Ajimisan Congratulates Aiyedatiwa, Urges Development of Port of Ondo, Ayetoro Sea Embarkment, and Araromi-Alara Beach.

S. Ola Ajimisan, Director of the Centre for the Propagation of Ilaje Cultural Heritage (CEPICH) and Centre for the Propagation of Etikan Traditional Heritage (CEPETH) has congratulated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on his inauguration, while calling for strategic investment in the Port of Ondo and the transformation of Ayetoro and Araromi-Alara Beach.

The congratulatory message by the Ilaje-Etikan firebrand, and Ilaje Ambassador reads;

Centre for the Propagation of Ilaje Cultural Heritage (CEPICH) 

Centre for the Propagation of Etikan Traditional Heritage (CEPETH) 

His Excellency,

Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa , 

Governor of Ondo State Ondo State Government  

Your Excellency,  

We, at the Centre for the Propagation of Ilaje Cultural Heritage (CEPICH) and Centre for the Propagation of Etikan Traditional Heritage (CEPETH), extend our heartfelt congratulations to You and Your Deputy Governor on your epochal inauguration/swearing-in ceremony as the Governor of Ondo State and Deputy Governor respectfully.

Your victory at the poll and successful inauguration is not just a personal achievement but an historic milestone for the Ilaje people and the entire state. Our hearts are therefore filled with joy, not only for your well-deserved success but also with unflinching hope that your tenure will usher in greater prosperity, progress and development for Ondo State.  

We are also immensely delighted that at your instance and that of other noble Ilaje elites, the maiden edition of Ilaje National Conference was held on Saturday 22nd and 23rd Sunday, February, 2025 respectively. With this conference, the Ilaje have decided to take their collective destiny in their hands and make progress through unity in diversity 

For the records, the foundation for the progress of the Ilaje nation has long been laid, and God's has blessed us with the resources for an encompassing and holistic development. Unfortunately, we have been strategically short-changed in the past by previous Governors and governments. Now, as the first Ilaje man to govern our great state, it is of utmost importance that you harness this historic opportunity to engender sustainable infrastructural development in Ilaje land, facilitate greater employment opportunities, and drive significant investment into the latent potentials of our region and the entire South.  

Recall that in 2020, the Deputy Research Director Ikuemonisan Bababo Major  of our centres published a paper entitled, "Ayetoro Sea Incursion: Reflective Discourse and Urgent Need to Open Up Ondo South In Ondo State for Patent Development" link https://www.grin.com/document/1044993  . In this paper, he explored the sea inundation in Ayetoro, how the government can end it and creatively transform Ayetoro into a mega Atlantic city and a business hub. This according to him would boast man-made Island, natural flower gardens, ferry wheel {economy} and luxurious hotels for pleasantness and pleasure. He also suggested that the investment in the Mega Atlantic City should be privately driven, while the residential buildings should be a government housing scheme built by the Ondo state government and to be sold to willing buyers, with 70% of them being indigenes of the Happy City at a cheap and convenient payment plans. He gave instances of Lagos Bar Beach, which Lagos Government under His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu  turned from a Ravaging Sea Incursion to Eko Atlantic City, and Dubai, from a historic fishing community to an architectural wonder.

Equally and most fundamentally, our Deputy Director explored the imperative of opening up of Ayetoro as a Mega Atlantic city and business hub due to its proximity to the proposed Port of Ondo which connects to Olokola Free Trade Zone and the Araromi Seaside Beach. This stems from the fact that, the trio has the prospect of revolutionizing and engendering huge economic growth and development in the state.

He made very sacrosanct and admonished the Ondo State government then, under Rotimi Akeredolu to shun lip services and set the year 2025 as the year to kick start the "Port of Ondo" project. He believes that the development of a deep seaport in Erunna/Ogboti and free trade zone (FTZ) around Olokola in the coastline area of Ondo should serve an aviation, oil and gas logistics and cargo hub, and export processing zone for agro-allied, textiles companies etc. Thus, a gateway to both domestic and international markets that would attract domestic and foreign investments, and support micro, small, and medium enterprises {MSMEs}, create million new jobs, and generate billions in export earnings.

Additionally, he also explored the need to harness the Ecotourism potentials of Araromi/Alara Beach and generate billions of naira monthly. He pontificated that, the Beach will not only serve as a major source of income and foreign exchange earnings for Ondo State but will lead to the creation of other businesses such as cinemas, theatres, nightclubs, restaurants, natural parks, heritage attractions, provision of better transportation and lodging facilities that are major driver of revenue and will complement the international and domestic airlines, shipping and ferry operations, railway etc. in Erunma/Ogboti, Olokola, and Ayetoro in the nearest future.

Indeed, we were intrigued by your recent move to bring all sons and daughters of Ondo State, government functionaries, guests and tourists to Alara Beach in Araromi as part of the inauguration activities. This is promising and apparently a move in the right direction.

Finally, given Ilaje's strategic location, there's also a need for a Maritime/Navy University in Ilaje Local Government, among other key developmental imperatives.

Recall again that the Rotimi Akeredolu's administration had hitted on the building of the "Port Of Ondo" and showed the will to end the ocean menace in Ayetoro and other Ilaje communities. Unfortunately, none of this was started at all. 

This is why we at the CEPITH and CEPETH strongly believe that your election to the number one position in Ondo State is a divine orchestration and highly pivotal for the development of the entire Ondo State and particularly, our region, which has been marginalized despite we are the hen that lays the golden egg. Thus, your leadership must ensure that these transformational projects become realities and fulfill the long-held aspirations of our people.

As you commence a new journey today as the Executive Governor of Ondo State, we pray for divine wisdom, divine guidance and strength to steer Ondo State towards a brighter future. 

May your succeed and may your tenure usher in unprecedented achievements, peace, and greater prosperity for us all in Jesus name. Amen.

We are in full support of your administration and look forward to greater prosperity and progress under your leadership.  

Once again, congratulations, Your Excellency!  

S. Ola Ajimisan, Stephen Ajimisan 

Director/Founder

©Centre for the Propagation of Ilaje Cultural Heritage (CEPICH)

©Centre for the Propagation of Etikan Traditional Heritage (CEPETH)