AN OPEN LETTER TO H.E SENATOR ENGINEER GBENGA DANIEL (OGD) ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 70TH BIRTHDAY
Distinguished Senator Representing Ogun East Senatorial District, National Assembly, Abuja.
Your Excellency,
Senator Gbenga Daniel (OGD),
I write with profound respect and warm felicitation as you mark the remarkable milestone of your 70th birthday. This occasion is not only a celebration of age, but of a life defined by service, leadership, and enduring impact on the people of Ogun State and Nigeria at large.
At 70, Your Excellency stands as a statesman whose journey through public service, particularly as Governor of Ogun State from 2003 to 2011—remains a testament to visionary governance, infrastructural development, and strategic economic positioning. Your legacy continues to inspire confidence, trust, and admiration among your constituents and beyond.
Please Sir, accept my heartfelt congratulations and prayers for continued strength, wisdom, and good health as you continue to serve our nation with distinction.
A Moment of Celebration, A Time for Reflection.
While we celebrate your life and contributions, this milestone also presents a moment for reflection on the enduring needs of the people you represent, especially in the area of critical infrastructure.
It is in this spirit of both celebration and civic responsibility that I HONOURABLE FUSHI, humbly bring to your attention the urgent need for the reconstruction of the Ijebu-Ode – Itokin Expressway, the strategic road linking Ogun State to Ikorodu in Lagos State.
The Dire State of the Ijebu-Ode – Itokin Expressway
Your Excellency, the condition of this expressway has deteriorated beyond acceptable limits:
● The road is severely damaged, riddled with deep potholes and erosion
● Several stretches are practically impassable for vehicles
● Daily commuters experience delays, breakdowns, and rising transportation costs.
What should serve as a major economic corridor has unfortunately become a burden to the very people it was meant to support.
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Emergence of Unsafe Bush Alternatives
Due to the deplorable condition of the road, motorists and commuters have resorted to creating alternative routes through the bush.
These routes:
● Are dusty, unsafe, and environmentally damaging
● Lack any form of regulation or security presence
● Have become hotspots for criminal activities, including robbery and kidnapping
● Have recorded several disturbing incidents, putting lives at constant risk
This situation poses a serious security and humanitarian concern that requires urgent intervention.
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Why the People Believe in You
Your Excellency, the people of Ogun East entrusted you with this mandate because of your proven track record.
Your tenure as Governor was marked by:
● Strategic infrastructural expansion
● Effective governance and policy implementation
● Tangible improvements in road networks and public services
Your name OGD remains synonymous with delivery and performance. It is this history that continues to give the people hope that their concerns will not go unheard.
Appreciation for Sagamu–Ore Expressway Progress
We sincerely commend your responsiveness, alongside His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, regarding the ongoing reconstruction of the Sagamu–Ore Expressway.
Following sustained agitation by concerned citizens of Ogun East, including myself and many others, your intervention helped draw federal attention to that critical infrastructure. Today, the visible progress on that road stands as evidence of what responsive leadership can achieve.
A Gentle Reminder of Your Commitment
During your ward-to-ward tour across Ogun East Senatorial District, you made a clear and reassuring commitment to the people, to continue prioritizing infrastructural development that enhances connectivity, security, and economic growth.
As you celebrate this significant milestone of your 70th birthday, we respectfully urge you to consider the reconstruction of the Ijebu-Ode – Itokin Expressway as a legacy project to be completed before the end of your tenure.
The Impact of Timely Intervention
Reconstructing this expressway will:
● Restore safe and efficient movement between Ogun and Lagos States
● Eliminate dangerous bush routes and reduce criminal exposure
● Boost trade, agriculture, and commercial activities
● Improve the daily lives of thousands of citizens
● Further cement your legacy as a leader who delivers lasting impact
Conclusion
Your Excellency, as you celebrate 70 years of a purposeful and impactful life, we join countless well-wishers in honoring your contributions to society.
At the same time, we look forward with hope, trusting in your leadership, experience, and influence to address this pressing infrastructural need.
May this new chapter of your life bring even greater accomplishments, fulfillment, and opportunities to serve humanity.
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Once again, happy 70th birthday, Sir.
With highest regards and patriotic optimism
Yours faithfully,
Honourable Funso Jide Adekunle
(a.k.a Honourable Fushi)
A Concerned Citizen of Ogun East Senatorial District
