Some of the states established on August 27, 1991, celebrated their 33rd anniversary on Tuesday, highlighting achievements since their inception.
Former military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, on August 27, 1991, created 11 states of Abia, Adamawa, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Osun, Taraba and Yobe.
Their creation took Nigeria to 30 states before the creation of an additional six by the late former Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha, on October 1, 1996.
In a statement marking the 33rd anniversary of Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke urged stakeholders in its affairs not to renege in supporting efforts geared towards its development.
He acknowledged the role of the founding fathers, adding that the state had recorded commendable growth in various sectors.
The governor called on traditional and religious leaders, civil servants, artisans, farmers and entrepreneurs in the state to play their part in developing it towards a prosperous future.
“As we celebrate the birth of Osun State today, we must also look to the future with renewed determination, as the work of building a greater Osun is ongoing.
“It is a responsibility we all share. We must continue to pursue development with vigour and passion, ensuring that every citizen of this state benefits from the fruits of our labour.
“As your governor, I am committed to leading this charge with transparency, dedication, and accountability.
“As we all know that governance is a collective responsibility, I call on all of you, our traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil servants, artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs, to continue to play your part in the development of our state.
Together, we can make Osun a model of excellence and progress,” Adeleke said.
The Anambra State governor, Prof Chukuma Soludo, on Tuesday, saluted the non-indigenes for assisting in developing the state.
He also lauded them for contributing towards the security of lives and property in the state.
“This is exemplified as the non-indigenes in Anambra have continued to contribute towards making the state a livable, secured, smart city homeland and we shall continue to partner with the non-indigenes at all levels of governance,” he added.
In his remarks while briefing journalists at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, to mark the 33rd anniversary of the state’s creation, Soludo insisted that his administration had no plans to borrow any money to fund its budget.
He said the state would only borrow for bankable projects with a high probability of generating returns to repay the debt.
The governor described the reports claiming that the state government was planning to borrow N245bn to fund the 2024 budget as false, stating that his administration could not borrow N245bn while running a deficit of N121bn for the 2024 appropriation.
“Let’s make it clear that I have a specific view about borrowing. Every enterprise, whether private or public, that wants to scale up activities must consider the funds, the options, the opportunities, the cost of those funds and the time value for money.
“It might make sense to borrow today to provide goods and services and tomorrow, the economy will generate resources to pay back.
“In 2022, the state House of Assembly approved borrowing N100bn for a supplementary budget and, to this moment, we have not borrowed a kobo of that amount.
“Last year, 2023, we had an implicit budget deficit of about N90bn, but we did not borrow a kobo for that, and this year, we have a deficit of about N121bn, and we have not borrowed a kobo for that either,” he said
The governor said the reason was because the administration was working on projects and programmes that would be bankable.
“We insist on borrowing only for bankable projects that have a high probability of generating returns to repay the debt.
“We cannot borrow for consumption, if we want to borrow, we will borrow for bankable projects and programmes that will add value, not just for today but for the generations unborn,” he said.
In Kogi, Governor Usman Ododo promised to implement the promises he made in his manifesto during the electioneering.
In a speech to mark the 33rd anniversary of the creation of the state, Ododo said the master plan being designed would usher in sustainable development, improved infrastructure, enhanced security and a brighter future for the people.
He, however, called for continued cooperation of the people to achieve these objectives.
“No administration can succeed without the support of the people it serves. So, I ask for your continued cooperation, your ideas, and your hands in this noble task. Together, we will shape a Kogi that generations to come will be proud to call home,” he said.
He said that the creation of Kogi from the old Kwara and old Benue states heralded a new beginning, a new partnership for development, a new destiny and a renewed commitment to oil the unity with the fossils of diversity.
Following the ruling of the Supreme Court which affirmed his election victory on Friday, Ododo called on the people, including the opposition, to join hands with him in his dream to bequeath a viable state to the next generation.
At a thanksgiving service to mark the 33rd anniversary of the state’s creation at the Government House Chapel, Asaba, Delta State, on Tuesday, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said his administration had continued to put the state ahead in terms of development, by investing in infrastructural development in all sectors of the state’s economy.
He also promised that he would collaborate with security agencies in tackling the issues of kidnapping, cultism, and other crimes in the state.
“In the past 15 months, we have demonstrated our resolve to keep Delta State ahead on all indices of social and economic development.
“We are investing massively in infrastructural renewal, upgrading our health care institutions, improving the learning climate in our schools and assisting the poor and vulnerable through our social investment programmes.
“We are also collaborating with security agencies in tackling the issues of kidnapping, cultism, and other crimes to ensure that safety and security of all residents in Delta State is guaranteed.
“As I promised Deltans in my MORE Agenda, we will continue to enhance peace and security; we are doing our best because when you look at what is happening in other states, you will know that we are trying as a state,” he said.
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, expressed optimism about the future of the state, saying it had the potential to become glorious.
Speaking at an event organised by the state Ministry of Education to mark Edo at 33, Obaseki, who highlighted the challenges his administration faced when it took office in 2016, including human trafficking and slavery, said the state had overcome them.
“I am optimistic about the future of the state, as it has the potential to become a glorious state. Today is a story of hope. We have shown in eight years that it is possible to make a difference,” he said.
