The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has obtained the approval of the federal government to upgrade Ibadan airport, Alakia into an international airport.
Makinde made this known when he received the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Baba Abubakar, at the Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
According to the governor, his administration had spent the last five years turning around the state’s economy and had identified the need for the upgrade of the Ibadan Airport as being central to its economic expansion agenda.
He added that his government’s resolve to build infrastructure that targets the economic expansion agenda has also seen it investing resources on the 110 kilometres Ibadan Circular Road, stating that the administration would consider the Air Force’s request for land for its post-retirement housing scheme on the Circular Road corridor.
The governor, who appreciated the Chief of Staff for his officers’ effort in working with sister security agencies to secure Oyo State, urged that the cordial relationship between the Force and the people of the state be maintained.
Earlier in his speech, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar described the governor as a visionary leader, thanking him for his support to the Air Force.
He acknowledged the governor’s focus on economic development and enhancing security in the state, noting that the acquisition of 60 hectares of land for the Air Force Base at Ajia and the provision of security operational vehicles were commendable efforts of the governor.
Abubakar, however, urged the governor to expedite action on the ongoing 10km Ajia-Airport Road so as to ease movement of his Force’s activities, assuring that the Force would continue to support the state and also build on the mutual relationship with the state.
