A member representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, has unveiled a 15-year development plan (2023-2038) for his constituency in Ogun State.
He unveiled the plan at a stakeholders’ engagement with the theme “Pushing the frontiers of Prosperity in Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency” held at Joga-Orile in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the event which attracted traditional rulers, politicians, union leaders, security experts and community leaders from the federal constituency, Isiaka said the development plan will focus on economic development, social development and governance with a view to creating a prosperous Yewa North/Imeko/Afon constituency.
Isiaka, popularly known as GNI, expressed concern that despite huge mineral resources and abundant opportunities, the constituency has been battling poor road network and other infrastructural challenges.
The three-time governorship candidate said the federal constituency sitting on 3798km2 is bigger than Cape Verde, Mauritius and three other African countries, hence, it has the capacity to develop its economy as a sub-national.
He said “Our size is 3798km2 comprising 2,078km2 of Yewa North and 1,711km2 of Imeko-Afon Local Government. That size is bigger than at least five African countries. It is bigger than Cape Verde, Mauritius, Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe, and it is almost four times the size of Seychelles. And we have a border. So, with our size and the border towns, we are almost a country without a constitutional power. There is nothing we dream of that we cannot achieve it with God on our side.
“Our vision is to create an optimistic, self-confident, prosperous Yewa North/Imeko-Afon through the utilization of our human and natural resources and operating within a democratic open and fair sub-national where opportunities and fair opportunities exist for all.
“The whole idea is to challenge our thinking because we know we can do it. In the comity of Federal constituencies, we cannot afford to occupy the position we are occupying and if we continue to do the same way, God forbid…”
The Reps member said development of border communities, agriculture, industrialization, micro business empowerment through loan grants, road construction, youth and women empowerment are central to the development plan.
The lawmaker said most of the ideas in the development plan align with the blueprint of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that it would be easy to achieve with support and concerted efforts of stakeholders in the constituency.
He also called for the input of stakeholders within the next two weeks in order to make it “a perfect document.”
Emeritus Professor of History, Anthony Asiwaju, who spoke virtually at the event, applauded the initiative, saying all hands must be on neck to drive the needed change in the constituency.
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