presidency remains in the Southwest. The event was part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of Ondo State.
Olanipekun noted that although President Tinubu may remain in office until 2031, the Southwest must plan strategically for the period afterward.
“I’m not just asking us to prepare for post-2031 because President Tinubu will not be there forever. He will be there till 2031. So, we should be prepared for post-2031,” he said.
The legal luminary warned that internal divisions could weaken the Southwest’s influence in national politics, urging cohesion among political leaders, traditional rulers, and stakeholders.
“We must hold ourselves together; stay united. There should be cohesion, unity, love, respect and thoughtfulness. Otherwise, the way I see it, we may be lost,” he added.
Olanipekun described development in the region as a collective responsibility requiring courage, strategic thinking, and sustained engagement beyond partisan interests.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa outlined his administration’s focus on strengthening existing institutions and building foundations for long-term growth, rather than creating new structures. He highlighted reforms in health, education, and security sectors and assured that the state security outfit, Amotekun Corps, would be further equipped and positioned in preparation for a proposed state policing framework.
“Amotekun has come to stay. We will make it work better, recruit more personnel and equip them. With state policing in view, it will be able to handle sophisticated weapons against bandits and marauders,” the governor said.
Aiyedatiwa also discussed plans to drive industrialization, agriculture, and the blue economy. He highlighted value addition to cocoa production, the development of a coastal highway, and a proposed refinery as key projects expected to boost revenue, create jobs, and attract investment.
“The coastal highway is a game changer. It will drive industry and movement of people. Tourism, hospitality, health, and education will naturally grow as development spreads,” he said.
The governor noted that Ondo State has adopted five-year and ten-year rolling development plans focused on human capital development and actively engaged youths through initiatives such as essay competitions to envision the state’s future.
“I won’t be here in 50 years anyway, but we are projecting to the future for the state during this 50th-year anniversary. We have seen what past leaders have done, their contributions, landmark projects, programmes and policies. We continue to strengthen our institutions to deliver better without creating new structures,” he said.
