Oluwo hails Oyetola for securing federal approval of Ibadan–Iwo–Osogbo road rehabilitation
…Oluwo leads 30 monarchs in Osun West to endorse Tinubu for a second term The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has attributed the Federal Government’s approval for the rehabilitation
…Oluwo leads 30 monarchs in Osun West to endorse Tinubu for a second term
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has attributed the Federal Government’s approval for the rehabilitation of the 90.9-kilometre Ibadan–Iwo–Osogbo road to the intervention of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
The Federal Executive Council recently approved N119 billion for the reconstruction of the road, alongside the long-delayed Gbongan–Osogbo route.
Speaking with journalists at his palace, the monarch said Oyetola played a decisive role in bringing the project to President Bola Tinubu's attention, leading to its eventual approval after decades of neglect.
According to him, the minister had closely followed advocacy efforts on the road and reached out to assure him that the matter would be escalated to the President.
“Oyetola told me he would speak to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the need for federal intervention. To the glory of Olodumare, the President approved the project shortly after,” he said.
Oba Akanbi, who spoke alongside about 30 monarchs from Osun West Senatorial District, described the approval as a major breakthrough that would enhance economic activities and improve connectivity across the region.
He contrasted the development with past efforts, recalling that repeated appeals during former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration did not yield results, as the road was classified as a state responsibility.
“Today, the story has changed. We now have leadership that understands the strategic importance of this road,” he said.
The monarch also provided historical context, noting that the Ibadan–Iwo segment was last constructed in 1977 during the military administration of David Jemibewon, while the Iwo–Osogbo stretch was awarded the same year at a contract sum of N11.5 million.
He maintained that the road's rehabilitation would significantly impact trade, transportation and socio-economic development in the affected communities.
The monarch and other traditional rulers from the district also expressed support for President Tinubu’s re-election, citing the road project as evidence of responsive governance.
“Completing the section was more challenging because it passed through shades of contractors, including (TWZ Construction, Tewogbade and Sons and POAT Construction Company) before it was eventually inaugurated in 1990.”
However, he noted, “The road was shoddily done such that it began to show deficiencies as early as 1991. To address the hardship the failure generated for the road users, the Multi–State Road Project II of the newly created Osun State Government engaged in a patching exercise on the road.”
He said several administrations made efforts on the road, which failed due to a paucity of funds.
He added, “The roads are great cities, including Ibadan, Iwo, Osogbo, Ede and over 30 adjoining towns such as Ileogbo, Awo, Ejioku, Ogburo, Ido Osun, Olukunle, Idiosan, Adewumi, dry port area in Erunmu, Ariku (Iyanaoffa), Iyana ore, Telemu, Asamu, Lanbiwoninu, Papa and many more.”
“We extend our commendation to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Isiaq Gboyega Oyetola, for facilitating the federal government's intervention and subsequent approval.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has listened to us. When we needed him, he answered. The project is a challenge for all of us to answer when he calls, too. There is no more appropriate reward than to massively support his 2nd term re-election bid. He is our son. We should be proud of him. We should be advocates of his successes. He is our pride. We should lead a struggle for his renewed hope agenda. Let us blow the trumpet of his successes to our fellow traditional rulers.”
