WHEN it was carved out of the old Western Region in 1976, there was no doubt as to how Ogun State will evolve.
From day one, Ogun indigenes decidedly took up the mantle and marched doggedly into progress and greatness.
Perhaps, this determination was an aftermath of the fact that several of the nation’s founding fathers hailed from the state. In the fields of law, medicine and accountancy, the state had produced first class brains like Sir Adetokunbo Ademola,- the first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria-, Dr Elizabeth Awoliyi- the first female doctor – and Mrs Toyin Olakunri, – the first female Chartered Accountant. As far as Nigeria’s political history is concerned, the state has also produced among other noble men, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, world class citizens, who became Military Head of State and a two–term civilian President.
The State has, however come very far from the mid-1970s. It has been blessed with visionary leaders, men and women of valour, who have successfully put to good use, its rich supply of natural, agricultural and human resources. Ogun is also home to tourists ‘monuments such as Olumo Rock, Abeokuta and Bilikisu Sugbo Shrine, Oke-Eri; both steeped deep in rich cultural histories.
Leading the roll call of astute politicians and fore-sighted leaders, is of course the revered late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, an indigene of Ikenne in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state, who was Premier of the Western Region, tapped into the rich potential of cocoa and laid the foundations for deep socio-economic changes. Awolowo remained a national icon and his legacy set the pace for the state’s resilience and creativity in good governance and development.
During the years of military administration, Ogun State was to find its dynamism and passion for breaking new grounds. The sprawling Agbara Industrial and Residential Estates were established to take advantage of the state’s proximity to Lagos State. Today, the layout serves as a template for industry and housing sectors.
Fast forward to the 1979 elections in which the state’s first civilian governor, the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) came into office. Through Chief Onabanjo’s policies and programmes, he charted a way for the state. Thus, through carefully-designed socio-economic development agenda, he was able to move the state on the path of economic growth.
The Ogun State University, later renamed Olabisi Onabanjo University, was founded in 1982; located in Ago-Iwoye as a model for the ‘Gown meets Town’ development became a template for developing local manpower for the emerging giant.
By the time the military took power in 1983, the state, through Onabanjo’s efforts, had commenced broadcasting from its own television and radio stations. Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation as Onabanjo declared at the time was created: “to evolve a distinctive character of its own and come out with a choice of programmes appealing to different interests”. Tourism and the hospitality industry were also high on the administration’s agenda when he established the Gateway Hotels in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode and Sango Ota respectively.
The peace and stability the state has enjoyed are not without the input of its traditional rulers who hd contributed to the state’s rich trado-cultural harmony. The social cohesion enjoyed by the citizens is evident throughout the state.
Mention must also be made of the civilian governors who worked assiduously from Oke-Mosan to maintain the pace of growth. Former state governors such as Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, further took Ogun State to new heights during their tenures, creating an enabling environment and human capacity building.
Ogun State is blessed with mineral and agricultural resources including limestone, phosphate cocoa, kola nuts, cotton, timber scattered around the state. It has enormous potential to become a hub for mining production and agro-processing.
Perhaps, in recognition of this, the current administration under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun revealed his administration’s plans to produce a mineral data map to guide investors.
Governor Amosun has, in recent years, also altered the physical landscape of the state through his massive construction of roads and bridges as part of the drive to usher in new phases of development and investment. Indeed, the state’s first bridge was constructed in Abeokuta.
Governor Amosun has, through his broad-based socio-economic plan, ensured that the major towns of Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu also became beneficiaries of his administration’s re-building mission.
Expansive new housing estates and new model schools are some of the components of his first tenure.
As Ogun marks 40 years of existence, I salute the leaders, past and present, for their vision and the citizens for their support and resilience.
- Odeneye represents Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives