14. Road: Since he became the Executive Governor of Ogun State in May 2019, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun has made good his promise to develop road infrastructure with an even distribution and commitment of resources and time to all senatorial districts of the State.
In Ogun West, the reconstruction of Raypower Road and Imasayi-Ayetoro Road has been completed and the new roads are already being used by motorists, while Oke Ola Road in Imeko and Owode-Ilaro Road are currently being reconstructed. Also, the Government has reconstructed the Odo Afa Road and Bridge in Ipokia LGA. It’d be recalled that the road and bridge had been in an unfavourable condition for use over a long period of time. Of particular importance is the 19.2km Agbara-Lusada-Atan Road which had long been abandoned despite the industrial significance of the region to the State’s economy.
The road project, which was flagged off by HE Prince Dapo Abiodun on Thursday, April 29, 2021, is going at a commendable pace that will deliver a quality road on completion. It’d also be recalled that in the same month, the Governor commissioned the 10.25km Lusada-Igbesa Road which was constructed by the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone in partnership with the Ogun State Government.
In Ogun East, completed road projects include: Oru-Awa-Ilaporu-Ibadan Road, Fusigboye-Ojofa Street Road and Asafa Oke-Asafa Isale-Ayegun-Ojofa Street Road in Ijebu Ode. Other projects, which are ongoing, include: the 14km Ijebu Ode-Epe Expressway; Oba Erinwole Dual Carriageway, Sagamu; Molusi College Road; Ilishan Market Road; 11km Atan-Erunwon Road; Ogbagba Street Road; and Ejinrin-Oluwalogbon-Mobalufon-Ibadan Road.
In Ogun Central, completed road projects include: Obantoko Road (Fajol-American Junction-Unity Estate-Gbonagun); Idi Aba-Oke Lantoro Road; and Ikoritameje-Adenrele/Olose Titun-Vespa Road. Ongoing project which are nearing completion at a commendable pace include: construction of the 42km Abeokuta-Sagamu Interchange; reconstruction of Panseke-Adigbe Road; as well as extension of the proposed gate Development at Sagamu Interchange. In Ifo LGA, roadworks are ongoing on Akute-Denro-Ishasi-Oluwakemi Road.
15. Housing: The Ogun State Government has completed the construction of the King’s Court Estate it is executing in Abeokuta, the State Capital, after final touches were put in March 2021 by the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation which is handling the project intended for middle-class income earners. At the same time, Phase II of the Prince Court Estate at Kemta Idi-Aba is almost completed. It’d be recalled that Phase I, which delivered 150 low-cost housing units, was completed in the first year of the current administration. Finally, while the Government plans to extend its housing scheme to other areas such as Ota, Ilaro, Sagamu, Ikenne and Ijebu Ode, it is already currently constructing an affordable housing estate in Kobape. The project is about 60% completed.
16. Water: In the period under review, the Ogun State Government embarked on the rehabilitation of the Iberekodo Dam. As at May 28, 2021, remarkable progress has been made, with five new gates installed as well as gear hoists, cofferdam demolished, and water flow restored. With water flow already restored, the Ogun State Water Corporation is almost set to recommence supply.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT, WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION
17. Potable Water Provision: The Ogun State Government, through the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency In the period under review rehabilitated a total of nine (9) hand and motorised boreholes into complete solar-powered boreholes in Odeda, while constructing two (2) new ones. In Yewa North LGA, eight (8) boreholes have been rehabilitated with solar power, while five (5) have been fully constructed. Five (5) hand and motorised boreholes were also rehabilitated in Ado Odo/Ota LGA, while thirteen (13) new ones were constructed. In Ipokia LGA, twelve (12) new solar-powered boreholes were constructed, while eight (8) were rehabilitated. While this rehabilitation and construction projects are ongoing, those already executed have brought the needed relief to residents who had in the past had to search for potable water or settle for what they could lay their hands on.
18. Electricity: The State Government has commissioned the 100KWp solar mini-grid Hybrid Electrification System at Olooji Community. Equally, Atapa Community in Ogun Central Senatorial District and Koto Obo in Ogun West have also been provided with complete Household Solar Lighting Systems.
19. Modernising Fish Processing: The Government, through the Ministry of Rural Development, fabricated and distributed a large number of modern smoking kilns to fish processors in different LGAs including Ikenne, Sagamu, Odogbolu, Ijebo Ode, Obafemi Owode, among others.
20. Township Road: The 6km Koriko Village Road that leads to Association of Senior Civil Servant Housing Scheme was upgraded in the period under review, to ease hardship faced by residents and other road users.
HEALTH
21. COVID-19 Containment: Despite being the state to host the index case of the dreaded coronavirus in February 2020, Ogun State contained the virus in a laudable manner with quick and effective moves taken by the State Ministry of Health up to the point of vaccination. The State has a record of low fatalities, with: 70,200 persons tested, 4,600 treated, 80,000 vaccinated, and 50 fatalities.
22. PHC Renovation: In the period under review, a total of forty0two (42) Primary Health Centres, PHCs have been renovated and equipped, with sixty (60) others ongoing across the 20 LGAs of the State. This is to improve access to healthcare, especially at the grassroots.
23. Hospital Renovation: Ongoing in three (3) different locations is the renovation of State General Hospitals. These are in Idiroko, Ibiade and Odeda. The Government has also carried out some construction at, while also renovating, the State General Hospitals in Iberekodo and Ijebu Ife. Renovation has also been carried out at the 120-bed Mother-and-Child Ward at the State General Hospital in Iperu.
24. Healthcare Worker Recruitment: In September 2020, Governor Abiodun approved the recruitment of medical staff across cadres, including resident doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others. The Governor gave specific instructions to all state-owned hospitals to recruit 20 consultant doctors, to address the existent shortfall at the time. As at May 28, 2021, a total of three hundred and ten (310) medical staff have been employed by the State Government – from consultant to attendants.
25. OOUTH Mortuary, A&E: The Mortuary and Accident & Emergencies, A&E Unit of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, OOUTH, Sagamu have been upgraded. This is as the State Government conducted a total overhaul of the Mortuary with six (6) freezers and renovated the A&E Unit.
26. 24-Hour Ambulance Service: In the period under review, the Ogun State Government launched its 24-hour ambulance service across the State. In addition to this clear improvement in the effectiveness of ambulances within the State, the number of available ambulances has also increased within the period under review. As at May 2019, the State had barely six (6) ambulances, but as at now, there are twenty-one (21) ambulances, with plans underway to have about thirty (30) for easier access to prompt healthcare delivery. Already, for better access, an ambulance unit has been established in each of all nine (9) Federal Constituency in the State.
27. Basic Health Care Provision Fund: The administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun has paid the sum of 100million Naira as commitment fund into the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. The Fund targets persons categorised as vulnerable, including the aged, pregnant women, and children under the age of 5. Already, the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency, through its 236 officers-in-charge and ward development chairmen trained for this purpose, has commenced registration of 20,000 beneficiaries for free healthcare across all 20 LGAs. Also, N600,000 has already been disbursed for the implementation of the Fund to 196 PHCs, and payment will continue monthly with N100,000.
28. Tricycle Ambulances: Towards easing access to public health facilities especially in emergencies, the Ogun State Government distributed 34 tricycle ambulances to rural PHCs to reduce maternal and infant mortality which may have increased due to the remote location of the areas.
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
29. Mobility for Business Permit: The Ogun State Government procured ten (10) motorcycles and a combination of minibuses and car numbering ten (10) for use by officers in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment towards improving service delivery on Business Premises Permit.
30. Survival Funds: The Government of Prince Dapo Abiodun, in the period under review, facilitated access to the five streams of the Survival Funds including CAC Formalisation Support (over 5,000 registrants) and Payroll Support (5,200 MSME beneficiaries).
31. Fire Victims’ Compensation: Towards returning them to shape, Governor Abiodun approved compensation for traders affected by the Olabisi Onabanjo International Market fire outbreak of December, 2019 in Ita-Osu, Ijebu Ode. The compensation was meant for the traders to restructure their stalls, and it was disbursed less than twelve (12) days after the inferno.
32. Trade Fair: In the period under review (precisely Q2 2021), the Ogun State Government, in collaboration with the State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, OGUNCCIMA organised the 10th Gateway International Trade Fair. Prior to this fair, the last was held in 2018.
33. National Promotion: The Ogun State Government, through its State Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment carried out a rigorous examination and appraisal exercise to ascertain eligible companies for the Nigeria Private Sector Leadership and Productivity Award organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity. All ten (10) companies nominated by the State Ministry won awards, further proving the conducive business environment of the State.
34. Raw Materials Resource Centre: Prince Dapo Abiodun approved payment of 2million Naira counterpart fund for the upgrade of the Raw Material Resource Centre to a state-of-the-art resource centre, towards attracting more investors into the State.
35. AfCTA State Action Committee: The Ogun State Government, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, has facilitated the setting up of the State Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, AfCTA. The Committee has as members: representatives of MDAs, private sector actors, and civil societies; and has the responsibilities of putting structures in place in readiness for the AfCTA.
TRANSPORT
36. ICT-Enabled Mass Transit Buses: On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, the Ogun State Government took delivery of high-capacity buses, which it said was the first batch of the technology-enabled vehicles to be used for the State’s Bus Mass Transit Scheme targeted at easing access to safe, public transportation as well as create jobs in the value chain while also giving the State internally generated revenue, IGR a boost.
ENERGY
37. Transformers for Institutions and Communities: The Ogun State Government, in the period under review, procured over 100 units of transformers for installation across educational institutions and residential communities across the State.s
DIGITAL ECONOMY AND EASE OF DOING BUSINESS
38. Digital Economy Infrastructure Project: On April 15, 2021, the Ogun State Government launched the Ogun State Digital Economy Infrastructure Project, OGDEIP. The project, which was approved by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, will provide connectivity in key institutions, MDAs, and unconnected regions of the State through improved technology to ease the conduct of work and business both for the private and public sectors.
39. Road, Facilities for Adire Markets: Towards easing daily business activities in two Adire markets, the Ogun State Government in April 2021, provided an access road and three (3) boreholes for use by traders and buyers of the heritage fabric. Itoku Adire Market has been provided with two boreholes, while the Asero Market has been provided with one borehole. The access road, which would ease the movement of goods, traders and buyers, is currently being constructed in the Itoku Market.
WOMEN AFFAIRS, EMPOWERMENT AND SOCIAL WELFARE
40. Ogun Coders ICT Programme: In October 2020, 25 women in Ogun State benefited in Phase I of the AboCoders Programme, a free training programme organised for women between the ages of 16 and 35 by the State Government in collaboration with AboCoders (a subsidiary of Aspillos Foundation).
41. Rural Women Empowerment: The State Government, through the Office of the Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, empowered 500 rural women, by supporting their retail businesses.
42. Family Planning: Within the period under review, the Ogun State Government established a family Planning Centre at State Hospital, Ijebu Ode to improve family planning uptake in women aged 15-49 years.
AGRICULTURE AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
43. Linkage for Job Creation: Over 26,540 jobs were created through the linkage of farmers and youths to agriculture opportunities through intervention programmes. The Ogun State Government provided input and facilitated the crediting of beneficiaries with over 1.5billion Naira in the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme and the FGN/IFAD/Ogun State Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP). In addition to this, 11,099 more jobs are set to be created in the current year 2021, as this number of applicants have registered to be first-batch beneficiaries of linkage to inputs and credit in five commodities which include: fisheries (720), oil palm (750), poultry (8,084), piggery (1,245) and cattle (300); under the Expanded CBN/Ogun Anchor Borrowers Programme
44. Cocoa Production: Towards reviving cocoa production, the State Government provided a total of 10,000 hectares of land In Iwoye-Ketu to cocoa farmers in the period under review. This land provision is covered under the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme.
45. Ogun Broiler Project: Executed so far in the period under review and still ongoing is the Ogun Broiler Project that began with 54 pilot youth beneficiaries who made a cumulative profit of 450,000 Naira in three (3) cycles. The beneficiaries produced 162,000 broilers and 3.24 metric tonnes of broiler meat. With over 9,000 individuals showing interest in the flagship project, it is set to be replicated across all 20 local government areas of the State for even benefit to the people.
46. Input Palliatives to Smallholder Farmers: The Ogun State Government, in the period under review, provided improved planting materials to 40,000 smallholder farmers, while fertilizer was provided to target 10,000 smallholder farmers.
47. Tomato Production: The Ogun State Government facilitated the donation of about 100million tomato seeds to vegetable farmers across Ogun State. The seeds were donated by the Raw Materials Research Development Council, RMRDC.
48. Agro-Industrial Processing Zone: In the period under review, Ogun State was declared as the perfect location for the proposed Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone, SAPZ by the African Development Bank, AfDB. This was jointly re-established in March of 2021 by the AfDB and the International Fund for Agricultural Development during their working visit which applauded the Government’s initiative of the ongoing Ilishan-Remo Agro-Cargo Airport project.
49. OGSTEP: The ongoing World Bank/Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, OGSTEP is targeting 40,000 farmers in nine (9) priority value chains, which include: cassava, maize, rice, soya bean, tomatoes and pepper, sesame, fishery and poultry.
50. N-CARES: Ogun State is currently a beneficiary of the Wold Bank/Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, N-CARES Project which would kick off next month, June 2021. The programme is funded by the International Development Association, IDA to support ICT services; water supply, sanitation and waste management; social protection; agricultural extension and research; and banking institutions in the aftermath of the dreaded coronavirus.
51. Animal Care: In order to improve access to animal care for animal lovers and breeders, the State Government facilitated the construction of a Primary Animal Health Centre (with equipment and consumables) at Ajegunle Farm Settlement in Odeda LGA. The project was donated by the Federal Government.
52. Land Clearing: In supporting youth in the State, the State Government together with the Federal Government cleared a total of 1,000 hectares of farmland at Apojola in Odeda LGA. The Federal Government collaborated the State Government to clear 400 hectares, while the remaining 600 were independently cleared by the State Government.
53. 200-Trainee Soil-Testing Programme: In the period under review, the Ogun State Government in collaboration with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA initiated a 200-trainee soil-testing programme. Results of the collaboration include the setting up of an integrated farm estate as well as a garri packaging plant
54. Farm/Farmer Support: The Ogun State Government has constructed 20km access roads in Obafemi-Owode, Yewa North and Ijebu North East LGAs; 14 solar-powered water schemes in Ijebu North East, Obafemi-Owode, Yewa North, Ifo, Ijebu East, Odeda and Odogbolu LGAs; as well as 4 cassava processing centres at Baara, Alapako-oni, Oke iyemi and Ayetoro, and Rice Processing Centre in Eggua.
55. Agricultural Extension Service Delivery: In the period under review, the State Government through the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme, OGADEP conducted a series of trainings with varied numbers of beneficiaries in different programmes. These include: 3rd batch of Anchor Borrowers Programme cassava beneficiaries in February 2021; 20 OGADEP extension workers and 2,520 farmers on cassava production and weed management, in collaboration with German International Cooperation, GIZ in March 2021; as well as 357 OGADEP extension agents and farmers on Pod Borer Resistance, PBR cowpea in July 2020.
SECURITY
56. Ogun State Security Trust Fund (OGSTF): In August 2019, Governor Dapo Abiodun launched the reinvigorated OGSTF. The Governor set up an oversight Committee to source for, receive and manage donations from the private sector, of funds and equipment for crime prevention. The Committee also mobilises these funds and resources for the training and retraining of security personnel. Already, within less than a year since Governor Abiodun signed the 2019 State Security Trust Fund Bill (as amended) into law, the OGSTF has made remarkable achievements that have strengthened the security architecture of the State and significant donations have been received from the private sector such as the 25 fully equipped operational vehicles donated by the Dangote Group on 8th May, 2020.
57. Donation of Patrol Vehicles & Motorbikes: In September 2019, the Abiodun-led Ogun State Government, through the OGSTF, donated 100 patrol vehicles and 200 motorcycles to the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police. The donations were gladly received by the Inspector General of police, Mohammed Adamu, who was in the State for the purpose. The Government on 28th April, 2020 again donated 15 additional operational vehicles and 91 motorbikes to security agencies in the State. The Nigerian Army got 2 vehicles, the NSCDC got 2, the DSS got 2, the NIS got 1, and the Police got an additional 5. Of the motorcycles, the Police received 69, while the QRS got 10, TRACE 10, and the NSCDC 2.
58. Handling COVID-19 Lockdown Security Unrest: The April donation of additional operational vehicles and motorbikes to numerous security agencies was a fulfilment of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s promise to provide material and logistic support to further strengthen the security architecture of the State. The Governor had made this promise in a 12th April statement which was released after the Ogun State Police Command made arrests of 150 suspects in connection with the security unrest that erupted within the Agbado Ijaiye, Sango, Ijoko and Ifo axis, when the State began enforcing the FG-directed COVID-19 lockdown. The Governor emphasised that in his usual manner of not condoning crime from any quarters, he immediately directed the Command and other relevant agencies to promptly move with full force against the criminals.
59. Yewa Crises: In the wake of the herder-farmer crises that rocked the Yewa region of Ogun State, Governor Abiodun immediately set up an Intervention Squad, as well as a Peace-Keeping Committee. The Squad is a multi-agency security troop saddled with the primary responsibility of returning peace to, and maintaining same within the region, while the Committee administered palliatives provided by the State Government to victims of the crises. Displaced victims were also appropriately rehoused, following the express instructions of the Governor.
60. Amotekun: On April 1, 2021, Governor Abiodun officially inaugurated the indigenous security outfit, AMOTEKUN Corps. The security outfit is an initiative of all Southwest Governors, to address the security challenges that were beginning to creep into the region.
YOUTH AND SPORTS
61. Adoption of Indigenous Star Athlete: On April 25, 2021, HE Prince Dapo Abiodun announced that the Ogun State Government was adopting 24-year old Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan, an indigene of Ogun State who won in the 2018 Commonwealth and 2019 African championships. 100m hurdler Amusan ranked 4th in the world in Doha (2019) and would be representing Nigeria at the Tkyo Olympics. With a view to doing more of such adoptions, the Government is now saddled with certain responsibilities such as provision of sponsorship for official sports competitions that Amusan may be interested in the future.
62. NYSC Camp Renovation: The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC Camp in Ogun State was renovated in the period under review. Members of the NYSC Board, led by its Chairman, Amb. Fatimah Abubakar, were in the State on April 20, 2021 and adjudged that Ogun State had one of the best orientation camps in Nigeria.
63. 20th National Sports Festival: Governor Abiodun, in April 2021, approved appropriate funding for the participation of the State contingent in the 20th National Sports Festival (Edo 2020) held in Edo State between April 2 – 15. The State held 8th position on the Medal Table among the 36 states in Nigeria, with 78 medals including 16 Gold, 23 Silver, and 39 Bronze.
64. Nigerian Women Football League: Ogun State, in the period under review, hosted the Nigerian Women Football League, the Nation’s biggest women sports event, at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode. The winner of the league would later proceed to represent Nigeria at the CAF Women Championship League.
65. GUFC Complex Renovation: The one-storey Gateway United Football Club, GUFC complex at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, which also serves as the GUFC Secretariat but was met by the current administration on May 29, 2019 has been brought back to life with total renovation befitting of a State sports complex.
EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYMENT GENERATION
66. Ogun TEACh: The paying special intervention two-year Ogun State Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel (Ogun TEACh) is one of the Ogun State Government’s approach to filling the vacancies in teaching positions of public primary and secondary schools. Employees, who were selected after a transparent selection process, may be accommodated into the full-time teaching service of the State at the expiration of their initial two years.
67. Ogun Job Portal: Launched in August 2019, the Ogun Job Portal has continued to connect unemployed persons and business owners seeking expansion, with their desired benefactors. The State Government has utilised the online platform to get details of applicants for employment and empowerment in different sectors, especially education, security and agriculture.
RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVEMENTS BY INDEPENDENT BODIES
The foregoing are clear achievements that have been lauded by independent organisations, who deemed HE Prince Dapo Abiodun and his administration worthy of commendation and recognition. The Governor has received, within the period under review, six (6) awards that recognised stellar achievements in different sectors.
Commerce and Industry: SMEs Most Supportive Governor 2019 by Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, ASBON
Education: (1) 2020 Best Governor on Education in Nigeria by the National Parent-Teacher Association, PTA in November 2020.
(2) Best Education-Friendly Governor by All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS
Agriculture: (1) 2020 Governor of the Year Award by the Nigeria Agriculture Awards, NAA in December 2020.
(2) Most Improved State on Agriculture and Economic Empowerment 2020 by Business Day Awards in April 2021.
Security: Most Improved State on Security Infrastructure 2019 (based on “100 days” parameters) by Business Day Awards in April 2021.
CONCLUSION
The enviable record set by the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration is a mind-settler that reassures the voting people that the votes they cast two years ago are not a waste. HE Dapo Abiodun has been fair in the distribution of developmental projects across sectors and sub-regions, restoring a sense of belonging to any sector or sub-region that might have hitherto been marginalised. Ogun State can only sit back and expect more and better results in the years to come.
PREPARED BY: SF Ojo Emmanuel.
SSA to the Governor on New Media.
