Taiwo Oyedele, chairman, presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms, says true development is built over decades and not within election cycles.

Mr Oyedele said this on Monday in Akure  at the celebration of Ondo State at 50 themed “Ondo State: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”.

Mr Oyedele, the guest lecturer, said the future of Ondo State would be more strong if governance was driven by policy consistency, strong institutions and development plans that went beyond individual administrations.

He said leaders must govern, not only for the present, but also for generations yet unborn.

According to him, priorities such as stable electricity, poverty reduction and the creation of lasting wealth and prosperity are critical to sustainable development.

He said the vision of a prosperous Ondo State was not a government project alone, but a collective responsibility, while government must also provide the enabling platform.

The chairman also said the state needed to strengthen the state’s ministry of finance to effectively hold and manage the state’s investment in assets and state-owned enterprises.

“It will begin with the creation of a proper assets and investment register.

“The state government should implement the new tax reform acts and enact the State Tax Harmonisation law to curb nuisance and illegal taxes, while also hosting the national Tax Ombud office for the South-West region.

“A progressive economy requires a safe and predictable environment, and a system that enables success.

“Fostering an environment of robust legal protection and predictable policy to reduce bureaucracy. We must improve tax registration, simplify regulatory fees, and advance service harmonisation acrossprotection.

“We must create structured, scalable platforms for our youth to transition rapidly from being job seekers to becoming serial entrepreneurs and prolific job creators.

“The economy of Ondo State must work better for everyone – from market women to fishermen to tech-savvy youths. Inclusion is not charity; it is social contracts and smart economics.

“Ondo State’s future will be strongest when policies are consistent, institutions are strong, and plans look beyond every administration.

“We must govern not just for today, but for generations yet unborn, ensuring stable electricity, reducing poverty, and creating lasting wealth and prosperity,” he said.

In his address, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State said the creation of the state was a defining moment in the country’s administrative and political evolution to bring governance closer to the people and unlock developmental potential.

According to Mr Aiyedatiwa, the founding fathers understood that development will not happen by accident, but must be deliberate and intentional which required vision, sacrifice and strong institutions.

“As we look ahead to the next fifty years, our vision is bold, inclusive and ethically anchored. We envision an Ondo State where economic prosperity is broad-based and sustainable.

“This future will be driven by economic diversification, technology and innovation, human capital development and strong institutions,” he said.

Also, Tolu Verhijen, special adviser to the president on energy, said she was helping to drive the reforms restoring Nigeria’s competitiveness which was designed to attract investments.

According to Ms Verhijen, Ondo State with gas infrastructure running through it, the revival of the Odigbo power plant, and modular LNG projects underway, is uniquely positioned to become an energy and industrial hub.

Earlier, Wole Olanipekun, the chairman of the occasion, praised President Bola Tinubu for his innovative achievements in the country.

He urged the South-West region to also rally round, as he was currently doing his best for the region and would not be in office forever. 

(NAN)