A speech by His Excellency, The Senator, Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, FNSE, FNAEng., FNIMechE, at the BATOGD Movement Midterm Community Assessment and Review Tour in Ikenne LGA on Sunday 26 October 2025
Protocol!
Kabiyesis, our leaders in Ikenne Local Government, the good people of Ikenne Local Government, sons and daughters of Remo, friends of progress.
Let me first express my appreciation and delight that today feels like coming home. This soil produced the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo; the lamp that lit the path of progressive politics in the Southwest and Nigeria. It was his dream of a self-reliant, educated, prosperous people that continues to inspire us.
That same spirit birthed the Southwest Development Commission Bill, which I had the privilege to sponsor at the Senate.
And today, I am proud to say that the Bill has been signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “The dream of Awolowo is alive again; through law, through vision, through action!”
The good news for our people in Ikenne also is that when we had the opportunity to serve the people of Ogun State as Governor, we concluded a partnership arrangement with a multinational company, ZAMBEEF of Zambia for the establishment of a major Livestock dairy farm, with other components on meat production and Leather Processing. The take off of this was affected by the political crises in the twilight of our administration as the State could not access the Bond financial instrument part of which was to go into the funding of this project. I am happy to report back to you that this project is now being reactivated in principle and this will be pushed for consideration through the new South West Development Commission (SWDC).
The dairy farm was designed to create over 10,000 employment (of skilled and unskilled work force under its value chains in Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises).
We will continue to thank Mr President for accenting the Bill for the creation of SWDC and the Constitution of its Board of Directors. As the Vice Chairman, The Senate Committee on SWDC, we will work together closely with the Board and Management to achieve more in the spirit and principles that guided its creation. This will be fashioned after heritage institutions like the old Western Nigerian Development Corporation (WNDC) of the late sage, Pa Awolowo in the 60s/70s.
When we speak of progress, it must wear the face of the people. That is why we are here; not for celebration, but for assessment, engagement, and renewal. This Midterm Tour of the nine local governments of Ogun East is about listening to the people, not talking to them. Because leadership without listening is arrogance; and representation without results is betrayal. “I came to Ikenne not to campaign, but to give an account of our stewardship.”
Standing here in Ilisan, it warms my heart to see the Gateway International Airport in Remo, an idea that we conceptualized and started years ago, has now become a world-class facility under Governor Dapo Abiodun. Development is not a competition, It is a relay race. When one governor passes the baton, another must run with it. Real leadership is not about who gets the credit, but about who gets the work started and gets the job done. The race towards winning is about starting well and on a sure footing. With regards to the airport, I am happy to say again that we started the race of good governance and development well, of laying the foundation of an enduring legacy.
I am equally happy to say that, as the Atobase of Irolu Remo, Apesin of Ogere Remo, Aare Ori Ade and Baba Oba of Iperu Akesan, Losi of Ikenne, we have been able to attract some Constituency Projects through our modest efforts to Ikenne Local Government. Some of them include:
Solar-powered motorised borehole in Ogere – completed.
Solar street lights in Ilishan – completed.
Ultra-modern Skills Acquisition Centre in Irolu – ongoing.
Before this rally, we inspected the Federal Government Strategic Grain Reserve in Ikenne. It is time that the multi-billion-naira facility serves the people of Ikenne; not just as a monument, but as a machine for food security and job creation. “No federal project should live in darkness while the host community starves beside it.
The BATOGD Movement is about extending the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to our grassroots. Renewed Hope is not a mere slogan, it must wear overalls and go to work!
That’s why as part of our Midterm Community Assessment and Review Tour, we bring empowerment items, medicare, and other forms of support. Because, the only hope that work brings change. Hope is not what you promise people; it is what you make happen for them.
We honour Awolowo not by wearing his cap, but by continuing his cause. The Aviation School Bill at Ilara, Remo North, now at an advanced stage, will train our youths for careers in aviation. Though sited in Remo North, its benefits will spill over to Ikenne Local Government and even beyond. You are not spectators in governance; you are the stakeholders. Protect these projects, own them, demand accountability.
The government can provide structures, but the community sustains them. No project survives when the people stand aloof.
The future we seek is clear: An Ogun East where agriculture meets technology. Where Remo becomes an aviation and logistics hub. Where every youth can learn a trade, start a business, and live with dignity.
That is why we will keep strengthening partnerships between our local governments, private sectors, and federal institutions. Because prosperity is built, not wished. Our dream is not just to build infrastructure, but to build people who can build their future.”
I must thank our traditional rulers, our community leaders, women, youth, and everyone who has stood with this movement.
Let us remember our strength lies in unity. Together we have proved that service can still have sincerity and that politics can still have purpose. We are not here to divide Ogun East by party lines; we are here to unite it by purpose lines.
I need to inform the good people of Ikenne, that the train of the BATOGD Movement have berthed here today but the journey of hope continues. Let this visit mark a new dawn of engagement and empowerment. As we return to Abuja, your feedback becomes our compass.
May God bless Ikenne,
May God bless Ogun East,
May God bless Ogun State
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Ẹ ṣéun púpọ̀, Ẹ ku ìfẹ́.
Thank you, and God bless you all.
