Makinde Renames Nyesom Wike Road In Olorunda To Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu Road

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has officially renamed the 8.3-kilometre Akobo-Olorunda Abaa road in Ibadan to Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu Road.

NaijaChoice News can confirm the change took place during the commissioning of the newly dualised section of the road last year.

The governor made the announcement at Nathaniel Idowu Comprehensive High School in Olorunda Abaa, Lagelu Local Government Area, describing the project as a fulfilment of his campaign promise to residents.

Makinde said the new name honours the retired Methodist Archbishop for his lifelong contributions to Oyo State’s development, culture and education.

Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, a prince of the Oyo Kingdom born in 1938, rose to become a leading voice in the Methodist Church and a key figure in Yoruba socio-cultural groups like the Yoruba Unity Forum.

He has championed community projects, women’s ordination in the church and the preservation of Yoruba heritage while serving as spiritual father to institutions such as Atiba University.

The road, which links several communities and eases traffic from Idi-Ape through Akobo to Olorunda Abaa and Eniosa Junction, was dualised with asphalt surfacing, solar street lights and proper drainage.

Construction of the 5.9-kilometre dual carriageway section restarted under Makinde’s first term and formed part of the broader Omituntun 2.0 infrastructure drive across all 33 local government areas.

Three years earlier, in June 2023, the same route had been named after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike at the flag-off of its reconstruction.

Residents and road users have welcomed the upgrade, which is expected to boost trade, reduce travel time and open up rural areas in Lagelu LGA for greater economic activity.

The project was executed by Messrs Samchase Nigeria Limited under the supervision of Lagelu Local Government Chairman Hon. Kamorudeen Mudashiru.