Letter to Ogun governor-elect

The Ijebu (IJ) Boys Association would like to seize this opportunity to congratulate the Ogun State governor-elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on your victory at the March 9, 2019 election. As an association formed to advance the socio-economic development of Ijebu-land, we would like to present some strategic areas of immediate need to you for consideration and adoption as part of your plan and programmes within the first 12 months.

Fortunately, you would have seen the appalling state of the basic infrastructure that is pre-requisite for any humane and sustainable development during your campaigns in the Ogun East senatorial district.

Good road network is essential to encourage foreign or local investment. The state of our township roads is abysmal, to say the least. Our people would appreciate a declaration of a state of emergency on Ogun East roads. Ijebu-Ode can only boast of one stretch of good road which is Ibadan Road through Ejirin road. All other adjoining roads are in a state of disrepair.

We encourage you to collaborate with the Lagos State government to develop border towns and access roads into several villages on that route and others along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway like Mowe, Ibafo etc.

Similarly, develop the Epe-Ijebu Ode road which will surely open up that axis to immense economic value to all the conterminous towns, villages and farm settlements. We are encouraged by your desire to utilise a Private-Public-Partnership (PPP) to drive infrastructural development of the State.

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Additionally, we want you to use your good office to work hand-in-hand with our 12 federal legislators and demand the dualisation of the Ijebu-Ode – Ibadan road and turn it into a highway which we understand has been approved and appropriated for several years ago.

The Itokin – Ikorodu road link to Ijebu-Ode and the old Lagos-Sagamu road from Ijebu-Ode to Okun Owa to Odogbolu to Ikenne to Sagamu to Ogijo is another route of high importance.

The health institution in Akile Ijebu is in an unhealthy state and again requires your urgent intervention. The state hospitals, health centres are in poor state and rely on donors to survive. Donations from individuals and groups are never enough.

We want your administration to explore the untapped natural resources available in our dear state to include crude oil deposits at Ijebu Waterside, the vast fertile land for agriculture produce. The agricultural sector potential cannot be overemphasized as a great employment generator for our teeming youths if effectively explored.

Without a guaranteed, secured and peaceful environment, it would be a tall order for the society to prosper. We recommend that your administration introduce community policing as part of your cardinal programs to ensure optimal security of lives and property and complement the efforts of the Nigerian Police Force.

Education used to be one the pride of the Ijebus because of how solid primary and secondary institutions were. We appeal to you to restore the old glory and we can assist and provide you with a comprehensive educational sector template which you can also incorporate into your plan to benefit the elementary to tertiary education system which is currently operating at a sub-par level.

Bayo Okenla,

Ijebu Boys Association.