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Tag: Dapo Abiodun

  • Abiodun: The Gateway real game changer

    Abiodun: The Gateway real game changer

    By Olaniyi Ajibola

    While the art of governance has been conceptualized from different perspectives and thinking, perhaps,   the most instructive and deeply interesting among all is the principle of “Utilitarianism” as propounded by Jeremy Bentham, who concluded that the morally best action is the one that”, Guarantee The Greatest Happiness To The Greatest Number Of People “.

    There is no doubt that the integral essence of government is to protect the superior interests of the people in all ways and at all times irrespective of prevailing circumstances, after all, that is the reason why the people willingly submit their political sovereignty through the ballots.

    To say that the Governor of Ogun State understands this reality is simply an understatement, Prince Dapo Abiodun regards the social contract  between his government and the people of Ogun State since 2019  as sacred and sacrosanct.

    As they say in the public parlance that “Life is just a game, First you have to learn rules of the game, and then play it better than any one else”. The Governor of Ogun State through his several engagements in the private and public sectors had satisfactorily learnt the rules of the game and began to play it better than his predecessors immediately he came into the saddle.

    Governor Dapo Abiodun first changed the game of governance in the Gateway State through deliberate and intentional policy that blocked hitherto several loopholes which  have constituted conduit pipes that drained  resources of the state into private pockets; he brought financial savvy to bear in the administration of the state.

    As a result of this brilliant and courageous move, towards the end of his first term in office in 2023,  Governor Abiodun has raised Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State from N50 billion in 2020   to almost N150 billion, thereby ranking Ogun the 3rd in IGR in Nigeria.

    In the same vein, the Governor through consistency and creativity has implemented several  development-induced policies that have  turned Ogun State to an investror destination of choice across the West African corridor; as the last count, over six thousands manufacturing firms are operating in different industrial clusters across the State, contributing massively to the state’s economy and creating jobs for the teeming youths.

    Also, based on his wealth of experience in the private sector, the Governor has redefined business environment and made  it favourable for business interests of all categories,  as the State is presently  being adjudged as the best in Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria.

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    Governor Dapo Abiodun broke the age-long jinx of restriction by the Federal Government to take over the reconstruction of 81 kilometres Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway after years of persuasion and pleas, as he was  moved by the degree of sufferings the people of the state experience on daily basis.

    The Governor proactively jettisoned the primordial state -federal government dichotomy in road construction and prioritized the welfare of his people and their wellbeing over and above any protocol, the ingenuity that has elicited profound applause across the state and beyond.

    The hope of the residents living around Lagos-Ogun border communities was renewed by the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun through massive construction and reconstruction of roads in the area, after decades of total abandonment  by successive administrations in the state, which  had indeed caused unimaginable hardship and agony. It was, however, a great relief for inhabitants of Alagbole, Ajuwon, Akute and other  communities in the axis, within the jurisdiction of Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    The world class Agro-cargo Airport located along Ilisan-Iperu axis of Ogun State is another game-changing accomplishment of Governor Dapo Abiodun,  the airport has been adjudged as the biggest in Nigeria with its 4km runway and standard  apron, turning the dream conceived since 2006 into fruition and reality.

    Governor Dapo Abiodun broke the cartel of land syndicates in the Ministry of land and eliminated endemic corruption through the introduction of advanced technologies in the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy.

    The Governor introduced ICT in the teaching methodology across all the schools in the state, which has tremendously improved the quality of education in schools.  As it stands, a teacher from Ogun State, Mr. Kayode Adewale, is one of the best  50 teachers in the world.

    The latest efforts of Governor Dapo in Ogun State is the conscious and laudable initiative to light up the state and unprecedentedly provide uninterrupted power supply to the residents.

    According to the Governor,  an Independent Power Plant that will provide 24-hour of uninterrupted electricity to most parts of Abeokuta, the state capital, will  be ready for commissioning in the next eight weeks.

    Governor Abiodun made this known on Monday, 17th day of February,  2025, after inspecting the 30 Megawatts power plant located in Onijanganjangan, near Ewekoro. He noted that the project, which is in collaboration with private sector partners, is the first phase of the Ogun State Light Up Project.

    He said: “What we are doing today is to witness the first phase of the implementation of our Ogun State Light Up Project. The first phase of this project is the 30 Megawatts power generation that will take care of Abeokuta.

    “Abeokuta Metropolis will require more than 30 Megawatts, but this is the first phase of the planned 100 Megawatts power generation capacity. I have gone around and have taken note of the progress of work so far.

    “I have seen the control room, I have seen the turbines, and I have seen what will be responsible for ensuring that the gas is compressed. We have seen the gas pipelines that will be completed in three to six weeks. The gas compressor is there, and there is a diesel tank as well.

    “I am quite excited, and I am sure that by the grace of God, in the next eight weeks, you will be here with me to commission this plant to the glory of God and for the use of those who live in Abeokuta.

    “I can assure you that once this has been achieved, though we may not be able to supply power to the whole of Abeokuta, substantial parts of the city will now enjoy 24 hours of uninterrupted power supply, and that will be unprecedented in the history of Ogun State.

    “We believe that between two to three weeks, we will begin soft commissioning using diesel while the gas pipelines are being extended to this place. We estimate that between six to eight weeks, the first phase of this power plant will be completed and ready for commissioning”.

    According to the governor, the power plant  will  provide constant electricity to government institutions like offices, health facilities, government quarters, police stations, local government offices, and higher institutions, and will eventually cascade to private individuals and industries when the capacity is increased.

    He said the state decided to go into power generation, distribution, and transmission as a result of its removal from the exclusive list by the federal government, assuring that similar plants would be built in Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, and Ota.

    Point blankly, Prince Dapo Abiodun has redefined governance and permanently and indelibly changed the game of governance, one can only pray for more strength and enablement for the Governor to sustain this enviable feat; he has indeed written his name in gold in the sand of time as far as Ogun State is concerned and these  legacies will remain enduring in the consciousness of all residents of the state.

    We salute the courage , the  doggedness, and the creativity of The Real Game Changer in Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun,  CON.

    •Olaniyi Ajibola is the Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Media to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

  • Abiodun vows to sustain Ogun’s urban regeneration, unveils major infrastructure plans

    Abiodun vows to sustain Ogun’s urban regeneration, unveils major infrastructure plans

    Governor Dapo Abiodun has reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining Ogun State’s ongoing development drive through his administration’s Urban Regeneration Scheme.

    Speaking over the weekend during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Ogun East Senatorial District, Abiodun highlighted his administration’s achievements, including the construction of a dry port to attract more investments and the development of over 4,000 affordable housing units in Abeokuta, Ilaro, Sagamu, Iperu, Ijebu-Ode, and Ota.

    He also revealed plans to extend the Blue Rail Line from Agbado to Kajola and the Red Line from Okokomaiko in Lagos to Agbara in Ogun State, further enhancing the state’s transport network and economic prospects.

    He said: “We have built over 4,000, going to 5,000 affordable houses for medium and upper-income earners across the state. In Ilaro, they are eager for me to come and commission those houses. We have them in Iperu, Sagamu, and two in Abeokuta.

    “We started our Urban Regeneration at the GRA in Abeokuta and began building the PMB estate also in Abeokuta. You can feel my excitement today because I can look at all that and even see the clips from the airport where the conveyor belts, metal detectors, and luggage scanners have started working, and I said to myself, ‘Something new has happened in Ogun State,’ and this needs to be sustained.”

    He said 11 roads that have economic impact on the lives of the people have been identified and awarded for reconstruction across the state, assuring that fairness, equity, and inclusivity would be adhered to when distributing projects.

    Governor Abiodun, who acknowledged the inability of his administration to reconstruct all the roads in the state, said, “There are many roads we would like to do, but the truth is that no administration can reconstruct all the required roads in eight years; it’s impossible.

    “However, that much we have done is much less than needs to be done. So we are very thankful that we have achieved this feat. I think I can beat my chest and say we have probably constructed more roads than two administrations combined together.”

    Speaking at Ode-Remo, he disclosed that contract for the construction of the 12-kilometer Akaka-Ilara-Ilisan road has been awarded, just as the construction of the Ode-Isara road would commence soon.

    While inspecting the 15-kilometer Sagamu-Iperu-Ode-Sapaade road, Governor Abiodun described it as an arterial route that serves as a bypass to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, adding that it was divided into three phases and changed from a single to dual carriageway due to the cooperation of the people who pulled down their structures to give way for the road.

    Governor Abiodun also inspected the 14-kilometer Sagamu-Ayepe road in Sagamu Local Government Area, where he informed that the first phase of 14 kilometers is being done in the area with a large population.

    He assured that all the important roads with economic value in Sagamu would be constructed before the end of his administration.

    Abiodun, who inspected the Igbeba junction-Yidi road, lauded the quality of work done on the road, noting that the three-feet drainage done on the road would ensure a free flow of water during the rainy season.

    The governor referred to the state of the road before reconstruction as a “swimming pool,” saying that engineers from the state have proffered solutions to the perennial erosion that affects the city, adding that erosion would be a thing of the past before the end of his administration.

    He appreciated the people for giving him the opportunity to administer the state, assuring that education, agriculture, youth empowerment, job creation, infrastructure, and other sectors would continue to receive the needed attention.

  • How we’re turning our major towns into smart cities, by Abiodun

    How we’re turning our major towns into smart cities, by Abiodun

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has said the vision of his administration was taking shape, with the urban renewal initiative across major towns in the state.

    Abiodun, who disclosed this when he visited government houses around the Government Reservation Area, Abeokuta, said housing projects initiated by his administration had added lustre and beauty to all major cities across the state.

    He said the housing initiatives in Kobape, Iperu, Ijebu Ode and Ilaro had transformed the areas ‘’and they are consequently now being referred to as smart cities.’’

    The governor spoke about the urban renewal scheme of his administration as the first phase of 35 houses are completed at the Ibara Government Reservation Area, Abeokuta.

    Speaking during the inspection of the project site, Prince Abiodun said his administration was determined to turn GRAs, which he described as the state’s treasure, to what they should be.

    He decried the deplorable condition of the GRAs, which he said had become slums and unfit for humans to live in.

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    He said: “We began to carry out urban renewal projects in Abeokuta, the state capital, in phases with three hectares. The first phase has 30-35 houses and what we have done is exemplary.

    “The construction is done by our artisans, which is of course another way of creating employment. The houses are affordable despite their high quality. This project presents a new face of Abeokuta.”

    The governor expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far and noted that though work was still in progress, drainages, sidewalks, solar street lights, electricity and water reticulation were already in place.

    He said: “You can see that the designs are very pleasing to the eyes and the completion is also commendable. This project is not executed by a foreign contractor and it is not even in contract, but is constructed by direct labour to ensure our citizens who are artisans like painters, bricklayers, carpenters and welders participate in this construction.”

    Governor Abiodun hailed the Commissioner for Housing and his team for implementing his vision, saying “if you have a vision and there is no team, that is up scratch in terms of implementation. As we envisioned, the team has worked hand in gloves with us and the result is as clear as the day.”

    “Abeokuta is the capital of Ogun State and everything we do must be of Ogun standard. These structures can be compared to any structure you see anywhere in the world and I believe we have done this to further bring more people to come and live in Abeokuta,” he said.

    Assuring that similar project would be duplicated in other GRAs in Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode and Ota, Prince Abiodun affirmed the continued conversion of the push to pull factor from Lagos, saying his administration believed it would bring in more people to come, live and invest in Ogun State.

    At the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate, along Kobape Road, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun noted that the project was inherited from the previous administration, but lamented that it was fraught with litigations, which his administration successfully settled out of court.

    Abiodun, who described the project as noble and meant to provide decent accommodation for the people at a location that typified Abeokuta, said the initiative could not be abandoned, as the state’s commonwealth was expended on it.

    He said: “We broke down the construction of the estate into phases. We had to redesign the estate so that it could be functional. We reallocated and adjusted the plot sizes and today, we have about 116 houses of different types of fully detached and semi-detached houses, which are of high quality and can be compared to an estate that is befitting anywhere in the world.’’

  • How Abiodun is fighting infrastructure battle

    How Abiodun is fighting infrastructure battle

    By Femi Ogbonnikan

    Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have a shared vision for infrastructure development as a driver of economic growth. By focusing on road network infrastructure, in particular, they hope to achieve great economic transformations for the country. Additionally, considering the context of Ogun State’s development, Governor Abiodun has always emphasized the importance of infrastructure development and community interconnectivity.

    Penultimate Saturday, he recorded a significant milestone in his desire for infrastructure transformation when President Tinubu flagged off the expansion of Lagos-Ibadan-Sagamu Expressway in pursuit of his renewed hope agenda. 

    The project serves as a booster to the existing symbiotic relationship between Lagos and Ogun states. As the Lagos’s explosive population continues to increase exponentially and increasingly becoming choky, Ogun state servers as a buffer, absorbing exodus of people seeking for affordable accommodations.

    Without a good road network, connecting the two states, it would have been impossible to check and moderate the rapidly growing population of the nation’s commercial nerve centre.  Official report reveals that around 6,000 people arrive in Lagos daily, with nearly 3,000 of them settling in the city without providing any known addresses. Currently, Lagos has an estimated population of 27 million. By 2035, its projected population will be close to 25 million inhabitants, according to the World Population Review. Lagos hosts one of the biggest ports in Africa and it is also a major commercial and financial centre on the continent.

    With the increasing infrastructural developments that are planned in the long term, Lagos and Ogun states are expected to continue to attract international businesses. Just as Lagos government is proposing a new international airport close to Epe axis to complement the existing airport at Ikeja, so also is Abiodun administration tirelessly working towards the completion of the Gateway International Cargo Airport, Ilishan-Remo, for the commencement of full commercial flight operations.

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    The Federal Government’s initiative expanding the Lagos end of the ever-busy expressway aligns with the broader objective of joint border development between Lagos and Ogun State for free human and vehicular movements. While performing the official take off of the reconstruction and expansion of the Lagos-Ibadan Dual Carriageway, section 1, and section 1 of the Lagos-Sagamu Expressway at Sagamu, President Tinubu said the project, which would be completed in 24 months, would cover underpasses at Kara, Wawa, Magboro, and Arepo, while flyover bridges would be constructed at Kilometer 16 around the Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) and Kilometer 37 at Makun around Sagamu.

    Additionally, the President informed that Pedestrian bridges would be constructed at Arepo, Magboro, NASFAT, Deeper Life, and Redemption Camp, while the construction of the 60 kilometers remaining portion of the Sagamu-Benin Expressway from Sagamu Interchange to Itele would be flagged off to ensure the safety of road users.

    The President, who was represented by Governor Abiodun, acknowledged the strategic importance of the road as the busiest, providing a direct link between Lagos, the commercial capital of the nation, and the 17 southern states of the federation. He said: “The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is not just another road; it is the busiest highway in Nigeria and the gateway to the hinterland, serving as the primary link between Lagos, the nation’s commercial capital, and the rest of the country.

    “The Federal Government is committed to leveraging our natural resources by linking rural roads to urban centers, commercial hubs, and industrial corridors. The strategic roles align with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commitment to rebuilding, expanding, and modernizing our national road networks, railways, and airports, which is critical to the nation’s economic prosperity.”

    President Tinubu further emphasised the importance of road infrastructure as fundamental to the socio-economic development of any nation. Not only that it sustains economic growth, it also facilitates mobility, and enhances quality of life.

    He, however, noted that the road had suffered neglect under successive administrations, resulting in loss of lives as a result of its poor condition. He said that by upgrading and expanding the expressway, the Federal Government aimed to achieve significant reduction in travel time, improve efficiency and productivity, enhance safety, and facilitate ease of doing business in the country.

    The president maintained that the inclusion of the Sagamu-Ore in this phase further underscored the essence of his Renewed Hope Agenda and the vision of ensuring that national road networks meet international standards and support aspirations for economic expansion and industrial development.

    Minister of Works, Senator (Engr) Dave Umahi, lent credence to President Tinubu’s commitment to road network transformation in his address at the event. He said: “In the Lagos-Ibadan project, we have section 2, phase 2, and part of what we are doing today is that phase 2, which was awarded to Julius Berger. When we could not resolve our differences in terms of price, we terminated the job.

    “What we are doing today is part of the Lagos-Ibadan project, which is phase 2, and it includes the works on Magboro underpass, Warewa underpass, Arepo underpass, Sagamu, and Iperu; that is 12 kilometers by 2, which is 24.

    “The next phase of this job is also 48 kilometers by 2, that takes off from Iperu and gets to Ijebu-Ode. That is the Sagamu-Ore road.”

    The Minister directed that no payment should be made to contractors without an Advanced Payment Guarantee (APG) certificate, adding that it must be valid at the time of payment to the contractor, and the Performance Bond must also be valid before any payment is made to the contractor.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, said the House was poised to work with the Ministry to ensure that Nigerians have access to good road networks, stating that the road is not just for the people of Ogun State alone as it would affect the economic lives of Nigerians.

  • Ogun to partner Air Force on security, aviation development, says Abiodun

    Ogun to partner Air Force on security, aviation development, says Abiodun

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun yesterday said his administration was ready to strengthen its collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), to enhance security and aviation growth in the state.

    He said this during a meeting with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja, to discuss areas of mutual interest, particularly Gateway International Airport.

    During the meeting, Governor Abiodun reiterated the state’s commitment to positioning the Gateway International Airport as a major hub for trade, investment and logistics.

    He emphasised the crucial role of the Nigerian Air Force in ensuring the security and operational efficiency of the airport.

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    A key highlight of the discussion was the establishment of an Air Force base at the airport, a move expected to enhance safety, boost economic activities and attract more investors.

    The governor expressed appreciation to Air Marshal Abubakar for his proactiveness, responsiveness and positive disposition toward this request.

    He noted that the state government remained committed to fostering strategic partnerships with key security agencies, to ensure the safety and prosperity of its people.

    The proposed Air Force base, he said, would be a major step in strengthening the state’s security architecture and reinforcing its status as an economic powerhouse.

  • Abiodun, Ogun APC commiserate with minister over mum’s death

    Abiodun, Ogun APC commiserate with minister over mum’s death

    Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commiserated with the Minister of State for Health, Mr. Isaaq Salako, over the death of his mother, Alhaja Fadilat Anike Salako, at the age of 95.

    Abiodun, who described the passing on of the matriarch of the Salako family at a ripe old age as a testament to the grace of God in her exemplarily well lived life, said he recognised the fact that the death of one’s precious mother was always a painful event.

    He, however, urged the minister to take consolation in the fact that the deceased left highly accomplished sons and daughters as well as grandchildren, who would carry on her legacy for generations to come.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has also commiserated with the minister.

    A statement by the state Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, quoted APC state Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, as taking consolation that the matriarch of the Salako family not only died at the ripe age of 95, but also passed on in the holy month of Ramadan, an occurrence that was considered spiritually positive and much-wished for by aged Muslims.

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    “The death of one’s loved ones, especially a mother, even at an advanced age of 95, is always very painful and emotionally exerting,” Sanusi said.

    “It is on this note that we are not only sympathising with you, but also asking you, as a devout Muslim yourself, to take solace in the fact that from Allah we all came from and to Him we shall all return,” he added.

    “Mama has left a good legacy in good offspring, including your honourable self, who continues to serve our nation diligently and selflessly. “

  • Abiodun to traditional rulers: emulate Ologere

    Abiodun to traditional rulers: emulate Ologere

    • Monarch donates security outposts to Amotekun, VGN

    Ologere of Ogere, Oba James Obafemi Saliu, has handed over two security outposts recently built by him for the use of Southwest Security Network, otherwise called Amotekun and Vigilante Group of Nigerian (VGN), to the Ogun State Government.

    The security outposts, worth several millions of Naira, are at two strategic locations within Ogere-Remo community in Ogun East Senatorial District. They will serve as the operational and administrative offices of the two security agencies in Ogere community.

    The donation was meant to support Governor Dapo Abiodun in his commitment to ensuring adequate security, peace, law and order in the state.

    Speaking at the handing over, Oba Saliu said he decided to elevate the popular security slogan of “ if you see something, say something” to  “ if you see something, do something” with the security outposts.

    The monarch added that the gesture also “highlights the imperative of private individuals’ initiatives in supporting the state government’s provision of basic infrastructure to enhance the operational environments of security agencies for better services in addition to providing them reliable information to work with.

    According to him, the construction of the security outposts for the Amotekun and Vigilante group also seeks to complement two buildings in his domain earlier donated to SO-SAFE and Agbekoya.

    He recalled that he had also provided an operational vehicle for the Police Division at Ogere.

    He said the contributions were in recognition of the invaluable services of the security agencies to the Ogere community and to motivate them for better performances.

    The monarch added that there were always security needs and spaces to be filled in any society, and the task could not be left for the state government alone to accomplish.

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    He said his modest contributions were derived from the conviction of Governor Abiodun that no meaningful progress could be made in any society in the absence of security.

    According to the Ologere, security is the honeycomb that continually attracts the bees of prosperity, peace and happiness to any community.

    He promised to do his best to ensure adequate security in Ogere community.

    Receiving the two security outposts on behalf of the state government, the representative of the governor and Permanent Secretary Bureau of Cabinet and Special  Services,  Alhaji Olarenwaju Saka, mni,  thanked the Ologere for the kind gesture and enjoined other highly privileged citizens of the state to emulate the monarch’s philanthropic spirit.

    He said security was everyone’s business and that every positive private individual’s initiative in that direction would not go unnoticed and unappreciated. 

    Also present at the inauguration was the Ogun State Commander of Amotekun, Retired Brigadier Alade Isiaka Adedigba; a retired Commissioner of Police and former Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, and now Senior Consultant on Security to Ogun State Governor, Edward Awolowo Ajogun;  and the state Commander of the VGN.

    The Amotekun Commander said he was happy that the Amotekun building was completed within a few months following the promises made to him by the Oba.

    The VGN Commander noted that the building was a pleasant surprise and a thing of immeasurable joy. 

    The two agencies acknowledged that the security outposts and the attached residential quarters would facilitate their services to the community and promised to put them to good use.

    According to security analysts, if emulated across the state, the Ologere’s kind gesture will help boost the state government’s commitment to secure and safer communities, as well as economic prosperity and social cohesion across the state.

  • Abiodun: Oba Idowu-Basibo was passionate about Iperu’s development 

    Abiodun: Oba Idowu-Basibo was passionate about Iperu’s development 

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has described the late Oba Adeleke Idowu-Basibo, the Alaperu of Iperu, as a dependable, reliable and quintessential monarch.

    He said this during a condolence visit to the palace of the Alaperu on Saturday night.

    Prince Abiodun, who described the death of the monarch as a personal loss and a significant loss to the entirety of Iperu and Remoland, said it was a void that would take years to fill.

    He acknowledged the contributions of the late monarch, who retired from the Customs to serve his people, noting that Oba Idowu-Basibo brought his networks of goodwill into developing Iperu.

    “Kabiyesi brought his networks of goodwill into developing Iperu town. If you look back at the last 22-23 years and compare with what Ipe ru was before he assumed the throne and today, the difference is already clear; it speaks for itself.

    “Kabiyesi was very passionate about the progress, peace and development of this town and its entire community,” he said.

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    Abiodun noted that the late monarch, whose official appointment letter was dated February 6, 2002, was also called home by God on the 6th of February, 2025.

    He admonished the sons and daughters of the town to maintain law and order during the mourning period for the late Alaperu.

    “I want to plead with all of us, and I want to thank the Lisa, Oluwo and the high chiefs, Erelu, and all those who have ensured there has been peace and orderliness since this happened.

    “While I was busy grieving and mourning, I received information that was really disturbing. I want to thank all those who ensured orderliness was restored.

    “I want to admonish that we ensure we sustain this peace and orderliness at this time.

  • Abiodun hails Maj Gen Adejimi over promotion

    Abiodun hails Maj Gen Adejimi over promotion

    …says he’s a beacon of hope-Abiodun

    Ogun state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has hailed Maj Gen Samuel Oluwatobi Adejimi as a symbol of outstanding leadership and selfless service to the nation.

    Speaking at a promotion thanksgiving and reception held in Abeokuta in honor of the military chief, Governor Abiodun commended Adejimi’s over three-decade career, describing it as a testament to his unwavering commitment to national defense and public welfare.

    The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo, highlighted Adejimi’s impact in inspiring soldiers and safeguarding communities.

    He praised his leadership qualities, noting that he has served with humility, strength, and wisdom.

    Maj Gen Adejimi currently serves as the Director of Movements at Army Headquarters.

    “This promotion is not merely a personal achievement but a recognition of the collective spirit of the Nigerian Army.

    “It is a testament to the sacrifices of our armed forces, the courage and commitment displayed by officers who dedicate their lives to ensuring the peace, security, and stability of our nation.

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    “Maj Gen Samuel Oluwatobi Adejimi has consistently shown exceptional leadership both in the field and at a strategic level, earning him the trust and respect of his peers, subordinates, and the wider Nigerian public,” he said.

    The governor, while noting that his administration would continue to draw from the wealth of experience, courage, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the service of Maj Gen Adejimi, added that his commitment to national security has significantly contributed to the relative peace and stability the country enjoys.

    “For us in Ogun State, we deeply appreciate the fact that Maj Gen Adejimi’s commitment to national security has significantly contributed to the relative peace and stability we enjoy.

    “His contribution to the safety and security of our nation resonates deeply in our hearts as he joins the league of the country’s military trailblazers,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Prince Kola Adewusi, urged the Federal Government to look at how best they can continue to make good use of the top echelon of the Nigerian Armed Forces, who tend to retire early not because of their age but because of the number of years spent serving the country.

    This, he added, would ensure that the huge amount spent by the Federal Government on training personnel of the armed forces does not go to waste.

    Maj Gen Samuel Oluwatobi Adejimi hails from Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    Some of the dignitaries at the event included former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor of Kwara State Senator Bukola Saraki and his wife, Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, among others.

  • Abiodun and changing faces of road infrastructure in Ifo

    Abiodun and changing faces of road infrastructure in Ifo

    By Femi Ogbonnikan

    The perennial hardship being experienced by the residents along Sango-Ijoko Road in Ifo will soon be a thing of the past. Just as the agonizing experience of their counterparts inward Alagbole -Ajuwon-Akute corridor also has a terminal date. By the end of February, that road project will be commissioned.

    Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, assured this comforting relief during an inspection of several roads under construction in Ifo 2 state constituency. This is in keeping with the promise he had earlier made while on-the-spot assessment of some abandoned road projects that have become an eyesore. Seeing the plight of the people under the state disrepair while on a visit to the site, he was practically livid with anger at the attitude of contractors who took the government’s money and disappeared into thin air, leaving the communities to suffer untold hardship.

    Consequently, he gave a marching order to the contractors to immediately go back to the site and complete the projects within a stipulated time without further delay. With the ultimatum, the contractor went back to work with renewed energy, resulting in the timely completion of the Akute Road project which is now ready to be commissioned. According to the Governor, the 3.25 kilometres Alagbole-Ajuwon-Akute road in Ifo Local Government Area of the state would be ready for commissioning by the end of February 2025.

    For the 17-kilometer Sango-Ijoko Road, Prince Abiodun disclosed that the project would be divided into two sections for quick completion. He clarified this while announcing the immediate construction of the road during the inspection of roads under construction in Ifo 2 state constituency.

    Ecstatic about the progress of the ongoing projects, the Governor recounted his promises: “About four months ago, we were here in response to the fact that our attention was drawn to the state of roads in Ifo 2, particularly Alagbole-Ajuwon, Denro-Ishashi-Akute, Ajuwon-Akute, Ijoko-Sango, and Lambe. I came here and promised that within a few months, I would be back to commission all those roads that were in deplorable condition.

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    “Today, we are here; Alagbole-Akute is completed and 100 percent ready for commissioning, Ajuwon-Akute is ongoing, it is about 3.25 kilometers, and by God’s grace, by the end of February, it will be totally completed.

     “Sango-Ijoko is a long road. We started it from the Sango area; we have an outstanding 17 kilometers, and we have decided to divide it into two sections of 8 kilometers each.”

    The Governor said he had instructed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr Ade Akinsanya, to ensure that construction start immediately at the worst sections of the road.

    To allow the benefiting communities to make their input into the process, he added that the decision to ascertain those portions of the road would be collectively taken by the government and the residents.

    “I am giving you my commitment because this constituency is of extreme importance to us; it is our border community with Lagos State, and there is a lot of cross-border migration between us and Lagos. It is important for us to make that cross-border experience as pleasurable as possible for the citizens, and that is our 100 percent commitment.

    Governor Abiodun, therefore, urged the residents of the local government to use the road responsibly and maintain it to serve its original purpose.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of Ifo Community Development Committee (CDC), Alhaji Akangbe Olatunde, commended the Governor for the ongoing construction on the Ajuwon-Akute road, saying  the government had brought joy to the people of Ifo Local Government.

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development and who hails from the community, Hon. Hadijat Adeleye, noted that the people of the area had gone through so much pain in the past with the neglect of the area by previous administrations.  “We have gone through so much suffering in this area, we have seen so much. We are bordered by Lagos, but yet, we don’t have anything to show for it.

    “But God sent someone; he sent Governor Dapo Abiodun to come and give us succour and lifted our spirits by  bringing  us out of the dust that we are known for in Ifo 2, we are most grateful to him,” she said.

    According to the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, the first phase of the 17-kilometer Akute-Ijoko Road will start from Akute to Oke Aro where the issue of flooding will be addressed, while the next phase will be from Oke Aro to Ijoko.

    Beyond the successes recorded so far, relief is also underway for five additional communities that have suffered road neglect under successive administrations. These include Alagbole-Ajuwon, Akute-Ajuwon, Toyin-Giwa Hercules road,  Oke-Aro, all in Ifo Local Government Area in Ogun Central Senatorial District. Others are Oke-Erinja and Erinja in Yewa South as well as Awokoya road in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area.

    Akinsanya gave the assurance during a recent press conference on the ongoing road construction in the State.

    So far, no less than 600 kilometres of roads have been built by the present administration. “Today, we can brag and say not only have we constructed 600 kilometers of highway or roads, both inter-state, intra-state, inner-city roads, but, I beat my chest that there is no local government in Ogun State today that does not have at least one or two roads that we have reconstructed in the last five years and that is in line with been equitable and fair,” Governor Abiodun said.

    The commitment to this feat aligns with the agenda of the administration to develop road infrastructure as a catalyst for industrial growth. Apart from creating a conducive environment for investment, road interconnectivity promotes socio-economic interaction among the various communities. It also stimulates employment generation by the construction industry which is considered as the largest employer of labour in the State.

    In line with the inclusive governance style of Governor Abiodun, the developmental strategy of the administration is to ensure fairness in the distribution of infrastructural projects across the three senatorial districts and to also engender true ownership of the process through effective participation of the people in the choice of priority project in every community.

    The same concern also informs the priority attention of the administration on security. The hallmark of this is the recent allocation of 100 hectares of Land to the Nigerian Navy for Naval Base and Dockyard.

    Governor Abiodun disclosed this on Tuesday, saying his administration had completed the formalities of allocating the land at Ode-Omi in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state to cite a Naval Base and Dockyard for the Nigerian Navy.

    He explained that the state government had waived all charges, which amounted to several billions, and had forwarded the Certificate of Occupancy to the naval headquarters.

    The Governor made this statement in his office when he received the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos, Rear Admiral Mike Oamen, in his Oke-Mosan Office, Abeokuta.

    His words:  “In view of the prospective activities that we are envisaging in our riverine areas, the former Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, gladly obliged us and accepted that it is important for us to have a naval base and a dockyard in Ogun State.

    “We proceeded to make different positions available, and at that time, a committee was set up between members of the Nigerian Navy and the state government to identify locations that would be acceptable to the Nigerian Navy.

    “Subsequently, a location was identified in Ogun Waterside, and we allocated a parcel of land, 100 hectares, for the purpose of setting up this facility.

    “We have since completed the formalities of allocating the parcel of land to the Nigerian Navy.

    “We have waived all fees and charges, which amounted to several billions, and have since forwarded the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for that parcel of land to the naval headquarters.”

    Governor Abiodun assured that the access road to the Naval Base and Dockyard would be ready by the end of the week, adding that the state was looking forward to the groundbreaking ceremony for the Naval Base and Dockyard.

    He said the presence of a naval base in the state would ensure that unscrupulous elements do not take advantage of all the economic benefits that are on the horizon. “The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure is here, and he has briefed me that sometime by the end of this week, on or before, the access road to Ode-Omi, which is where the site for the Naval Base and Dockyard is located, will be ready, and the site itself will be prepared for groundbreaking.

    “We did not make as much progress as we anticipated because of the rains; however, since the rain stopped, we have begun to work on the access to the place and also the site itself,” he said.

    Governor Abiodun said his administration aimed to deepen its relationship with the Nigerian Navy, noting that the state is a coastal state because of the presence of Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government and Olokola Deep Sea Port in Ogun Waterside Local Government.

    According to him, these two coastal areas are of particular interest to the administration because of Tongeji Island and Olokola Deep Sea Port regions where the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) had issued oil prospecting licenses in the past.

    Noting the prospect of Ogun becoming an oil-producing state, he said the recent visit of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, NNPCL, and the Ministry of Petroleum to declare the state a frontier state was an indication that the state was moving in the right direction.

    In his remarks, Rear Admiral Michael Oamen commended Governor Abiodun for the support he had been providing to the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies in the state. He said it was necessary to assist the Ogun State Government in ensuring security in its maritime space, adding that the Navy was poised to ensure that all coastal states were free from unscrupulous elements by maintaining a presence of Naval personnel in all the waterways and creeks.

    “The Ogun State Governor has taken the security of life and property of residents and indigenes of the state very seriously, and the Nigerian Navy is very ready to support this effort.

    “The Naval Base is part of the Chief of Naval Staff’s plan, and very soon work will commence there. Be assured that the Navy will be fully on the ground in Ogun State,” he said.

    •Ogbonnikan writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State capital