Diya Commissions Sports Arena, Other Projects As Odogbolu LG Boss Marks 22 Months In Office

Odogbolu Local Government Chairman, Hon. (Dr.) Babatunde Oyetola Diya has commissioned a new sports arena and other projects as his administration marks 22 months in office.

The projects were commissioned on Friday, September 17, 2026, at the Odogbolu Sports Arena, along Federal Government College Road, Odogbolu, Ogun State.

The commissioning ceremony attracted traditional rulers, community leaders, political leaders, government officials and other stakeholders, including several All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains.

Among those present were Hon. Olufemi Ogunbanwo, Member representing Ijebu Central Federal Constituency; Hon. Lukman Adeleye, Member of the Ogun State House of Assembly; Hon. Arole Azeez Bello, Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Hon. Remi Hassan; Hon. Atinuke Bello; and Hon. Adebowale Ojuri, former members of the State House of Assembly.

Also in attendance were traditional rulers from Odogbolu Local Government Area; the Vice Chairman of the council, Hon. Princess Olusola Adeyinka; Secretary to the Local Government, Deacon Stanley Oluogun; and APC Chairman in Odogbolu Local Government, Hon. Muyiwa Idowu.

Other dignitaries included Hon. Ireti Adenuga; Hon. Mrs. Aderonke Carew, popularly known as Mama Rontex; Hon. Tunde Adesoye; Alhaji Idris Lawal; Alhaji Mole Mole; Engr. Mrs. Adenike Ogunlowo; Hon. Femi Adesanya; and other party leaders and stakeholders.

Speaking at the ceremony, Diya said the commissioning provided an opportunity for his administration to account for its stewardship in the last 22 months rather than make fresh promises.

He said the administration had completed over 35 projects within 22 months as part of its second phase of development initiatives, with projects cutting across infrastructure, sports, education, healthcare, water supply, commerce and the modernisation of local government administration.

The chairman described the newly commissioned Odogbolu Sports Arena as a facility designed to discover and nurture sporting talents, engage young people productively and promote sports tourism in the local government area.

According to him, the administration also renovated the Chairman’s Office, ante-room and Conference Room at the Local Government Secretariat, while the Legislative Chamber was reconstructed and remodelled.

Diya said a solar-inverter renewable energy system had also been installed at the Secretariat, alongside two additional electrical lines and three prepaid meters.

He added that the Local Government Education Authority office was refurbished, with a borehole and six-unit toilet facility provided. On security and public infrastructure, the chairman disclosed that 437 solar-powered street lights, supported by 429 pipes, had been installed across the 15 wards of the local government.

He said the administration had also provided solar-powered boreholes in Iperin, Imodi, Ibefun, Abatiwa, Emuren, Igbile, Jobore, Ibido-Ogbo and Ataba communities.

In the health sector, Diya said materials and equipment had been procured for Primary Health Centres, while 500 vulnerable residents had been enrolled in the “Iwosan Tunde” informal health insurance scheme.

He further disclosed that six primary schools had been reconstructed and rehabilitated, with 160 units of desks and benches provided for pupils. In the area of commerce, the chairman said lock-up shops and open stalls at Okun-Owa, Odogbolu and Omu markets had been reconstructed, while toilet facilities were completed for traders. He added that new lock-up shops had also been constructed at Ososa and Idowa markets. On environmental sanitation, Diya said refuse evacuation was ongoing at Imoru and Oke-Owa as part of efforts to improve cleanliness across the local government.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Femi Ogunbanwo commended the council chairman for the projects and urged traditional rulers and residents to pay attention to those they support with their votes.

Ogunbanwo, while commenting on the political future of the area, said Ijebu people should not relinquish their aspiration to produce the governor of Ogun State in 2035.

He also referred to the possibility of an Ijebu State and urged the people to be deliberate in exercising their franchise.

Another speaker, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, member Ogun State house of Assembly commended Diya for what he described as his developmental efforts and visible projects across Odogbolu Local Government.

Adeleye also praised the council chairman and councillors, attributing the administration’s ability to deliver projects to their alignment with what he described as the mainstream government.

He encouraged residents to remain focused on and support the ruling party, saying such alignment would help sustain development at the grassroots.

The remarks formed part of the goodwill messages delivered at the commissioning ceremony, which brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, community stakeholders and residents.

In his closing remarks, Babatunde Diya appreciated the political leaders, traditional rulers, legislators, career officers, appointees and residents for their support.

He urged residents to take ownership of the newly commissioned projects, particularly by protecting the facilities from vandalism and ensuring their effective utilisation.

“These projects belong to you,” the chairman said, adding that the commissioning marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another phase of development in Odogbolu.