Gateway International Airport, one of the best – Housing Minister

CITIZENS COMPASS—Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has commended the quality of facilities at the Gateway International Airport, describing the airport as one of the best in the country.

Fielding questions from newsmen after touching down at the airport on a Valuejet commercial flight from Abuja, the minister lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for putting up such a gigantic project in a short time.

He said: “Today, I just landed at the Gateway International Airport, and I understand this is a maiden flight. We landed very smoothly, and it was a very good drive; it was a smooth drive, and we landed safely.

“This terminal building is one of the best in this country; it was well constructed, it is functional, and it is well maintained.

“I can see that if the government can maintain this airport from today onwards, I think we will have one of the best edifices we could have in airport design.

“He (Gov. Abiodun) has tried; these are some of the dividends of democracy we need. Look at the time he came in and look at what he has now put in place.

“These are the kinds of things that we need for any state governor to do. We quite appreciate him, and we commend him for what he has done with this airport.”

Also speaking, the National President of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Alhaji Samsudeen Apelogun, who was one of the passengers on the Valuejet’s return trip from Abuja, attested to the quality of facilities at the airport and called for its usage for Hajj operations.

He said: “I would like to seek the indulgence of His Excellency to come and use the Gateway International Airport for the airlift of pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj; we need to fly from here to Saudi Arabia.

“I came back from Abuja this afternoon, and the trip was fantastic. So far, so good, the trip was pleasant, and it is a remarkable and significant achievement for the good people of Ogun State, especially for Governor Dapo Abiodun.

“This is the second largest airport with the longest runway in Africa and the first in Nigeria; it has a 4 km runway. The runway is great, and the facilities here are of international standard.”

Speaking of his flight experience, Alhaji Apelogun said: “From this airport to Sagamu, it won’t take me more than 10 minutes.

“Definitely, it will add value to the socio-economic development of this state. It will create job opportunities and ease all the stress of traveling from Abuja, from Lagos, and from Lagos to Sagamu.

“We will continue to patronize this airport. I am a frequent traveler; I fly to Abuja two or three times a week, and for people like me, I don’t need to say anything other than a big thank you to Governor Dapo Abiodun for this achievement.”

Gbemiga Abiodun Education Support Programme disburses N252m to beneficiaries in three years

Meanwhile, the Gbemiga Abiodun Education Support Programme, an endowment scheme put in place by the Abiodun family to support the education of indigent students in Remoland, has so far disbursed N252 million to 932 beneficiaries across Primary, Secondary, Technical, and Tertiary institutions in the state over the last three years.

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, made this known during the disbursement of another scholarship funds to beneficiaries at an event held at the Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu, Ogun State, on Tuesday.

Governor Abiodun noted that the education support programme, launched on the 7th of October, 2023, has stood as a beacon of compassion, purpose, and empowerment for indigent learners across Remoland and the state as a whole, adding that the vision of the program was to ease the financial burden of education on talented and determined learners.

“In 2023, when we started, we had about 550 beneficiaries; in 2024, it increased to about 700 beneficiaries, and in 2025, that number has increased to 900 beneficiaries.

“Beyond the numbers, what we have experienced are stories of hope—children who once faced uncertainty are now smiling with renewed confidence, parents expressing gratitude, and communities inspired by the ripple effects of this gesture.

“This foundation was established in loving memory of a young man whose life, though brief, passed at the age of 24 and continues to inspire compassion, creativity, and courage. Through this program, he lives on in our hearts,” he said.

The Governor, while noting that his family would continue to ensure that the legacies of his late son, Gbemiga, live on through the lives of students who benefit from the scholarship programme, added that Gbemiga, during his lifetime, envisioned a world where young people exploit their passions, pursue their education, and make meaningful contributions to society.

Prince Abiodun urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the education support to grow themselves towards shaping the future, saying that they should allow the scholarships to ignite their dreams, reminding them that they are capable of greatness beyond measure.

“This gathering is close to my heart because it reflects the passion of kindness that Gbemiga held very highly and the principle that I hold most dearly: that education remains the greatest investment in human capital and the surest path to a brighter future.

“Do not be afraid to dream big; don’t be afraid to aim high and work tirelessly towards your life goals. Life is not measured by its length but by its impact. Use every chance you get to learn, to grow, and to make a difference. Your background does not define your destiny; your belief and resilience are what define you and what you become in life,” he said.

The Governor also noted that he has given the programme coordinators the charge to provide oversight, saying that it is not enough to provide funding but more important to also get close to the families to understand why a child has been absent from school more times than they should be and to also know about the problems the children are having, to ensure that they are of the right mind.

Earlier in his remarks, Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, commended Governor Abiodun and his family for coming up with the Education Support Programme, which he said has been able to support education in the state and the country as a whole.

Prof. Arigbabu added that federal institutions as well as eight technical colleges in the state, would benefit from the Gbemiga Abiodun Education Support Program.

The Commissioner disclosed that the Ogun State government has turned around the entire technical education landscape in the state, noting that technical colleges in Idi-Aba in Abeokuta, Ilara-Akaka, Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo, Igbesa, Ajegunle, among others, now wear a new look.

“It will also interest you to note that the technical education sector we included is also in tandem with what the federal government is doing. Now, the federal government is giving scholarships to all the learners that will enter the technical colleges, so bringing this category is very important. This year, there is an increase of 25% over and above what we had in 2024, and the inclusion of 75 students from the eight technical colleges in Ogun State is remarkable,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, who spoke on behalf of tertiary institutions in the state, appreciated Governor Abiodun for the initiative, saying that the Gbemiga Abiodun Education Support Programme has brought succor to the faces of brilliant indigent students.

A friend of the late Gbemiga, Afolabi Seriki, encouraged students to use the support wisely, saying that with the Gbemiga Abiodun Education Support Programme, their future is bright.

Oyindamola Abiodun, sister to the late Gbemiga, described her brother as not just a caring human being but a gentle and godly man who looks out for the success of others around him.