Egba Economic Summit demands completion of abandoned Abeokuta–Alapako road

Egba leaders under the aegis of the Egba Economic Summit Group have raised the alarm over the prolonged delay in the completion of the Abeokuta Idi-Aba–OGTV–Ajebo–Obafemi–Alapako express road, warning that the stalled project poses serious risks to economic development and security in Ogun State.

In a letter dated January 16, 2026, and addressed to the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, the group said the slow pace of work on the strategic federal road was unacceptable, noting that the project had dragged on for years despite itsh importance as a link to the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

The letter, signed by the President of the summit, Dr Gbenga Adeoye, was also copied to the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; the Osile of Oke Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola; former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba; and the Babalaje of Egbaland, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye.

While acknowledging ongoing federal infrastructure projects across the country, the group said it was compelled to draw attention to the Abeokuta road due to its economic significance.

“We bring warm greetings to you and your entire team on the various Renewed Hope Projects going on across the country. One of it, is the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway which also passed through Ijebu Water Side in Ogun State as well as the award of Badagry-Sokoto Road which passed through Soyoye Rounder area in Abeokuta. The night repairs of Sango-Abeokuta Road is also worthy of note and commendable. We appreciate that,” the letter read partly.

Describing itself as non-partisan, the summit praised President Bola Tinubu and members of his cabinet, including the minister of works, but said it had a responsibility to speak out where critical projects were stalled.

“While we have a duty to commend the government when we see performance, we also have a collective duty imposed on us as Egba people to call the attention of government to any project(s) that is of economic importance especially where execution of such project(s) is slow, stagnant and sometimes, not even conceived,” the group stated.

The summit expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the road after initial sections within Abeokuta city.

“In view of the above, we hereby call your attention to the slow pace of work on Abeokuta Idi-Aba-OGTV-Ajebo-obafemi-express Road which passed through the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, all the way through OGTV to Obafemi and Ajebo to link the Lagos-Ibadan Express Way,” the letter said.

It warned against a reduction in construction standards outside the city centre.

“We also request that you ensure the designed standard is not lowered after the segment that passed through Abeokuta City, especially in areas that passed through villages as contractors have a way of dropping standards after leaving the main city, thereby reducing durability in some parts of the road,” the letter read.

Listing eight major concerns, the group noted that the project was awarded during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari but remains incomplete.

“The project has dragged for too long, having been awarded during the administration of President Buhari,” it said.

It added that while the stretch from the Federal Medical Centre to Chrisland University was motorable, conditions worsened afterwards.

“The segment in the town from Federal Medical Centre up to Chrisland University appears good but shortly after, it has become difficult for people to drive through,” the added.

The summit also warned that the abandoned road could stall the take-off of the newly established Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta.

“The newly established Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences has its 170 hectares permanent site on the same road at Ajibayo Village and there is no way they can move from their current temporary site to that location if that road construction remains abandoned, stagnant, or slow,” the letter stated.

According to the group, the road also serves as an alternative route to the old Ibadan–Abeokuta road and has the potential to decongest traffic on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

“The road is useful in decongesting regular traffic and gridlocks at Ogere axis of Lagos Ibadan expressway as motorist going to Abeokuta from Ibadan and vice versa will not need to drive through Abeokuta-Sagamu Interchange,” it said.

The summit further argued that the road could transform communities around Ajebo into an industrial hub.

“The road is capable of transforming the economic landscape of Obafe-Ajebo area… [and] will create an industrial hub around Ajebo town and villages like, Erunwon, Abiona Mosafejo and Olosun among others.”

Lamenting the hardship faced by motorists, the group said excavation works had worsened travel conditions.

“Excavation done on the road has now made life very difficult for motorist, whereas it was a smooth drive through as well as a short-cut to Ibadan when it was constructed by the administration of Chief Olusegun Osoba during his tenure as the governor of Ogun State,” it was added

The Egba leaders urged the minister to intervene urgently.

“In view of the above, we plead that urgent action be taken to ensure speedy completion so as it will have direct positive impact on the economy of Egbaland, Ogun state and Nigeria,” the letter said.

They also prayed for adequate funding for the Ministry of Works to complete the project and o

ther ongoing federal roads.

Alake, Olowu back new Abeokuta master plan, laud Egba Economic Summit initiatives

The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, and the Olowu of Owu, Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola, have given their full backing to the initiatives of the Egba Economic Summit in constituting a committee to prepare the New Abeokuta Master Plan. 

The plan covers the six local government areas in Ogun Central Senatorial District, namely Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ewekoro, Odeda, Obafemi Owode, and Ifo.

The committee, tasked with drafting the new master plan, is composed of seasoned professionals from various fields. 

Captain Temilola Okesanjo, a foundation member of EES, has been appointed chairman. Other members include Prof. Oyesiku, Alhaji Waheed Kadiri, Engr. Bayo Adeola, and Dr. Gbenga Adeoye, President of the EES. The EES Administrative Secretary will serve as the committee secretary.

Adeoye described the team as highly competent, noting that his role is largely observational, while also helping to raise funds to ensure the project’s success.

Speaking during the event, the Olowu of Owu expressed his support for all developmental initiatives in Egbaland and pledged to back the EES advocacy for projects across the six local governments. 

He also urged urgent action on key infrastructure projects, including the Ajebo-Idi Aba Express Road, stressing its importance as an alternative route from Abeokuta to Ibadan and as access to the permanent site of the Federal University of Medical Sciences, Abeokuta (FUMMSA).

The summit president highlighted plans to scrutinise Ogun State’s 2026 budget to track capital projects in the Central Senatorial District, ensuring proper follow-up and implementation.

Okesanjo, in his remarks, lamented the state of many areas in Abeokuta, stressing that development must be controlled and that some historical structures should not be sold to preserve the city’s tourism potential. 

The team inspected heritage sites around Olumo Rock, including Adagba Street, Sodeke, Ikija, and Erunwon, identifying buildings to be preserved.

Chief Olusola Adeoye, the Osupori of Owu Kingdom, commended the summit’s agenda, urging Dr. Adeoye to remain steadfast despite potential opposition from those resistant to progress.

The Olowu further assured EES of his collaboration with the Alake to see the New Abeokuta Master Plan come to fruition, to ensure timely completion of the Ajebo-Idi Aba Road, and to revive Abeokuta City Centre along with other developmental projects. 

He emphasised that selfless leadership is critical to sustainable development, praising the members of EES for their commitment, As he described professionals like Engr Ola Sobande of Shell, Yinka Chris Coker, Bunmi Lawson, and Surakatu Lateef as exemplary leaders.

Dr. Adeoye also commended the Federal Ministry of Works, led by Engr. David Umahi, for initiating night repairs on the Sango-Otta-Abeokuta-Ewekoro road, urging further attention to roads linking Apata-Ibadan, Abeokuta, and the OGTV-Ajebo stretch to unlock economic potential for towns and villages in the area.

All stakeholders agreed on the collective responsibility of the Egba people to prevent any acts that could impede development for selfish interests.

Egba Economic Summit Group urges Ogun to revive Abeokuta city centre

ABUJA – The Egba Economic Summit Group has called on the Ogun State Government and all relevant stakeholders to urgently intervene and revive the Abeokuta City Centre in Oke-Ilewo, warning that the dilapidated state of the project could have serious economic and security implications for the state capital.

In a statement signed by the President of the Summit Group, Dr Gbenga Adeoye, the organisation described the Oke Ilewo area as “the commercial nerves of Abeokuta” and stressed that it has historically been central to the economic and administrative life of the state.

“The Oke Ilewo in Abeokuta is well known as the commercial nerve of our city, ahead of Sapon in terms of elite activities, and it is the closest to Ibara GRA in terms of value and standard. It serves as the cluster for banks in the state capital. Apart from that, it used to be the state secretariat. As a matter of fact, the governor’s office used to be at Oke Ilewo and that should be a tourist centre today for generations unborn to visit and connect with the history of the state creation,” the statement read.

Dr. Adeoye highlighted the presence of major public and private institutions in the area, including OPIC, Gateway Mortgage Bank, First Avenue Road, Access Bank, GTBank, Central Bank of Nigeria, and Simeon Adebo Library, noting that the region has the potential to become a thriving economic and cultural hub if properly managed.

“In the design of Abeokuta City Centre, Access Bank and GTBank were meant to build their regional offices, and GTBank Plc has fulfilled that promise with the most gigantic structure in the city centre. The place consists of shopping malls and an amphitheatre if completed. Around the city centre is Nigerian Police Mobile Force, Zone 2. The Central Bank of Nigeria and Simeon Adebo Library are all in the area. Overlooking the city centre is the house of the former Interim Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan. That is another tourist centre. The city centre should consist of structures like Providus Bank standing opposite, not far from OPIC roundabout,” it said.

The group warned that without immediate intervention, the area could become a hideout for criminals, undermining both security and economic potential.

“Our team visited the area on Monday, 5th January, 2026, and the pictures taken from various elevations of the structure indicate that if nothing is done urgently, the place will become a hideout for criminals.

“It is dirty and does not befit the area to have such a situation around a regional bank, CBN, and OPIC building. We must copy Lagos in ensuring no asset is allowed to waste away,” the group added.

Adeoye urged stakeholders to set aside personal interests and engage in dialogue or arbitration to resolve disputes surrounding land use and ownership, emphasizing the greater public interest.

“Although there are issues around the purpose for which land was released for secretariat many years back, and the need to carry the original owner along if there is a change of use, development of the city centre as a project that can uplift the economy of Ogun State and the state capital appears as a good public interest and can be made to override other personal desire and interest if proper dialogue is adopted in the form of arbitration,” he stated, adding that security and economic well-being of Ogun State is more important than any other personal interest.

The group also offered to play a vital role in resolving the dispute, in collaboration with major traditional rulers in Ogun Central Senatorial District.

“We hereby plead with the Government of Ogun State and all stakeholders to sit on a round table in the interest of the overall economic well-being of our state. The state capital should not have this kind of asset wasting away after spending hundreds of millions or even billions, whether from government purse or private pocket.

“Without any partisan consideration, we plead with government and all stakeholders to come to a round table and get this matter resolved. We are willing to nominate our members to join in finding a lasting solution to this problem. The location of the city centre is too unique and special to be left abandoned to rot away.”

Adeoye concluded the statement by urging Ogun State indigenes and government to invest in the development of the state in 2026, based on its comparative economic advantages.

“While wishing all Egbas and all Ogun State indigenes a Happy New Year, we pray and request that government and all well-to-do people from Ogun State should invest in the development of our dear Gateway State in 2026 in various sectors of the economy based on comparative advantage of Ogun State,” the statement said.

Alake, Obadara felicitate Adeoye at New Year thanksgiving

 

Prominent traditional rulers, politicians, professionals and clerics on Thursday converged on the Abeokuta residence of Dr Gbenga Adeoye to mark the 2026 New Year thanksgiving, an annual event hosted by the chartered accountant and his wife, Mrs Kemi Adeoye.

The gathering, held on January 1, featured prayers, worship, music, dancing and testimonies, drawing dignitaries from across Ogun State and beyond.

This year’s celebration was described by guests as unique, coming barely weeks after Adeoye emerged as President of the Egba Economic Summit, a position he will occupy for a two-year tenure.

Leading the dignitaries was the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, who charged Nigerians to embrace hope for the new year, citing Psalm 126. The monarch expressed optimism that 2026 would mark a turning point for the country, particularly in the area of security.

According to him, Nigeria would return to a place where citizens could travel freely without fear, adding that ongoing efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies, in collaboration with international partners, would yield positive results.

The guest preacher, Pastor Funmi Kushimo of Alleluia Christian Chapel, urged Nigerians to draw closer to God in 2026, describing the year as one filled with promise.

Also speaking, the founder and General Overseer of Alleluia Christian Chapel, Pastor Paul Adeniyi Daniel, gave a testimony, thanking God for his recovery from a severe illness that threatened his life in July 2025.

Former senator representing Ogun Central, Gbenga Obadara, said attending the Adeoyes’ New Year thanksgiving had become a tradition for him, praying that the host would continue to receive the grace to open his home to guests every January 1.

Other dignitaries at the event included Dr Tokunbo Gbadebo, the Olori of the Alake of Egbaland; the immediate past President of the Egba Economic Summit, Mr Yinka Chris Coker; Prof and Mrs Odebunmi and their family; Mrs W.M. Soleye, widow of former Finance Minister, Dr Onaolapo Soleye; and Elder Samuel Shittu of Mushilab Limited.

The event also attracted professionals from the oil and gas, legal, accounting and medical sectors, alumni associations, business leaders, as well as staff of Gbenga Adeoye & Co., Global Legal Partners and Rejoice Supermart.

Musical performances by Bukky Emmanuel, Titi Esan and her band kept guests on their feet, while others engaged in indoor games such as table tennis, creating a relaxed and festive atmosphere.

In his remarks, Adeoye thanked all guests for their presence, describing it as a demonstration of love. and fellowship. He noted that sharing food, music and dance helped to strengthen bonds for the year ahead and pledged to make the celebration even better in 2027.

The Adeoye family also used the occasion to showcase Adire fabrics in various designs, highlighting the cultural heritage of Egbaland and promoting local textile craftsmanship.

Guests described the celebration as symbolic of hop

e and joy for the year 2026.