Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port, Gateway International Airport, expanding road infrastructure and emerging energy opportunities could transform Ogun East into a major economic hub with benefits extending beyond the state to Nigeria’s wider economy.
Abiodun said the convergence of these strategic projects could strengthen industrial production, maritime trade, logistics, employment generation and investment, positioning the region to play a greater role in Nigeria’s economic development.
The governor spoke at the weekend during the investiture of the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Oladimeji Oresanya, as the 19th president of Sagamu Club in Sagamu, where he also said the region’s growing economic importance had strengthened the argument for the creation of an additional state in the area.
He urged community leaders, traditional institutions, business owners and other stakeholders to work with the government to maximise the opportunities presented by the region’s strategic location and expanding infrastructure.
According to Abiodun, Ogun East’s proximity to Lagos, established industrial corridor, transport links and coastal resources provide a strong foundation for investment across several sectors.
A major component of the emerging economic landscape is the proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside. The projects are expected to open opportunities in shipping, manufacturing, warehousing, export processing, freight transportation and other maritime-related services.
If successfully implemented and supported by reliable road connections, utilities and commercial investment, the port could strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to handle maritime trade, support export-oriented industries and create jobs across multiple sectors.
The anticipated benefits could extend to agricultural producers, manufacturers, construction companies, transport operators and small businesses that supply goods and services to port-related industries.
Abiodun also highlighted the Gateway International Airport in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area, as another strategic asset capable of improving business connectivity, facilitating cargo movement and attracting investors. Working alongside road and maritime infrastructure, the airport could strengthen links between Ogun businesses and domestic and international markets.
The governor’s economic outlook also places emphasis on road infrastructure connecting Ogun East to Lagos and other commercial centres. Better road networks are essential to reducing transport bottlenecks, improving the movement of goods and connecting industrial facilities with markets.
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Tunde Lemo, who delivered the event’s keynote address, proposed converting Ogere Park into a dry port to strengthen freight distribution and logistics operations. Such a development, if pursued, could complement the proposed deep sea port by improving cargo handling and inland transportation.
Energy development was another area identified as having potential to support the region’s industrial expansion. Prospects associated with the proposed OgunLNG project and other oil-related opportunities could attract investment and support energy-intensive industries, subject to commercial viability and successful execution.
Abiodun said the combined effect of these developments could stimulate economic activity, expand employment opportunities, strengthen the state’s revenue base and encourage the growth of new business clusters. At the national level, improved trade infrastructure and industrial capacity could create wider opportunities for Nigerian enterprises to participate in regional and international commerce.
However, the realisation of these benefits will depend on the timely delivery of projects, supporting infrastructure, environmental safeguards and the ability to attract sustained private-sector investment.
The governor urged community institutions to complement government initiatives by investing in education, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship. He also charged Oresanya and his executive committee to prioritise youth development, community advancement and members’ welfare while strengthening cooperation with the state government on peace, security, education and sustainable development.
Abiodun encouraged the club to support young people through scholarships, mentorship and start-up grants, noting that sustainable economic growth requires contributions from government, community organisations and responsible citizens. He congratulated Oresanya and his executive committee, expressing confidence in their ability to contribute to the club and the wider society.
The Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, commended Sagamu Club for its contributions to the socioeconomic development of Sagamu and Remoland. He urged the new president to build on 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 improvements to the clubhouse infrastructure.
Abayomi expressed appreciation to the club’s founding fathers and past leaders, urging the new administration to consolidate on the progress already made.
In his keynote address, Lemo said Remoland had produced many industrious individuals who had contributed significantly to the development of Ogun State and Nigeria. He identified the region’s strategic location and proximity to Lagos as important advantages for commerce and investment.
He also called for urgent action on improper waste management by factories operating along the industrial corridor, warning that environmental challenges must be addressed to protect public health and ensure that industrial expansion remains sustainable.
In his acceptance speech, Oresanya described social clubs as important platforms for building relationships, promoting shared values and mobilising resources for community development.
“A social club is not just a place for gathering; it is a community bound by shared values and camaraderie, a sanctuary where bonds are forged, families are connected and resources are mobilised for the greater good of society,” he said.
The new president pledged to improve members’ welfare, strengthen the club’s community impact and deepen cooperation among members. He also promised to make the organisation more welcoming to prospective partners and ensure its programmes respond to changing societal needs.
Oresanya commended Abiodun’s development initiatives, stressing that collaboration among government, the private sector and community organisations remained essential to addressing socioeconomic challenges.
He urged members to support his administration, expressing confidence that their collective efforts would strengthen the club’s contributions to youth development, social welfare and sustainable growth in Sagamu and Remoland.
