Oduduwa News

Relief would soon come the way of motorists and commuters plying Ado-Odo/Abeokuta expressway as Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun said his administration has awarded contract for the reconstruction of the 63km road.

Governor Abiodun who disclosed this at Ilaro on Thursday, during the commissioning of Ilaro -Iwoye-Owode road in Yewa South Local Government Area said the reconstruction of the road was part of his administration’s efforts to address the infrastructural deficit in the State.

He described the road as the second busiest in the country, adding that when completed, it would allow for the evacuation of goods and services from the axis through the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to other parts of the country.

He said construction work has commenced on the Sagamu-Papalanto road, while that of Papalanto to Ilaro is on course.

“We have just awarded the Ado-Odo/Abeokuta road. It will be the most expensive road this administration has reconstructed. It is 63 kilometres.

“That road is the second most busiest road in the country and extremely important to the economy of Yewaland, Ogun Central, and the entire Ogun State.

“From our industrial capital of Ado-Odo/Ota, it allows you to evacuate goods and services through that road to the hinterland. Those in Ado-Odo/Ota will go on that road through Papalanto, link the interchange, and you are there on Lagos-Ibadan expressway,” he stated.

Governor Abiodun said his administration has built affordable houses in Ilaro and constructed between eight to nine roads in Ogun West Senatorial District in fulfilment of his promise not to develop one part of the State to the detriment of others.

He said his government is working towards making the axis the food basket and cotton headquarters of the country through a strategic agricultural programme.

Abiodun maintained that the Commissioning of the Ilaro -Iwoye-Owode road which was in a deplorable condition since 1991, is part of the celebration to mark the five years of his administration, emphasizing that his focus on infrastructure was due to it being a key economy enabler that attract investors to the State.

While noting that the road would open up Yewaland, Ogun State and the country for more economic opportunities, the governor assured the people that any abandoned projects that have a direct impact on their lives would be completed.

The Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, said the road was in a state of disrepair and claimed many lives through accidents, kidnapping and robbery, adding that by putting the road in good shape, the governor has succeeded in saving the people from their harrowing experiences.

While noting that the road would give the people new lease of life and also address the infrastructural deficit in the area, Senator Adeola noted that businesses that had hitherto folded up in the axis, would be revived.

Former governor of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba in his goodwill message said the axis had in the past been the food basket that fed the state and Lagos, appreciating the governor for not embarking on elitist, but people oriented projects.

Osoba used the occasion to throw his weight behind the transformation of Abeokuta and other towns in the State through urban renewal programmes, urging him not to be distracted as there is the need to further open up the State for more economic prosperity.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Engr. Ade Akinsanya in his welcome address, said that the road will usher in socio-economic development and individual prosperity while investors would be attracted to do business in the area thus generating employment opportunities for the youths and get them usefully engaged.

Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, in his speech noted that despite its importance, the road was abandoned by previous State and federal governments, adding that the many palliatives done by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), did not put the road in proper shape.

The commended Governor Abiodun and members of the National Assembly from the senatorial district for working together to change the narrative, saying it helped in fostering economic growth and enhanced commercial activities in the area just as it serves as a milestone for the execution of other people oriented projects in the senatorial district.

Highlight of the occasion was the commissioning of the road performed by Aremo Osoba.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday commissioned the Sagamu-Iperu-Ode-Sapade road, as part of activities to mark his first year for the second term in office, even as he announced award of contract for the construction of the Siun-Ogere-Iperu-Ilisan road.

It would be recalled that the Govenor on Tuesday was in Ogijo, in Sagamu Local Government Area to commission the popular Hospital road in the town, where he vowed to sustain the tempo of the ongoing infrastructural transformation across the State.

Speaking at the commissioning of phase one and two of the eight kilometres road, the Governor said the Siun to Ilisan road would complement the existing roads and make travelling seamless in the axis.

Governor Abiodun, who underscored the importance of good road network as key to the development of any society, noted that the newly re-constructed road, apart from serving the people of Remoland, also serves people from other parts of the country as it connects Lagos to Ibadan and to the rest of the country.

He said before its take over by his administration, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) had carried out palliatives on the road, which was still in a terrible state, forcing motorists to find alternative routes.

The Governor said: “This road starts from Ikorodu. It is connected to Lagos and passes through Sagamu to Iperu to Ibadan to the rest of the country.

“Before we constructed this road, it used to take about seven hours to get to Ibadan from Lagos. But now, you can travel from Lagos to Ikorodu to Ogijo to Sagamu in less than 50 minutes.”

He said the contract for the construction of the road was awarded in three phases to ensure quality job, adding that with the two phases completed, the third phase has been awarded, and the contractor mobilised to site.

Governor Abiodun emphasized that providing infrastructure is in line with his administration’s transport master plan, which is aimed at increasing the ease of doing business, which in turn would create jobs and reduce crime in the long run.

The Governor disclosed that the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport has been licenced to commence non scheduled flight operations, while that of scheduled flight is expected to be approved soon.

The Governor also hinted that the construction of the Kajola Dry Port would soon be flagged off to further boost the infrastructural development of the State.

In her remarks, the member representing Ikenne and Sagamu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga expressed gratitude to the state government for reconstructing the road after many years of neglect.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya said the road was divided into three phases for quality jobs, adding that the contract for the third phase has also been signed.

The Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, in his remarks noted the remarkable achievements of the governor in the last five years, appreciating him for responding to the cries of the people by fixing the road.

President Bola Tinubu, despite opposition from Nigerians, has approved the National Anthem Bill.

During a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, made this announcement.

The President will not be delivering a speech to the House, but will instead launch the new anthem, as revealed by Akpabio.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas mentioned that the cancellation of the address was due to June 12 being recognized as Democracy Day.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State expressed concerns regarding the inclusion of Lagos in the legal action initiated by the Federal Government against Governors at the Supreme Court for alleged misconduct in managing Local Governments. Sanwo-Olu highlighted that it was a legal irregularity for the Federal Government to involve Lagos in the Supreme Court case, considering the long-standing autonomy enjoyed by the Local Governments in the State.

While supporting the lawsuit, Sanwo-Olu suggested that the Attorney General of the Federation should have first identified the states not complying with the law before filing a lawsuit against all states indiscriminately. He made these remarks at the ongoing Justice Reform Summit organized by the Lagos State Judiciary, themed “Enhancing the Administration of Justice for Economic Growth, Investment Protection, and Security in Lagos.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that protection of local council autonomy was crucial for upholding the principles of the constitution, calling for a clear interpretation by the judiciary to ensure fairness and equity. He stressed the importance of a robust justice system that safeguards the interests of all parties and discourages actions that impede government efficiency.

In light of examples like Singapore’s legal system and rapid economic growth, Sanwo-Olu underscored the need for judicial reform to enhance the administration of justice and uphold the rule of law. He urged judges and legal professionals in Lagos to strive for higher standards in dispensing justice and to learn from successful models like Singapore to drive economic prosperity through a fair and efficient legal framework.

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has encouraged Nigerians to refrain from attributing the current challenges facing the country to President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing that these issues were passed down.

In a press conference held at his office in Ikoyi, Lagos, George emphasized that the period of one year that the president has been in office is insufficient to address the country’s deep-rooted problems.

George explained that typically, the initial year of any administration is spent assessing the existing circumstances, highlighting that most of the challenges faced by the Tinubu administration were inherited from its predecessor, former President Muhammad Buhari, under whom he claimed Nigeria’s situation deteriorated.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s governance over the past 25 years of civil rule, the PDP leader lamented that the country almost collapsed, asserting that the eight-year tenure of former President Buhari was arguably the most dire in Nigeria’s history since independence in 1960.

He critiqued the lack of leadership during that era, expressing dismay that some individuals continue to defend the actions of that administration.

George underscored the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the current government’s approach and achievements within a year to better assess its performance.

Describing Nigeria as the Giant of Africa, George asserted that the country’s political landscape since its return to democracy in 1999 has subjected it to ridicule globally, bringing shame to patriots witnessing the unfolding events that push the nation’s boundaries.

Despite pointing out the current challenges, he stood by the belief that Tinubu should be granted the opportunity to showcase his capacity in resolving Nigeria’s issues and called for a joint effort from both leaders and citizens to restore the nation’s prestige among other countries.

George concluded by stating that Nigeria can realize its potential for positive change and regain its former glory if its citizens begin redefining their core values and address the existing anomalies hindering progress.