Activities marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ogun State continued on Monday with an interfaith thanksgiving and prayer session held at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
The event attracted a large gathering of eminent personalities, including former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, past military administrators, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other prominent sons and daughters of the state.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Dapo Abiodun described the Golden Jubilee as a moment of gratitude and reflection, saying Ogun State had recorded significant progress in the last five decades across key sectors of development.
According to the governor, Ogun has grown into one of the fastest rising economies in the country, with an estimated economic value of about ₦17 trillion.
“Recent reports have ranked Ogun State as the second largest economy in Nigeria after Lagos. This speaks to the level of growth, resilience, and strategic planning that have shaped our journey over the last 50 years,” Abiodun said.
He added that the state’s emergence as a major economic hub was driven by deliberate investments in infrastructure, noting that Ogun now boasts multimodal transport systems, a world class airport, and an expanding road network that supports industrial growth.
The governor said Ogun had also maintained leadership in education at all levels, delivered a record number of affordable housing units, strengthened healthcare delivery, and empowered farmers to boost food production, reinforcing its reputation as Nigeria’s industrial capital.
Abiodun paid tribute to notable sons and daughters of the state, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Chief MKO Abiola, saying their legacies laid a solid foundation for the state’s development and global recognition.
In his remarks, former President Obasanjo commended the vision and commitment of past leaders of the state, noting that Ogun people had continued to make remarkable contributions to national development.
“Ogun State has been blessed with men and women who have given their best to Nigeria. The task before the current leadership is to build on this legacy by maximising our proximity to Lagos, strengthening infrastructure, and attracting more investments,” he said.
Former Governor Osoba recalled the historic struggle that led to the creation of Ogun State in 1976 and highlighted the role of key individuals in shaping its early years. He said the present administration was consolidating on the foundations laid by previous governments.
Representing former military administrators, Commodore Kayode Olofinmoyin (rtd.) described Ogun as fortunate to have an enlightened population and leaders committed to the welfare of the people. He commended Governor Abiodun for giving attention to all sectors of the economy.
The Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas and the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, urged the governor to remain focused on delivering the dividends of democracy, noting that several parts of the state, including Yewaland, had benefited from ongoing development projects.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council and a pioneer civil servant in the state, Pa Olu Okuboyejo, reflected on the challenges faced at the creation of the state and expressed gratitude to God for the progress recorded over the past 50 years.
Delivering a sermon titled Ogun State, Be Grateful to God for Your Inheritance, Bishop Michael Fape said the state had enjoyed visionary leadership from inception, which had positioned it as one of the foremost states in the country.
He also praised the Abiodun administration’s ISEYA development agenda for expanding the state’s economic base and called for constructive engagement in public discourse.
