Lagos — In Africa, names by which a person is addressed or by which a town is known have deeper meaning than they look on the surface. In a number of cases, names given to an African child are either due to circumstances of his or her birth, the economic, social or political status of the parent or happenings during the birth of the child.

In Yorubaland for instance, one may not be surprised to hear names like Taiwo meaning 'the first to taste life'for the first child in a set of twins while the second one is named Kehinde 'the last to come', Abogunde for someone born during a war period, Adeyemi, Adesina, Adewunmi and many more for those born into the royal family.

Similarly, names are given to cities and countries either as a result of the geographical location or features, the vision of the founding fathers or the circumstances surrounding the founding of the entity. Floral Shawl Lugard gave the name Nigeria, according to history due to its location near River Niger. The name Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State was given due to the fact that a rock, Olumo provided shield for the early settlers of the town during wartime.

In the same vein, each of the 36 states of the federation has appellation, which depicts the special characteristic or distinguished feature of the respective geographical entity. In some instance, appellations are given due to the vision that people have for the state.

Another means of identifying a state, a nation or a corporate organisation are flags and logos, which like name may be an insight into the special feature of the corporate citizen. The Nigerian flag of Green White Green for instance, symbolises 'Peace and Agriculture'. Ondo State it was gathered was given the appellation, Sunshine State not because of the intensity of the sun, but due to the vision of the brighter future that the then governor of the state, Rear Admiral Abiodun Olukoya rtd foresaw for the state.

Realising the potentials of the state coupled with the abundant human and material resources and the need to re-engineer and harness these resources, the present administration headed by Dr Olusegun Mimiko took the bull by the horns to re-brand the state. The project was formally launched with the unveiling of the new logo for the state. The unveiling which took place inside the main theatre of the State Cultural Centre, Adegbemile, Akure was tagged "The Renaissance Season". The launch attracted personalities from all walks of life including some past governors of the 36-year-old state.

Entertainment at the most colourful event in the recent times in the state, was provided by the Xplicit Dance Troupe, the lady talking drum expert, 'Ara', Yemi Sax, Olu Maintain of the popular Yause song. The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Ranti Akerele whose ministry midwifed the project, said it is an all encompassing. He said the idea is aimed at gearing the people of the state both at home and in Diaspora for higher productivity and responsibilities.

"Ondo State is witnessing a new phase. New times are beginning to emerge it is renaissance time for the people of the Sunshine State. A time that all resources-human and material-are being mustered for a rebirth and restoration of hope, care, joy, individual prosperity and shared achievement.

"The future the people had clamoured and hoped for has suddenly appeared at the horizon. The future is here. These gloriously emerging times are made possible by a government with "a caring heart that the people had voted and prayed for", he said. Akerele said honour; integrity, loyalty, trust and dignity of labour, values for which the people of the state are highly regarded would drive the pursuit of the lofty goal. The people of Ondo State have great talents and immense potentials. These will be harnessed towards positioning the state as a first among equals in the comity of states," he added. The commissioner said the new logo would be on all the official documents of the state adding that the idea behind it is that once it is seen it would remind one of good things of the state.

Launching the logo, Governor Olusegun Mimiko said the launch is a continuation of a plethora of activities geared towards taking Ondo State to the next."

Mimiko said the word Ondo is spelt out in bold orange colour, which stands for vibrancy, brightness, courage, progress and the sun at its peak. "As the only Sunshine State in Nigeria, we take great pride in the warmth and cheerfulness generally associated with us. That is not all. This same Sunshine also represents life itself and abundant opportunities, while the rays stand for the largely untapped natural resources, which can be found in every nooks and cranny of the state.

"The logo would be incomplete without the timeliness words 'Ise loogun ise' which creates a distinct identity for the people of the Ondo State no matter their geographical location. Most importantly, these words serve as admonition and promise of a prosperous tomorrow, a tomorrow that will manifest a fulfillment of our commitment to excellent and selfless service" he said. The governor said the single distinguishing feature of the administration from the previous ones has been the emphasis on masses-centered and grassroots community projects that enable bottom-up development to be the catalyst for growth in the state.

The night was a night of reminiscences for the former governor of the state and period of encomiums for the vision of Governor Olusegun Mimiko aimed at repositioning the state to enable it take its pride of place in Nigeria and by extension, the world. The former governors, Brigadier Ekundayo Opaleye rtd, Rear Admiral Abiodun Olukoya rtd, Chief Bamidele Olumilua and Group Captain David Itah Ikpeme glowingly praising the governor. They urged the governor to keep his promise on the day of his inauguration that he would work for the people.

Opaleye, who was the first to speak among the former governors at event, said change had actually come to the state. "Change is the only permanent thing. We have seen a change and the Sun will continue to shine in the state," he said. While wishing the governor and the people of the state well, Opaleye promised that all the governors before him would continue to co-operate with him.

An elated Rear Admiral Abiodun Olukoya rtd, said the people did not know the meaning when they said Ondo State is a Sunshine State. Commending the past governors of the state, Olukoya said "Mimiko has got it right, Ondo State has got it right and I am wondering whether today is my birthday." While calling the people of the state to support Mimiko in its determination to work for them, the first governor of the state, Ikpeme, said they worked hard when they started the state.

He said he was happy when he heard Mimiko say he wanted to work for the people urging him not to disappoint the people who were expecting so much from him. "When we work there will be result. I am happy that the governor had promised to work and the logo itself is emphasising hard work so let us join hands with the governor for us to see the result You don't have a good leader when you don't have a good follower," he said.

To the only former civilian governor at the event, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua, who Mimiko served as a Commissioner for Health described the governor as a creative person urging the people to co-operate with him and avoid saying bad things about him.

"The man who came to talk bad things about him regretted and you all saw it so let us join hands with him in the task of moving the state forward", he said.