Society Gists

Ijebu-Ode-Epe expressway. Travelling from Ijebu Ode and linking many communities right into the border town of Mojoda, I couldn’t help thinking how extremely suitable the expansive, enchanting locale would be for filmmaking, and how members of the communities connected by that iconic road have been elevated by the change in the value of real estate along the stretch.

In August last year when I visited Ogun in company with some senior media professionals, work had reached an advanced stage on the Agroallied Airport at Ilishan; my February visit saw high-level preparations for the inaugural flight at the airport, with the state Commissioner for Works, Ade Akinsanya, literally working his socks off to ensure timely delivery of the project. As I have said before, Adesanya’s office is on the road and project sites. That is understandable because he works for what the Niger Delta people call talk-na-do (talk and do) governor who never fails to keep his word on projects. If Abiodun tells you he will finish a road project in six months, he means exactly what he says. I have seen that twice. Ask the media men who complained about some roads in their areas and who are not enjoying the roads Abiodun promised. Do not take my word for it: Go and verify.

The Ilishan aerotropolis (airport city) is a beauty to behold and it is no surprise that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has already handed the state a hefty sum for an extensive parcel of land on the facility. On another level, the housing estates built by the governor, including the Prince Court Estate in Kemta, Abeokuta, the King’s Court Housing Estate also located within Abeokuta and the Prince Court Housing Estate at Kobape, are strategically designed to cater to the needs of different socio-economic groups. I am particularly impressed by the design of the two-bedroom flats sold at N5.8m: you can, if you so desire, expand it into a three-bedroom facility and approval for that venture is, I am told, completely free. By the way, I am told that another estate is to spring up in Sagamu. This, may I point out, is not even the place to talk about the strides in road transport, including the pleasurable ride in wifi-enabled luxury buses. I have seen evidence of quality thinking in Abiodun’s projects and I hereby urge investors to put their money into the Ogun economy. The reward promises to be bountiful.

-Adelaja is a Top Columnist in Tribune Newspaper