Featured

Excitement As Gov. Makinde Flags Off N28.36bn Street Light Project In Ogbomoso

Published

5 years ago

September 2, 2020

…Inaugurates 3km LAUTECH road reconstruction

Joel Ajayi

It was a galore of an exciting day for all the son and sundry of Ogbomoso indigenes As Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, flagged off the reconstruction of the three kilometers Under G-Stadium-LAUTECH 2nd Gate Road, Ogbomoso and the second phase of the Light-Up Oyo state project.

At an estimated cost of N28.36 billion, the provision of the street light to span 223.48 kilometers of the road across geopolitical zones of the state is expected to be completed in nine months’ time.

Under a Contractor’s Project Financing Scheme involving Messrs Ledco Allied Enterprises and the Oyo State Government, the state will provide an initial counterpart fund of N2.83 billion with a payment arrangement of the entire project sum that will span seven years.

Meanwhile, the three kilometers road to be reconstructed will however be a direct intervention of the state Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

Speaking in Ogbomoso at the flag-off, Makinde said the state was committing N28.36 billion to the Light-Up phase two project in recognition of the importance of street lights to security and boosting economic activities.

With streets lit up, he noted that security agents will better function, while businesses can run for 24 hours.

He allayed fears on the cost of maintenance, noting that the lights, as in the Light-up phase one project in Ibadan, is energy-saving, powered by inverters for 9 hours and diesel for 3 hours.

“Who says we cannot have 24-hour restaurants, petrol stations and other businesses in Oyo State as it happens in other cities worldwide? These developments start with basic infrastructure such as street lights.

“As we kick off this project, permit me to give you an update on ‘Light Up Oyo’ Phase one which covered Ibadan. If you drive around Ibadan at night, you will notice that most of the streets are well lit. The lights used are energy-saving and also the cost of maintenance is low,” Makinde said.

Giving more details on the three kilometers road, Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Adebowale Balogun said the road will have hydraulic structures, line drains, culverts.

He added that the road will have pavement made of laterite sub-base, crushed stone base material, and 50mm asphaltic concrete wearing course.

In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, Professor Michael Ologunde noted that many residents had been subjected to hardship plying the road.

He held that the reconstruction will save residents, staff, and students of LAUTECH from the usual congestion and recurrence of accidents on the road.

Share on Facebook

Featured

Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

Share on Facebook