By Soliu Owoyabu
The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has hinted that the state would experience more development if communities embark on self-help projects.
Abiodun dropped this hint at the 45th Anniversary of Isanbi Day celebration held on Saturday at Isanbi High School, Ilisan-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking further at the event with the theme, "Repositioning Ilisan for Economic Gains", the governor Abiodun noted that the development of the state is a responsibility of everyone, as no government can do it alone.
"I want to assure you all that, as a government, we will continue to support all genuine efforts by individuals and groups that are directed at improving the cultural heritage and the lives of our people in general.
"We appreciate the fact that no government has all the necessary funds it requires for the development of the society and its people. For this reason, we will continue to welcome and appreciate sincere contributions and recommendations that will help develop our state and improve the socio-economic life of our dear people", he noted.
Abiodun stated that his administration would continue to conduct the business of governance without being distracted.
He added that he would continue to run the government with a fear of God to ensure free, fair and a just society, with view to promoting fairness to all irrespective of age, gender, religious or political affiliation or their geographical location.
"Let me reiterate that through transparent public finance management which provides an atmosphere that guarantees a more prosperous life for our people. Let me reiterate that we shall continue to uphold all the tenets of Good Governance by being accountable, transparent, responsive, consensus oriented, inclusive, participatory, just, fair and equitable", he pointed out
The governor, however, stated that this year's edition of Isanbi Day was important as it would precede the landing and take-off of the first aircraft in the town where the first international Agro Cargo Airport is being built, adding that the town would be a beehive of activities because of a well-planned aerotropolis.
"At this airport city, there is an agro processing centre; an international testing facility for agric produce to be managed in conjunction with the African Development Bank, where every agricultural produce that goes out of Nigeria will first be certified as complying with international standards before being transported out of the country.
"Already, the Nigeria Air Force, the Nigeria Customs Service and so many other private investors are jostling for presence, to become part of the airport city. So, be ready to accommodate at least a 25,000 workforce and members of their families that will join us in this town for the celebration of next year's Isanbi", the governor said.
He assured of prompt completion of the Ilishan-Ago-Iwoye road in the next couple of months, saying "the road not only runs through and links three local government areas of jebu North, Ikenne and Odogbolu, but leads to the Agro-Cargo Airport; the Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago Iwoye; and, the link road to the South East and other arterial roads that link Lagos and the hinterland of the country makes it an economic imperative".
"I can imagine the volume of trade and socio-economic benefits this road will unleash once completed. No doubt, this road will improve the quality of life, living and will advance commerce and other socio-economic activities in the state. Our agricultural development programme is on course. Ilishan will begin to see a practical demonstration of that as soon as the Agro-Cargo airport takes off", he assured.
The governor, who noted that every Isanbi Day celebration comes with great improvements on the previous ones, said that "the Day is an attestation to the economic, historical and spiritual antecedents of the great people of the kingdom".
He observed that the annual event would help in projecting the rich cultural values and norms of the Ilishan people and by extension, Remoland and Ogun State as a whole just as the festival would help in reminding the people their place in history, origin, as an essential component for stimulating communal understanding, love and unity, and for steady progress, peace and development of the larger community.
The Odofin of Ilisan, Oba Mojeed Sonuga, in his speech, appreciated all sons and daughters for their contributions towards the development of the town.
He called on those who have been honoured with chieftaincy titles to redouble their efforts to ensure that the socio-economic well-being of the town is upscaled.
The chairman of the 2022 Isanbi Day Planning Committee, Chief Diran Awotide, described Illisan-Remo as a town blessed with economic potentials and inhabited with lovable people that play host to a university and the state's Agro-Cargo Airport, calling on the indigenes to work together to harness the town's potentials for the good of all.
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