Ondo State Governor Pledges to Deliver Deep Seaport Project

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has vowed that the proposed deep seaport for the state will be completed before the end of his administration. The project, slated for Ilaje Local Government, has received federal approval and licence revalidation.

Speaking on Thursday during a briefing on the state’s 50th-anniversary plans, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the seaport as a major economic catalyst that would unlock industrial, agricultural, and commercial growth for the state.

“The deep seaport, by the grace of God, will be built during our time,” he said. “We already have the approval, and I believe strongly that this project will be delivered before I leave office.”

He noted that Ondo’s coastal assets position it for the kind of economic transformation experienced by Lagos. The seaport is expected to boost job creation, infrastructure, and investment in sectors such as bitumen exploration.

The governor also reflected on the state’s 50-year journey since its creation in 1976, praising past leaders including the first civilian governor, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, whom he called “a rare gem and a statesman of extraordinary integrity.”

Other figures acknowledged include former governors Bamidele Olumilua, Adebayo Adefarati, Olusegun Agagu, Olusegun Mimiko, and his immediate predecessor, the late Rotimi Akeredolu.

The anniversary, Aiyedatiwa said, offers a moment to reflect on the state’s past, assess its present, and strategically plan for its future.