The welfarism of the citizens should be the utmost priority of any leader, most especially the number one citizen of any state, It is of noteworthy that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s achievements in office in the last two years centralizes of the well-being of the people of Ogun state citizenry.
Indeed, his emergence as the Executive Governor of Ogun State 2-years ago has brought nothing but good tidings and fortune to the noocks and croonies of our dear Gateway state in terms of physical, mental, psychological and social developments. For Ogun people, he came with the mantra ‘Building the Future Together’ agenda and he has not diverted from exploring every opportunities to attract growth and progress to the state; while he has been moving virtually omnipresent in all areas of the state’s life with laudable policies and visible projects dotting its landscape.
Noteworthy also is that silently, but actively and steadfastly, Governor Abiodun is redefining the art of governance because what many of his predecessors and peers make a song and a dance of, and mount billboards and take advertorials in newspapers to celebrate as achievements, Governor Abiodun sees them as all in a day’s job. He believes that
A man is nothing without his virtues, This, he said with undisguised pathos, is why he endeavours to do good wherever he finds himself and that his deeds are done not as an apology or extenuation of his fortune and citizenship of the world; he does his thing because it is an intrinsic part of his humanity. This is the same principle that undergirds his governance approach in Ogun State as explicitly and elaborately outlined in his ‘Building the Future Together’ agenda.
EDUCATION RESUSCITATION
If Ogun State was hitherto known for being among the best in Nigeria educationally, that notion had changed over time due to neglect and lack of proper funding. Starting with a 20% increase in budgetary allocation, Governor Abiodun has unleashed his ingenuity to bring back the lost education glory of the state. At the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, the state government has completed and commissioned the largest Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre in any Nigerian university. The multi-purpose complex sits 3,000 persons at a time and is fitted with all the gizmos – computers, printers, free Wi-Fi facilities, etc., that make reading profound and pleasurable. There are also training programmes required to make learning and teaching easier for researchers and staff of the university.
At the Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, the governor recently commissioned a 2, 000 capacity twin lecture theatre, remodelled the 1, 500 capacity multi-purpose hall; and refurbished and equipped its ICT centre. In the period under review, the governor offered automatic employment to the best graduating students in institutions like the OOU, Tai Solarin College of Education, and the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro. In the same vein, due to the COVID-19-induced school break, the state government introduced the Digiclass (Ogun Digiclass) aired on OGTV, which aims to provide digital education to students in primary and secondary schools. Described as the first of its kind in Nigeria, Governor Abiodun planned to improve the development of the human capital through greater investment in qualitative education by harnessing innovative and creative strategies for qualitative, accessible and equitable Universal Basic Education for all children of Primary and Junior Secondary ages through the Universal Basic Education Act. He also embarked upon the construction and rehabilitation of a total number of 94 blocks of classrooms for public primary and junior secondary Schools across the 236 wards in the state while creating a mouth-watering reward system for teachers in both private and public schools. Furthermore, Governor Abiodun also authorized the release of the 2014-2017 UBE matching grant to the tune of #10billion which translates into 952 educational projects across the state. The special school in sagamu was renovated while 53 interactive boards were distributed to all the special needs schools in the state. In the same vein, the absorption of over 50 community schools and their teachers into the government owned schools is one of Prince Dapo Abiodun's commendable achievement within the educational sector.
URBAN AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
However, it is on record that the the administration is confronted with the deplorable state of the rural and township roads, in fulfilment of his manifesto that his administration was determined to make movement easier for people to move between Lagos and Ogun state. On this note he embarked on the construction and rehabilitation of the major roads within the state which includes the road linking Ogun state with neighbouring state as well as construction of rural roads to foster development. Thus, as a quick fix mechanism to address the deplorable condition of the roads, Governor Abiodun established the Ogun State Public Works Agency which is proving to be efficient and responsive in rehabilitating intra and Intercity roads. Posterity would be most kind to the Governor for remembering the Ijebu-ode-EPe road which has been in a dilapidated state leading to abandonment by commuters. Prince Dapo Abiodun swing to action by turning the soil of this very important road which is nearly completed. Aside from easing traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, this road will bring relief to commuters and indigenes by saving their valuable time in traffic and engender the socio-economic growth of the state.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
Furthermore, in the area of Information and Technology, the Governor also created the Ogun Tech Hub and Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Center located along Kobape road which served as a knowledge platform where Citizens connect,share, build new skills and competencies to solve local challenges and improve the quality of life of Nigerians which constitute of tableau of ICT experts, trainees and gadgets. The Hub being the Governor's idea was conceptualized to make the one-stop-shop for technological innovation across Africa where start-up companies will conveniently be set up.
However, one cannot undermine his tremendous and laudable impact on the agricultural sector of the state. Farmers are not left out the manna from the man burning the midnight candle at Oke-Mosan so that Ogun state can be greater than any Nigerian state. He launched the Anchor Borrowers Programme in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a Poverty eradicating initiative to improve inputs, service support and training required for farmers through a single-digit loan and guaranteed off-take, the ABP idea is in fulfilment of Prince Dapo Abiodun's promise to increase food production and create employment opportunities for Ogun people especially the youths and women involved in agriculture.
Also the re-openning of the abandoned State Rice milling factory in Apoje area of Ijebu-North local government and the palm oil factory in Ijebu-North-East local government which was respectively donated to the state by the Federal Government and many other achievable projects in the agricultural sector through the able representation of the Commissioner for Agriculture Dr Adeola Odedina.
SECURING LIVES AND PROPERTIES
Security is the main factor to the growth of any state or nation and Governor Abiodun is ever causcious of this which was why he promised at the onset of his administration that he would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the state maximized its potential to the fullest by creating an enabling environment for residents and prospective investors.
Firstly, he inaugurated the Security Trust Fund Committee to source funds for the acquisition and deployment of security equipments, personnel gears and other resources necessary to prevent crime and preserve public peace in the state.
Secondly, he signed into law the state security trust fund bill likewise the procurement of patrol vans and bikes to aid the activities of the law enforcement agencies in the state. Also, he recently inaugurated the Western Nigerian Security Outfit Operation "Amotekun" of the Ogun state region to commence operation with the procurement of patrol vans and bikes and other operational equipments to aid smooth running of the security outfit.
HOUSING
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has constructed over 150 housing units at Kobape Housing Estate in Obafemi Owode Local Government.
The 300 Housing Units, According to Mr. Jamiu Omoniyi, the State Commissioner for Housing will not only facelift the town but add succors to the people of the State and solve the problem of housing in the area.
The Ogun State Government says it will deliver 10,000 housing units facilitated by the Federal Government within two years in different parts of the state.
HIGHLIGHTING ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING
The Ogun State Commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Omoniyi, said this while highlighting the achievements of his ministry so far in the state.
Omoniyi disclosed that Ogun State was one of the five states identified by the Federal Government to pilot the economic sustainability programme on housing to jumpstart the economy post-COVID.
He added that the state has marked areas where the 10,000 units housing scheme would be located and will be delivered under two years.
Omoniyi said, “We have been charged by Federal Government in partnership with Family Home Fund to deliver 10,000 housing units within the next two years.”
Omoniyi said 100 units of housing estate commissioned by the governor during his one year in office was constructed within three months with the engagements of 945 direct labour.
The commissioner said the government was also taking its housing plan to the grassroots.
One good term deserves another.
Ride on the peoples Governor!!!
Dapo Fashola
President Yewa Youth Pacesetters(YYP)
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