Osoba hails Abiodun’s urban renewal drive

Former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, has commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for his urban renewal drive, especially the housing delivery initiative.

The initiative, Osoba said, is unprecedented in the history of the state.

Osoba, according to a statement on Monday, gave the commendation at the inauguration of the newly installed dual electronic gate, which he donated at the Olusegun Osoba Hilltop Estate, Abeokuta.

The former governor said Abiodun has a vision for housing, adding that no governor in the state has created more housing estates than the current administration.

He took a swipe at those protesting against the urban renewal of the Ibara Housing Estate in Abeokuta and appealed to the Egba to learn from past mistakes, as the University of Ibadan would have been sited in Abeokuta but for the division within them that led to it being taken to Ibadan.

“The governor has a vision for housing. I don’t think any governor in Ogun State has created as many housing estates as Abiodun has done.

“When I heard that some people were protesting about the urban renewal of Ibara Housing Estate, I was furious, and I want to appeal to us, Egba. We should learn. The University of Ibadan was supposed to be situated in Abeokuta, but because of the division within Egba, the university was taken to Ibadan.

“This time around, those who say they are opposed to the urban renewal of Dapo Abiodun at Ibara Housing Estate can pack and go. We will continue to support Dapo Abiodun. When he leaves office, he’s not going to take Ibara Housing to Iperu. The colonial people who created GRA didn’t take GRA to the UK when they were leaving,” he said.

The former governor appreciated the Commissioner for Housing, Akande Omoniyi, for the great job he is doing and for being resolute in all his undertakings. He lauded the state’s civil servants who lived there for their cooperation in allowing the demolition to take place.

He reiterated his unalloyed support for Abiodun’s housing estate policy and revealed that everything available would be used to support him, while those interested in buying land at the estate can do so.

Osoba thanked all the residents of the Hilltop Estate for naming the estate after him, noting that their support, as well as collaboration in making the estate enjoy serenity, peace, and tranquillity, encouraged him to do all he was doing and promised to do more, especially in the area of security through the installation of more CCTV cameras in the estate.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Estate, Julius Oke, said the inauguration was meant to honour Chief Osoba, who created the estate 26 years ago, and for his exemplary leadership support.

“The residents of the estate unanimously agreed to change the name of the estate from Presidential Hilltop Estate to Olusegun Osoba Hilltop Estate in recognition and as a mark of honour to the man who created it 26 years ago when he was the governor of Ogun State.

“Apart from the various contributions of residents to the development of this estate, Akinrogun Osoba has spent nothing less than N60 million on infrastructure in the estate,” Oke said.

Earlier, in a welcome address, the Secretary of the Estate, who is the Ogun State Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, said the gathering was symbolic as the seed planted more than two and a half decades ago has blossomed in all spheres, pointing out that the newly inaugurated E-Gate has further underscored the security architecture being put in place by residents.

He congratulated Osoba for witnessing as well as enjoying the fruits of his labor, describing him as an apostle of due diligence.

He noted that necessary approvals were obtained from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development by the association for various projects completed in the estate.

Onasanya thanked the residents for making the estate a pride of place in the country.