– Gov inaugurates, charges new board to address challenges confronting oil producing areas
The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Monday, inaugurated the newly constituted Board of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), with a strong charge to the members to deliver impactful development to oil-bearing communities in the state.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony held at the Cocoa Conference Centre of the Governor’s Office in Akure, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the event marked the beginning of a new chapter in OSOPADEC’s history, one guided by the administration’s “OUR EASE” policy – an agenda built on Access, Service, and Empowerment.
The Governor emphasized that the Board’s inauguration was not merely a statutory duty, but a demonstration of his administration’s unwavering commitment to good governance, effective service delivery, and transformative development in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas, the two oil-producing areas under the Commission’s mandate.
“With the amendment of the OSOPADEC Act signed into law late last year, the Commission has been fundamentally repositioned to operate with greater efficiency, enhanced transparency, and renewed focus on optimal service delivery,” he stated.
Governor Aiyedatiwa announced the approval of a historic N33.8 billion budget for OSOPADEC in the 2025 fiscal year — the highest allocation ever for the Commission. He explained that the fund would address critical infrastructure gaps and socio-economic challenges confronting the mandate areas.
“This budget will fund vital projects in roads, schools, water supply, health centres and housing. It will also strengthen youth and women empowerment schemes, scholarship programmes, and skill acquisition centres, in line with our administration’s development blueprint,” the Governor noted.
Charging the new board members to see their appointment as a call to service, the Governor reminded them of the high expectations placed upon them by the people and the need to serve with integrity, diligence and selflessness.
He assured the Board of his administration’s full support, while also making it clear that such support would be conditional on transparency, integrity and measurable results.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also called on traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, civil society organizations, and development partners to rally behind the new Board in the shared mission of developing the oil-bearing communities.
“This is a bold statement that OSOPADEC will not only function under this administration but will also flourish. It must deliver transformation that speaks loudly and visibly in the lives of the people,”
“Let us, in togetherness, build a legacy of prosperity, peace and progress for Ilaje and Ese-Odo. Let this be the beginning of a new dawn one where government works truly for the people”, he added.
Responding on behalf of other board members, the new Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Biyi Olaleye Poroye, expressed gratitude to Governor Aiyedatiwa for the confidence reposed in them and for the opportunity to serve.
Poroye assured the Governor that the Board is fully prepared and committed to carrying out its responsibilities with dedication and diligence.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by notable dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami; Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Ayedun; Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philip; members of the State Executive Council; lawmakers; Director General of the Ondo State Media Group, Mr. Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson; local government chairmen; traditional rulers; permanent secretaries; political appointees; and other top government officials.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
June 16, 2025.