By Olaniyi Ajibola
The pattern and frequency of developmental drive of present administration in Ogun State, headed by Prince Dapo Abiodun, is undoubtedly a new order of leadership that have elicited wide applause within and around the world, reinforcing the optimism of better future in the state and Nigeria at large.
Leveraging the strategic geographical location of the state as well as it’s several natural endowments, both material and human, Governor Dapo Abiodun, would forever be remembered for his creativity and commitment in leadership, as he continues to unlock the potential of Ogun State with so much energy and strong conviction.
Describing himself as the Chief Marketer of the state, the Governor has not left anyone in doubt that he understands the principles of Market Demand and Marketing Demand, making him the most economic sensitive Governor the state has ever produced since it’s creation, and unarguably the greatest achiever, in the face of his capacity for resuscitation and reinvention.
Let’s start with the manner Governor Abiodun transformed the dream of having a befitting agro -cargo airport in Ogun State into reality within the space of three years, after twenty years that the the idea was conceived and remained on paper perpetually, as both the initiator and successive administration looked away.
It is the same approach successive administrations in the state have adopted in the maintenance of roads at the border communities between Ogun and Lagos States, the corridor that is densely populated with many vocal citizens, but abandoned since 2003 and became an albatross for the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun upon assumption of office in 2019.
The Governor did not give excuses, he rather moved in promptly and started construction and reconstruction of various deplorable roads in the area, bringing immediate succour to residents who commended his efforts and the political will to ameliorate their sufferings of many years.
The Lagos-Abeokuta expressway is another example, the road that remained a serious nightmare for many Nigerians who ply the axis daily for business or as residents. Despite being a federal road, Governor Abiodun took it upon himself to reconstruct the road after over twenty years and his efforts eventually paid off in 2024 after previous resistance from the last administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
The completion and commissioning of 250-bed Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence, located at Oke-mosan, Abeokuta, after being abandoned by the immediate past administration is another pointer to the fact that the present administration in Ogun State is moving consistently with required zeal and energy to change the old order of insensitivity and deception through genuine and intentional interventions to strengthen the socioeconomic landscape of the state.
Then comes the newest and arguably the most economically viable move made by Governor Dapo Abiodun in the course of marketing the state to the rest of the world.
Governor Abiodun, in the presence of President Bola Tinubu, recently signed memorandum of understanding of over $7bn in initial investment with global port and logistics giant, DP World, in Paris, France, for the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone, with capacity to produce 50,000 direct jobs.
It is instructive to note that President Tinubu, while reeling out the prospects of the project and it’s inherent economic values to Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole particularly commended Governor Dapo Abiodun, for his efforts in securing the land for the project as well as structuring the investment framework and reducing project risks for investors.
That is a clear -cut testament of the marketing strategy Governor Dapo Abiodun has adopted in the course of marketing the state to investors around the world, and the project, according to the Governor during his remarks have been conceived and remained on paper for over three decades, denying the good people of Ogun State the opportunities of such great investments.
In the same vein, a high-powered delegation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) visited the Governor on Wednesday for the sole purpose of opening discussions on the revival of the long-delayed Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas (OKLNG) project in Ogun Waterside, which is along the state’s coastline where the $7bn Gateway Deep Sea Port is billed to be located.
While receiving the officials of NNPCL, the Governor said the renewed interest in the LNG project would further strengthen Ogun’s emergence as a major industrial and energy hub.
“Last Wednesday, we signed an MoU on the Deep Sea Port, and today we have the NNPC team here discussing the activation of the LNG plant,” Abiodun said.
“They have come to discuss with us the LNG plant that was originally designed and called OKLNG, which was meant to be situated on our coastline. Now, they have brought the project back to life.
“They will pay for land in the Economic Zone, and we will be giving them all the cooperation that this project deserves. We will give them all the assistance and guarantees,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Abiodun disclosed that the project could generate substantial employment and multiplier effects, citing the NNPC facility in Bonny, Rivers State, where he said about 14,000 people are employed.
He added that the Ogun facility could supply gas to industries within the economic zone as well as businesses and communities across Ogun and the wider South-West.
Meanwhile , according to State House’s account,” The renewed push for OKLNG adds an important energy dimension to the coastal investment corridor being developed around Ogun Waterside. The Federal Government had, at the Paris signing ceremony, identified the OK LNG project as part of the broader strategic corridor linking maritime infrastructure, industry, energy and trade”.
Speaking further on the OK LNG project, the NNPC Group Chief Financial Officer, Mr Adedapo Segun, said the company was undertaking a comprehensive review of the challenges that stalled the project in the past, with the objective of finding lasting solutions and resuscitating it.
“We are here to engage with the government of Ogun State on the project we are looking to site along the coastline of the state”. Also speaking, NNPC Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Mr Lekan Ogunleye, disclosed that the company would require approximately 1,728 hectares for the LNG plants, utilities, storage facilities and associated infrastructure.
He said the project would also require about 2.5 kilometres of dedicated Atlantic frontage to support marine traffic and safety requirements for up to three LNG jetties.
Ogunleye congratulated the people of Ogun State on the proposed project, saying its successful implementation would have a significant impact on the economic fortunes of the state.
This is obviously a great feat attained by the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun. The Governor, in truth and indeed has proven to be a leader with requisite mental capacity, acumen and fidelity for genuine transformation.
He is truly the Ogun’s Chief Marketer for a reason!
Ajibola is a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Strategic Communications
