James Sowole in Abeokuta
The traditional ruler of a border town in Ogun State, Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Alabi Olanite, has called on President Bola Tinubu to bring federal government presence to the area by establishing educational and health institutions in the area.
Specifically, the monarch said in view of the town’s historical significance as a frontier community, the federal government should establish a training school for either the Nigeria Customs Service or the Nigeria Immigration Service in the town.
Olanite also requested siting of Federal Medical Centre (FMC) and make more infrastructure available in the area.
The monarch made the requests while interacting with journalists, lamenting backwardness of the town despite its historical frontier status.
He urged the federal government to take advantage of Imeko’s strategic location and historical connection with Nigeria’s frontier administration by establishing a specialised training institution there.
According to him, Imeko played an important role in Nigeria’s border administration dating back to the colonial era, making its geographical and historical position suitable for such an institution.
“I think government should consider establishing a training school for either the Customs Service or Immigration Service here.
“Everything about the frontier in Nigeria started here. That is why we are pursuing a school and institution like the National Institute for Border Studies, which is there to assist Nigeria,” he said.
The monarch added that the community was prepared to support the establishment of a federal institution by making land and other necessary assistance available
However, the traditional ruler commended the administration of President Tinubu, particularly on the ongoing Sokoto-Badagry Circular Road project, which passes through Imeko.
He expressed optimism the project would open up the border town and provide opportunities for greater economic and infrastructural development.
The Onimeko also raised concerns about the educational challenges confronting Imeko, while commending the Ogun State Government under Governor Dapo Abiodun for its recent intervention in addressing the shortage of teachers in schools across the area.
He recalled an education summit organised by the administration of former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, where the poor state of education in Imeko was highlighted as a serious concern.
According to him, the community was described at the summit as being “at the bottom of the ladder” in terms of educational development, with inadequate teaching personnel and facilities posing major challenges.
He said the situation had become so critical that some schools were being managed by only a handful of teachers, who were compelled to handle multiple responsibilities and subjects.
“Thank God for the present administration. When we were complaining about teachers, some schools had only two teachers on their staff. The principal, vice-principal and teachers for virtually all the subjects were being handled by just two people.
“It was when we began to speak out that, the Ogun State Government, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, ensured that teachers were sent here,” he said.
He appealed to the Federal and Ogun State governments to intensify investment in education, healthcare, roads and other critical infrastructure in Imeko.
The monarch also linked the educational challenges facing the community to the broader development needs of border settlements, warning that the neglect of such areas could have wider implications for national development and security.
He also appealed for the establishment of a Federal College of Agriculture and Development Studies in Imeko, noting that the area was predominantly agrarian and had historically relied on communal and missionary efforts to provide primary and secondary education.
Oba Olanite called on government to expedite action urged on a bill sponsored by Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, seeking the establishment of the institution.
The traditional ruler also renewed his call for the rehabilitation of Federal Road 102, which links Abeokuta and Imeko, describing it as an important international route.
He further appealed for the construction of an additional 15-kilometre link connecting Imeko to the newly approved frontier road corridor.
He noted that improved road infrastructure would boost agriculture, facilitate movement of goods and encourage industrial investment in the area.
He said the Badagry- Sokoto when completed would open up the area for further development.
He said, “All our agricultural produce that used to get spoiled before will get to market on time by the time we have access road either to the north or to the rest of the southern part.