Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and other dignitaries witnessed the landing of the maiden test flight at the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Ikenne, Ogun state.
Speaking at the occasion, Osinbajo commended the state government for reviving the airport — a project conceived 14 years ago.
He said the achievement exemplified actions that could build a modern Nigeria, according to a tweet on Thursday by Laolu Akande, his spokesperson.
“This is how we build a modern and prosperous Nigeria,” Osinbajo said.
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VP Osinbajo headlines Official landing of maiden flight into Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Ikenne LGA. "This is how we build a modern & prosperous Nigeria," VP says commending Gov Abiodun.The new cargo airport opens up a Special Eco. Processing Zone. Pix:Tolani Alli pic.twitter.com/diRFURwzov
— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) February 23, 2023
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Also celebrating the milestone, Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun state, said his administration has achieved “the unthinkable within our first four years in office”.
“The first air plane touching-down and taking-off at the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Iperu-Ilishan in Ogun state,” he tweeted.
The first air plane touching-down and taking-off at the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Iperu-Ilishan in Ogun State.
We've achieved the unthinkable within our first 4 years in office.
AdvertisementHistory that won’t be forgotten!#BuildingOurFutureTogether #ISEYA #OgunState pic.twitter.com/59POxiboGA
— Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, CON (@DapoAbiodunCON) February 23, 2023
The agro-cargo airport was conceptualised in 2009 with a goal to stimulate the state’s economy.
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But construction started in April 2021.
In November 2022, Abiodun had said the $400 million special agro-industrial processing zone (SAPZ) project, sited at the agro-cargo airport will be executed by the state government in partnership with Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms.
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He said apart from the SAPZ, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had decided to situate one of its biggest facilities in the airport.
In a statement, Ade Akinsanya, Ogun commissioner for works and infrastructure, said the airport would also stimulate the growth of other sectors “such as commerce and agriculture as well as tourism opportunities”.
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“It would increase economic activities through the provision of employment for not less than 25,000 people through the agricultural value chain,” he said.
Here are pictures from the event
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