𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢@50: 𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗧 𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥, 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗙 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗝𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗢 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗝𝗔𝗣𝗔 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗗𝗢𝗠....𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒓. 𝑱𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒐 𝑨𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝑶𝒏𝒅𝒐 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒗𝒕. 𝑶𝒏 𝑩𝒆𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒇 𝑶𝒇 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚.

𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢@50: 𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢 𝗚𝗢𝗩𝗧 𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥, 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗙 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗝𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗢 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗝𝗔𝗣𝗔 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗗𝗢𝗠.

...𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿. 𝗝𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗼 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝘁. 𝗢𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝗢𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁,

5𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗲𝗯. 2026.

As part of activities marking the Ondo@50 Golden Jubilee Celebration, the Ondo State Government has paid a glowing tribute to the late Hon. Chief Richard Jolowo, a revered elder statesman and pioneer Speaker of the defunct Ondo and Ekiti State House of Assembly.

The honour, described by many as a timely recognition of a life devoted to public service, was carried out under the administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who acknowledged the late Chief Jolowo’s historic contributions to legislative development and democratic leadership in Ondo State.

Chief Jolowo, a proud son of Ajapa Community, now known as Ajapa Kingdom, was celebrated as a trailblazer whose political and legislative influence extended far beyond the riverine communities, leaving a lasting imprint on Ondo State, Ekiti State, and the nation at large.

Officials of the state government described the late lawmaker as a man of uncommon integrity, courage, and dedication to good governance, noting that his leadership style and commitment to democratic ideals remain a shining example for emerging leaders.

The recognition has also gained wider public attention following a recent honour by NigerDelta Voice, which named the late Chief Jolowo as its “Personality of the Week”, citing his immense contributions to the growth of Arogbo Kingdom and the overall development of Ondo State.

Observers say the dual recognition—coming from both the Ondo State Government and a leading grassroots media platform—further reinforces the enduring relevance of the late pioneer Speaker, whose name continues to command respect across Ondo State’s political landscape, particularly within the riverine axis.

Speaking on behalf of the Jolowo family, Barrister Jolowo Austine expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Ondo State Government for the honour, describing it as a rare gesture that reflects the state’s commitment to celebrating the sacrifices and legacies of its heroes.

He noted that the family remains deeply grateful that Chief Richard Jolowo’s contributions to democracy and governance are being remembered and honoured at such a historic moment in Ondo State’s journey.

The Ondo State Government maintained that the tribute accorded the late Chief Jolowo during the Ondo@50 celebration is a befitting acknowledgement of a pioneer leader whose roots in Ajapa Kingdom, service to humanity, and commitment to democratic governance will continue to inspire generations.