– Celebrating an Epitome of Brilliance, Bold Leadership
– The Ecstasy of His Six Decades, Four Years as A Citizen of Humanity
By Dr Lanre Alfred
Violinists wear the imprint on their necks with pride, like they are the players of harmony. Pilgrims, too, wear the imprint on their foreheads with pride, because they are the conductors of unity.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, however, wears genius and humility on his heart and sleeves, like the proverbial emissary of divine rhapsody.
There are several reasons to celebrate Governor Abiodun.
As the Executive Governor of Ogun State, he has led his domain to where the sun kisses the earth with golden warmth.
As he clocks 64, manifests as a beacon of leadership, a visionary architect of progress. Evidently because everything he touches blooms and thrives.
Since he assumed his seat as the Executive Governor of Ogun State, his administration has performed like a guiding star in the state’s stormy skies.
Thus, as the gentle whispers of the wind caress the blossoming fields and the melodies of nature dance in harmonious rhythm, the people of Ogun celebrate him as both a titan and custodian of meritorious public governance in the state.
There is no limit to the tapestry of achievements woven by the illustrious statesman and public servant. In his 64 years as a citizen of humanity, his life has been a symphony of service, a testament to the boundless potential of human endeavor.
With unwavering determination and boundless passion, Governor Abiodun has sculpted the landscape of Ogun State into a masterpiece of prosperity and promise.
Indeed, in the annals of governance in Ogun State, there are few names that resonate with such reverence as that of Dapo Abiodun. With a fervent dedication to the welfare of his people, he has etched his legacy in the very fabric of Ogun State, transforming its horizons with a stroke of brilliance.
At the heart of his vision lies a commitment to excellence, an unwavering resolve to build a future where opportunity knows no bounds. Under his stewardship, Ogun State has blossomed into a haven of progress, a sanctuary of prosperity where dreams take flight on the wings of ambition.
In the realm of infrastructure, Governor Abiodun’s vision knows no limits. With a masterful touch, he has woven a network of roads that crisscross the landscape like veins of vitality, connecting communities and fostering unity. From the bustling streets of Abeokuta to the tranquil shores of Sagamu, his legacy unfurls like a tapestry of progress, each thoroughfare a testament to his unwavering commitment to the people he serves.
But it is not merely in bricks and mortar that Governor Abiodun’s legacy resides; it is in the very heartbeat of the state, in the safety and security of its citizens. With steadfast resolve, he has marshaled the forces of law and order, standing as a bulwark against the tide of adversity. Through his tireless efforts, Ogun State stands as a bastion of peace, a sanctuary where the flame of hope burns bright in every heart.
And yet, Governor Abiodun’s vision extends far beyond the confines of the present, reaching out to grasp the promise of tomorrow. With the completion of a world-class cargo airport, he has laid the foundations for a future where the horizons of possibility stretch to infinity. From the fertile fields of agriculture to the bustling corridors of commerce, this airport stands as a gateway to prosperity, a portal through which the dreams of generations yet unborn may take flight.
The attraction of Governor Abiodun in public office is very much like that of the maven for the crowd. There is always the hope that something transcendent may happen.
Even fate acknowledges his genius. Perhaps because it is intrepid and eager, and the fruits of its achievement manifest beyond abstraction. Ask the blessed citizenry of Ogun State.
The achievements of Abiodun manifest beyond their minor and major wish-fulfilment. There’s no denying Abiodun came with music in his soul, his exploits in public office are unparalleled. Perhaps because he was born with grit.
If there is a spark of genius in Abiodun’s leadership function at all, it must lie in this transcending ability to assemble a clearly articulated vision of the future that is at once simple, easily understood, clearly desirable, and energizing.
In the political arena, Abiodun is a virtuoso. He treats governance like notes of a symphony—every verse must be played, every score correctly toned. He’s always been an extraordinary statesman. And his body of work through his first term made that clear. Hence his gift of a second term.
His matchless exploits during his first term of governing the “Gateway State” have earned him his place in the hall of heroic and achieving governors in Nigeria’s political landscape. His work rate is legendary. And his project timing is unparalleled.
Even sceptics and naysayers now know and accept that Governor Abiodun is imbued with a profound knowledge of the underpinnings for a prosperous state. Add to this is his steely, self-assured commitment to harmonising everything required to build and bequeath a Greater Ogun State for today’s generation and posterity.
Among other sectors, the governor has been earning plaudits by the number of roads he has started and completed in the last four years in office.
Good road infrastructure fast-tracks development and is one of the features of a developed society. With good roads, the man-hour loss on deplorable roads, as well as vehicle maintenance is reduced, thus promoting human-capital and socio-economic equilibrium. Construction of good roads boosts inflow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), which translates to the prosperity for the people.
The promotion of foreign investment; a major aspect of the developmental agenda of Dapo’s administration, spurred him to commence the rehabilitation of inherited roads and to construct new ones. In all, the administration has reconstructed, rehabilitated and constructed over 400km of roads while many are at different stages of completion. It is on record that there is no local government area that has not been touched by road redesign, construction and rehabilitation in the last four years.
Some of his road projects include the 42-Kilometre Sagamu Interchange-Abeokuta Road and the 14km Ijebu-Ode-Mojoda-Epe Expressway. Also constructed and rehabilitated across the three senatorial districts of the state are roads such as Elite/Oke-Lantoro Road, Abeokuta; Ilaro-Owode Road, Igan – Ishamuren – Odo – Shikiti Road, Ijebu North; and Oke-Ola road in Imeko Afon among others.
The phenomenal quality and pace of work earned him the Forbes Best of Africa Governor and the other awards that preceded it. Unrelenting, the governor has been on roads commissioning across the state thus demonstrating his commitment to urban renewal. The tarred roads enhance the aesthetics of the state while increasing socio-economic activities. Commuting is now easier for motorists and commuters alike, thanks to Abiodun.
The huge, unprecedented infrastructure outlay actualized by his administration has made Ogun State Nigeria’s top investment destination.
That Ogun State now has one of the best airports in the country, not only for cargo but also for passenger traffic, is not fortuitous. The axis on which the airport is located is actually an aerotropolis (airport city) with a globally certified raw materials processing centre meant to enable farmers and importers get standardization for items scheduled for export.
Already, the state government has held discussions with concessionaires that have shown interest in the project and are ready to defray all the investments of the Ogun State Government in the project. The money will be ploughed back into more investments in the cities and towns of Ogun State and after a period, the airport will revert to the state.
The aerotropolis (airport city) is bringing in a lot of infrastructure into Ogun State. In terms of road infrastructure, there is no local government that the state government has not touched.
Besides, of late, the Abiodun government made funds available to all the chairmen of the local governments in the state for infrastructure development in their domains. The ease of doing business index in the state is high. And even though Ogun State has its own fair share of challenges in terms of crime given its proximity to Lagos, the efforts of the security agencies have reduced crime to the barest minimum. To a large extent, people in the state can sleep with their two eyes closed.
The governor has also promised that before the end of his tenure, the electricity outlay it is initiating will give stable power supply across the state. The Light Up Ogun State project is on course as Ogun becomes one of the first states to take advantage of the constitutional reform in electricity generation and distribution.
This is besides the resuscitation of water supply in Abeokuta, the state capital, and around the state. Given the continuous deluge of people-oriented projects, it was no wonder that in 2021, in recognition of his efforts to ensure rapid industrialisation, enhance the ease of doing business and make Ogun State Nigeria’s top investment destination, the Federal Government honoured Prince Dapo Abiodun with the Distinguished Award for Industrial Revolution.
There is no gainsaying that each year heralds fresh prospects and deliverables in Ogun State, on Governor Abiodun’s watch. Thus as he clocks 64, Ogun stands, once again, at the threshold of a new dawn, led by a man whose vision knows no bounds, whose dedication knows no limits.
Governor Dapo Abiodun is certainly worthy of honour and heartfelt celebrations, not merely for the years he has graced this earth, but for the indelible mark he has left upon the landscape of Ogun State.
In his hands, the future is a canvas waiting to be painted, a symphony waiting to be sung. And as we look to the horizon, let us do so with hearts full of hope, for in the gentle embrace of Governor Abiodun’s leadership, anything is possible.
