By Taofeek Adebisi OGUNKUNLE anipr.
For those who may be wondering and willing to raise questions about the name SABO STAYTE. You read it right and correctly - SABO STAYTE, not SABO STATE. So, free the jubilants and the ever excited men and women of possible felony.
To clear your imagination, Sabo Stayte is an umbrella name for the people and residents of Sabo, in Abeokuta North Local Government area of Ogun State. A community predominantly occupied by the three major tribes in Nigeria - YORUBA, HAUSA and IBO. Although, it is purely a community which belongs to the Yorubas. To buttress my point, it will interest you to know that, the official WhatsApp platform of Sabo Stayte was created by my IBO friend from cradle - Charles Nwaimo, a trained Communicator and a Certified Journalist.
SABO STAYTE perimeter area is proud to have produced prominent citizens of the world like:
1. Late Chief MKO Abiola;
2. Late Chief Mubashir Abiola;
3. Late Chief Adegbenro;
4. Late Chief Lamidi Bakare (Kabiotire);
5. Late Chief Apena Iporo of Egba land - Chief Popoola.
6. Late. Chief Wale Bajomo
7. Late Rev. E. O. Ojo, the first Educationist to establish a Nursery/Primary School in Sabo/Gaa with the household name E.C.E in 1985.
8. Hon. Hammed Akindele (Oro to nlo)
9. Dr. Jubril Soaga
10. Late Awolu Mogaji.
11. Late Baba Rere, who vied for the post of councillorship, numerous times, simply because he loved to serve his people, unfortunately, the cold hands of death took him away before his dream came to past.
12. Hon. Kola Oluomo a.k.a Dakova, one of the early councillors in Sabo during Senator Gbenga Daniel's Governorship reign. An elder state man who still lives in SABO.
13. Chief Sakiru Lawal, a former Shooting Stars player. He got an invite to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. In fact, he holds the record as the first player to score at the National Stadium, Abuja, when it was commissioned for use. A former coach of Gateway FC, Abeokuta; and he's currently the assistant coach of Shooting Stars, Ibadan.
Furthermore, the community also produced many Very Important Persons and living legends like:
-Hon. Wale Bello Ph.D., the founder and proprietor of the Prestigious Comprehensive Academy;
the current S.A. to the Ogun State Government on Inter-Ethnic matters, Prince Hadi Sani;
-Mr. Hakeem Adetoye ADESINA (Yoboro) a former Director at Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare;
-DSC Taofeek Adebisi OGUNKUNLE anipr, the Assistant PRO, Ogun NSCDC;
-The Ogun State Youth Leader of PDP, Hon. Olasunkanmi OYEJIDE;
-The S.A. to Abeokuta North Local Government Chairman on Community matters Hon. Ibraheem OGUNKUNLE(Hadjour);
-A prominent Teacher of Virtue and the creator of SABO STAYTE Whatsapp group, Mr. Charles Nwaimo;
-The Chairmen BoT Sabo Stayte, Alhaji FATAI and Alhaji KAZEEM ALAGA.
-The community is blessed with many legal luminaries, among whom is Barrister HABEEB WHYTE, a prolific writer and advocate of international standards.
Sabo Stayte is equally blessed with seasoned journalists like:
-Olamide BABALOLA, the publisher NewsChannels News paper;
-Hon. Wasiu ADEJUMO, the Publisher, Premier World Newspaper.
To garnish it all, it won't be out of place to say that Sabo Stayte is a blessed community of many well meaning CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRIES and numerous ARTISANS that anyone can be proud of. The records are there.
In grass root politics, especially at Abeokuta North Local Government level, the community over time enjoyed the transition of power from one councillor to another. Chronologically, let me take through a journey into the successive reigns of councillors.
Hon. Ahmed Akindele, a father-figure, was the first Councillor in Sabo Stayte. Although, his constituency was extended to Lafenwa, Ago Ika, Ajitadun then.
Hon. Muis Aminu was the second Councillor. He served under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
Hon. Amodu Soetan (Imedu) was the third councillor.
Hon. Akeem Tiamiyu served as Councillor for 9 months during Abacha as the fourth councillor.
Hon.Wale Bello was Councillor Ward 9 in 1999 under Gov. Olusegun Osoba.
Late Hon.Yinka Shittu. served during the reigns of Governor Gbenga Daniel.
Hon.Kola Oluomo was
Councillor Ward 9
still under the reigns of Gbenga Daniel.
Hon. Wale Bayewunmi served as Councillor during Governor Amosun's government.
Hon. Moroof Olatunde was the Councillor during the 1st term of Governor Dapo Abiodun mfr.
Hon. Kunle Afolabi is the current councillor of our prestigious ward 9 and he is leading us in the celebration come December 30th, 2025.
Before I continue, it will be wise to appreciate the efforts of the past and the present Governors of Ogun State for beaming developmental lights on the community called SABO STAYTE, many thanks to the efforts made by Sabo Stayte Administrators.
I remember vividly, the relentless efforts collectively put in place, which made Senator Ibikunle AMOSUN, the immediate past Governor of Ogun State to reconstruct the Sabo road from late Chief Adegbero's house in Oke-Agbede to the Seriki Hausawa Junction in the heart of Sabo, Abeokuta.
Also, under the current administration of Prince Dapo ABIODUN mfr, the community has enjoyed lots of developmental projects like Solar lights, Bore holes and many empowerment opportunities for the residents of Sabo, Abeokuta.
As the year 2025 is drawing to the end, the entire people of Sabo Stayte have been spurred into higher expectations to see the transition into the year 2026. Of course, they are all aware and of the opinion and believe that the last two months to the end of the year - November and December are always characterized with lots of meaningful projects being executed by the administrators of SABO STAYTE.
As God would have it, it has always been a successful and positive transfer of power from one Planning Committee Chairman to another. Many thanks to the rulership of the Olu Ilupeju of Oke Odo, Gbagura Kingdom, Abeokuta, His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Amb. Saheed Balogun, Agbaje (Agbajelola I) and the gallantry effort of the Divisional Police officer, Sabo Divisional Headquarters - SP AHMED a.k.a SAKAMAJE
The collaborative efforts of the members of Sabo Stayte, home and abroad had put smiles on the faces of the residents of Sabo Abeokuta and its neighbouring communities. Apart from the road construction, the solar light and boreholes, lots of poverty alleviation projects had been undertaken.
The spirit of oneness by the entire members of Sabo Stayte has brought about a SECURED COMMUNITY, unlike what the community used to be known for. ECONOMIC BOOST has also thrived, as a periodic TRADE FAIR has come to stay. UNITY is fostered as a result of the much cherished Inter-Ethnic co-existence of the residents of the community.
Back to the Preparation and the level of preparedness, the committee for this year's edition has done well by laying down good numbers of events that will make the edition a glamorous and remarkable one.
To further boost the morale of youths in the community, a football tournament has been fixed. This is capable of uniting the community.
Conferment of the Award of excellence on deserving members is another interesting part of their plans which will enable the stakeholders to do more positive things.
Giving back to the community in terms of Social Responsibility is another mouth-watering aspect of the plans.
The Chief-of-all is the get-together party slated for the 30th of December, 2025, where illustrious members of SABO STAYTE home and abroad will gather to celebrate achievements, Unity, affection and peace of minds and praises to their Creator - the Almighty God.
Interestingly as this could be, one paramount and not-to-joke-with is the level of PREPAREDNESS towards the much anticipated SABO STAYTE get-together.
Organizers, members, usual guests and participants must as a matter of necessity, shun any act capable of jeopardising the much appreciated results of the preparation.
I hereby recommend the following:
1. VIGILANCE: Vigilance is a veritable tool in taming headlong, any force(s) that may work against the fulfilment of the day. Therefore, if you see something, endeavour to say something.
2. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION: This should be embraced to put to rest, all the existing inter-junction disputes
3. UPHOLDING OF SPIRIT OF TOGETHERNESS. Just as the point implies, togetherness is very important in this journey. Just as our police will always say and have their ways ESPRIT-DE-CORPS
4. SHUN TRIBALISM: The community has been thriving in peaceful co-existence long before now. The tempo must be raised higher at this point in time.
5. EXPANSION OF RELATIONSHIPS: Although the organizers from Inception never joked with the expansion of the relationship network. They have visited lots of stakeholders, we need more and more at this time.
6. STRENGTHEN SECURITY NETWORK: The security architecture of the four corners of the community should be further fortified before, during and after the event.
7. ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION OF THE VENUE: It is very important to have an extended illumination at the main bowl of the event and the adjoining (corners) NUNGUS.
8. HAVE SAVING FOR THE DAY: On a lighter note, this is very paramount. Let us all save money for the day. Come and show the world that, an average Sabo man or woman is ODOGWU.😁
In conclusion, I wish the organizers from the head - my very humble brother and Socialite, SHAKY-SHAKY Alhaji to the entire Committee the very best and casualty-free event come the D-day.
May we all live long enough to witness uncountable editions of Sabo Stayte get-together in sound health and abundant wealth.
Written by:
Taofeek Adebisi OGUNKUNLE anipr.
T.A OGUNKUNLE is a Sabo Stayte bred.
Trained Journalist, a Communicator, a Linguist per Excellence, a script writer
and a Security Consultant.
Tel. No: 08032089551.
E-mail: e022175.ogunkunle@dlc.ui.edu.ng
mantero_april1st@yahoo.com
