A Tribute from Olorunsogo: Hon. Yerima Calls for Replication of Adegunwa’s Impact in Oyo State
Honorable Femi Abolade Gabriel—popularly known as Hon. Yerima, House Leader of Ona Ara Local Government, a proud son of Ward 9, Olorunsogo (Gateway), with ancestral roots in Obalende, Ona Ara, Yerima’s journey from a respected wood pallet trader and director at Godwin Olayinka Akani Ventures —is lending his voice to a story that has captured national attention: the bold environmental and healthcare philanthropy of Chief Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, billionaire founder of Rite Foods Limited.
A proud son of Ward 9, Olorunsogo (Gateway), with ancestral roots in Obalende, Ona Ara, Yerima’s story as a once-respected wood pallet trader turned political figure mirrors resilience. From his unique vantage point, he applauds Adegunwa’s sweeping contributions to Nigeria’s environment and health sector while urging that Oyo State should not be left behind.
> “Cleaning up 40 tonnes of waste and building a ₦2 billion trauma centre is not a joke—it is real business and shows resilience to achieve great strides in the waste sector. We need this kind of intervention in Ona Ara and Oyo State in general.” — Hon. Yerima
His statement reflects both admiration and aspiration: a recognition of Adegunwa’s vision, and a rallying cry for similar interventions within his constituency and across the state.
Adebola Adegunwa vs. Plastic Pollution: 40 Tonnes Cleared Through "RiteOnTheBeach"
In July 2025, Adegunwa’s Rite Foods Limited partnered with Pop Beach Club and the Lagos State SDG Office to execute a game-changing campaign: RiteOnTheBeach.
This project, staged across Lagos coastal communities and the bustling Ikeja City Mall, successfully removed an unprecedented 40 tonnes of plastic waste from the environment (billionaires.africa, spectator.africa).
Key achievements included:
30,000+ recovery bags distributed to Lagos residents for plastic collection.
Rite Foods staff participation, setting an example of corporate responsibility.
288kg of PET bottles reclaimed, translating into the prevention of 293.76kg of CO₂ emissions.
Since 2021, the RiteOnTheBeach initiative has collectively removed more than 180,000 plastic pieces from Nigerian beaches, cementing Rite Foods’ place as a private-sector leader in the circular economy (guardian.ng, thenationonlineng.net).
Adegunwa’s strategy redefines competition with global beverage giants like Coca-Cola—not only in sales, but also in the battle for environmental leadership.
Healthcare Philanthropy: ₦2 Billion Trauma Centre in Ogun State
In April 2025, Adegunwa unveiled another monumental contribution: the Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State.
The facility—valued at over ₦2 billion ($1 million)—was commissioned by Vice President Kashim Shettima and Governor Dapo Abiodun. It stands as one of Nigeria’s most advanced emergency centres
Features include:
50-bed capacity, replacing OOUTH’s inadequate 20-bed accident unit.
Cutting-edge diagnostic equipment: MRI, CT scan, X-ray.
High Dependency Unit (HDU), ICU, and resuscitation bays.
Specialized operating theatres for neurosurgery, cardiothoracic, and orthopedic trauma.
The centre is strategically positioned along high-accident corridors like Lagos–Ibadan and Sagamu–Benin, providing critical relief to thousands of trauma patients every month.
Governor Abiodun described it as a “monumental intervention in Ogun’s healthcare system,” while Vice President Shettima praised Adegunwa for epitomizing the synergy Nigeria needs between government and private investors.
Why Hon. Yerima’s Applause Matters
Hon. Yerima’s commendation is more than a passing nod—it underscores how local leaders interpret and contextualize philanthropy at the grassroots level.
Representation of Ona Ara: As House Leader, Yerima is amplifying what Adegunwa’s interventions could mean for underdeveloped LGAs like Ona Ara.
Call for Equity: By insisting “we need this kind of intervention in Oyo State,” Yerima is urging philanthropists and government partners not to concentrate all impactful projects in Lagos and Ogun alone.
Voice of Aspiration: His statement embodies the desires of rural and semi-urban communities where infrastructural deficits remain pronounced.
By aligning his appreciation with a call to action, Yerima reflects the voice of the people of Oyo State, yearning for both sustainability and healthcare projects that mirror Adegunwa’s vision.
Lessons from Adegunwa’s Model for Oyo State and Beyond
1. Environmental Stewardship as Policy Catalyst
With Lagos cleaning up 40 tonnes of plastic, Oyo State could adopt similar private-public partnerships to address waste challenges, particularly in Ibadan and riverine LGAs.
2. Healthcare Infrastructure Replication
The trauma centre in Sagamu proves that philanthropy can accelerate healthcare delivery. Replicating this in Oyo would directly address emergency cases along the Lagos–Ibadan expressway.
3. Local Engagement
Adegunwa’s use of local participation (30,000 residents in plastic recovery) shows that scaling impact requires citizen ownership, not just corporate funding.
4. Public–Private Synergy
With the Ogun trauma centre inaugurated by the Vice President, Adegunwa models how businesses, states, and federal government can align for collective good—a framework Oyo can replicate.
In Conclusion: Applause, Aspiration, and Action
Chief Adebola Adegunwa’s dual legacy—clearing 40 tonnes of plastic waste and building a ₦2 billion trauma centre—reflects the rare convergence of business success, environmental responsibility, and healthcare philanthropy.
But equally significant is the reaction it has sparked. Hon. Femi Abolade Gabriel (Yerima), son of Ona Ara, has voiced admiration while firmly calling for similar interventions in Oyo State.
His applause is not just praise; it is a challenge: a reminder that rural communities, local governments, and states like Oyo equally deserve transformational projects.
If replicated, Adegunwa’s model could ignite a chain of impact—where waste becomes opportunity, healthcare becomes accessible, and corporate philanthropy becomes the cornerstone of Nigeria’s sustainable future.
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