The envisioned Smart City, often hailed as the emerging Dubai of Nigeria, has officially arrived in Masa, a community situated off Kobape Junction along the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State.
This development comes in the form of the Pelican Ecostay Apartments, a luxurious estate where nature meets sophistication.
The tale of this project draws parallels to the folklore of Olene, a legendary novel city within a city. According to ancient accounts, when Olene was being built, the surrounding villagers had no idea of the grandeur that was about to unfold in their midst. They continued with their daily lives, oblivious to the transformation happening nearby. As weeks turned into months and months into years, the villagers suddenly awoke to a stunning new city—Olene, clean, illuminated, and unlike anything they had seen before.
Baffled by the transformation of what had once been uncharted forest into a vibrant city, the villagers began to ask how such beauty could have been created. According to legend, a local figure, akin to the Greek philosopher Cicero, responded with the phrase, *Eka dozi Olene* (“It is the great mind and creative hands that built and beautified Olene”). This aphorism has since become a teaching tool for a particular Nigerian ethnic group, reminding their young ones that success is achieved through hard work, planning, and dedication.
Similarly, the Pelican Ecostay Apartments began as an extension of the Pelican Brief Estate, a vision brought to life by Ambassador (Dr.) Babatunde Adeyemo, the Managing Director and CEO of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited. His real estate ventures, including Pelican Valley Estate in Laderin, Abeokuta, and Pelican Greenish Acres Farm Estate in Kobape, have already set new standards for residential and agricultural projects. However, the Ecostay Apartments take Adeyemo’s ingenuity to new heights, blending comfort, style, and eco-friendliness to cater to an upscale clientele.
After an exhaustive search for land free from governmental acquisition, Adeyemo chose Masa as the home for this ambitious project. The serene environment, coupled with the luxurious design, reflects the determination, focus, and integrity of Adeyemo and his team.
On September 11, the first 10 apartments will be launched with Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, attending as the Special Guest of Honour. Former Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba will be present as the Father of the Day, alongside the Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other key stakeholders from the real estate industry.
This accomplishment did not come without challenges. Soaring inflation tripled the cost of construction materials, but Adeyemo remained undeterred. On May 6, he even relocated the company’s routine management meetings to the Ecostay Apartments site to oversee every detail and ensure the September deadline was met.
The estate offers a myriad of recreational facilities, including a standard swimming pool, and courts for basketball, badminton, lawn tennis, and volleyball. Table tennis facilities are also available. These amenities, valued at over N40 million, were built by Prime Pythagoras, and will be inaugurated along with the apartments.
In terms of security, the estate is well-guarded with armed personnel, and residents will enjoy up to 18 hours of electricity daily, powered by a 33 KVA/500 KV transformer and supplemented by solar energy. The development promises zero carbon emissions, a zero-interest payment plan, and zero price variations.
Residents will also have access to a lounge/bar, a mini-club, and a mini-zoo featuring camels, tortoises, and peacocks. For those seeking organic meals, the nearby Pelican Greenish Acres Farms Estate will provide fresh, healthy food. The estate’s prime location offers easy access to the Ogun State Central Business District in Abeokuta, just a 15-minute drive away, and Lagos State’s Government Secretariat in Ikeja, a 50-minute journey.
With the launch date fast approaching, the excitement in Masa is palpable. The community is bustling with preparation, ensuring that the September 11 event will be a grand success.
Commenting on the development, Ambassador Adeyemo shared the vision behind the project, saying, “The comfort and well-being of our clients are of paramount importance to us. All these modern infrastructures and recreational facilities are part of our mantra for Ecostay Apartments, where nature meets luxury. It is our brand’s unique selling point.”
He continued, “Many of those living abroad, we want to help them convert these facilities to short-let apartments. Some of them are not here, and once they are out of the country, we convert it to a short-let for them where people will come in and relax, while our clients earn rental income. However, when the homeowners are around, we will not bring clients to the apartments.”
Further emphasizing the eco-friendly nature of the project, Adeyemo noted, “The Pelican Ecostay Apartments are meant to take our clients away from the hustle and bustle of Lagos and Abeokuta metropolis, bringing them to a serene area that is 100% eco-friendly. We will not use generators, as we already have a step-down 33KVA transformer, and solar inverter panels to back up any shortfalls in public power supply.”
Looking ahead to the September launch, Adeyemo expressed his hopes, “By the grace of God, we are looking forward to having former governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba to commission the facilities and apartments for us on September 11. We are also looking forward to the presence of the Ogun State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl Tunji Odunlami, who is one of the brilliant executors of the state’s master plan.”
In a final statement, Adeyemo revealed plans for future expansions, saying, “We have received another approval for the extension of Pelican Brief Estate by 600 plots. Soon, we will close land sales and focus on adding value by building more apartments for sale instead. That’s why we are driving this multi-million naira facility in this environment. We want to make this place the next Dubai, God willing.”
