A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Otunba Segun Showunmi has called on the Ogun State Government to improve local government road infrastructure to support indigenous investments, particularly in rural communities.
He made the call on Saturday during the commissioning of Feliza Hotel and Suites in Obada, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Showunmi commended the vision of Governor Dapo Abiodun while appealing for government intervention on access roads leading to the newly commissioned hospitality facility.
He described the investor, Mr. Oluwafemi Ayeyemi, as “our son” who has chosen to tap into the developmental vision of the state by investing heavily in Obada.
Showunmi urged the governor to extend infrastructure support to locally owned investments, stressing that government should not prioritise foreign investors at the expense of indigenous entrepreneurs.
“Your excellency, within your frame work of road infrastructure, most especially within the local government road infrastructure frame work, this can be done .
“Please, it’s not a very long road , do it for us . You cannot bring foreign investors, provide infrastructure to their own businesses and when our own son come to do investment here , you pretend as if you don’t know what our obligation is . Nigeria belongs to Nigeria, Ogun belongs to all persons that are here lawfully contributing”he said.
He noted that Feliza Hotel and Suites is a world-class facility, describing its event centre as comparable to high-end venues in Lekki, Lagos adding that the project would place Obada on the global map and attract visitors from within and outside the country.
Showunmi highlighted the economic benefits of the investment, pointing to job creation during construction, increased commercial activities, and the multiplier effects the hotel would generate for the surrounding communities.
“ Femi have done a monarch style event centre comparable to what they have in lekki .
“Out of the joy in my spirit, because this prayer that we pray that our people will love themselves enough to identify with themselves, Femi has not just identify with his place , this location is going on to the map, the world is going to know about it, people will come and use it .
“Aside what they are going to spend here, what about the multiplier effect from the environment, what about the number of people who would have been paid to build it , Femi has done a great thing “.
Also speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ogun State on health Dr. Ololade Kehinde praised the investor for choosing to invest in the hospitality industry, noting that such investments are critical for economic growth.
He explained that for businesses to thrive, people must be able to live, work, rest and interact comfortably within an enabling environment.
Dr. Kehinde stated that Feliza Hotel and Suites provides an essential platform for tourism, business, and social interaction, especially for Nigerians in the diaspora who wish to invest or visit Ogun State.
He added that the project would also create employment opportunities for residents in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Describing the project as massive and laudable, Dr. Kehinde said the commissioning was also meant to demonstrate that Ogun State is safe, business-friendly and ready to welcome investors from across the nation and beyond.
“The beautiful thing is that the visioneer of this project stays in Canada and has found it important for our people in Canada and other countries that want to come and invest in ogun state to have a place to reside and much more give opportunity for those that will be working here in the tourism industry.
“This is a laudable project and it’s a massive project, we will really want to encourage him.
“We want to encourage everyone that ogun is ready for business, ogun is willing to welcome people and the atmosphere is friendly. One of the reason why we are here is to show support to the nation and also to the people, they should know that they are secured “.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Feliza Hotel and Suites, Mr. Oluwafemi Ayeyemi, disclosed that over ₦3 billion had been invested in the project.
He revealed that he had been in business for more than ten years and was inspired to establish the hotel after receiving positive feedback on the profitability of the hospitality sector in Abeokuta.
Ayeyemi explained that the facility was designed to meet Lagos standards and offers a unique “two-in-one” concept, allowing guests to host events and lodge in the same location.
He added that poor road infrastructure remains a major challenge discouraging diaspora investors from committing funds to Nigeria.
The hotelier called on the Ogun State Government to prioritise road construction, stressing that no serious investor would invest heavily in areas with poor access roads.
He noted that improved infrastructure would encourage more private investments and accelerate economic development across the state.
