Dapo Abiodun: When awards keep coming

OGUN State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was recently honoured with two prestigious awards by two reputable media organisations, namely the Sun newspapers, which conferred on Prince Abiodun, the ‘Governor of the Year’ award, and Silverbird Television, which named the governor its ‘Man of the Year’. These accolades were bestowed on Prince Abiodun in recognition of his stellar performance in the area of infrastructure, among other notable achievements.  In their separate letters to announce the choice of Prince Abiodun, the two organisations said the award was bestowed on the governor for his sterling performance in the field of governance. The Sun’s 2023 Governor of the Year Award took place on February 17, while the 2023 Silverbird Man of the Year Award took place on Sunday, 3rd March, 2024. The two awards took place at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites. The latest awards followed the earlier ones bestowed on the governor. Early in 2023, Prince Abiodun won the Forbes Best of Africa award in the industrial revolution in 2023. He won the LEADERSHIP Governor of the Year Award 2022 and the Vanguard’s Governor of the Year Award 2021. He has also won the Governor of the Year Award at the Nigerian Agricultural Awards 2020.

It is heartwarming that the governor’s modest success has transcended the Gateway State and is being applauded across the length and breadth of the nation. His remarkable success in infrastructure development has significantly transformed Ogun State, reshaping its landscape, and improving the living standards of its residents. His visionary leadership and commitment to progress have set him apart as a dynamic and result-oriented governor. Under Abiodun’s tenure, various sectors of infrastructure have witnessed remarkable improvements. One of the most notable achievements is the extensive road construction and rehabilitation projects across the state. The governor’s administration has prioritized the repair of dilapidated roads, fostering connectivity, and improving transportation networks. Many previously inaccessible areas have now been opened up, providing opportunities for commerce, agriculture, and tourism. To date, more than 500km of roads have been reconstructed. Also in the pipeline is the reconstruction of the Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos Expressway, which is just awaiting the final nod from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

By investing in infrastructure, Governor Abiodun has also attracted private investments to the state, providing an enabling environment for businesses and industries to thrive. This has resulted in an increase in employment opportunities for the people of Ogun State, a boost to the economy, and an overall improvement in the standard of living.  Indeed, Ogun State is now Nigeria’s industrial giant. Remarkable achievement has been recorded in the ease of doing business index. The state government, under Prince Abiodun, has liberalized land acquisition among other incentives to make the state attractive to investors and also to take massive advantage of its nearness to Lagos, the nation’s industrial capital. One major iconic project embarked upon by the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration is the Gateway International Cargo Airport. The airport, which is almost completed will further enhance the industrial base of the state, by further opening the frontiers of businesses and also opening the state to the rest of the world.

Furthermore, the governor has demonstrated a keen interest in the education sector, recognizing its crucial role in shaping the future of the state. His administration has embarked on the construction and renovation of schools, ensuring that children have access to quality education in conducive learning environments. Additionally, Abiodun has implemented various initiatives to improve educational standards, provide scholarships, and promote vocational training, empowering the youth with skills for the future. Governor Abiodun’s commitment to healthcare has also been exceptional. His administration has prioritized the construction and upgrading of healthcare facilities, making quality healthcare accessible to all residents of Ogun State. By investing in modern medical equipment and adequately staffing healthcare centers, the governor has significantly improved the state’s healthcare system, reducing mortality rates and ensuring a healthier populace.

Aside from his commendable achievements in infrastructure development, Governor Abiodun has shown exemplary leadership skills, transparency, and accountability in governance. He has promoted a participatory approach to governance, engaging various stakeholders in decision-making processes and prioritizing the welfare of the people. Abiodun’s recognition as the Sun newspaper’s ‘Governor of the Year’ and Silverbird Television’s ‘Man of the Year’ underscores his outstanding commitment to transforming Ogun State through infrastructural development. These awards serve as an encouragement for him to continue his excellent work and provide a blueprint for other governors to follow. The governor described the awards as a testimony to the efforts of his administration to reposition the State for more economic prosperity.

“Our administration in the last four and a half years, has transformed our vision into making the State the investor’s destination of choice. We have also successfully implemented people’s oriented policies and carried out reforms to improve efficiency and service delivery, leading to the state being the most improved in Internally Generated Revenue in the country. We have implemented a multi-modal transportation plan and other infrastructure across the State. We have constructed over 500 kilometers of road, built over 3,000 affordable houses, renovated over 1,000 schools, and constructed our Gateway International Airport,” Abiodun said. The governor was lauded by Air Peace CEO, Chief Allen Onyema for his impressive accomplishments and commitment to development. According to Chief Onyema, through the “Building our Future Together” agenda, the governor has successfully boosted the state’s economy.

Senator Afolabi Salisu, representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, hailed Prince Abiodun as a transformative leader, crediting his policies for reshaping the state’s economic landscape. Similarly, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka praised the governor’s inclusive leadership style, resulting in increased revenue and significant socio-economic progress.

The state Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, commended the governor for his worker-friendly approach and policies that have elevated professionalism within the civil service. There is no doubt that the ‘Building our Future Together’ agenda of the Dapo Abiodun administration has been a success story, ensuring the rapid development of the economy of the Gateway State and laying a solid foundation for future successes with more profound projects like the Olokola Deep Sea Port and the Kajola Dry Port knocking at the door.

• Adeniran is Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

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