- Olufemi Orunsola | OTN | PWN
Distinguished legislative leader and elder statesman Senator Prince Gbolahan Dada has extended heartfelt congratulations to the Ogun State Government on the occasion of the state’s 50th anniversary, commending the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun for steering the Gateway State’s transformation and saluting past leaders whose contributions have shaped its enviable progress.
In an exclusive interview with Open Television Naija (OTN) News on Tuesday, following the State Banquet commemorating the Golden Jubilee celebrations, Senator Dada described Governor Abiodun as Ogun’s “Golden Jubilee Governor” and lauded the collective efforts of public officeholders and traditional institutions in advancing the state’s development.
“We are here again to witness the historic Golden Jubilee anniversary of our dear state, Ogun State”, Senator Dada said, reflecting on five decades of purposeful existence.
He stated that as an elder statesman, it was “utmost delight” to join stakeholders in celebrating a state that has journeyed from humble beginnings to a respected position among Nigeria’s 36 states.
“Congratulations to the Golden Jubilee Governor of the state and his Deputy Governor, an Awori woman of substance, and the entire government machinery, the executive, legislative and judiciary”, Dada said, reaffirming his appreciation for the leadership synergy that has sustained governance over the years.
He further acknowledged his personal honour at having served the people of Ogun West in the National Assembly between 2015 and 2019, a tenure he said enriches his pride in the state’s growth and destiny.
The senator also highlighted the crucial role of traditional leaders and royal fathers across the state’s three senatorial districts, paying tribute to their historic and continuing contributions to stability and progress.
“God bless all our royal fathers and all Ogun residents, including illustrious sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora”, Dada said, extending goodwill to all stakeholders as the state marks its Golden Jubilee.
Premier World News (PWN) reports that Ogun State, created on February 3, 1976, has drawn widespread tributes from civic organisations, traditional institutions and public officials across the federation as it celebrates five decades of existence.
The state’s anniversary has included public holidays and high-profile events designed to reflect on past achievements, celebrate current successes and chart a bold vision for the future.
Governor Abiodun, in broadcasts and at official functions marking the milestone, has emphasised the state’s economic transformation, noting that Ogun’s economy is now valued at an estimated ₦17 trillion, with Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) rising from about ₦52 billion in 2020 to nearly ₦250 billion by 2025, indicators of growing investor confidence and fiscal resilience.
Ogun has steadily evolved into one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing economies and a strategic industrial hub, a development the governor attributes to sustained infrastructural investments, including road construction, expansion of the Gateway International Airport, and key projects such as the Kajola and Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Ports.
In his closing remarks, Premier World News (PWN) reports that Senator Dada appealed to all stakeholders, particularly the youth, to remain united and focused on sustaining the spirit of excellence and resilience that has defined Ogun’s five decades of progress.
“Let us continue to work together, guided by unity, diligence, and patriotic commitment, for an even brighter future for Ogun State”, the elder statesman said.
