Activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of Ogun State’s creation gathered momentum on Monday with an interfaith thanksgiving and prayer service held at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The solemn yet celebratory event attracted a roll call of eminent personalities, including former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, former military administrators, royal fathers, and prominent indigenes of the state.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Dapo Abiodun described the last five decades as a period of steady growth and transformation, noting that Ogun State had made significant strides in education, housing, healthcare, agriculture, and other critical sectors.
He said the state has emerged as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing economies, with an estimated economic value of about ₦17 trillion.
“Recent reports have ranked Ogun State as the second-largest economy in Nigeria, after Lagos. This underscores the unprecedented level of excellence and prominence our state has attained,” Abiodun stated.
The governor attributed the state’s economic rise to strategic investments in multimodal transportation, a world-class airport, and an expanding road network, positioning Ogun as a major gateway to national prosperity. He added that the state now leads in educational development at all levels, has delivered an unprecedented number of affordable housing units, strengthened healthcare delivery, and empowered farmers, consolidating its reputation as Nigeria’s industrial hub.
Governor Abiodun also paid tribute to illustrious sons and daughters of the state, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, whose enduring legacies, he said, laid a solid foundation for Ogun’s progress.
In his remarks, former President Obasanjo praised successive administrations for their vision and commitment, noting that Ogun State has consistently contributed to national development through the quality and character of its people. He urged the current government to further harness the state’s strategic proximity to Lagos by deepening infrastructure development and attracting increased investments.
Former Governor Osoba recalled Ogun’s historic contributions to the nation, including producing the first Chief Judge of the Federation, and highlighted the roles played by key personalities in the state’s creation. He noted that the present administration was effectively consolidating the achievements of past governments.
Speaking on behalf of former military administrators, retired Commodore Kayode Olofinmoyin described Ogun as fortunate to possess an enlightened population and leadership focused on public welfare. He commended Governor Abiodun for adopting a balanced approach to development across all sectors.
The Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas and the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, urged the governor to remain steadfast in delivering the dividends of democracy, noting that communities across the state, including Yewaland, were benefitting from ongoing developmental projects.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council and pioneer civil servant, Pa Olu Okuboyejo, reflected on the challenges surrounding the state’s creation in 1976 and expressed gratitude to God for the remarkable progress achieved over the last 50 years.
Delivering a sermon titled “Ogun State, Be Grateful to God for Your Inheritance,” Bishop Michael Fape said the state had enjoyed visionary leadership from inception, enabling it to rank among Nigeria’s leading states. He also lauded the Abiodun administration’s ISEYA development agenda for broadening the state’s economic base and called for constructive and responsible public engagement.
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