Senator Gbenga Daniel Eulogises Tinubu for Siting Naval Base, Dockyard in Ogun Waterside
Former Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of a naval base and dockyard in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, describing the initiative as a strategic milestone for both economic development and national security.
Daniel, who also serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, said the project represents a major gain for the state, noting that it would create jobs, attract investment, and enhance maritime security along Nigeria’s coastline.
He made the remarks on Sunday during the Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Mid-Term Community Assessment and Review Tour held in Abigi, Ogun Waterside.
The event was aimed at engaging constituents, reviewing community progress, and inspecting ongoing projects.
The senator further hailed President Tinubu for supporting the revival of the Olokola Deep Seaport project, a long-abandoned initiative expected to significantly boost trade and industrial growth in the area.
According to Daniel, the renewed federal attention to the Ogun Waterside axis, including its inclusion in the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway alignment, reflects Tinubu’s commitment to equitable development across the federation.
“President Tinubu has shown genuine concern for the people of this country,” Daniel said. “The naval base and dockyard in Ode-Omi will serve as a catalyst for economic transformation through job creation and infrastructure expansion.”
The former governor added that the naval facility would be developed in phases, starting with accommodation for officers, administrative structures, perimeter fencing, and security installations. The second and third phases, he explained, would include the establishment of a naval secondary school and a naval hospital respectively.
He said the Federal Government was fully committed to providing the necessary funding to ensure the success of the project, emphasizing that a naval base is not merely a military site but a “naval city” that guarantees both security and economic vibrancy.
Reflecting on his earlier plans for the area, Daniel recalled that the Gateway Industrial and Petro-Gas Institute (GIPI) in Ode-Omi was originally conceived during his tenure as governor to support industrial projects, including a proposed refinery and deep seaport. “The land for the naval base was allocated to the Nigerian Navy over 50 years ago, but nothing was done until now,” he said. “We must thank President Tinubu for giving approval for this project. It shows his readiness to support meaningful development at every level.”
Daniel also pledged to work with the Federal Government to revive GIPI, noting that if the state government fails to act, the federal level will step in to ensure the institute fulfills its purpose.
Citing the Federal Government’s recent takeover of the Tai Solarin University of Education as an example of Tinubu’s interventionist approach, the senator said such actions demonstrate the President’s commitment to strengthening education and development across the country.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to rally behind President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, stressing that his administration’s policies are already restoring stability and economic growth.
“Our President means well for Nigeria,” Daniel declared. “He deserves our full support to complete what he has started and deliver lasting progress for the nation.”
