From Ekundayo Idowu, Abeokuta

Former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba has thumbed up for the current Governor, Dapo Abiodun for his urban renewal drive.Osoba noted that the governor’s housing delivery initiative is unprecedented in the history of the state.He gave the commendation at the inauguration of the newly installed dual electronic gate, which he donated at the Olusegun Osoba Hilltop Estate, Abeokuta.

According to him, Prince Abiodun has a vision for housing, adding that no governor in the state has created more housing estates than the current administration. He took a swipe at those protesting against the urban renewal of the Ibara Housing Estate in Abeokuta and appealed to the Egba to learn from past mistakes, as the University of Ibadan would have been sited in Abeokuta but for the division within them that led to it being taken to Ibadan.The former governor appreciated the Commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Akande Omoniyi, for the great job he is doing and for being resolute in all his undertakings. He lauded the state’s civil servants who lived there for their cooperation in allowing the demolition to take place.He reiterated his unalloyed support for Prince Dapo Abiodun’s housing estate policy and revealed that everything available would be used to support him, while those interested in buying land at the estate can do so.Aremo Osoba thanked all the residents of the Hilltop Estate for naming the estate after him, noting that their support, as well as collaboration in making the estate enjoy serenity, peace, and tranquility, encouraged him to do all he is doing and promised to do more, especially in the area of security through the installation of more CCTV cameras in the estate.Also, the Chairman of the Estate, Dr. Julius Babatunde Oke, said the inauguration was meant to honor Chief Osoba, who created the estate 26 years ago, and for his exemplary leadership support.”The residents of the estate unanimously agreed to change the name of the estate from Presidential Hilltop Estate to Olusegun Osoba Hilltop Estate in recognition and as a mark of honor to the man who created it 26 years ago when he was the governor of Ogun State.”Apart from the various contributions of residents to the development of this estate, Akinrogun Osoba has spent nothing less than N60 million on infrastructure in the estate,” Chief Oke said.In his address, the Secretary of the Estate, who is the Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, said the gathering was symbolic as the seed planted more than two and a half decades ago has blossomed in all spheres, pointing out that the newly inaugurated E-Gate has further underscored the security architecture being put in place by residents.He congratulated Aremo Osoba for witnessing as well as enjoying the fruits of his labor, describing him as an apostle of due diligence.He noted that necessary approvals were obtained from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development by the association for various projects completed in the estate.Onasanya thanked the residents for making the estate a pride of place in the country.