Osinbajo, Gov Abiodun, Daniel, Osoba, Akarigbo, others excited as first plane lands at Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport

Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

The much expected first plane to land at Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport, Ilisan Remo, Ikenne local government area of Ogun State, landed on Thursday at about 2:12pm.

The arrival of the white coloured plane owned by Valuejet stirred so much excitement as the members of public who had for over three hours gathered to witness this historical event trooped out to catch a glimpse of the beautiful bride.

Gov Dapo Abiodun, his Deputy, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Speaker of the state assembly, Hon Olakunle Oluomo, the Vice President and his wife, Prof Yemi and Mrs Osinbajo, the Minister of Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika, Chief Kunle Soname, Chairman, Valuejet Airline, former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who conceived the project during his tenure between 2003-2011 as well as Chief Segun Osoba were among eminent Nigerians who witnessed this historical event

Other dignitaries at the epoch-making event were Hon Dimeji Bankole, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sen Adegbenga Kaka, Sen Lekan Mustapha, Prince Segun Adesegun, former Deputy governor of the state, Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Adewale Ajayi, Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Awujale of Ijebu land represented by Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba, Alake of Egba land represented by Chief Yinka Kufile among others.

About two hours later, another bigger passenger plane in the fleet of Valuejet landed with the Captain of the crew commending the quality of the runaway saying that it remains one of the best in the country.

Gov Dapo Abiodun who kicked off the project in September 2021, two years after assuming office had promised to complete the first phase of the Agro-Cargo Airport project before rounding up his first term administration

The Vice President of the country, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has however described the Agro-Cargo Airport as world-class saying that the airport had been constructed with a 4km standard runaway that could accommodate very big aircrafts like Boeing 474, 777 among others

Prof Osinbajo said the airport will help to serve the Agro processing zones in the area and boost efforts to develop economy in the State and further open up the corridor to the world for profitable economic collaboration.

Speaking at the occasion, Gov Dapo Abiodun disclosed that the need to expand the frontiers of economic development of the state forced his government to revisit the project which was conceptualised by one of his predecessors, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Gov Abiodun revealed that there were so much opposition from some quarters in the state against the project and the reason he never made noise about the programme when it kicked off in September 2021.

He explained that the capacity of the Agro-Cargo Airport to improve on the economy of the state and enhance its prosperity can not be overemphasised.

The governor said that the airport would help in export of agric products and offer over 25000 job opportunities among other benefits. Gov Abiodun said that the airport will also serve as alternative to the Muhammed Muritala International Airport, Ikeja.

He explained that the maiden flight at the airport is significant because it is part of the condition to get full certification of operation from NCAA while it is another way to shut up the mouth of the naysayers who had thought the dream would not become reality.

The governor said that the airport which is built over 5000 hectares is built with very wide and strong runaway that could take the biggest planes in the world saying that the government is already considering private partnership to manage the gargantuan investment.

In his remark at the event, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika lauded Gov Abiodun for his committed interest and sacrifices in ensuring the completion of the project.

Sirika said that construction of airport its underscores potential to connect businesses, integrate people, boost exportation among others describing the project as a well thought out that will impact on the life of the people.

He explained that the aviation sector had significantly improved under President Buhari administration with airports springing up in States like Ekiti, Gombe, Ebonyi, Osun, Ogun among others while the annual average aviation passenger had moved from 8million to 20millions and this is projected to be about 50million in the next 10 years.

Sirika said that the gains of moving agriproduce via airplane could not be overemphasised as farmers will be able to get their products to the outside world still very fresh while earning foreign exchange.

Speaking at the event, former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who conceived the dream sometimes in 2008 said that he was the happiest man on earth seeing his dream come to pass.

Otunba Gbenga Daniel disclosed that the airport was part of the 25 years master plan his government had drawn to accelerate the socio-economic development of the state.

The Akarigbo of Remo land, Oba Adewale Ajayi commended Gov Dapo Abiodun for going all the way to ensure the success of the defining project disclosing that there is no better way to reciprocate the selflessness of the governor other than to return him for another term so that he can continue his good works.

Speaking earlier, the billionaire Lotto magnate and Chairman of Valuejet Airline, Chief Kunle Soname who incidentally is an indigene of Ikenne said he was very proud of the achievements of Gov Abiodun.

Soname who owns Remo Stars Football Club said that he was happy that the first commercial plane to land at the airport is from Valuejet saying that the landing of the first flight at the airport is just beginning of greater revolution that will improve on the economic fortunes of the state