ABIODUN: DEEP SEA PORT, AIRPORT, ENERGY PROJECTS TO TRANSFORM OGUN EAST INTO ECONOMIC HUB
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By: Muftau Fatimo
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said emerging economic opportunities in Ogun East, including the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port, airport development, industrial expansion, road infrastructure and energy projects, could transform the region into a major economic hub.
Abiodun said the strategic projects would boost economic growth, strengthen Nigeria’s maritime trade and industrial capacity, create jobs and attract investments.
The governor spoke at the weekend during the investiture of the Commissioner for Environment, Oladimeji Oresanya, as the 19th president of Sagamu Club in Sagamu.
He noted that the region’s growing economic importance had strengthened calls for the creation of an additional state in the area.
Abiodun urged community leaders and other stakeholders to collaborate with the government to maximise the economic opportunities presented by the region’s strategic location and expanding infrastructure.
A major component of Ogun East’s development prospects is the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside.
The projects are expected to create opportunities in shipping, manufacturing, warehousing, export processing, maritime services and freight transportation.
According to the governor, the projects could strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to handle maritime trade, attract international investments and expand employment opportunities across various sectors.
He added that the Gateway International Airport in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area, would further enhance the region’s economic prospects by improving air connectivity, facilitating cargo movement and providing easier access for investors.
The region’s road infrastructure and connections to Lagos and other commercial centres are also expected to support the movement of goods and people.
Similarly, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Tunde Lemo, proposed the conversion of Ogere Park into a dry port to strengthen the region’s logistics capacity and improve freight distribution.
The emerging energy sector also presents opportunities for industrial expansion, with proposed developments linked to the OgunLNG project and other oil-related prospects potentially attracting investments and supporting energy-intensive industries.
Abiodun said the combined impact of the projects could increase economic activities, expand the state’s revenue base and encourage the development of new business clusters.
He urged community institutions to complement government efforts through investments in education, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship.
The governor also charged Oresanya and his executive committee to prioritise youth development, community advancement and members’ welfare while strengthening collaboration with the state government on peace, security, education and sustainable development.
He encouraged the club to support young people through scholarships, mentorship programmes and start-up grants for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Abiodun congratulated Oresanya and his executive committee, expressing confidence that their administration would contribute meaningfully to the development of the club and society.
In his remarks, the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, commended Sagamu Club for its contributions to the socioeconomic development of Sagamu and Remoland.
The monarch urged the new president to sustain the club’s legacy and ensure that its activities continued to benefit members and the wider community.
Earlier, the immediate past president of the club, Prince Abdul Abayomi, highlighted achievements recorded during his four-year tenure, including scholarship awards, artisans’ empowerment programmes and improvements to the clubhouse.
Abayomi appreciated the club’s founding fathers and former leaders for their contributions, urging the new administration to build on the achievements recorded.
Delivering the keynote address, Lemo said Remoland had produced numerous industrious individuals who had contributed significantly to the development of Ogun State and Nigeria.
He identified the region’s strategic location and proximity to Lagos as major economic advantages that had continued to attract commercial activities and investment opportunities.
Lemo also called for the conversion of Ogere Park into a dry port to strengthen trade and logistics operations in the region.
However, he urged authorities to address improper waste management by factories operating along the industrial corridor, warning that environmental challenges must be tackled to protect public health and ensure sustainable industrial growth.
In his acceptance speech, Oresanya described social clubs as platforms for shared values, friendship, family connections and the mobilisation of resources for community development.
He pledged to strengthen the club’s impact on society, improve members’ welfare and deepen cooperation among members.
Oresanya also promised to make the club more accessible to prospective partners and ensure its programmes responded to changing societal needs.
The new president commended Abiodun’s development initiatives, stressing that collaboration among government, the private sector and community organisations remained essential to addressing socioeconomic challenges.
He called on members to support his administration, expressing confidence that their collective efforts would strengthen the club’s contributions to youth development, social welfare and sustainable community growth across Sagamu and Remoland.
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