Ekiti state marked a significant milestone on October 8, 2026, as it celebrated its 30th anniversary of existence. To commemorate this occasion, the Ekiti state House of Assembly organized a public hearing with the theme, “Ekiti at 30: Reflecting on Our Journey, Charting Our Future.” The event brought together former political office holders, lawmakers, technocrats, academics, traditional stakeholders, and other citizens to assess the state’s journey since its creation in 1996 and chart a roadmap for its development over the next three decades.
Stakeholders at the public hearing emphasized the need for greater unity, active citizenship, and collective efforts among the people to consolidate the gains of the past 30 years and build a more prosperous and opportunity-driven state for future generations. They acknowledged that Ekiti had recorded considerable progress in infrastructure, education, human capital development, economic growth, and other sectors over the years. However, they stressed that much more needed to be done to position the state as a hub of opportunities, investment, and prosperity.
A former governor of the state, Chief Segun Oni, congratulated the House of Assembly and the people of Ekiti on the anniversary, noting that the state had achieved considerable stability and growth in the three decades of its existence. He urged the people to support the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and contribute to promoting the ideals and development aspirations of the state. Oni emphasized that the progress recorded so far should serve as a foundation for a more ambitious development agenda capable of transforming the state and improving the standard of living of its people.
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, explained that the public hearing was convened to critically interrogate the 30-year journey of the state, identify the challenges confronting it, and generate practical and actionable measures for its future development. He stated that the recommendations and resolutions generated from the exercise would form part of the legislative agenda of the Seventh Assembly and provide useful guidance for future legislatures in their efforts to place Ekiti firmly on the path of sustainable development and prosperity.
Aribasoye highlighted the significance of the 30th anniversary, saying it gives the state an opportunity to look back at where it started, examine the journey traveled, appreciate the progress made, acknowledge the challenges and shortcomings confronted, and ask itself what kind of Ekiti it wants to build in the years ahead. The Speaker emphasized the need for collective efforts to address the challenges and build a better future for the state.
The public hearing provided a platform for stakeholders to share their perspectives and ideas on how to move the state forward. They discussed various issues, including infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and economic growth, and proposed solutions to address the challenges confronting the state. The event demonstrated the commitment of stakeholders to work together to build a brighter future for Ekiti.
As Ekiti celebrates 30 years of existence, the stakeholders' call for unity and collective efforts to consolidate development gains and build a prosperous future resonates loudly. The state's journey over the past three decades has been marked by progress and challenges, but with a clear vision and collective efforts, Ekiti can overcome its challenges and become a hub of opportunities, investment, and prosperity for its people.
Key points
- Stakeholders emphasize the need for unity and collective efforts to consolidate development gains and build a prosperous future for Ekiti.
- Ekiti has recorded considerable progress in infrastructure, education, human capital development, economic growth, and other sectors over the years.
- The public hearing provided a platform for stakeholders to share their perspectives and ideas on how to move the state forward.
