A former federal lawmaker and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Hon. Kayode Oladele, has commended the Federal Government for approving the re-design and construction of 1,000-kilometre Badagry-Sokoto Highway.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, stated in an interview recently that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the design of Sokoto-Badagry highway project as part of efforts to improve the nation’s economic diversification.
It will be recalled that former Nigerian Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, had flagged off the construction of the Badagry-Sokoto super-highway in 1978. The road had suffered neglect by successive governments from 1979 till date.
In a statement, Oladele, while applauding Tinubu’s administration for resuscitating the abandoned Badagry – Sokoto road project, draws the attention of the government to the necessity of reconstructing the dilapidated Imeko-Abeokuta road network. Oladele noted that “While we are very excited about government’s determination to resuscitate the Badagry-Sokoto road network that stretches across three local government areas and major towns in Ogun West Senatorial District stretching from Badagry to Ado-Odo Ota , Yewa-South, Yewa-North local government areas and connecting part of Abeokuta North local government area at Rounder, moving up north to Igbo-ora in Oyo State, we would be delighted if the federal government could extend such consideration to the construction of the road network from Sokoto -Badagry highway intersection at Rounder in Abeokuta to the historic and ancient city of Imeko continuing up to Iwoye-Ketu in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area.
“Happily, the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District in the Senate, Sen. Solomon Adeola (Yayi) has taken a commendable bold step to facilitate the construction of the 16km stretch from Imeko through Oke-Agbede – Moriwi- Waimi to Iwoye Ketu”.
Stating the strategic location of the road as an international route connecting Nigeria to Benin Republic, the foremost human rights advocate stated that “The construction of the Imeko-Abeokuta road will open up economic activities not only in the axis but the entire Ogun West, contributes to Ogun State Internally Generated Revenue and significantly promote tourism potentials of the ancient town of Imeko, the world headquarters of Celestial Church of Christ, CCC and the hometown of the late founder of the church, Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa. It is a proven fact that millions of CCC adherents, from all over the world converge twice every year in Imeko for spiritual rejuvenation and annual convention of the Church”.
Going down memory lane, Hon. Oladele noted, “Historically, Imeko, between 1891 and 1905 was the administrative headquarters of the Western District of Lagos Colony with authority and influence covering major towns in the present Yewaland such as Ado-Odo, Ilaro, Idogo, Ipokia, Eggua down to Badagry in Lagos State. The entire Yewaland was then a District under the Colony of Lagos but when the Colony of Lagos was merged with the Western Protectorate to form Western Province in 1906, Imeko retained its status as District headquarters and ranked in administrative status with other major cities like Ogbomoso, Ijebu-Ode, Abeokuta, Epe, Ikorodu, etc. It was during the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria by Lord Lugard that the administrative headquarters was moved from Imeko to Ilaro. It is therefore regrettable to note that of all the major towns mentioned, it is only Imeko, in spite of its intimidating and enviable historic profile during the colonial era and even some decades after the period, once a seat of colonial power is today a relic of its former status. The ancient city has regressed profoundly in the area of human capita socio-economic and infrastructural development”.
He lamented the deplorable condition of the road which becomes a nightmare to road users, especially during the raining season.
“Though the ancient city of Imeko and its environs are blessed with vast untapped farmland, historical sites such as Celestial City, Odosuuru waterfalls, Aworo and Jabata Forest reserves and other natural sites that can be transformed into tourist centres, its soil is ranked the world best for the cultivation of cotton”.
Hon. Oladele lamented that the city that produces a world-class historian and other prominent citizens is left to decay in spite of its huge potentials. He therefore appeals to the people of Imeko-Afon local government Area to relentless pursue issues of development in their communities while drawing the attention of both the federal and Ogun state governments, particularly Ogun West Senator, Aremo Solomon Olamilekan Adeola to urgently facilitate the provision of good road network, water and power to drive transformation of Imeko, restore its lost glory and reposition the historic city among its peers in Nigeria.
He continues, “While we commend the efforts of the state government under the able leaders of the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun in opening up the frontiers for social-economic development by the provision of essential infrastructure for our various communities in Ogun West, I must state clearly that the construction of Imeko-Abeokuta road, because of its strategic location as an international route, remains critical and pivotal to meaningful socio-economic development of Ogun State and Nigeria”, the statement concluded.
