Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun says emerging economic opportunities in Ogun East could transform the region into a major economic hub and boost Nigeria’s growth.
Abiodun said this on Saturday at the investiture of the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Oladimeji Oresanya, as the 19th president of Sagamu Club in Sagamu.
He said industrial expansion, airport development, road infrastructure, energy prospects and the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port would strengthen investment, trade, logistics and employment opportunities.
The governor said the region’s growing economic importance had strengthened the argument for creating an additional state in the area.
He urged community leaders and stakeholders to collaborate with government to maximise the region’s economic potential and promote sustainable development.
Abiodun identified the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside as major projects capable of creating opportunities in shipping, manufacturing, warehousing and export processing.
He said the projects could strengthen Nigeria’s maritime trade, attract international investments and create jobs across several sectors, subject to effective implementation and supporting infrastructure.
The governor also identified the Gateway International Airport in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area, as a strategic asset that could improve business connectivity, cargo movement and investor access.
He said improved road networks and energy-related investments could further enhance industrial activities, strengthen supply chains and expand business opportunities across the region.
Abiodun urged Oresanya and his executive committee to prioritise youth development, members’ welfare and community advancement while supporting government efforts in education, security and sustainable development.
He also encouraged the club to provide scholarships, mentorship programmes and start-up grants to young entrepreneurs to promote self-reliance and inclusive economic growth.
In his remarks, the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, commended Sagamu Club for its contributions to the socioeconomic development of Sagamu and Remoland.
The monarch urged the new president to sustain the club’s legacy and ensure that its activities continued to benefit members and the wider community.
Earlier, the immediate past president, Prince Abdul Abayomi, said his four-year administration recorded achievements in scholarship awards, artisans’ empowerment and improvements to the clubhouse.
Abayomi expressed appreciation to the club’s founding fathers and past leaders, urging the new administration to consolidate on the achievements.
In his keynote address, Mr Tunde Lemo, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, identified Remoland’s proximity to Lagos as a major economic advantage.
Lemo proposed converting Ogere Park into a dry port to strengthen logistics, facilitate trade and improve freight distribution within the region.
He, however, called for urgent action to address improper waste management by factories along the industrial corridor, warning that environmental challenges could undermine sustainable development.
In his acceptance speech, Oresanya described social clubs as platforms for building relationships, mobilising resources and promoting community development.
He pledged to improve members’ welfare, strengthen the club’s community impact and make its programmes more responsive to emerging social needs.
Oresanya commended Abiodun’s development initiatives and called for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector and community organisations to address socioeconomic challenges.
