President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded Engr. Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State for his foresight and aspirations.
He stated this at the inauguration of the newly constructed 76.67 kilometre Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso Highway.
The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima said the project is the realization of President Bola Tinubu’s economic vision to empower states to achieve their development goals and promote unity through interconnected infrastructure.
In a statement issued by the Vice President’s Media Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, he said the long-stretched road is “like a bridge that connects us to our aspirations and a vital artery linking communities not just within Oyo, but across geopolitical zones.
“Each well-built road activates the economy of its surroundings by linking producers to markets, workers to job opportunities, students to schools, and the sick to hospitals. The level of development experienced in a society is directly proportional to the length and quality of its road network, as roads serve as the forerunners of development.”
He praised Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for his infrastructure vision, highlighting the project’s boost to regional economic activity and national unity. He commended Makinde for valuing rural areas as much as urban centers.
“Oyo State holds a special place in my heart, not only for being a land of my firsts, from academic achievements to infrastructural innovations, but also as my second home, as a proud product of Nigeria’s premier university, the University of Ibadan,” he said.
The Vice President noted that roads are the “forerunners of development,” enabling agriculture, commerce, and urbanization – the cornerstones of an elevated standard of living, pointing out that “without a robust road network, we cannot fulfill promises to the people, nor sustain our =democracy”.
Earlier, Governor Makinde explained that the Adebayo Alao Akala Memorial Expressway was constructed based on data, science, and logic to boost the state’s economy and modernize Oyo State.
He said this would enhance the socio-economic life of the citizens. The 76.67km road aims to improve intra-city, inter-city, and inter-state movement of people, goods, and services. He added that sustainable development in Oyo State is achievable only through comprehensive development across the entire state.
According to him, “the Iseyin-Ogbomosho Road has completed another triangle between the completed Ibadan-Monyiya-Iseyin and Oyo-Fasola-Iseyin road and the ongoing Federal A1 Oyo-Ogbomoso Road project.
“The opportunity of the existence of a direct link between Iseyin and Ogbomosho will ensure easy commuting between the main campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) and the College of Agriculture and Renewable Energy in Iseyin in addition to the development of agribusiness value chains”
The road was christened Alao Akala Memorial Highway.
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