Stakeholders in Ekiti State have called for greater unity, active citizenship and collective efforts to consolidate the state’s achievements and drive sustainable development.

They made the call on Wednesday at a public hearing organised by the Ekiti State House of Assembly to mark the 30th anniversary of the state’s creation, with the theme, “Ekiti at 30: Reflecting on our journey, charting our future.”

The stakeholders, including former governors, lawmakers, technocrats, academics and traditional leaders, acknowledged progress in infrastructure, education, human capital development and the economy, but stressed the need for more opportunities, investment and prosperity.

Former Governor Segun Oni urged Ekiti people to support Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration, saying the state’s achievements over the past three decades should provide a foundation for a more ambitious development agenda.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, said the hearing was aimed at identifying the state’s challenges and developing practical measures that would guide future legislative agendas.

He listed education, agriculture, technology, healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, employment, good governance and citizen participation among key areas requiring attention.

In his keynote address, lawyer and philanthropist Tope Adebayo said Ekiti’s development should be measured not only by the success of its people but by the opportunities available to more citizens to succeed.

Other speakers, including former Commissioner for Finance Afolabi Ogunlayi, former Deputy Speaker Karounwi Oladapo, Finance Commissioner Akin Oyebode and EKSU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Babatola Ayodele, called for stronger institutions, economic diversification, cooperation among government arms and active citizen participation to secure Ekiti’s future.