The Ilaje Development Summit Group (IDSG) has asked Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, to focus on infrastructural development in the Ilaje local government area of the state.
In a statement on Thursday, Sola Adebawo, executive administrator of the group, said Ilaje produced the second-highest number of votes to secure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the October 10 governorship election.
The group stated that a strategic focus on Ilaje, the local government with the longest coastline in Nigeria, will offer an incredible opportunity for improving the economy of the state.
“The Ilaje Development Summit Group (IDSG) wishes to congratulate the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (Aketi), and his Deputy-elect, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on their outstanding success at the October 10, 2020 governorship election in Ondo State,” Adebawo said.
“This represents a clear statement of trust by the people of Ondo State and a reflection of the sound judgment in the selection of Lucky Aiyedatiwa (a distinguished Ilaje son) as running mate.
“From the results of the election, Ilaje Local Government produced the second-highest number of votes after Owo (the Governor’s home LG) to procure victory for the Governor and his Deputy-elect. This is a strong indication of the unanimous support of Ilaje people for the incoming administration, which will now have an Ilaje as Deputy Governor for the first time in the 44-year history of Ondo State.
“As we look forward to the inauguration of this second term of the administration, we call for a genuine and urgent focus on Ilaje for sustainable development in neglected infrastructure and other key areas such as health, education, economy, electricity, etc., in fulfilment of the election promises and in alignment with the aspiration of our people.
“With the longest coastline in Nigeria, Ilaje Local Government offers an incredible opportunity for the coastal economy and is poised to be the mainstay of Ondo State economy as well as a strategic boost to the larger Nigerian economy.”
Adebawo described IDSG as a citizen-led initiative “to engineer coordinated sustainable development of Ilaje land through participatory partnership, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement”.