Former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to intensify efforts toward completing the Deep Seaport project which he initiated during his administration. Daniel made the call during the BATOGD Midterm Community Assessment and Review (MIDCAR) tour in Ijebu East Local Government Area, stressing that actualising the project would bring enormous economic benefits to the state.
The former governor, who governed Ogun between 2003 and 2011, explained that he had laid the groundwork for both the Deep Seaport and the Gateway Airport, noting that Governor Abiodun’s success in completing the airport project should now be extended to the seaport initiative.
Daniel, while addressing his supporters, also called for unity among the people of the South West, urging them to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in order to ensure more development for the region. He lamented what Ogun State and Ijebuland lost following the relocation of the Dangote Refinery to Lagos, adding that it was time for the Ijebu people to work together and take advantage of new opportunities being facilitated for the state.
He said,
“Governor Dapo Abiodun should intensify efforts to actualise the establishment of a Deep Seaport in the Ijebu area of the state, which we started, just like he did for the Airport project. We must also continue to pursue the creation of Ijebu Remo State with Ijebu-Ode as its capital. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity again.”
Daniel revealed that information available to him indicated that only one new state might be created per geopolitical zone, stressing the need for continuity and political alignment to make the Ijebu State dream a reality.
“Some of our people have been misled with temporary gains that cannot last. We must unite and hold ourselves together to achieve our collective goal for Ijebuland,” he added.
The senator also disclosed that the Federal Government is set to commence bitumen exploration in Ogun State, particularly in Ijebu East, where his administration discovered the largest deposit in Nigeria. He explained that the plan to develop a “bitumen city” was designed to boost the state’s economic prosperity and provide jobs for residents but was abandoned by successive administrations.
Daniel stated that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, had assured him that exploration activities would soon commence under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“During my time as governor, we discovered that Ogun East has the largest bitumen deposit in Nigeria. Our vision was to create a new industrial city driven by bitumen mining and processing. Unfortunately, that vision was neglected after we left office. But I’m happy to inform you that the Ministry of Solid Minerals, under Dele Alake, has promised to bring that vision back to life,” Daniel said.
He expressed confidence in the Federal Government’s commitment, noting that revenue from Nigeria’s solid minerals sector had risen sharply from ₦6 billion to ₦38 billion within a year due to President Tinubu’s reforms promoting transparency and local value addition.
Speaking on the purpose of the MIDCAR tour, Daniel said it was not just a political gathering but a feedback mechanism to evaluate governance and strengthen engagement with the people.
“This tour is about listening to our people, assessing progress, and highlighting policies that bring real benefits to every community in Ogun East. It is about transparency, accountability, and results-driven leadership,” he said.
He added that the initiative was also meant to present the BATOGD Movement as a strong grassroots platform supporting the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027, ensuring continuity of good governance and sustained development across Ogun State.
— Peoples-Talk