President Bola Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Senate President Godswill Akpabio have lauded Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun for transforming Ogun State and advancing the aviation sector through the Gateway International Airport, Iperu-Ilishan.
The commendations came on Saturday as President Tinubu inaugurated the airport, the state-owned Gateway Airline, and several other key projects, including roads, housing estates, and healthcare facilities.
In his speech, Tinubu praised Abiodun’s leadership, saying the governor had demonstrated commitment, vision, and patriotism, adding that Ogun State’s increased federal allocation was being judiciously used for development.
“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable vision of a governor and his predecessors. In less than seven years, you, Dapo Abiodun, have shown dedication to growing Nigeria. Today, we commission the economic nerve centre of our corridor,” Tinubu said.
The president also highlighted Abiodun’s agricultural initiatives and the rollout of 1,000 electric bikes, describing them as a smart response to modern transportation challenges. He further noted that the Gateway Airport is linked to investment in gas and energy, and commended Abiodun’s broader development projects, which, he said, “must touch every level.”
Obasanjo, who expressed gratitude to Tinubu for attending, described the airport as a landmark project and commended Abiodun for making travel to Ogun State more convenient. “I landed here from Abuja, and it took me 45 minutes to reach my home, at least 25 minutes shorter than if I had landed in Lagos,” the former president said.
Akpabio also praised Tinubu’s reforms, which he said had helped states overcome salary arrears, and commended Abiodun for building the airport and utilizing federal allocations effectively.
Governor Abiodun, visibly elated by Tinubu’s presence, said the president’s leadership had inspired confidence in local and international investors. He emphasized that Ogun State’s proximity to Lagos required closing infrastructure gaps, noting that his administration had built or rehabilitated over 1,600 kilometres of roads, including the Epe-Ijebu Ode, Sango-Abeokuta Expressway, Ilishan-Iperu Road, and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Expressway.
He added that the state had developed the Muhammadu Buhari Estate with 100 housing units and provided more than 7,000 affordable homes, generating thousands of jobs. Other achievements include 140 equipped primary health care centers, the 200-bed Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence, and investments in power through the 34.1-megawatt Onijanganjangan Independent Power Project.
Abiodun also highlighted efforts in agriculture, security, and electric mobility, saying the initiatives reflected a forward-looking approach to sustainability and urban transportation, while mitigating the impact of rising fuel prices.
The event was attended by governors from Zamfara, Bayelsa, Taraba, Ekiti, Ondo, Niger, and Lagos, as well as deputy governors of Oyo and Lagos States.
Other notable guests included Senators Gbenga Daniel, Ibikunle Amosun, and Olusegun Osoba; Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Chairman of ANN Plc; Ambassador Femi Pedro; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso; Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo; business moguls Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, and the BUA Group Chairman; Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu; and Zenith Bank CEO, among others.
