Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has outlined the reasons why his administration is prioritising the development of the Ogun West senatorial district, noting that despite its significant contributions to the state’s economy, it had not received adequate attention in the past.
Speaking at the grand finale of the Oronna Day Celebration held in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area, Governor Abiodun highlighted the importance of Ogun West to the state. He pointed out that the zone is the largest non-oil revenue earner and the food basket of Ogun State. Yet, it had been overlooked by previous administrations.
“When I assumed office, I discovered that for some reasons, most of my predecessors did not accord this zone the attention it deserved. Kabiyesi (the Olu of Ilaro) called me and said, ‘Before you, all that happened here was that they would do some groundbreaking, but they never commissioned any projects in this local government or this zone,’” Governor Abiodun said. “I told Kabiyesi that the narrative would change.”
The Governor expressed pride in his administration’s progress, stating, “We will do groundbreaking, and we will also commission projects. I can proudly say that we have done just that.”
He specifically pointed to the significant improvement of key roads in the area, including the Ilaro-Owode road, which connects the local government area to Ado/Odo-Ota Local Government and five other local governments. The road, which once took approximately two and a half hours to travel, has now been reconstructed to reduce the journey to just a few minutes.
Governor Abiodun further emphasised his administration’s commitment to Ogun West’s development, noting that at least one road had been commissioned in each local government in the zone, with some local governments receiving multiple projects.
The Governor also recognised the strategic economic importance of Ogun West, highlighting the Agbara industrial estate, which houses about 500 industries, and the largest deposit of limestone in the country. Additionally, the zone hosts the largest cement factory in Nigeria. He revealed that his administration had completed the construction of one lane of the Atan-Lusada-Agbara dual carriageway, with plans to complete the second lane in the near future.
Praising the contributions of the indigenes of Ogun West to the development of the town, Governor Abiodun particularly commended the Olu of Ilaro for his passionate leadership in the advancement of Yewaland, as well as Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adetola for his developmental initiatives that have significantly improved the quality of life for the people.
In his address, Governor Abiodun reiterated the government’s commitment to continuous development but emphasised the need for collaboration between the government and the people. “The government cannot do it alone,” he said, calling on the people to partner with the administration in development activities.
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jubril, also spoke at the event, appreciating the Ogun State government’s efforts in galvanizing the people for community development. He noted that the Oronna Day Celebration, apart from serving as a cultural awakening, could also be harnessed as a tool for development and a potential source of foreign exchange earnings.
Senator Jubril commended the Olu of Ilaro and the people of the town for using the celebration to improve education, infrastructure, and health services, aligning the initiative with the broader vision of the National Assembly and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Chairing the occasion, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who was represented by Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, described the celebration as an important occasion that not only honored the people’s heritage but would also promote development and unity within the community.
In his remarks, the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, expressed his gratitude to Governor Abiodun for fulfilling his promise to extend developmental projects to all parts of Ogun State. He further appealed to the Governor to prioritize the commissioning of the housing estate located in Ilaro, urging that the project be completed to benefit the local community.
The Oronna Day Celebration, with its focus on culture, heritage, and development, continues to serve as a platform for fostering unity and advancing the socio-economic interests of the people of Ogun West.