Ogun at 40: Osinbajo continues project commissioning

Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will be in Ogun State on Wednesday to commission more projects in continuation of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the state.

Osinbajo, an indigene of Ogun State, will commission the projects across the three senatorial districts of the state.

According to the itinerary of his visit released by the state government, the Ikenne-born legal luminary will touch down in a chopper at Ayetoro in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state where he will commission roads, plantation and school projects.

He will then fly to Sagamu in Ogun East to commission other projects such as Oba Erinwole road, Coca-cola road, Sabo flyover, and a diagnostic centre at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, OOUTH, Sagamu.

He will later move to Ikenne, his homestead, to commission a model school named after the late HID Awolowo.

The number two citizen will pay homage to the Chairman of Ogun State Traditional Council and Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo at his palace, where a brief reception will be held for him.

Osinbajo will from there move to Ota in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state to commission the Ilo Awela road and other projects executed by the Ibikunle Amosun administration.

Ogun State is exactly 40 years old today and the celebration marking the event, which commenced last Friday with a special jumat prayer will climax today.
On Tuesday residents of Abeokuta trooped out en masse to give President Muhammed Buhari a rousing welcome to the state.

Buhari, who was in the state on a two-day working visit to felicitate with the state on the occasion of its 40th anniversary, also commissioned the newly constructed Omida ultra-modern market in Abeokuta.

At the event, Buhari lauded Governor Amosun for embarking on many laudable projects, which he attested would outlive his generation.

He urged the people of the state to join hands with the present administration in the state to move the state forward.

After the commissioning, three other projects were commissioned before he retired to the banquet organised for him at the newly built President Muhammed Buhari Estate.

Other projects commissioned include the Itoku flyover which was named after Madam Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti.

He also commissioned the Sapon flyover and one of the model schools built at Kobape and named after the great educationists and twin brothers, Femi and Dotun Oyewole.

Mr President had a stop over at the palace of the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egba land, Oba Aremu Adedotun Gbadebo.

Speaking at the palace, the President commended the governor and solicited for more support from the people.

“I have known Governor Ibikunle Amosun before we met in politics. He is a very good person and a great achiever.

“He has proved to me now that he is a good leader and well loved by his people. I know that many people will join him now to ensure that the state moves forward with all these gigantic and memorable projects,” Buhari said.

In his short remark, the Alake of Egba land said the President was at home, having served in Ogun after returning from his military course abroad.

Alake, who was then the aide de camp to President Buhari when he was the Military Head of State between 1983-1985, praised the giant strides of Governor Amosun.

The President later moved to Kobape road where the turning of sod of the new Judiciary Complex was carried out.

After turning the sod, Buhari crossed over to the other side of the road where the model school and the newly constructed housing estate named after him were commissioned.

During the state banquet, all the four prominent royal fathers in the state led by their Chairman, Alayeluwa Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, Akarigbo of Egba land were present.

Other monarchs are Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Alake and Paramount ruler of Egba land, Oba Aremu Gbadebo and Olu and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.

All the monarchs thanked the President for being part of the state celebration.

They all used the opportunity to table their people’s needs before the President. Awujale requested the creation of Ijebu State, saying it was long over due, while Olu of Ilaro called for the provision of more infrastructure in all border towns in Yewa axis of the state.

Other dignitaries at that banquet were the governors of Oyo and Osun, Abiola Ajimobi and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, some ministers and permanent secretaries.

Chief Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi led Ogun State-born artises such as Olamide Badoo, Sir Sina Peters, Queen Salawa Abeni, Musiliu Haruna Ishola, Sefiu Alao among others to entertain the dignitaries.