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BY ABUSATAR HAMED
LISA KINGDOM – Oba Nojeemdeen Oladele Odugbemi, the Olu of Lisa kingdom in Ifo local government area of Ogun State, has earnestly appealed to the Ogun State government, led by Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, to include the Ijoko-Lisa road in the initial phase of infrastructure projects planned for his second term in office.
This plea was made by the monarch on the occasion of his 66th birthday, which fell on Monday, October 23, 2023.
It’s worth noting that Lisa community gained worldwide recognition following the tragic Bellview Flight 2010 crash that occurred in Lisa Town on October 22, 2005.
This incident has transformed Lisa into a place visited by people from diverse backgrounds, including families of the crash victims, aviation industry professionals, government officials, and even the then-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
However, the access road connecting Lisa from Ijoko-Ota has deteriorated to the point of becoming impassable and perilous, causing considerable distress to Oba Odugbemi and the entire community.
To alleviate the suffering faced daily due to the dilapidated road, the Federal government, under President Olusegun Obasanjo, had initially approved the road’s construction from Ijoko to Lisa.
Nevertheless, the construction was later executed by OGROMA, an Ogun State road maintenance agency during the tenure of former Governor Gbenga Daniel.
Unfortunately, the road’s substandard construction has failed to meet the government’s vision of turning Lisa Arcade into a National Tourist Center.
Before the tragic event in October 2005, Lisa village remained largely unknown beyond Ifo local government, with limited infrastructure and government attention.
But today, Lisa and its neighboring villages have evolved into semi-urban settlements due to the international spotlight on the plane crash.
Since that fateful day, Oba Odugbemi has continuously called on both the federal and state governments to rebuild the road, ensuring that the families of the victims can access the arcade where their loved ones were buried.
Following his ascension to the throne as Baale of Lisa on July 16, 2006, and subsequent elevation to the title of Oba in 2019 by the Ogun State government, Oba Odugbemi has introduced significant developments in Lisa.
He has transformed the village into an urban center, providing essential amenities typically found in urban areas. These amenities include modern markets, healthcare services, schools, a Nigeria Police Post, and the So Safe Security outfit, with the funding mainly sourced from Oba Odugbemi.
In his commitment to counteract rural-urban migration, Oba Odugbemi has not only improved the lives of his community members, but also established a foundation that offers scholarships to school children, financial support for the elderly and widows, and numerous community interventions.
The monarch has actively encouraged government programmes to be conducted within the Lisa community to spare residents the inconvenience of traveling elsewhere.
On his 66th birthday, Oba Nojeemdeen Oladele Odugbemi, Ali Odu 1, has pledged to dedicate the remaining years of his life to the growth and development of Lisa community.
He envisions elevating Lisa from a semi-urban settlement to a fully-fledged urban area with enhanced services for its residents.
The community members have expressed their gratitude for Oba Nojeemdeen Oladele Odugbemi’s unwavering commitment and dedication to transforming Lisa into a flourishing and prosperous community.
They offer their congratulations on his 66th birthday, praying that God grants him a long and healthy life to continue his humanitarian service and contribute to the community’s growth and advancement.
