•Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has declared today as public holiday across the state to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, who said the public holiday was to enable residents to fully participate in the activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee celebration.
Ogun State was created on February 3, 1976, reports The Nation.
Activities marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state continued yesterday with an interfaith thanksgiving and prayer session at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The event drew a distinguished audience, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, past military administrators, traditional rulers and other eminent sons and daughters of the state.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Dapo Abiodun said Ogun State had recorded remarkable progress over the past five decades, particularly in education, housing, health care, agriculture and other key sectors of the economy.
According to him, Ogun is now one of the fastest-growing economies in Nigeria, with an estimated value of N17 trillion.
“Recent reports rank Ogun as the second-largest economy in Nigeria, after Lagos. Our state has attained an unprecedented level of prominence and excellence,” the governor said.
He paid tributes to notable sons and daughters of the state, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief MKO Abiola, whose legacies laid a strong foundation for Ogun’s development.
Former President Obasanjo hailed past leaders of the state for their vision and dedication, noting that Ogun had made significant contributions to national development through its people.
Oyo State government has approved early closure of offices across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to enable public officers to fully participate in the grand finale of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state.
The directive was conveyed in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, yesterday,
According to the directive, state government offices are to close by noon today.
The approval was granted by Governor Seyi Makinde, as part of preparations for the golden jubilee celebration tagged Oyo@50.
Heads of MDAs have been directed to ensure compliance with the directive, while also making adequate arrangements for skeletal services in critical areas where necessary.
