Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has described volunteerism as a vital pillar for advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic growth agenda and achieving sustainable national development.
He made the remarks during the 2025 International Volunteer Day celebration held over the weekend at the International Event Centre, The Dome, Akure.
The event, themed “Every Contribution Matters,” brought together government officials, civil society organisations, youth groups, and development partners.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Volunteer Service and State Coordinator of the Nigerian National Volunteer Service, Comrade Adeolu Charles Iwakun, the governor emphasised that Nigeria’s development challenges require greater citizen engagement through community service, civic responsibility, and skill-based voluntary initiatives.
He noted that countries with strong development models rely on structured volunteerism to strengthen social systems, bridge manpower gaps, and support key sectors such as environmental management, community health, and emergency response.
“Volunteerism is a passion that has shaped my journey, and being entrusted with this mandate is an honour I hold dearly. Volunteerism – in all its forms, whether community participation, humanitarian support, donations, corporate social responsibility, problem-solving initiatives, or simply offering one’s skills – remains a powerful pillar for sustainable and accelerated development.
“Every act of service counts, and I encourage us all to continue showing up for our communities in whichever way we can. Today marks the formal launch of the Ondo State Volunteer Service, a platform designed to coordinate, nurture, and celebrate the spirit of volunteerism across our state,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He commended youths, community groups, and civil society organisations for their continued contributions to nation-building, noting that his administration has been partnering with community health volunteers, climate-action groups, agricultural extension volunteers, and disaster-response teams.
The governor further called on governments at all levels, as well as the private sector, to support volunteer-driven initiatives through partnerships, grants, and capacity-building programmes capable of deepening the impact of voluntary service and aligning it with national development plans.
Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Dr Tunji Rhema, highlighted recent successes recorded in community-led sanitation exercises across Akure, Ondo, and Owo.
Rhema said volunteers, local businesses, and civil society groups collaborated with government agencies to clear drains, plant trees, and educate residents on proper waste disposal.
He urged citizens, corporate bodies, and traditional institutions to intensify collaboration on sanitation campaigns, recycling, tree planting, and other environmental initiatives that promote cleaner and healthier communities.
“These seemingly small efforts prevented flooding, improved air quality, reduced disease outbreaks, and restored dignity to public spaces. Volunteerism is not just an activity; it is a vital engine for community transformation,” Rhema stated.
In his keynote address, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Lanre Issa-Onilu represented by the agency’s South-West Zonal Director, Mrs Olufunke Salako harped on the need for volunteerism to move beyond sentiment and become a structured component of national policy.
Issa-Onilu also stressed the urgency of citizen-driven problem solving in a period of economic pressure and social strain, noting that earlier in the year youth groups and local organisations led civic actions such as clearing blocked drains, cleaning streets, and educating residents on hygiene.
“The nation is not defined solely by its government but by the active participation of its people. Volunteerism is one of the purest forms of civic engagement. It reflects the readiness to contribute, to sacrifice, to belong, and to live without title.
“When citizens become active participants in their communities, trust is restored, development is accelerated, and peace is sustained. But citizens’ engagement does not happen in a vacuum – it must be nurtured,” he said.
He commended youth groups and community organisations for sustaining civic actions despite economic and social challenges.
The Nation report that the highlight of the event was the donation of a volunteer hub to the Ondo State Government by Elder Isaac Tapire, Chairman of Tisco Industries Limited. The facility is expected to serve as a central point for volunteer coordination, training, civic education, and community engagement programmes.
Awards were also presented to Governor Aiyedatiwa; the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniran; the Founder, Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), late Prophet T. B. Joshua and Mrs Evelyn Joshua.
Others include the Chairman, Tisco Industries Limited, Elder Isaac Tapire; Proprietress, Mummy’s Place International Schools, Dr Damilola Oshin; Chief Medical Director, Sckye Hospital, Dr Thomas Wilson-Ikubese; Registrar, Elizade University, Mr Omololu Adegbenro; and NYSC member, Mary James.
