Iganmode Cultural Day: Adeola supports promotion of culture, tourism as catalyst for socio-economic development

  By Babs Oyetoro

The Senator representing Ogun west Senatorial District and Chairman  of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola has thrown his weight behind the drive to make Ogun State tourism hub in the country through promotion of culture and other social activities that will boost the socio-economic development of the state.

Senator Adeola made this remark during the grand finale of 2025 Iganmode Cultural Festival themed: ‘Culture and Fashion as a Language of Identity’ held at Ota mini stadium recently.

Sen. Adeola commended Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege (Phd) for exemplary and enlightened leadership over the years in Ota-Awori kingdom that gingered cultural renaissance and peaceful community development in the region.

The lawmaker averred that in tune with the theme of this year’s celebration, the imperial majesty had brought to the fore peculiar culture of the Aworis, and fashion as a language identification of Awori people in Ogun, Lagos State and beyond.

 He further congratulated the Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege on the successful hosting of the 2025 Iganmode Cultural Festival, offering prayers for continued peace, progress and prosperity in the kingdom even as he commended other traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders and residents for their dedication to cultural preservation and community development.

“Let me use this occasion to once again reiterate that in all ways possible that I will continue to support our cultural development particularly when it encourages tourism development and ultimately socio-economic development. I am aware that prior to this grand finale day some cultural and masquerade display has taken place.  I have no doubt that when properly harnessed and packaged, aspects of our culture and fashion inclinations are catalysts to societal economic development”, he reiterated.

Sen. Adeola alluded to the fact that Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun had been the driving force behind tourism development through promotion of different festivals in the state like Oba Festival, Oronna Ilaro Festival, the Lisabi Festival, Iganmode Festival and Akesan Day celebration among several others.

He, however, cited improved security architecture, extensive road construction, enhanced healthcare and educational facilities, and the Gateway Cargo Airport at Iperu as critical drivers of inclusive development.

“I am sure that His Excellency’s support is targeted at a holistic development of all aspects of our state”, stressing that this is in tandem with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.

He used the occasion to recall his legislative achievements, noting that within just over two years, he had facilitated nearly 300 infrastructure projects across Ogun West and other parts of the state.

These include more than 115 road projects, 30 school buildings, 32 primary healthcare centres, 25 modern markets, 13 town halls, 10 ICT centres, two intensive care units, two libraries and eight police stations.

He further revealed that his interventions in the power sector include the installation of over 200 electricity transformers and 250 solar streetlight projects involving about 26,000 poles.

“Ongoing repairs and upgrades of 10 major electricity infrastructures are also impacting nearly 100 communities, with Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area among the major beneficiaries”, he noted.

On human capital development, Senator Adeola added that over 50,000 constituents have benefited from empowerment programmes, skill acquisition initiatives and cash grants.

He added that 15,000 traders received grants of ₦25,000 to ₦50,000, about 6,000 farmers benefited from agricultural inputs and machinery, over 4,500 tertiary institution students received scholarships and bursaries, while more than 1,000 secondary school students benefited from a laptop support scheme.

According to him, the scale of development projects in Ado-Odo/Ota reflects the area’s rapid urbanisation and industrial expansion, which require sustained investment in roads, healthcare, power and social infrastructure.

He assured residents of continued collaboration with the Ogun State Government to meet these growing needs.