Senator Yayi Engages Stakeholders in Ogun Waterside, Flags Off Re-electrification, Market Construction Projects

The Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 election, and the incumbent Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial district, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has officially flagged off the re-electrification project for over 50 communities across Ogun Waterside Local Government Area and other parts of Ogun East Senatorial District. 

Senator Yayi flagged off the project during a town hall meeting with the people of the communities, including traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, youth representatives and other stakeholders in the area on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

The re-electrification project covers more than 50 communities in Ogun Waterside and Ijebu East Local Government Areas, where thousands of residents have lived without electricity for over a decade.

The communities include Onikintimbo, Gbegude, Olorunsogo, Malofe, Itebu-Manuwa, Mile 3, Mile 4, Igede, Oni, Alo, Olojumeta, Ibiade, Agodo, Tigara, Igbafo, Ilushin, Agbure, Efire, Lomiro, Obu, Ayede, Abigi, Ayila, Ita Ogun, Ita Otu, Makun Omi, Igbo Edu, Ode Omi, and Awodikora, among others.

Addressing the community stakeholders at the meeting, Senator Yayi,  who was accompanied by the Deputy Governorship candidate, Mrs Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun, said the intervention aimed to restore hope to residents whose socio-economic activities had been affected by years of power outages following the vandalisation of critical electricity infrastructure.

He highlighted the importance of collaboration in ensuring the project’s successful execution and sustainability, urging residents to take ownership by protecting the facilities from vandalism.

“This project represents our commitment to improving the lives of our people. Electricity is fundamental to economic growth, education, healthcare and security. We cannot stand by while communities remain in darkness for years. Today, we are taking another practical step towards restoring power, reviving businesses, and improving the standard of living of our people. I therefore call on the community leaders and everyone in the environment where the cables pass through to forge a 24-hour security surveillance to guide this project against vandals,” he said. He noted that the contractor has been mobilised to commence work and the project will be completed by December 2026,” he said.

The re-electrification project follows Yayi’s recent commitment to restore electricity to the affected communities after a consultative visit to Ogun Waterside, during which residents highlighted the devastating impact of the prolonged blackout.

In fulfilment of that pledge, the Senator approved the release of funds from his personal resources and mobilised contractors to begin work on the project.

Yayi also announced plans to build a large market in Ogun Waterside, powered by solar, that will provide traders with evening market opportunities and further boost economic activity in the area.

He disclosed that construction work on the market will commence within the next two weeks.

The meeting was graced by other dignitaries including Prince Segun Adesegun, former deputy governor of Ogun State, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Hon. Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, Professor Awonusi, Hon Babatunde Adejare, Alhaji Olatunde Rufai; the member representing Ogun Waterside State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Samsudeen Lawal; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources, Hon. Damilola Otubanjo; former Executive Chairman of Ogun Waterside Local Government, Hon. Lateef Adekunle Mudashiru; the Executive Chairman of Ogun Waterside Local Government, Hon. Odunnake Ganiu; Senior Special Assistants to the Governor; representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); APC leaders from Oni, Etike, Abigi, Ilusin/Lukogbe and Ibiade Wards; party leaders from Ogun Waterside and Ijebu East; religious leaders; and other stakeholders.

The meeting also had in attendance traditional and community leaders, including Professor A. T. Hassan, the Elesugbon of Esugbon; Oba M.A.O Adenaike, the Oyebola of Ipaga; Oba A.K Alakija, the Akija of Ikija; Oba Olusegun Ogunye, the Ojotumoro of Abigi; Oba Buhari Ola Balogun, the Onirokun of Irokun, among others.

Community leaders at the event praised the Senator for translating his promise into action, noting that the intervention would revive businesses, improve healthcare delivery, enable students to study under better conditions, support artisans, and create new economic opportunities for residents.

Pledging their support for the project, the leaders assured the senator that the communities would work together to protect the electrical infrastructure from vandalism, ensuring that the intervention delivers lasting benefits.