Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has called on the people of Remoland to deepen cooperation with their Ijebu counterparts in order to actualise the proposed Ijebu-Remo State, stressing that unity and peaceful coexistence are critical to the success of the aspiration.
Akpabio made the call at the 2025 Remo Day celebration held at the Akarigbo Pavilion in Sagamu.
The event was themed “One People, Diverse Cultures, One Identity.”
Commending the Remo people for their industrious and enterprising nature, the Senate President noted that their culture of collaboration and strong industrial base would play a decisive role in the quest for a new state.
He urged the people to sustain peace and harmony, noting that Remoland is home to many hardworking industrialists, which accounts for the high concentration of industries in the area.
According to him, close cooperation between Remo and Ijebu communities would accelerate the realisation of Ijebu-Remo State, assuring that the National Assembly would lend its support to the process.
While declining to comment on the proposed location of the state capital, Akpabio said such a decision must ultimately favour a peaceful environment.
Beyond the cultural celebration, Akpabio described Remo Day as a platform for reflection, unity and strategic planning for community development.
He said his presence at the event underscored Nigeria’s unity across ethnic and cultural lines, adding that diversity should be embraced as a strength in nation-building.
The Senate President also expressed optimism that the country’s security challenges would soon be overcome, assuring Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working diligently to address insecurity.
He praised the President for taking bold decisions to reposition the nation despite prevailing challenges and pledged the Senate’s continued cooperation with the executive.
Akpabio further applauded Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for infrastructural developments across the state, describing the Gateway International Airport as the best airport in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Governor Abiodun described Remoland as a land richly endowed with notable sons and daughters who have contributed significantly to the growth of Ogun State and the nation at large.
He said the large turnout at the event highlighted the power of culture in fostering unity, warning that societies that abandon their cultural roots risk losing their identity.
The governor listed major projects executed by his administration in Remoland, including the Sagamu–Iperu–Ode–Sapaade Road.
He also announced that international cargo operations would commence at the Gateway International Airport next month, noting that the development would boost logistics, create thousands of jobs and position Remo as a major agro-processing and export hub in West Africa.
Earlier, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, said Remo Day was established to celebrate, preserve and project Remo culture globally.
He noted that Remo indigenes have excelled in various fields of human endeavour and reaffirmed the people’s commitment to sustaining their cultural heritage.
Oba Ajayi also pledged Remo’s continued collaboration with relevant stakeholders toward the creation of the proposed Ijebu-Remo State and thanked Governor Abiodun for partnering with the community to construct the palace pavilion, which will host major cultural and civic events.
The second edition of Remo Day attracted dignitaries from across the country and featured colourful masquerade performances, cultural displays, homage-paying by age grades and associations, as well as the ceremonial unveiling of the palace pavilion.
