Valor City: Huge boost as Soun endorses, lauds initiative, excited persons react too
Adebayo ADELEKE
The plan to found a new city within the sphere of Ogbomoso, Oyo state, christened Valor City, has received a huge boost following its endorsement by the Soun of Ogbomosoland Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III.
Valor City, an initiative of Hastom Properties Ltd, is a huge, innovative project aimed at building a new modern city within the Ogbomoso orbit.
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The habitation is planned to house about 50, 000 residents, who will be fired up by the enabling environment to be provided to help discover their potentials and pursue their most ardent goals.
Inaugurated last week with conduct of journalists round the location at Tewure, Oriire local government area, it is envisaged the new habitation will be patterned after Dubai -capital of United Arab Emirates, and is to be fully ready in 10-15 years, according to the chairman and CEO of Hastom Properties Ltd, Mr. Thomas Olusola Debo.
Tuesday, Oba Ghandi Olaoye warmly received the Hastom Group team led by its boss, Mr. Debo, during a courtesy visit.
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A brochure of the evolving city was proudly presented to the monarch following which he held a closed-door meeting with the Hastom boss.
Briefing newsmen later, Mr. Debo said he had a fruitful and productive discussion with the Soun whom he revealed enthusiastically endorsed the initiative.
Debo stressed it aligns with the much talked about 25-year development plan of the Oba disclosing his majesty already bought into it.
Debo said, “Valor City is about a new Ogbomoso and if you have been hearing the king, he has been talking about the creation of a new Ogbomoso.
“The king has been very loud on his 25 year development vision for Ogbomoso. And what we have about Valor City is in line with the king’s vision. So, it is a courtesy visit to familiarize ourselves with the king and seek his blessing on the project. We had a productive conversation.
“The king is all about developing Ogbomoso and he is excited about our project. The king is willing to help us actualize the project. We had a positive discussion. His majesty has bought into it already. He gave us valuable advice on how to go about it. The Valor City is now an Ogbomoso project.”
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ogbomosoinsightonline.com reports Valor City is sitting on a 2, 500-acre land (to be enlarged) acquired by Hastom Properties Ltd, which geographically is less than 16kms from Ogbomoso, 35 kms from Ilorin Airport, 40kms from tourism-rich Igbeti and 15kms from Old Oyo National Park.
The arrangement is for the initiator to provide adequate facilities and infrastructures (good roads, electricity, water, security etc), makes parcels of lands available for purchase by prospective individuals and corporate bodies for development of their outfits.
The city outlook will have different districts such as residential, business, educational, bank, sports, health and so on.
Valor City will rest on six pillars including re-imagined education, tourism and entertainment, sports, healthcare, tech and eco-friendly living environment.
It is envisioned to be “Africa’s first human development smart city,” with features such as water and theme parks, educational institutions, local market and attractions, resorts, shopping malls, medical district and tech valley.
Some others are golf and race courses, green and conservation areas, sports academies, renewable energy, business district, ranch/farm and library.
Conservatively, there will be 10m square meters area of development; and has potentials to create over 100, 000 direct and indirect jobs, evolve as biggest tourist destination in Nigeria with over 1m estimated visitors annually, and develop into a thriving free trade zone.
But it “offers so much more,” excitedly disclosed the visioner, CEO of Hastom Group, Mr. Debo.
In the meantime, excitement has been growing among the populace about the new city since the news emerged, with many reaching out to even this medium lauding the initiative, seeking how to be part of the project and requesting for information on how to acquire plots of land.
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Jejayinfa John (jekayinfajohn20@gmail.com) in ogbomosoinsightonline.com comment section notes, ‘I really so much love this vision which requires non stop tenacity and uncompromised commitment. This project would require huge investment partners or cooperate bodies too as well. I really wish and hope I can be a part of this project in a way because I am an indigene of Ogbomosho as well but that depends on how the project evolves.”
Another netizen Lolu Lateju (lolulateju@yahoo.com), also writing on the subject submits: ‘Nice one. When I first saw the link, I thought it was an initiative of Kabiyesi, HRM Oba Ghandi Olaoye, The Soun of Ogbomoso land. I listened to his speech during the presentation of staff ceremony and heard of his plans for the development of Ogbomoso.
“Will advise the CEO to link up with Kabiyesi so this can be integrated and the Kabiyesi can also give pointers to make this a grand success.
“We wish the MD & Hastom Properties success on this project.
“Shalom…”
Another inquires in a private chat, “Good evening … please let me know when when land will be allocated to people at the Valor City. I like the news, am interested please. Have a wonderful night.”
