Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will carry out the groundbreaking ceremony for what is poised to become the largest cotton and polyester processing facility in the world.
The project will be located at the Special Agro Processing Zone near the Gateway International Airport, Iperu/Ilisan axis of the state.
Governor Abiodun made this announcement while hosting the former Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, alongside members of the Iperu Development Association, at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He stated that the factory, part of the “Renewed Hope Cotton Resurgent Initiative,” would span 400 hectares of land and provide daily employment for approximately 250,000 individuals.
He said: “In the next 30-45 days, we will be doing the groundbreaking of the Renewed Hope Cotton Resurgent Initiative that will be done by Mr. President himself. It is going to be a bigger factory, and it will be the biggest cotton and polyester processing factory in the world.
“It will employ 250,000 people per day. The promoters of this factory went around the whole state, and they decided that this is the place they want to site this factory because of the existing infrastructure like the airport, proximity to consumers, and the ability of raw materials to come in centrally.
“We are clearing the site, and this factory is going to sit on 400 hectares of land. It is like a whole new town. The requirements to support this industry can best be imagined. The economic impact on Iperu and its environs, the entire Remoland, Ijebu land, and the whole of Ogun State is beyond imagination”, Governor Abiodun said.
He added that apart from the cotton industry, the Nigerian Air Force ,NAF, has also indicated interest in siting a base in the town to secure not only the airport but also to provide adequate security to Iperu and the adjoining towns.
In explaining why the airport was situated in Iperu, the governor said the location lies at the center of the state and is easily reachable from all corners of Ogun. He also noted that 100 housing units built by the current administration at the Airport Housing Estate would soon be commissioned.
He shared that the state government had reconstructed the old Ibadan road and several township roads, renovated public schools and primary healthcare centers, and brought a mother-and-child hospital to the town.
He commended the former Accountant General of the Federation for her meritorious service to her state and fatherland, describing her as a true daughter of the state who served without blemish.
“Thank you for all you have done. You have attracted laudable projects like a women’s empowerment center, a mini stadium, and the erosion control project to the town as a form of giving back to society.
“You started from a humble background. You began your primary and secondary education here in Iperu and later went to Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, before proceeding to Ogun State University and working with the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation ,OPIC, before moving to the federal level.
“You are hardworking, diligent, focused, intentional, and a disciplined person. Thank you for making us proud; you are a pride to womanhood. It shows that gender must not be a limitation to what one can attain,” he added.
In response, Mrs. Madein expressed her gratitude to the governor for fostering a business-friendly climate that has attracted substantial investments to Ogun State. She explained that her visit was both to express appreciation and to report her activities during her tenure.
“The purpose of this visit is to come and give the report of my stewardship as the Accountant General of the Federation and to let you know that I have represented Ogun State well and contributed to national development.
“It is also to appreciate Your Excellency for the support you gave to me that enabled my success during my tenure,” she said.
Chairman of the Iperu Development Association, Otunba Taiwo Oyebanjo, noted that the combination of the governor and the Accountant General has greatly impacted the socio-economic development of Iperu, as the town now boasts modern facilities that have improved the standard of living.
The Ebi of Idena, Oba Lukman Salami, echoed these sentiments, commending the governor for the visible transformation Iperu has undergone in recent years. He noted that the area had evolved from a mere village into a developed town, thanks to the various development initiatives introduced by the current administration.
What you should know
Ogun State is set to host the world’s largest cotton and polyester processing factory under the “Renewed Hope Cotton Resurgent Initiative,” with President Tinubu scheduled to perform the groundbreaking.
The project will sit on 400 hectares and employ 250,000 people daily, significantly boosting the state’s economy, especially around the Iperu/Ilisan axis.
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