A good turn deserves another is the popular maxim; nobody wants a repeat of ugly situation but everyone wants perpetuation of a good situation. The reason for this article is no other thing than to impress it upon every citizen of our dear Gateway State why the incumbent governor must be supported to continue in office beyond 2023.
It is an open secret by now that events towards 2023 elections are gearing up and it is logical that the number one position in every state of the country is always coveted by many people. It must be stated here that it is legal for anyone to aspire to take over the office of governor but it will be a great disservice to the Gateway State and its roughly 10million inhabitants not to support Governor Dapo Abiodun for second term.
Before anyone accuses me of tribalism or what have you, let me state here that I am from Abeokuta north (Egba) while the governor is from Iperu (Ijebu-Remo). Having said that, let me now state my reasons for this call. When one looks at every facet of the state, there is hardly any one that the governor has not either greatly improved on or completely facelifted.
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To start with, it is said that there can never be any meaningful development in an insecure environment. The state is one of the most difficult to manage in the country due to its proximity to Lagos where over 70% of the country’s commerce resides and sharing international borders with Benin Republic and Atlantic Ocean. These twin factors naturally should make the state the haven of criminal activities and den of the underworld. The proactive governor took bold steps towards strengthen the security architecture of the state. He first revived the OP-MESA, a joint operation of all security agencies in the state. He then equipped them with state-of-the-art equipment for smooth operations. These masterstroke steps has now make the state as safe as anything. The national security issues of kidnapping, herdsmen attacks and others that were rearing their ugly heads into the state early last year have now totally been eradicated.
One other area we must all give kudos to the governor for is infrastructural development. I do tell people that only ambitious people attempt great things in life. The past administrations have undertaken different projects but none has ever been as ambitious as this current one in terms of infrastructural development. Verifiable projects that promise to affect the state’s economy positively are either completed, at the verge of being completed or kick-started. The Ijebu-Ode – Mojoda – Epe highway with interchange at Ijebu-Ode end is one of such ambitious projects.
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Maybe we do not know the strategic importance of that road. Here is it. The volume of traffic coming from the East, Southsouth and such states in the West like Ekiti and Ondo going to Lagos can now detour at Ijebu-Ode through Epe into Lagos and land at Ajah side thereby relieving the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan highway. Manufacturing companies will tap into this opportunity to establish their factories while the real estate business that was booming in that end will greatly improve. Commercial activities that will affect citizens on that end will start springing up here and there.
Soon, the state become a designation of call for exporters as finishing touches are being put on its agro-cargo airport as I write this. The state is home to such agricultural products like cocoa, palm oil, cashew and woods that are exported. These could now be exported within the state or sent to other states of the federation. Neighbouring states of Ondo, Oyo, Osun and Ekiti that have no agro-cargo airport can now tap into this. The volume of activities surrounding the airport situated at Iperu-Ilisan road will surely jack up commerce at that end.
The reconstruction of Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Sagamu Highway, which is the major artery to the state capital, is also a very commendable project undertaken by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration. The volume of traffic coming into (or going out of) the state capital from the East, Oyo State, Lagos State and eastern parts of the state use this road.
What of the intra-city road constructions and reconstructions! Within Abeokuta metropolis alone there are 2 major, strategic roads that have been reconstructed viz: Idi Aba-Elite-Olorunsogo Road and Gbonagun Road completely reconstructed with drainage system and streetlights. Lafenwa-Rounder road is ongoing just as Olomore-Sanni road is at asphalt stage. All these are within Abeokuta metropolis alone. This is also ongoing in other parts of the state like the Sagamu-Iperu-Ode road redesigning and dualisation as well as the Siun-Ogere-Iperu-Ilisan road is also being dualised. These 2 roads are reconstructed and dualised in expectation of vehicular traffic when the agro-cargo airport is completed. The same intra-city road development are ongoing in other cities like Ilaro, Ijebu-Ode, Ifo and others.
Conclusively, looking at the aforementioned verifiable fact and figures,I want to bet it with you that that before 2027 when the governor might have completed his second time,there won’t be any stone unturned especially when it comes to some basic areas of development and welfare of the entire ogun indigene.
It is on this note that am recommending our achiever governor his Excellency Prince Dr.Dapo Abiodun for second term to continue the good work he has commenced.
So help me God.