The Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Oyeditan, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the reconstruction of the long-abandoned Frontier Road. The road, which dates back to the colonial era, was originally intended to link Idofoi through Imeko and extend to other parts of the country. According to the monarch, the project is a major intervention that will open up Imeko-Afon Local Government and transform its economic fortunes.
Oba Oyeditan spoke ahead of this year's Agbinrekoti Festival, an annual cultural gathering aimed at preserving the heritage of Imeko people, drawing attention to the area's development needs, and strengthening ties with Ketu communities across the border in the Republic of Benin. The monarch noted that the road, which began from Idofoi in 1900 and reached Imeko in 1906, was initially intended to extend towards Bida and Kebbi, but plans were later altered in 1918 to connect it to Badagry.
The Onimeko of Imeko regretted that the original route was subsequently altered, resulting in years of infrastructural neglect for communities along the frontier corridor. However, he expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, saying the Sokoto-Badagry Expressway now passes through his local government, bringing a major road infrastructure back through the frontier corridor. Oba Oyeditan described the development as a correction of past anomalies in infrastructure planning.
The monarch noted that the project has begun to remove Imeko and surrounding communities from decades of isolation. He appealed to the Federal Government to complement the road project with the establishment of a tertiary institution in the area, citing the local government's vast expanses of undeveloped land with significant agricultural and industrial potential. Oba Oyeditan also called for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in the community.
According to the monarch, Imeko's status as a border town makes a Federal Medical Centre necessary. He also urged the Federal Government to consider a bill sponsored by Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, seeking the establishment of a Federal College of Agriculture and Development Studies in Imeko. The area is predominantly agrarian and has historically relied on communal and missionary efforts to provide primary and secondary education.
Oba Oyeditan emphasized that the reconstruction of the road has already begun to change the fortunes of the area by improving access to markets and reducing the difficulties previously experienced in transporting agricultural produce. He noted that strategic location of Imeko-Afon and its proximity to the border with Benin Republic makes investment in infrastructure particularly important.
The monarch's commendation is a boost to the administration of President Tinubu, who has been working to address the infrastructural needs of various communities across the country. The reconstruction of the Frontier Road is seen as a major achievement, and the Onimeko of Imeko's appeal for further development initiatives is expected to be considered by the Federal Government.
Key points
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been commended for the reconstruction of the 120-year-old Frontier Road.
- The road's reconstruction is expected to open up Imeko-Afon Local Government and transform its economic fortunes.
- The Onimeko of Imeko has appealed for the establishment of a tertiary institution and a Federal Medical Centre in the area.
