Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port, airport development and expanding industrial infrastructure in Ogun East could transform the region into a major economic hub and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth.
Abiodun said the convergence of strategic infrastructure, energy prospects and industrial expansion would strengthen maritime trade, improve logistics, attract investments and create employment opportunities across Ogun State and the country.
The governor spoke at the weekend during the investiture of the Commissioner for Environment, Oladimeji Oresanya, as the 19th president of Sagamu Club in Sagamu, Ogun State.
He said the region’s growing economic importance had also strengthened the argument for the creation of an additional state in the area, urging community leaders and other stakeholders to support initiatives aimed at maximising its economic potential.
According to him, Ogun East is strategically positioned to drive economic development because of its proximity to Lagos, established industrial corridor, expanding transport infrastructure and access to coastal resources.
A major component of the region’s economic prospects is the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside. The projects are expected to create opportunities in shipping, manufacturing, warehousing, export processing and freight transportation.
The governor said the projects could strengthen Nigeria’s maritime capacity, support export-oriented industries, attract international capital and create jobs across several sectors, although their wider economic impact would depend on effective implementation and supporting infrastructure.
The Gateway International Airport in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area, is another strategic investment expected to improve business connectivity, facilitate cargo movement and enhance access for investors.
Abiodun also pointed to road infrastructure and other logistics projects as important drivers of regional development.
At the event, the keynote speaker and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Tunde Lemo, proposed the conversion of Ogere Park into a dry port to improve freight distribution and take advantage of the region’s proximity to Lagos.
Lemo said Remoland’s strategic location had continued to support commercial activities and investment opportunities, noting that improved logistics infrastructure could further strengthen the area’s economic contribution.
The region’s emerging energy prospects, including developments associated with the OgunLNG project, could also support industrial growth, subject to commercial viability and successful implementation.
Abiodun urged community institutions to complement government efforts through investments in education, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, stressing that sustainable economic development required collective action.
He charged Oresanya and his executive committee to prioritise youth development, members’ welfare and community advancement while strengthening cooperation with the state government on peace, security, education and sustainable development.
The governor also called on the club to support young people through scholarships, mentorship programmes and start-up grants for aspiring entrepreneurs.
He congratulated Oresanya and his executive committee, expressing confidence that the new administration would contribute meaningfully to the club and the wider society.
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 vision of the club’s founding fathers and ensure that its activities continued to benefit members and the wider community.
Earlier, the immediate past president, Prince Abdul Abayomi, highlighted achievements recorded during his four-year tenure, including scholarship awards, artisans’ empowerment programmes and infrastructural improvements at the clubhouse.
He expressed appreciation to the club’s founding fathers and past leaders, urging the new administration to build on their achievements.
In his keynote address, Lemo also called for urgent action to address improper waste management by factories operating along the industrial corridor.
He warned that environmental challenges must be tackled to protect public health and ensure that industrial expansion remained sustainable.
In his acceptance speech, Oresanya described social clubs as platforms for shared values, friendship, family connections and the mobilisation of resources for the common good.
He pledged to strengthen the club’s community impact, improve members’ welfare and deepen cooperation among members while making the organisation more accessible to prospective partners.
Oresanya said collaboration among government, the private sector and community organisations remained essential to addressing socioeconomic challenges, urging members to support his administration in promoting youth development, social welfare and sustainable community growth across Sagamu and Remoland.
