Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has called on the Yoruba people to urgently embrace Post-2031 Planning, warning that political relevance and economic influence cannot be sustained by chance or sentiment.
According to him, history has shown that regions which fail to prepare for transitions often struggle to regain footing when power shifts.
Olanipekun made this call during a public lecture in Akure, Ondo State capital, as part of events marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ondo State.
The lecture, titled “Ondo State: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, professionals, youths and policymakers to reflect on the state’s past and future.
The senior advocate noted that while the South-West currently enjoys national political prominence under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, such moments are temporary.
He stressed that political dominance at the centre should not lull the region into complacency.
According to Olanipekun, effective Post-2031 Planning must begin while the region still has leverage at the federal level.
He argued that waiting until power slips away would weaken the South-West’s ability to negotiate, influence policy, or protect its interests.
“Power does not stay in one place forever,” he said.
“Even if President Tinubu remains in office until 2031, the South-West must think ahead. Planning after power is gone is always more difficult than planning while it is still present.”
He further warned that internal divisions pose a greater threat to the region than external political opposition.
In his view, political rivalry, ethnic suspicion, and lack of coordinated leadership could erode the collective strength of Yoruba land.
Olanipekun called for stronger collaboration among governors, lawmakers, traditional institutions, professionals and the business community.
He emphasized that unity should not be limited to election cycles but must be sustained through shared values, long-term strategies and mutual respect.
“We must deliberately hold ourselves together,” he said.
“Without cohesion, love and thoughtfulness, the region risks losing direction. Development is not accidental; it requires courage and collective sacrifice.”
The legal luminary also stressed that Post-2031 Planning should extend beyond politics into education, economic diversification, infrastructure and youth empowerment.
He noted that future competitiveness would depend mainly on how well the region invests in human capital and innovation today.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who also spoke at the event, aligned with this forward-looking perspective.
He explained that his administration was deliberately focused on strengthening existing institutions rather than creating new bureaucratic layers that could weaken governance.
According to the governor, reforms in education, healthcare and security remain central to Ondo State’s long-term development agenda.
He said institutional stability, continuity and performance improvement were more sustainable than frequent structural changes.
On security, Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the Amotekun Corps, the regional security outfit.
He said the corps would be further equipped, expanded and repositioned to meet emerging threats, especially in anticipation of a future state policing framework.
“Amotekun has come to stay,” the governor declared.
“We are investing in personnel, training and equipment so that the outfit can effectively respond to banditry and criminal activities. With state policing on the horizon, preparedness is key.”
The governor also outlined ambitious economic plans centered on agriculture, industrialisation and the blue economy.
He explained that value addition to cocoa production through local processing plants would significantly boost state revenue while creating employment opportunities.
Highlighting infrastructure as a growth driver, Aiyedatiwa described the proposed coastal highway as transformative.
According to him, the project would improve connectivity between Ondo State and Lagos, opening new corridors for trade, tourism and investment.
“The coastal highway is more than a road,” he said.
“It is an economic artery that will stimulate industry, ease movement and attract investors. Once connectivity improves, sectors like tourism, hospitality, education and healthcare will naturally expand.”
In line with Post-2031 Planning, the governor revealed that Ondo State had adopted both five-year and ten-year rolling development plans, with a strong emphasis on human capital development.
He added that young people were actively involved in shaping the future through an essay competition focused on envisioning the state’s next 70 years.
Reflecting on the state’s 50-year journey, Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the contributions of past leaders, noting that sustainable governance requires building upon existing foundations rather than discarding them.
“We cannot abandon structures that have taken decades to build,” he said.
“Our responsibility is to improve them continuously and ensure they deliver better outcomes for the people.”
Observers at the event noted that the convergence of Olanipekun’s cautionary message and the governor’s developmental outlook underscored a shared understanding: the future of Yoruba land and Ondo State depends on deliberate choices made today.
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