ABEOKUTA: Ogun State, aptly designated as the Gateway to the rest of the country and neighbouring Republic of Benin because of her strategic location, attained 49th year of statehood, having been created in 1976.
A sophisticated State no doubt and it has had the rare privilege of siring great sons and daughters, who have helped shaped and continue to shape the nation’s socio-economic and political trajectories for good.
It has equally had exceptional grace of having the likes of Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun – all great sons, as its Governors at different times and political dispensations. Also, the incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun is no less an illustrious son of the state.
Expectedly, as the state looks forward to 2027, even though it is two years away, what seemed to dominate many discussions albeit in private today is who succeeds Governor Dapo Abiodun when his tenure gloriously ends May 2027.
A few names from across political parties are being bandied about but of the lots, the name of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola stood out sharply from the pack as the best foot forward for a would – be – Prince Dapo Abiodun’s successor even though this Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation and Senator representing Ogun West in the 10th National Assembly has not openly expressed his governorship ambition concerning 2027.
But the balance of opinion tilts to the effect that as Ogun turned 49 this February, the 55 – year – old Adeola, popularly called YAYI and Aremo of Yewaland remains Governor Dapo Abiodun’s best legacy for Ogun 2027.
Many are citing his quality representation by way of
‘empowerment’ through project facilitations such as skills acquisition and vocational trainings, entrepreneurship development programmes, purchase of equipment for trained constituents, farm inputs and cash grant as seed capital, purchase of books, laptops and granting of scholarships and bursaries for students among others since moving to Ogun West in 2023 as parts of the reasons he should be the next Governor.
In the last one year, beneficiaries of Yayi’s facilitated empowerment programmes for his constituents have hit over 40,000 in trainings, provision of equipment like sewing machines, vehicles, mini buses, tricycles and bikes for transportation business, deep freezers, fishing appliances, catering equipment, hair making equipment, make-up artist equipment, cash grants, provision of inputs and scholarships and bursaries grants.
In one of such empowerment bouts, over 15,000 constituents benefitted from the senator’s facilitation in a day to the consternation of Senator Jubrin Barau, the deputy senate president, who witnessed it and not a stranger to massive empowerment in his Kano North senatorial district, could not help describing Yayi’s empowerment as “supa duper,” an American parlance.
In terms of infrastructural development, Adeola has no rival.Over 100 projects including roads, school buildings, Police Stations, Primary Health Care Centers, Intensive Care Units (ICU), Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) centers, modern markets and town halls have been constructed, ready for use and some inaugurated to tackle infrastructural deficit in the Ogun West.
In what is considered unusual, Senator Solomon Adeola Yayi constructed road in Ibara-Orile, Abeokuta North, in response to a community’s dire need. The area falls outside Ogun West Senatorial District, which he represents.
Before the intervention, the residents of Ibara-Orile have had to grapple with poor road conditions for period that seemed interminable.This newly constructed road is expected to bring succour to them as they will henceforth enjoy seamless and a smoother commuting to boost commerce and social interaction in the area.
The consensus of opinion is that if he could achieve this much as a Senator, he would do much more if given higher responsibility to preside over the affairs of Ogun State in the nearest future.
Coming to Ogun West, road works with ancillary structure like culverts and destroyed bridges are areas that Senator Adeola have also recorded impressive marks. In this regard, over 30 roads/bridges of various lengths have been constructed across the 5 LGAs of Ogun West, including Moboluwaduro-Ago-Ilobi Road, Old Oja Odan- Ebute Road and Ebute Igooro Township Road among others.
Recently, his media aide, Chief Kayode Odunaro, indicated that at least over 150 new classrooms have been added to Ogun West senatorial district at primary and secondary levels in a programme of block of 12 Classrooms with staff rooms and solarized boreholes in over 25 schools. Chief Odunaro listed Ansa ru-Deen Primary School, Igbogilla, Government Technical and Science College, Ayetoro, Yewa College, Ilaro, Iganmode Grammar School, Ota, District Community High School, Owode, District High School, Ipokia and Methodist Primary School, Ado Odo among others as parts of the Senator’s intervention in the areas of education.
On health care infrastructure, the senator has facilitated some critical facilities including 7 Primary Health Care Centers with ambulances notably at OOU (Ayetoro Campus), Ayetoro and Oke Odan as well as the establishment of 2 Intensive Care Units at State Hospitals in Ilaro and Ota.
To provide conducive environment for trade and commerce, Senator Adeola facilitated the construction of at least 7 number of modern 40-Lock up and 60 Open Shops in his district with solarized boreholes. They include those in Agossasa, Ipokia, Oloola in Imeko Afon and Sayedero, Ilaro.
Related to infrastructure is the issue of security of lives and properties. Arising from requests and need, the senator facilitated the construction of two modern Police Stations at Igan Alade in Yewa North LGA and Pahayi, Ilaro in Yewa South LGA. Both have been handed over to authorities of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Equally, the senator donated 5 new operational jeeps to security agencies in the district including the NPF and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp.
One must not fail to mention the infrastructure dedicated to community development in the area of town hall construction. The major one is the Asade Agunloye Pavilion in Ilaro, Yewa South LGA. Obviously, there is no such other facility, not only in Ogun State but in the whole South West Region that host multiple ultra-modern halls for symposia and other events as well as a covered amphitheater that can host over 5000 seated persons.
Also, as at the last count, Senator Adeola has facilitated the supply and installation of over hundred 500KVA Electric Transformers for various communities with their energization to bring light to some areas that have been in darkness for upwards of over a decade as well as provided solar street light along all the roads constructed and in some markets.
So, while the soaring popularity of Senator Adeola Yayi as an effective representative par excellence may be highlighted by unprecedented “supa duper” empowerment programmes that directly impacted on thousands of individuals that are his constituents, his infrastructural interventions enjoyed by millions of citizens that are not ordinarily his constituents, is endearing him to the generality of the people of Ogun State in particular and observant Nigerians across the nation. Many genuinely love him for delivering dividends of democracy and good governance as a legislator. And it is small wonder that already, a powerful move and agitation is on for him to replicate his activities on a larger scale in higher office in the state and Nigeria.
According to Odunaro, as it stands today, Senator Yayi is focused on delivering on his electoral promises to the people of Ogun West and as usual relying on the people, his performance and God Almighty to determine his ever-rising political trajectory since he joined politics. For some upstart politicians without any record of public service or accomplishments, opportunist wannabes and serial spoiler politicians miffed by the sterling performances and rising profile of Senator Adeola in Ogun State politics and beyond, one will counsel them to compete with performance for the people in their areas to feel their human and humane touches instead of their current fruitless efforts of blackmailing the senator for his good deeds. Ultimately, it is the people that matters in a democracy and not the whimsical selfish ambition of individuals.
Signed:
Dr Arabambi Abayomi(FBAU)
Most Non-Controversial Political Personality 2025.
Chairman
TheRealityAgenda@Ogun 2027
14th February 2025
