… Omoowo Faults Marginalisation Of Ijebu land, Promises Senate Push For State Creation
Ayomide Awe
The Peoples Democratic Party senatorial candidate for Ogun East, Alhaji Abdul Hamid Oluwafemi Omotayo, popularly known as Omoowo, has declared his commitment to the creation of Ijebu State, promising to champion the agitation at the National Assembly if elected to the Senate.
Omoowo said the creation of Ijebu State would unlock the enormous economic potential of the area, improve development opportunities and give its people greater control over their collective aspirations.
The candidate, who spoke during a press parley in Ijebu land, described Ogun East as a region blessed with abundant human and economic resources but yet to achieve the level of development its capacity deserved.
He argued that the industrious nature, high literacy level and entrepreneurial spirit of the Ijebu people provided a strong foundation for the proposed state, insisting that the region needed purposeful leadership to translate its advantages into tangible benefits.
According to him, the present situation in Ogun East does not reflect the capabilities of its people or the opportunities available within the district.
Omoowo pledged that, if elected, he would make the creation of Ijebu State a major legislative priority, working to advance the agitation through the constitutional process required for the establishment of new states in Nigeria.
He maintained that the demand for Ijebu State should go beyond political rhetoric, stressing the need for concrete action capable of translating the aspiration into reality.
The PDP candidate also argued that the region’s economic potential remained largely untapped, citing the need for strategic investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, industry and waterways.
He said Ogun East possessed the resources to become a major economic hub but had yet to receive the focused attention required to maximise its advantages.
....Olokola seaport, waterways key to development
As part of his argument for a stronger development agenda for the region, Omoowo criticised Governor Dapo Abiodun over the proposed $7bn Olokola Deep Seaport.
He described the state government’s announcement of a $7bn Memorandum of Understanding for the project as a display of what he called “astronomical incompetence,” arguing that signing an agreement was not enough to guarantee implementation.
The senatorial candidate questioned the planned groundbreaking ceremony for the project, insisting that a major investment of such magnitude required a credible, bankable document capable of attracting genuine investors.
He said the continued delay in developing the seaport, alongside the neglect of waterways along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway, represented missed economic opportunities for Ogun East.
According to him, properly developed waterways could support transportation, tourism, industrial expansion and job creation, while the Olokola project could serve as a major driver of economic growth.
Omoowo, who said he had transferred five oil and gas technologies into Nigeria, argued that the region needed leaders who understood the technical and financial processes required to execute major projects.
He maintained that the creation of Ijebu State, coupled with strategic infrastructure development, could provide fresh opportunities to accelerate economic activities across the area.
Promises to tackle youth unemployment
The PDP candidate also expressed concern over youth unemployment, despite the presence of numerous industrial establishments in Ogun East.
He claimed that Ijebu-Ode alone had at least 64 industries but alleged that many indigenes were not benefiting adequately from the employment opportunities generated by the companies.
Omoowo promised to promote local content by encouraging industries to employ qualified indigenes and supporting training programmes to equip young people with relevant technical skills.
He also pledged to help local businesses access opportunities in the oil and gas industry by leveraging the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and the Joint Qualification System.
According to him, Community Development Associations and chambers of commerce would be educated on certification requirements and industry standards to enable local businesses to compete for contracts.
On solid minerals, he promised to work with relevant authorities to develop bankable investment proposals while ensuring that mining activities did not destroy homes, farmlands and the environment.
Omoowo Raises Healthcare, Education Concerns
The candidate also raised concerns over primary healthcare in Ijebu land, alleging that fewer than five doctors were serving all primary healthcare centres in the area.
He said some facilities lacked essential medical equipment, doctors and reliable electricity to preserve blood, vaccines and other medical supplies.
Omoowo proposed linking primary healthcare centres with diagnostic facilities in higher institutions across Ogun East, arguing that the region’s concentration of tertiary institutions could be harnessed to improve healthcare delivery.
He also pledged to promote health insurance to protect traders, artisans and other residents from the financial consequences of illness.
On education, he lamented that some pupils in Ogun East still attended classes under trees and in classrooms without roofs.
He advocated mandatory Wi-Fi provision in schools, saying access to digital resources would improve learning and prepare young people for emerging opportunities.
The candidate cited a 25-week summer coaching programme he sponsored for youths, which ended with three days of artificial intelligence training, as an example of how access to education and technology could expand opportunities.
Vows to promote community participation
Omoowo further promised to sponsor three bills if elected to the Senate.
He said the proposed legislation would make Community Development Association participation compulsory in local development projects, ensure community equity participation in major projects to discourage abandonment, and provide for traditional rulers to benefit from development initiatives in their domains.
He also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies and greater community participation in tackling insecurity.
On agriculture, he advocated affordable mechanisation and better access to weather information, seedlings and land-clearing services, arguing that farmers needed practical support rather than tractors purchased for publicity.
The candidate also identified tourism opportunities around the Ojude Oba festival and proposed developing waterways, jetties and other infrastructure to stimulate the blue economy.
He said his proposed representation would include a structured constituency engagement system under which residents’ requests would be documented, tracked and followed up until they reached a logical conclusion.
Omoowo expressed confidence in his electoral prospects, taking a swipe at the incumbent senator and predicting victory on election day.
He insisted that Ogun East needed a new development approach that would move beyond promises and deliver measurable results.
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