The Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, has joined the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and other dignitaries at the presentation of Land Allocation Letters to 98 villages within Ito-Omu and its environs, in a significant step towards securing land ownership and laying a stronger foundation for the planned development of the area.
The occasion attracted the presence of key government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders, including the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Naheem Adams, who represented the Speaker; the Chairman of the House Committee on Housing, Hon. Osho Kazeem; the Executive Chairman of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area, Hon. Biliaminu Samson Agunbiade; the Head of Service and members of the State Executive Council; His Excellency Alhaji Bode Oyedele; as well as traditional rulers including the Oba of Lagos, represented by Opemoluwa Onido, the Onibeju of Ibeju Land, the Alara of Ilara, and other royal fathers.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted the transformation that development would bring to the area, assuring residents that once development comes, its impact cannot be taken away.
The Governor shared his vision of transforming the area into a destination comparable to cities such as Miami and Las Vegas, urging residents to appreciate the significance of the changes taking place around them. He noted that today's residents would one day tell their grandchildren how they once trekked through the area before development transformed it, describing this as the true meaning of growth and development.
For Hon. Olowa, the occasion carried both public and deeply personal significance. He described the allocation as an important milestone that would strengthen land security, promote proper planning and position the beneficiary communities to participate meaningfully in the growth and opportunities emerging across the Ibeju-Lekki axis.
The Chairman noted that land remains central to the history, heritage and future of communities, stressing that the formal allocation and documentation of land provide an important foundation for sustainable development and investment.
Expressing his personal gratitude, Hon. Olowa revealed that his family's farmland, which he has known for over 49 years, is among the lands benefiting from the allocation and is recognised as Olowa Ushenbadejo Village in Ibeju-Lekki.
He said, "My family and I will remain eternally grateful to His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and the Lagos State Government for this allocation. The family farmland I have known for over 49 years has now benefited from this process and is recognised as Olowa Ushenbadejo Village in Ibeju-Lekki. This is deeply personal to me and my family, and we are profoundly grateful."
Hon. Olowa commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and the relevant government agencies for their efforts towards strengthening land administration and advancing the planned development of Ito-Omu and its environs. He congratulated the 98 beneficiary villages and other communities, expressing confidence that the initiative would contribute to greater land security, orderly development and a more prosperous future for the people.
He further noted that as Ibeju-Lekki continues to experience rapid growth and attract major investments, it is essential that the communities at the heart of the transformation remain active beneficiaries of the opportunities that development brings.