Lately, forecasts predict that the current number of all-cargo terminals worldwide will be more than double over the next twenty years, spurred on by trends of a growing recognition of the transactional ease, profit potential and economic boost of cargo terminal to the host community. A detailed understanding of the needs of cargo terminal at airports is crucial in order to be able to compete effectively for a growing number of freighter services which have traditionally favoured the economy of many cities and nations in the world over. This is evident in the proposed agenda of the FG in building 11 new cargo terminals in airports across the country as said by the aviation minister Stella Oduah, published in Business Day of Thursday, 20th of December, 2012.

Even as we anticipate establishment of more cargo terminals in other airports, examining the import of recently established cargo terminal in the country, using Ilorin cargo terminal as a focus is primal, as it is a good model for states who anticipate a cargo terminal since the number of airports looking to attract cargo airlines is increasing.

From all bird-eye views possible, it can be persuasively said that Ilorin cargo terminal isn't a state luxury, mistaken priority or beautification but a mandatory necessity assessing Kwara state rapidly growing economy whose source can be traced to intensive and robust investment in agriculture, youth empowerment, education and infrastructures dating back to the noticeable effort of former governor and senator presently representing Kwara central, senator Bukola Saraki. Aside the fact that recent rating ranked Ilorin has one of Nigeria's largest and fastest growing economy evident in the expansion and development in the city and state by the day; the state which was ranked the most developed agriculturally 2012 by the Federal Government, having evaluated its investment in agriculture over the years including Shonga Farms which has consistently been supplying food items to Kwara and neighboring states, coupled with exportation of cassava chips to China, needs a structured system where freights can be sent and recieved by Kwarans and neighboring states.

Thus, the cargo terminal established by Senator Bukola Saraki is nothing but a perfect coherence designed to attend to challenges related to freights in the exploding economic city. Prior to the establishment of Ilorin cargo terminal, all frieghts of Kwara pilgrims were directed to Lagos or Abuja; upon establishement, Ilorin cargo terminal which is inherently married to Ilorin international airport put an instant end to the stress pilgrims in Kwara go through. This facility has not only been enjoyed by Kwara pilgrims but pilgrims from neighboring states. It is important to note at this junction that, as Kwara identified a challenge and attended to it among many others, it is too crucial for everyone leading in government to identify the pressing challenges of the people and attend to them with no delay.

Picturing Ilorin Cargo terminal as a model which it is as proved, I am not surprised Federal Government has planned to take charge of Ilorin cargo terminal in its plan to manage six regional cargo terminals across the country. Necessity is the mother of invention they say, and upon every invention, there is always improvement, today, Ilorin cargo terminal doesn't only serve pilgrims, but also serves businesses and organizations involved in transfer of goods through cargo airline, including export of agricultural products from the largest functioning farm established by a state government in Nigeria, Shonga Farms.

So far, Ilorin cargo terminal has offered Kwarans the benefits of secured handling, speed, and geographic advantage with low costs compared to the average cost of road or ocean container freight which are relatively expensive. Lack of a good number of functioning cargo terminals in Nigeria cost almost billion revenue ton-miles of transportation related to trucking and logistics services moving goods from Lagos cargo terminal to other states across the country, but Ilorin cargo terminal has of course reduced the congestion at other major cargo terminals in Nigeria as it directly recieves cargo meant for clients in Kwara and neighboring states, not forgetting the fact this has also reduced movement of heavy trucks on cities' roads, hereby contributing to safety and maintenance of major roads.

Assessing the foregoing, leaders should put in place reforms and development that will outlive their tenure; among several others, senator Bukola Saraki's establishement of Ilorin cargo terminal is ineradically commendable, as this initiative continues to serve the people even after he finished his term as governor. Of course, this is a model for other states to follow.

Rotimi Ogungbola is the Editor of The AGES Magazine.