The Managing Director of the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), Engr. Dr. Adedeji Ashiru, has marked his one-year anniversary in office with a rollout of key achievements in flood control, agriculture, water supply, and energy restoration across the Authority’s seven-state operational zone.
Dr. Ashiru, who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 22, 2024, officially assumed office on June 10, 2024. His tenure, coinciding with renewed federal budgetary backing, has seen a strategic return to the Authority’s core mandates: flood mitigation, irrigation and water management, and hydropower development.
A flagship achievement under his leadership is the ongoing stormwater drainage project at Owakurudu in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State—a community historically ravaged by seasonal flash floods that have claimed at least 11 lives in the past two decades.
Approved by the Presidency and commenced in May 2025, the project has so far completed 300 metres of the planned 700-metre drainage channel, bringing relief and safety to the flood-prone area.
Dr. Ashiru described the intervention as “a practical demonstration of the federal government’s commitment to saving lives and protecting vulnerable communities.”
In response to the national food security emergency, the Authority has significantly expanded its greenhouse farming initiative. As of mid-2025, 73 greenhouses had been completed, with contracts already awarded for an additional 220 structures.
The climate-smart facilities are intended to enable year-round production of fruits and vegetables, especially during the dry season.
“These greenhouses are not just structures; they are vital components of Nigeria’s food resilience strategy,” Dr. Ashiru said during the anniversary celebration, held at the Authority’s headquarters.
Water access has also been prioritised, with 400 solar-powered boreholes awarded for construction across rural communities in 2024. Many of these have already been completed and commissioned.
At the anniversary event, Dr. Ashiru personally inaugurated several of the facilities, describing clean and reliable groundwater as essential for both household use and irrigation.
Efforts to revive the energy-generating capacity of the Ikere Gorge and Oyan dams—built in the early 1980s—have gained renewed momentum.
In collaboration with the Ogun State Government, the Authority is working to restore hydroelectric power generation at both sites, targeting nearby communities with clean and decentralised energy.
The OORBDA has secured strong partnerships with state governments including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun, which have allocated land for rice and livestock demonstration farms.
These partnerships enable the Authority to implement site-specific agricultural programmes that align with local priorities.
Dr. Ashiru affirmed that all ongoing projects fall within the legal scope of the Authority’s mandate, which includes flood and erosion control, surface and groundwater management, irrigation, infrastructure development, and hydropower generation.
Looking forward, Dr. Ashiru expressed a strong commitment to transforming the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority into the nation’s foremost agency for impactful and result-driven service delivery.
“Our focus remains food security, community protection, and rural development through sustainable power,” he said. “With transparent project monitoring, sound contractor selection, and real-time supervision, we are building long-term solutions for the region.”
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