Aiyedatiwa Partners Volunteer Organisations to Accelerate Ondo Development

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has announced a strategic partnership with volunteer organisations as part of efforts to accelerate grassroots development and strengthen citizen participation in governance.

The governor made the declaration during activities marking the launch of the 2026 International Volunteer Year in Akure, the state capital, where he emphasised the critical role of volunteerism in driving sustainable development. Aiyedatiwa described volunteers as indispensable partners in complementing government initiatives across key sectors such as healthcare delivery, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, education, and community sensitisation. According to him, government alone cannot meet the growing developmental demands of the people without active collaboration with civil society groups and organised volunteer networks. He stressed that structured volunteer engagement would help bridge service gaps at the grassroots level while fostering a culture of civic responsibility among residents. The governor noted that volunteerism is not merely an act of charity but a strategic development tool capable of strengthening public institutions and deepening democratic participation. As part of the initiative, the state government is strengthening the Ondo State Volunteer Service platform to coordinate and expand volunteer activities across communities. The platform is expected to serve as a central body for mobilising, training, and deploying volunteers to support government programmes and community-based interventions. Aiyedatiwa also aligned the initiative with the broader national development agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that increased citizen participation is essential to achieving long-term economic and social reforms. He called on youths, professionals, community leaders, and faith-based organisations to embrace volunteerism as a civic duty, assuring that his administration would continue to create an enabling environment for volunteer groups to thrive. Stakeholders at the event commended the state government’s move, describing it as a forward-thinking approach that recognises the power of community-driven development. They expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between government and volunteer organisations would enhance service delivery and improve living standards across the state.