FPI Dam: A timely corridor to food security, social and environmental benefits – Rector Mukhail Akinde

By Precious Ogunrombi

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro recently (renamed Federal University of Technology, Ilaro (FUTI), Dr. Mukail Aremu Akinde fca fcti, has described the ongoing construction of the School’s Dam as a timely corridor to the community’s food security, social and environmental benefit.

The Dam which its long-awaited construction began on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, as the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) moved to site for the Turning of the Sod Ceremony, signifying the first stage of construction.

Dr Mukail Akinde says this to the  journalists on Friday, July 18, 2025 in his office, Rector Akinde, having thanked the Federal Government led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the facilitator of the Dam who happened to be the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), noted that the commencement of the construction has taken place at an appropriate time.

Dr. Akinde also expressed his appreciation to the Governing Council of the Polytechnic, commendably led by the Chairman, Alhaji Garba Bilal Gashua, and acknowledged the contributions of key figures such as Prince Femi Dokunmu, former Chairman and Executive Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), and a Council Member representing the Community, Chief Mrs. Iyabode Matilda Apampa. He also recognized the contributions of the Agarawu Orunmila, the Olu Ilaro, Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, and the Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, HRM Oba Dr. Esv Kehinde Olugbenle, Asade Agunloye IV, for their invaluable support in turning the dream of the Dam project into reality.

He said the Dam is a perfect complement to the newly accredited School of Agriculture which was planned to take advantage of the availability of the water source to equip its students with useful practical experience in addition to becoming the needed booster for food security in the community.

“With this Dam, I can tell you for free that the FPI can conveniently improve the food security in this community, as the school is capable of cultivating at least a hundred hectares of any crop.

“For example, the experiment we conducted recently using a prototype Dam has yielded good quantities of Tomatoes, in fact, we were able to sell to the community at cheaper price.

“Also, it’s just a matter of getting an appropriate turbine; the challenge of unstable power supply in the institution will become a thing of the past.

“The fact is that the economic importance of a Dam cannot be quantified. It is so much”, the rector stated.

In his contribution, Engr. Olumuyiwa Aikulola, a Civil Engineer, with specialisation in Water, said the Dam, though sited in the school’s premises, will not only serve the school but the totality of the adjoining communities.

He noted that “the cultivable land is not limited to FPI alone. All the adjoining lands along the basin will benefit not only on agricultural enhancement, but even water supply. Don’t ever forget that water is life. It will support a lot of employment, a lot of revenue generation, and so on.

“When a Dam of this magnitude is constructed, we will need a lot of labour, technical experts, as well as support teams including lots of artisans to work on the site.

“Once the Dam is in place, the irrigation system will not be limited to FPI. The value chain will definitely be encouraging as more people will get employment”.

Sounding warning on the hazards that are associated with Dam sustainability, the Water Engineer said that the Dam should be properly managed to prevent flooding, though assuring that such occurrence is rare.

Also commenting, the Deputy Rector, Admin. Tpl Lukman Lasisi said crop production is just one aspect of the advantages of the Dam, adding that Fishing can also be done sourcing water from the Dam.

“People can also fetch water from the Dam into their tanker to construction sites. In fact, with the Dam completed, the adjoining farmers have got to tap water for irrigation systems from a nearby reservoir sourcing its water from the Dam.

“And when you are talking about the economic importance of a Dam, it’s limitless. It’s not something you can even start to calculate in Naira and Kobo.

“There are a lot of social and environmental benefits from the Dam” the Deputy rector stated.

“When you construct a Dam, already, you have solved a lot of environmental problems, at least, you have provided a pool for the water to be controlled.

“Infact, there is a possibility of using it for portable water supply to the campus which will save us from a lot of sinking boreholes which are a danger in waiting. And mind you, treatment of surface water is the best way of supplying crystal clear water.

“The Dam will also give birth to a Recreation Park for the community and tourists”, Tpl Lasisi concluded.