Kunle Adelabu
-Commissioner, others honoured with IKODASS Fellows award
The Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Dr Frederick Oladeinde has revealed that Ikorodu will witness massive developments in the next 30 years, that will make the city the envy of other divisions in the state.
Dr Oladeinde listed areas such as construction of flyovers, roads, railway and improvement on water transport as some of the areas where Ikorodu will experience developments.
He made the disclosure at the award ceremony of the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) which was part of the week – long annual Ikorodu – Oga Day Carnival celebrations where he was honored with a Fellow award.
Also honoured with same award were: Mr Fasasi Oladimeji, a Director with the State Teaching Service and former Secretary of IKODASS; Mr Odeyemi Adeshina, a Commissioner in the Lagos State Civil Service Commission; Dr Allison Olamilekan Shamusideen, a retired Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Moroof Olowosago, a businessman and Engr. Lawal M. Olalekan, Chairman, De – Lekab Global Business Support Limited.
Meanwhile, Dr Oladeinde, while speaking through his representative at the event, Prince Yomi Oladeinde, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Maritime, said that the administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu has been good to Ikorodu Division, adding that the division is now the focus of developments.
“We might be looking at it that our roads in Ikorodu are not good enough except the Itamaga and Ibeshe Roads, but we cannot achieve everything in a day. I know that whenever we go to other parts of the state, we, Ikorodu people, always feel bad that government is not doing enough in Ikorodu, but it is not so”, Dr Oladeinde said.
“Ikorodu is now the focus of development in Lagos State. I want to assure that other parts of the state will soon be envy of us in Ikorodu because the development that are coming here are massive.
“All these that we are seeing are not yet the real thing, but the actual process of development is coming and its here with us in Ikorodu.
“Ikorodu is blessed in the government of Mr Babajide Olushola Sanwo – Olu and I said that because for the first time in the history of Lagos State, we have a Commissioner for Transportation, which is Dr Frederick Oladeinde and at the same time, we have another Ikorodu son, Alhaji Kamal Olowosago who was the immediate past Permanent Secretary in the same Ministry and now Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Housing, and Prince Yomi Shopitan, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Water Transportation”, he said.
While unveiling the state government’s plans in lkorodu in the next 30 years, the Commissioner for Transportation said:
“Ikorodu is a geographical area surrounded by water and by the time the government starts unveiling its plans for the public transportation in Ikorodu, other divisions will be jealous of us”, he said.
“The state government is improving on the transportation plans laid down by the administration of former governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande between 1979 and 1983. In the next 30 years, Ikorodu will witness developments that anybody could ever imagine”, he emphasised.
“The trio of Dr Frederick Oladeinde, Alhaji Kamal Olowosago and Prince Yomi Shopitan, have drawn development plans that will bring about developments in Ikorodu in the next 30 years. You should know that railway is coming to Ikorodu. Don’t be surprise, it’s part of the gazette development plans for Ikorodu.
“There are also at least three flyovers outlined to be constructed in Ikorodu Division alone”.
He also added that high – powered boats will be supplied to operate at the Ikorodu Ferry Terminal which will improve water transportation in the state.
“Before the administration of Mr Sanwo – Olu’s administration, 1,950 residents usually board boat at Ebute – Ipakodo, but since the Governor appointed Dr Oladeinde and others from Ikorodu to work with the Governor in the Ministry of Transportation, we now have 4, 690 people boarding boats at Ebute – Ipakodo alone”, he revealed.
“Lagos State Government is partnering with African French Development to import high powered boats and they are bringing those boats before the end of this administration”.
Alhaji (Chief) Monzor Kolawole Olowosago, the Publisher of the Oriwu Sun Newspaper who chaired the occasion, commended the awardees for their contributions to the development of Ikorodu, Lagos State and humanity in general.
The IKODASS Chairman, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, who said that the awards were bestowed on the honourees because of their outstanding achievements and contributions, also charged them to sustain their exemplary qualities.
