President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated a road, project in Oyo North senatorial district of Oyo State, the 76.67 km Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso Road.
Tinubu hailed the state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, for being a collaborative partner with the Federal Government in the area of building road infrastructure to connect communities and open the state up to commerce and economic opportunities that will lift people out of poverty.
Represented by the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Tinubu stated this at the commissioning of the road named Adebayo Alao-Akala Memorial Highway in honour of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.
Tinubu that the Federal Government would support Oyo State to achieve its full potential as an agriculture hub in the country, especially in the agro-industrial sector.
According to him, posterity would be kind to Governor Makinde for building such a huge legacy project that connects communities in Oyo State, opens the state to economic opportunities, and also links the state to a major geopolitical zone of the country.
Describing the project as an exemplary one for every state and every Nigerian who is committed to the development of the nation, he said: “I am honoured to convey the goodwill of the Nigerian President, on whose behalf I was sent before you today. In governance, we must know that it is the convergence of many parts that forms a cohesive whole.
“A nation can only thrive when each state builds essential infrastructure to facilitate our daily lives.
“So, I want to appreciate Governor Makinde, on behalf of the President, for not only being a collaborative partner, but for also erecting such a capital project.
“I thank the people of Oyo State for their warm reception and it is not coming as a surprise. I know Oyo State is not only a land of hospitality, but also a pacesetter for the entire nation.
“Today, we gather to celebrate a tradition of excellence for which Oyo State is known.
“Governor Makinde has exemplified that well-constructed networks of road serves as the gateway to the economy of the nation.
“The 76.67km Alao Akala Memorial Highway, which we are here to commission, connects communities within the state, and also serves as a vital link to another geo-political zone in our nation. This project will activate the economy of the surrounding states by linking producers to markets, workers to job opportunities, and students to schools.
“I promise that President Tinubu will support you for the agricultural transformation, especially in the agro-industrial hub.”
Speaking earlier, Governor Makinde, who had at the event been conferred with the award of Honourable Life Member of LAUTECH by students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, welcomed the Vice-President to Oyo State.
The governor said his drive to build roads that interconnect all the five zones of the state was energised by his belief that where roads go, development follows.
He added that his administration’s focus to spread development all around the state had been yielding positive results, as the revenues accruing to the state no longer come from one source.
Makinde said: “Where road goes, development follows. This is the mantra that has continued to support our continuous drive to build road infrastructure that interconnects all zones of our dear state.
“Back in 2021, we started with the commissioning of the 65km Moniya-Iseyin Road. Then, we moved to Oyo. With the approval of the Federal Government, we completed and commissioned the 34.85km Oyo-Iseyin Road. We realised that there was no road connecting Ogbomoso zone to Oke-Ogun zone. So, we envisioned this project, which we are delivering to you today.
“Well, we are still working, because we are going to link Ibarapa zone to Ibadan. So, we are working currently on the 48km Ido-Eruwa Road, and we will deliver within the next eight months.
“Our focus has always been to ensure that we spread development all around. Gone are the days when all our IGR would come from only one zone.
“Yesterday night, I slept at Fasola, in the Oyo zone. So, we have a big development there, at Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub, which hosts several large and medium scale international and national businesses.
“We are going to commence something similar in Eruwa and Ijaiye, which will happen this year.
“So, we will continue to reduce our infrastructural deficit and move more of our people from poverty to prosperity.
“As we celebrate five years of Omituntun in Oyo State, our solemn pledge is to continue to do everything within our power to bring development to our people.
“I want to once again thank the Vice President for coming here to celebrate with us".
Dignitaries at the event included the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak; Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal; former First Lady of Oyo State, Mutiat Ladoja; acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum; PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; former Deputy Governors of Oyo State, Hamid Gbadamosi, and Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarunmi, among others.
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