Ogun monarch seeks development of border communities, customs training school - Punch Newspapers

L-R Dr Dele Ogunsiji, Prof. Anthony Asiwaju and Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite during the briefing. Photo: Taiwo Bankole

The Onimeko of Imeko, a border town in Ogun State, Oba Benjamin Olanite, has appealed to the Federal Government to establish a training school for the Nigeria Customs Service in the town, citing its historical significance as a frontier community and the need to accelerate development in the area. Olanite also called on the state and Federal governments to intensify the development of border communities, saying such efforts would accelerate their socio-economic development and improve the standard of living of residents. The monarch made the appeal at a briefing organised on Monday as part of activities marking the 2026 Imeko Day and annual festival, held at the Imeko Conference Hall. The event brought together community leaders and prominent indigenes, including Professor Emeritus Anthony Asiwaju, Dr Dele Ogunsiji, Chief Mary Ogunjobi, a former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ogun State, and other stakeholders, who raised concerns over the educational challenges confronting residents of the border community. The community leaders also commended the Ogun State Government for its intervention in addressing the shortage of teachers in schools across the area. Speaking at the event, Olanite recalled the education summit organised by the administration of former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, noting that the poor state of education in Imeko was highlighted as a major concern.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google “Thank God for the present administration. When we were complaining about teachers, some schools had only two teachers on their staff. The principal, vice-principal and teachers for virtually all the subjects were being handled by just two people. “It was when we began to speak out that, thank God, the Ogun State Government, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, ensured that teachers were sent here,” he said. Olanite said the intervention demonstrated the importance of sustained government attention to the educational needs of border communities, but stressed that more needed to be done to bridge the development gap. He appealed to the Federal and Ogun State governments to intensify investment in education, healthcare, roads and other critical infrastructure in Imeko. The monarch also linked the educational challenges in the community to the broader development needs of border settlements, noting that neglect of such communities could have wider implications for national development and security. NEPZA orders crackdown on illegal container imports in free trade zones 2027: Yayi promises continuity, unveils development plan Nigeria records W’Africa’s first telerobotic surgery across 500km Beyond education, Olanite urged the Federal Government to take advantage of Imeko’s strategic location and historical connection with Nigeria’s frontier administration by establishing a training institution for the Nigeria Customs Service in the town. He noted that Imeko had played an important role in Nigeria’s border administration since the colonial era, arguing that its historical and geographical significance made it suitable for a specialised training institution. He said, “I think the government should consider establishing a training school for either the Customs Service or Immigration Service here. Everything about the frontier in Nigeria started here. That is why we are pursuing a school and institution like the National Institute for Border Studies, which is there to assist Nigeria.” He further disclosed that the community was willing to support the establishment of a Federal institution in the town by making land and other necessary assistance available. Also speaking, former Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos,  Professor Anthony Asiwaju, appealed to governments at all levels to pay greater attention to communities located along Nigeria’s international borders, particularly in education, security, economic development and infrastructure. Asiwaju also called on the Border Communities Development Agency to increase its interventions in Imeko, saying residents were yet to sufficiently feel the impact of the agency established to promote development in border communities. Speaking on the theme of the celebration, “Preserving Our Heritage: Fostering Love, Unity and an Empowered Future,” tagged the “Imeko Agbinrekoti Festival,” Asiwaju said Imeko’s historical role in frontier administration should be reflected in the scale of government investment in the town. The former House of Representatives member for Imeko and Yewa North Federal Constituency, Dr Dele Ogunsiji, commended Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola for sponsoring a bill seeking the establishment of a Federal College of Frontier and Border Studies in Imeko. He appealed to the National Assembly and the Federal Government to support the initiative, expressing hope that the proposed institution would strengthen education and capacity development in the border region. Ogunsiji said education remained the foundation for sustainable development, stressing that the challenges facing Imeko could not be adequately addressed without deliberate investment in human capital. Taiwo Bankole

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