The Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite, has called on the federal government to consider the establishment of the Nigeria Customs Service training school at the border community to fast track development.
Oba Olanite made the appeal on Monday, during a press conference organized as part of activities marking the 2026 Imeko Festival, held at Imeko Conference Hall, that the community shares boundary with the Republic of Benin as historical significance.
He noted that establishment of the NSC training school would bring about even development to the area, promising that the community would provide government with land for either NSC of Nigeria Immigration Service training school.
The traditional ruler added that Imeko had played an important role in Nigeria’s border administration dating back to the colonial era, arguing that its historical and geographical position 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.”
On educational development, Oba Olanite, commended the Ogun State Government for yielding to request over shortage of teachers to schools in the town, and also the provision of educational facilities.
“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.
Oba Olanite said the intervention had demonstrated the importance of sustained government attention to the educational needs of border communities, but stressed that more needed to be done to close the development gap.
He appealed to both the Federal and Ogun State governments to intensify investment in education, healthcare, roads and other critical infrastructure in Imeko.
He also linked the educational challenges in the community to the broader development needs of border settlements, arguing that neglecting such areas could have wider implications for national development and security.
Also speaking, Professor Anthony Asiwaju appealed to government at all levels to give proper attention to communities located along Nigeria’s international borders, particularly in the areas of education, security, economic development and infrastructure.
Professor 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 for the celebration, “Preserving Our Heritage: Fostering Love, Unity and an Empowered Future,” tagged ‘Imeko Agbinrekoti Festival’ The speaker said Imeko’s historical role in frontier administration should be reflected in the scale of government investment in the town.
The former House of representative 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 further strengthen education and capacity development in the border region.
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He said education remained the foundation for sustainable development, stressing that the challenges facing Imeko could not be addressed without deliberate investment in human capital.
The Chairman, Central Planning Committee ‘Agbinrekoti Festival’ Otunba Anthony Adewale Ajibode while highlighting the importance of the festival said the celebration will bring together residents, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders to celebrate the town’s cultural heritage and discuss its development.
He said the festival is also intended to promote unity, community development and renewed commitment to the advancement of Imeko.
Otunba Ajibode who was represented by the Secretary of the planning Committee, Dr Tunde Aninkan, said the annual celebration provided an opportunity not only to showcase Imeko’s cultural heritage but also to draw government attention to the developmental challenges confronting the border town.
He therefore urged the Federal and Ogun State governments to sustain interventions in education while expanding investments in infrastructure, healthcare, security and economic opportunities for residents.
He maintained that greater development of Imeko would benefit not only its residents but also contribute to the broader security and economic interests of Nigeria, given the town’s location along the country’s international frontier.
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