Obasanjo, Olowu applaud Ogun new GRA Regeneration Scheme

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Olowu of Owu kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola have applauded Ogun State government on the new Ibara Government Reserve Area (GRA) Regeneration Scheme initiated by the state government.

The duo, who spoke during an awareness talk, in continuation of advocacy on the commencement of the scheme, described the initiative as a giant stride.

During the awareness talk led by the Commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Akande Omoniyi, with Olowu Traditional Council, at the Olowu Palace, Oke-Ago Owu, Abeokuta, the Olowu, who thanked God for the peaceful atmosphere in the state, expressed delight that such a laudable project is happening during his reign, promising to give necessary support to the project.

On his part, Obasanjo reminisced that the old Ibara GRA was created to accommodate civil servants relocating from old Western region, lamenting that the current structure does not conform with urban renewal programme.

He added that Abeokuta, as the state capital, should enjoy more developmental and legacy projects, but not at the expense of other parts of the state, calling on government to rehabilitate the roads within Ibara GRA.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional council, the Olotu of Owu Kingdom, Chief Ogo Oluwa Bankole and a representative from Owu Heritage, UK, Chief Michael Ogunseye, appreciated Prince Dapo Abiodun’s administration for initiating the scheme, advising the government to be transparent about the project.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Housing, Omoniyi, emphasised that the idea of the new Ibara GRA was not merely about demolition and reconstruction, but to bring a total transformation, geared towards enhancing the economic value of the state.