Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foresight and unwavering commitment to infrastructural development, describing the newly inaugurated 30km section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a “testament to the triumph of tenacity.”
The Governor gave his remarks during the inauguration ceremony of the high-profile road project on Saturday, with the President, Senate President, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, and other dignitaries in attendance.
“Your Excellency, our President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our Nobel Laureate and Professor, Senate President, all other eminent and distinguished guests that are here present, permit me to use Ambassador Gilbert Shogury as a point of courtesy in recognising all of you,” Governor Abiodun began.
He expressed pride in witnessing what he described as “an unfolding legacy before our very eyes in our own time.”
“Mr President, we your governors, we are closer to the people, we feel their pulse on a daily basis. What you have done here is beyond imagination,” he said.
“As Governor, you were so far-sighted. You saw Babbage being eroded, and by extension, Victoria Island. You not only proactively saved Babbage and VI, you created a new city now called Eko Atlantic.”
Abiodun highlighted Tinubu’s long-term infrastructural vision, dating back 17 years, aimed at linking the southern region of the country from Lagos to Calabar, and even further north from Lagos to Sokoto.
“Because of your deep sense of patriotism, and resolve to ensure the cross-regional integration of Nigeria and Nigerians, you dreamt of this vision 17 years ago, that would connect 17,000 states together, starting from Lagos and going to Calabar,” he noted.
“You did not stop there. You decided you must also connect Lagos to Sokoto, the old Sokoto Road, because of the number of dams in between, and the potential to ensure that we have, indeed, food security.”
The Governor described the project as an embodiment of “vision meeting passion”, which he said can only lead to one outcome — success.
“Today, we are celebrating vision, passion, unwavering focus, and a testament of the triumph of tenacity,” Abiodun said, adding that the daily movement of over two million people between Ogun and Lagos has already boosted socioeconomic development.
“Thankfully, because of the quality of road infrastructure that is provided between the state government and the federal government. This has translated into billions of Naira of socioeconomic development. And of course, our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in Ogun State has increased by fourfold.”
Abiodun also underscored the potential of the coastal highway to further unify the southern region and expand economic activity.
“Your Excellency, you cannot imagine the impact this road will have on the 17 states of southern Nigeria,” he said.
“It means that you can live in Ogun, work in Lagos, live in Nundu, work in Lagos, live in Edo, and work in Lagos… because all these places will be just an hour and a half away from Lagos.”
Quoting a policy expert, the Governor added, “If I may quote Ayotereba, he said, and I quote, ‘Infrastructure, particularly road networks, is the backbone of regional integration and a magnet for domestic and foreign investment.’”
He applauded the speed and efficiency of the project, highlighting the construction of 90 kilometres of road (30km x 3 lanes) within less than a year, calling it an “unbelievable achievement.”
“We must appreciate Mrs Haytek for this unbelievable achievement. Yes, we knew it would be done. Yes, we knew you conquered the Atlantic, but we didn’t think it would be done in such a short period of time,” he remarked.
Abiodun also commended the Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, for his technical leadership and called for the swift commencement of the Ogun section of the project.
“At all, the people of Ogun State, Your Excellency, we congratulate you for being so farsighted. We cannot wait for the section that will go through Ogun State to commence.”
He concluded his speech on a hopeful note: “There is indeed a renewed hope for Nigeria. God bless Asiwaju. God bless Nigeria.”
Boluwatife Enome
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