Governor Ibikunle Amosun

As parts of activities marking the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Gateway State, Ogun State, special state executive council meeting was held on Monday to commemorate the event.

The special exco meeting held at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, was an avenue for the past military administrators and democratically elected governors of the state to share their experiences on how the state was administered during their tenures in office.

Those in attendance were; Lt.Colonel Seidu Adeolu Balogun, Colonel Oladipo Diya, Lt.Colonel Oladayo Popoola, Navy Captain Oladehinde Joseph, Lt.Col. Daniel Akintonde, Group Captain Sam Ewang and Navy Captain Kayode Olofinmoyin.

Three out of the past governors were conspicuously absent at the meeting. They are Chief Olusegun Osoba,Col. Raji Rasaki(retd.) and Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

The session which commenced at exactly 10am ended at 11:58am. A minute silence was said in honour of the departed ex-governors.Brigadier Harris Egbagha, the first executive governor of the state, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo and Navy Captain Mohammed Lawal.

The special session, which was aired live on both OGTV and OGBC had each of the past administrators having the opportunity to share their experiences with the present executive council members on how they fared while holding the reins in the state.

They all commended the efforts of the present administration in the state led by Senator Ibikunle Amosun for the giant strides in moving the state forward.

The past administrators spoke one after the other and identified areas where the state needed to work upon to improve its fortune.

In his remark, Governor Ibikunle Amosun appreciated the former administrators for honouring the state and pledged his administration commitment to continue to work for the progress of the state. The governor acknowledged the selfless service rendered by the past leaders and assured that the foundation laid by them would not be destroyed. He decorated his predecessors with state crest and plaque.

In attendance were Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Senators representing Ogun Central and West Senatorial districts, Prince Lanre Tejuoso and Prince Gbolahan Dada, while the Senator representing Ogun East, Prince Buruji Kashamu was not in attendance. Ogun state was created out of the defunct Western Region on 3rd February, 1976. The state was administered by the military for 22 years while the civilians reigned for 18 years.

As at the time of filling this report, the governor is on his way to Lagos to welcome the President, while all the former governors and the Milads headed towards Ijebu Ode with the state deputy governor to awaits them.