By Our Correspondent
The Ogun State Council of Obas has called on the Federal Government to accelerate the reconstruction and dualisation of the Abeokuta–Ibadan Road and revive the abandoned Wasimi Airport project to deepen the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda at the grassroots.
The Council made the demand at the Conference of the 774 Local Government Chairmen and Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, where it advocated stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, local councils and traditional institutions in driving development across communities.
The address, presented by the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdulfatai Akamo, on behalf of the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland and Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, stressed that national policies must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
The conference was themed, “Cascading President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda at the Grassroots.”
The traditional rulers said the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda should be measured by what citizens experience in their communities, including access to good roads, healthcare, employment, security and other basic infrastructure.
“Hope is not an abstract concept; it is food on the table, safe trips, accessible healthcare, digital opportunities, and motorable roads,” the Council said.
The Council also urged local government chairmen to utilise the financial autonomy recently secured by the councils to strengthen accountability and accelerate development at the grassroots.
It described traditional institutions as critical partners in grassroots governance, noting that traditional rulers remain permanent institutions within their communities and play important roles in maintaining peace, resolving conflicts and mobilising citizens.
“We are the first responders to crises, the custodians of peace and the ultimate stabilisers of the grassroots,” the Council said.
On Federal Government interventions in Ogun State, the Council commended the establishment and take-off of the Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta (FUMMSA), describing the specialised institution as significant to the development of healthcare education in the country.
The traditional rulers also welcomed the formal adoption of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education as a federal university and the establishment of the ICT Communication Centre in Abeokuta.
However, they said Ogun State required additional Federal Government interventions, particularly in infrastructure capable of stimulating trade, agriculture and employment.
The Council consequently urged the Federal Ministry of Works to expedite the commencement of the approved reconstruction and dualisation of the Abeokuta–Ibadan Road.
It described the highway as a critical economic corridor connecting communities and facilitating the movement of people, agricultural produce and goods between Ogun and Oyo states.
The traditional rulers also renewed their call for the Federal Government to revisit and revive the abandoned Wasimi Airport project in Ogun State.
According to the Council, completing the airport and transforming it into a functional passenger and logistics hub would create employment opportunities, improve agricultural logistics and strengthen Ogun’s access to national and international markets.
The Council urged participants at the conference to move beyond speeches by developing a practical roadmap for implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda at the grassroots.
The traditional rulers pledged their readiness to work with the Federal, state and local governments to ensure that government policies and programmes deliver measurable benefits to communities.
“Let us take this Renewed Hope out of Abuja and plant it firmly in the soil of our communities,” the Council said.
