Dapo Abiodun: Governor of the year award, timely, pointer to monumental stride in Ogun State — Commissioner
By Our Correspondent
The Commissioner for information and strategy, Alhaji Abduwaheed Odusile has described Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun ‘Governor of the Year’ nationwide award as timely and pointer to developmental stride and opportunity to do more.
He said this while receiving the award on behalf of the governor at the Nigerian NewsDirect 12th anniversary on Friday, January 20, 2023.
Also, Mr Odusile revealed the rehabilitation of all primary health centers throughout the state and employment of health professionals in various positions with adequate equipment of drugs and other health materials.
Speaking at the event, he said, “Governor Dapo Abiodun has made tremendous achievements in health, agriculture, education, infrastructural facilities, tourism, justice among others which made Ogun the economic hub of Southwestern and Nigeria in general.
“ He has done well for Schools and Educational Institutions in Ogun state and this have won many national and international laurels, excelled in examinations and ranked highly in the continent.
“Also, several infrastructural projects have been executed in the three Senatorial Districts of the state to make life more meaningful to the residents and to encourage investment and provide ease of doing business.
“In the area of roads, a total number of 270km of new roads across the three senatorial districts have been constructed while over 300km of roads have been rehabilitated throughout the state.
“The affordable housing project is another area of infrastructure in which the current administration deployed financial resources. Apart from the fact that the housing project provided one of the basic needs of human existence, shelter, the government also used the project as a means of generating employment for the people directly and indirectly.
“The government within the first 100 days in office, delivered 150 low housing units at Prince Court Estate located at Kemta Estate, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta under the First Phase of the project.
“There are also ongoing housing schemes to deliver 2000 units including King’s Court Estate (Abeokuta); Laderin Civil Servants Scheme,; Ilaro, Otta; Ijebu Ode and Sagamu.
“Still, on infrastructure, the Dapo Abiodun led Administration also embarked on Reinvigoration of Security Architecture on assumption of office.”
In the same vein, he revealed the efforts of the administration commenced with the Amendment of Ogun State Security Trust Fund (OGSTF) Law in August 2019.
“The Operationalising and Funding the Trust Fund was a major departure from what it used to be as the government distributed over 200 vehicles and 100 motorcycles to security agencies; provision of tracking devices and mainstreaming of local hunters, vigilantes into the State security architecture.
“The government also facilitated the deployment of a helicopter for aerial surveillance leading to the arrest of kidnappers and bandits.
“In line with the decision of the South-West states to set up State Security Network, the state government initiated the Amotekun Bill, which was passed by the State House of Assembly and made functional with the appointment of Commandant and recruitment of Corps to boost the security network of the Gateway State.”
The government undertook Urban Development with the setting up of three parastatals to handle Planning and Development, Slum Regeneration, and Building Production Management
The initiative also involved signing up of an Urban Renewal Memorandum of Understanding on the three-year Future Cities Nigeria programme in a partnership drive with the UK, through the UK Prosperity Fund,” he said.
He thanked management of NewsDirect for the award, saying the award is dedicated to the people of Ogun state.
