Osoba Lauds Abiodun’s Vision for Affordable Housing

Ogun State Former Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, has lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun’s urban renewal initiatives, particularly the unprecedented housing delivery drive.

Osoba commended Abiodun’s vision for housing, noting that no previous administration has established as many housing estates as the current government.

Speaking at the inauguration of the dual electronic gate he donated at the Olusegun Osoba Hilltop Estate in Abeokuta, Osoba criticized protesters opposing the Ibara Housing Estate’s urban renewal.

He urged the Egba people to learn from past mistakes, citing the loss of the University of Ibadan, which could have been located in Abeokuta but for internal divisions.

“The governor has a vision for housing. I don’t think any governor in Ogun State has created as many housing estates as Gov. Abiodun has done.

“When I heard that some people were protesting about the urban renewal of Ibara Housing Estate, I was furious, and I want to appeal to us, Egba. We should learn. The University of Ibadan was supposed to be sited in Abeokuta, but because of the division within Egba, the university was taken to Ibadan.

“This time around, those who say they are opposed to the urban renewal of Dapo Abiodun at Ibara Housing Estate can pack and go. We will continue to support Dapo Abiodun. When he leaves office, he’s not going to take Ibara Housing to Iperu. The colonial people who created GRA didn’t take GRA to the UK when they were leaving,” he said.

The former governor appreciated the Commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Akande Omoniyi, for the great job he is doing and for being resolute in all his undertakings. He lauded the state’s civil servants who lived there for their cooperation in allowing the demolition to take place.

He reiterated his unalloyed support for Prince Dapo Abiodun’s housing estate policy and revealed that everything available would be used to support him, while those interested in buying land at the estate can do so.

Aremo Osoba thanked all the residents of the Hilltop Estate for naming the estate after him, noting that their support, as well as collaboration in making the estate enjoy serenity, peace, and tranquility, encouraged him to do all he is doing and promised to do more, especially in the area of security through the installation of more CCTV cameras in the estate.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Estate, Dr. Julius Babatunde Oke, said the inauguration was meant to honor Chief Osoba, who created the estate 26 years ago, and for his exemplary leadership support.

“The residents of the estate unanimously agreed to change the name of the estate from Presidential Hilltop Estate to Olusegun Osoba Hilltop Estate in recognition and as a mark of honor to the man who created it 26 years ago when he was the governor of Ogun State.

“Apart from the various contributions of residents to the development of this estate, Akinrogun Osoba has spent nothing less than N60 million on infrastructure in the estate,” Chief Oke said.

Earlier, in a welcome address, the Secretary of the Estate, who is the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, said the gathering was symbolic as the seed planted more than two and a half decades ago has blossomed in all spheres, pointing out that the newly inaugurated E-Gate has further underscored the security architecture being put in place by residents.

He congratulated Aremo Osoba for witnessing as well as enjoying the fruits of his labor, describing him as an apostle of due diligence.

He noted that necessary approvals were obtained from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development by the association for various projects completed in the estate.

Onasanya thanked the residents for making the estate a pride of place in the country.