Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Tuesday rewarded outstanding students, teachers and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) award recipients for their exceptional academic and professional achievements, approving automatic employment into the state public service for seven NYSC national award winners.
The governor also presented a cash reward of N1 million each to 66 award recipients during a ceremony held at the Cocoa Conference Centre, Governor’s Office, Akure, as part of efforts to promote excellence and encourage academic distinction.
Speaking at the event, Aiyedatiwa said the gesture underscored his administration’s commitment to investing in human capital development and retaining exceptional talents in the state.
He described the award ceremony as a celebration of excellence, noting that the recipients had brought honour to Ondo State through their academic achievements, innovation, discipline and commitment to excellence.
“You have not only excelled in your various endeavours; you have become worthy ambassadors of the Sunshine State and shining examples for generations yet unborn,” the governor said.
Aiyedatiwa stressed that excellence is attained through vision, discipline, sacrifice and perseverance, adding that education remains the bedrock of sustainable development.
He also paid glowing tribute to teachers, describing them as “the architects of human capital and the silent heroes behind every success story.”
According to him, “Countries are not built by chance; they are built in classrooms by committed teachers who mould character, impart knowledge and inspire dreams. History may remember the achievers, but posterity will always honour those who nurtured them for greatness.”
The governor said the recognition aligns with the education pillar of his administration’s OUR EASE agenda, which prioritises rehabilitation and construction of classrooms, provision of modern learning facilities, teacher recruitment and training, digital learning, technical and vocational education, improved workers’ welfare and safer learning environments.
He added that the government’s objective is to produce youths who are intellectually sound, morally upright, technologically competent, entrepreneurial and globally competitive.
The awards covered several categories, including the NYSC National Award, where seven recipients were honoured, and the 2026 UTME category, which recognised 54 students who scored above 300 in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination.
Other recipients included students who represented Ondo State and Nigeria at national and international academic competitions, among them a participant at the 2026 National Spelling Bee Global Competition in the United States, one student who competed at the 2025 World Olympiad Competition in Paris, France, and two students who represented Nigeria at the 2026 World Chemistry Olympiad in Uzbekistan.
Two teachers also received national recognition in the public and private school categories.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the initiative was aimed at encouraging excellence and inspiring students and teachers across the state.
He noted that education remains one of the top priorities of the Aiyedatiwa administration and disclosed that the governor had directed the compilation of names of outstanding students and citizens for recognition.
Ajibefun described the event as historic, expressing confidence that it would encourage greater academic excellence in schools across the state.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami; the Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, education stakeholders, the NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaja Kuburat Omowunmi, and other dignitaries.