Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, last week, rounded off his assessment tour of the 20local government councils of the state with a rally that sent a clear message of his popularity, reports Sheriff Balogun
For about three weeks, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun toured the 20 local governments in the state to assess both the completed and on-going projects in various parts of the state. The visit was also to access the impact of government policies and programmes on the people as well as appraise the effect of the on-going projects in the areas.
The carnival like tour was however laced with fanfare as the people in each of the council visited trooped out to welcome Amosun, particularly appealing to him to seek re-election in 2015, having seen the infrastructural initiative of the governor which spreads across the state.
Amosun however ended the tour last week in Abeokuta North local council in Ogun Central senatorial district, where the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo expressed satisfaction at the rapid development and transformation the ancient city of Abeokuta has witnessed in the last three years.
This was as other royal Fathers showered Encomium on Amosun, on the final day of the assessment tour. Oba Gbadebo remarked at the event that, "We are here to testify that the past three and a half years of Amosun's government has been like 20 years of development in our state.
"We have come to appreciate politics of good roads, politics of good schools and health facilities. We believe that the person who did all this within this short time will do more if given the opportunity because the best is yet to come," he said.
Also, the Osile, Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, described Amosun as a beloved son of Egbaland, who has changed the face of the state and urged residents to give him another chance to complete the good work he has started.
"The work he has started in three and a half years should be completed. If they are abandoned, it will be shameful to all of us. He should be given a chance to return to office to complete his good works," he stated.
The Agura of Gbagura, Oba Alidu Laloko, submitted that the present administration has made good its electoral promises and described the governor as a man of vision, who does not need too much of campaign for a second term.
"Amosun has performed creditably well. He does not need to campaign too much for a second term. His works will speak for him. If he has not done well, we will not come out to welcome him and show our appreciation," the Agura of Gbagura said.
According to Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu, “We are not resting our oars on our support for the governor's good works. We still want to use our votes to send him on another four years of the rebuilding mission, to fully re-construct our roads and all sectors of the state.
An elated Amosun, however appreciated the state's workforce and residents for their massive support, which he said has brought about the success of the tour, assuring them that all the requests by the various communities would be well attended to without delay.
"We have gone round to see the hard work we have put into rebuilding our dear state and listened to your requests for further development. We have taken note of all that you have told us. Let me assure you that we will not let you down," Amosun said.
The 20 days tour started at Imeko Afon local government where Amosun preached violent free election in the state. He appealed to the large crowd as well as political parties contesting for election in Imeko Afon council area of Ogun West Senatorial district to ensure an outing that is devoid of violence.
“I want to thank all our contestants. There's something we must do and this is not for APC alone but for all the parties in Ogun State; we don't want violence – nobody should fight. If you're running for any office, 50 people can come out but it is people destined by God that will be there. I am saying this not for APC alone but I am saying it for all our parties, weather you are in this party or that party.”
At Remo North local council in Ogun East Senatorial district, Amosun promised the people of improved facilities in the area and restated his commitment to the five cardinal programmes of his administration.
"My mission here in Remo North is for a feedback, to enable us know where to improve and to concentrate. This is not a political rally but a government visitation to know how its people are feeling.”
While speaking at Odogbolu council area, Amosun disclosed that his administration has laid the foundation for an enviable state, adding that "We have laid the foundation for a state that will stand tall in the nation. We will now start building on it."
The governor, who visited a 3 by 3km cassava farm owned by the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with a Kenyan foundation on Eyinwa road, which is ready for harvest, said his government had invested heavily in agriculture, where it has comparative advantage.
Commending the forebears for the large expanse of palm plantations along the same road, Amosun said nothing should stop the present generation from thinking outside the box and affirmed that, "We are going back to the basics and take fuller advantage of our agricultural potential."
The governor, who took his visit to Ipokia local council appealed to the presidency to develop the oil-rich Tongeji Island in the state to avoid losing it to the Republic of Benin.
He said the skeletal naval base on the Island could be expanded to ensure that the presence of Nigerian government is well felt in the area, to avoid a situation like that of Bakassi Peninsula, which the country ended up losing to Cameroon. He said Tongeji Island has huge potential of increasing the nation’s economy and improving the livelihood of the people.
“Tongeji Island is of serious concern to me. Each time I see President Goodluck Jonathan, I call his attention to the need to as a matter of urgency to expand the naval presence on the Island, which is rich in oil and other mineral resources, so that it does not go the way of Bakassi.
“If the federal government does not register its presence on that region on time, I pray we do not lose it to the neighbouring Republic of Benin. This is an island that has the huge potential of improving the nation’s economy and by extension, the livelihood of the people of Ogun State.”
The governor also said arrangements have been concluded with a world class tourist outfit to make Akere community in Ipokia Local Government area, first of its kind tourist center in Africa.
He said the state government would immediately commence the construction of the 10km Ipokia-Akere road, which leads to the Lagoon, adding that the intention was to transform the community into a tourism hub originally designed to be.
“We have the longest seashore in this country. One of the world’s tourist outfits have done the designs and planning on all they want to do here. The investors, who were looking for a place that has sea view and seashore have chosen Akere in this part of the state.
“They want to make Akere a totally new town. They have done it in other parts of the world. This is their first time in Africa and Nigeria. I’m trying to envision what Akere town would be in the next three years. It would no doubt be the number one destination of tourism in Nigeria.
“Without any delay, I have directed the immediate construction of Ipokia-Akere road and Agosasa-Ijofin road respectively as well as a bridge before Agosasa to further open up the Local Government Area and fulfill the promise of constructing two rural roads in each Local Government Area of the state.”
While commending the forebears for the initiative to cite a large expanse of palm trees plantation on both sides of the road to the riverine area, he affirmed that the state government would as a matter of urgency do the regeneration of the old palms.
He also assured the people that Ipokia Local Government Area would be made to have two Local Council Development Areas, pointing out that one additional model school would be constructed as a starting point to having a full fledge higher institution.
However, the high point of the grand finale was the drive round by the governor in a long fleet of vehicles by supporters and admirers, who took the pain to go round town with him, acknowledging cheers as well as feeling the pulse of the people.
Taking off from Akin Olugbade area of the council area, Amosun’s convoy drove through Totoro, Enu Girder, Ago Ika, Oja Igbo, Itoku, Sapon, Isale Igbehin and to the innermost parts of the central district before arriving at Oke Igbehin, which houses the Government House later that evening, spanning over one hour drive.
The beauty of the drive-around was that the governor was able to further feel the pulse of the people as well as access their degree of support for him. Indeed, people trooped out in such an unbelievable number to at least catch a glimpse of the governor.
Some of the old women even came out almost naked, barely tying wrappers wound their waste leaving their upper body unattended just to catch a glimpse and acknowledge cheers from Amosun. Some even told him right on the spot what their problems were and Amosun also gave an on-the-spot response that he would address their problems as soon as possible.
It is the belief of many observers that with the growing support the governor still enjoys across the state, especially on the grounds of performance and as evidenced by the reception extended to him everywhere he went, the election of next year can as well be a fait accompli. And that, perhaps, they reckon is the summary report on the Ogun 2015.
See full story: ThisDay
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