Promising days are undoubtedly ahead for the people of Ogun State as Governor Dapo Abiodun has sets in motion the process of establishing a Naval Base in Ogun State in preparation for the establishment of a seaport and in addition to the ongoing work on the Gateway International Agro-Airport in the state.

Speaking while receiving the Naval team from the Naval Headquarters in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun noted with delight the zeal exhibited by the Chief of Naval Staff in setting up the team, saying the establishment of a Naval Base would help to further secure the state.

Governor Abiodun explained that the plan of his government is to have effective and wonderful transportation network that covers all types of transportation to aid Great commercial growth in the state. The planned Naval Base according to him is to provide security for the water transportation plan, with the proposed Seaport in the state.
"Weeks ago, I held a meeting with the new Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command and in that meeting, I shared a vision of Ogun State Multi-modal Transportation Master Plan made up of road, rail and Water transportation.

"We have implemented that of road and rail except that of water transportation. It is important that ahead of the implementation of the water transportation of our Multi-modal Transportation Master Plan, we have a feasible presence of the Nigerian Navy beyond the Navy school that have been here for many years.The airport has four kilometer lengths Runway, the longest in the country. It was a moment of joy for the people of Ogun State as they witnessed the landing of the maiden flight Agro-Cargo Airport at Iperu-Ilishan Road, Ikene local government.

"I want to assure you that the benefits will be mutual. We will complement this Committee with people from our state who are competent and will adds value to the Committee," the governor noted.

The Governor added that the the state in the past had been longing to have a dry port and airport until his administration succeeded in building the airport, adding that the seaport, which has been in the drawing board for long, would also see the light of the day.

He also added that though operations have not started at the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport, many institutions and corporate bodies have indicated interest to take over and run the airport, adding that the Ogun State Airport is one of the best in the country.

Governor Abiodun with other Ogun State government functionaries on inspection of the state-built Airport

"We have succeeded in building one of the best airport in Nigeria. Even though operations have not started, many renowned corporate bodies have indicated interest to take over and run it in line with global best practices.

Promising the timely delivery on the planned Seaport and the Naval Base, the Governor said:
"The same zeal we use for the airport will be the same we will use for the seaport which will be Nigeria's biggest seaport and this will call for serious Naval presence."

History was made in February 2023 as the first commercial flight landed at the Gateway Agro Cargo International Airport along Iperu.

The first Commercial flight that landed in the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport in February 2023

Concluding his remarks while hosting the committee, the governor appreciated the Navy for cooperating and collaborating with other security agencies to keep the peace in the state, saying the state would appreciate the posting of OP. WASE component of the Navy to beef up security in the state.

Speaking earlier, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, expressed the need to beef security in the state as the result of a slight increase in crime rate in recent times.

Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan with Governor Dapo Abiodun

The Naval boss said the visit was to follow up on the discussion he had with the governor to set up a Naval Base in the state.

Rear Admiral M. Oamen responding during the visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun

The head of the Committee, Rear Admiral M. Oamen in his own remarks thanked the state government for the support the Navy has received in the past 25 years, emphasizing that the Chief of Naval Staff and members of the Committee are committed to the success of the project.