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.