Abiodun Demonstrates Success In Implementing Projects In Ogun State, Ignorance Shown By Critics.

By Kayode Akinmade

Ogun State, under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun, has been making significant strides in social engineering, drawing attention for its positive developments. Recently, the governor obtained approval from the Federal Government and commenced the reconstruction of the neglected 70-kilometer Abeokuta-Ifo-Ota-Lagos Expressway, which is expected to be completed within 18 months. This road serves as a critical link between Abeokuta and Lagos State, as well as connecting various industrial hubs in Ota. The improvement of this road will greatly enhance trade and economic activities in the region, reducing travel time significantly.

In addition to road infrastructure, the Remo axis of Ogun State is witnessing the completion of the airport city, which houses the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport and an export processing zone. The Nigeria Customs Service is actively involved in the construction of its N73bn Zonal Office and Training School at the airport, capitalizing on the strategic significance of the region. Furthermore, the Nigerian Navy has secured land for a proposed dockyard, highlighting the commitment of the government to national security imperatives.

Notably, Governor Abiodun’s administration has showcased remarkable progress in the agricultural sector. The recent harvest of a 200-hectare rice farm in Magboro yielded 1,400 tonnes of rice within just three months, with the potential to generate substantial revenue for the state. The Abiodun government’s investment in agriculture includes the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), which has facilitated the participation of the private sector in agricultural development. Unfortunately, certain critics have spread misinformation, falsely attributing the project’s success to an individual from Kebbi State. However, the rice harvest was indeed real, with documentation and the government’s involvement evident.

Governor Abiodun has implemented various farm clusters across the state, including cassava clusters in Ikenne zone and rice clusters in Ayiwere/Ogboloko and Magboro. The aim is to enhance agribusiness through public-private partnerships, as witnessed in the past with Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s farm settlements. Despite the baseless criticism, the government remains dedicated to the economic growth of Ogun State, with Governor Abiodun assuring workers that the new minimum wage will be implemented without undue pressure on the people.

Ogun State continues to make progress and is poised for further development as Governor Abiodun mobilizes the populace towards a brighter future. As Rohini Nikolani, an Indian writer, aptly puts it, we must not simply consume good governance but actively participate and co-create it.

*Akinmade is Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.