Ibadan community rallies indigenes for development, honours 3

Ona-Ara Community Development Forum (ODF), last weekend, honoured three of its member and  rallied sons and daughters of Ona-Ara Local Government Area for the development of the area.

Those honoured have been appointed to serve the state in various capacities

They are Dr Gbade Ojo, Chief of Staff to Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Mr Abimbola Adekanmbi, Commissioner for Finance and Very Reverend Ademola Moradeyo, Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrims Board, Christian Wing.

Chief Adebayo Akande, the chairman on the occasion, which took place at the residence of Chief Bode Amao, urged the honourees to exhibit patriotism and commitment to the development of the state, while not forgetting their community.

Akande, who is also the Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland, said the development of Ona-Ara could be achieved if the sons and daughters forge a unity of purpose.

Also Speaking, Chief Bode Amao, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the forum, expressed surprise that the community was still behind in terms of development in the state.

Amao, a foremost industrialist, said that the purpose of the gathering was to bring  indigenes of the community together for its development.

“I want to enjoin all of us who by accident of birth are linked to Ona-Ara to rally support for the present leadership of ODF. We can create housing estates that will encourage modern settlements.

“The carving out of an industrial estate is also necessary to encourage industrialisation. To facilitate it, there is an urgent need for government to dualise the Ibadan-Akanran-Ijebu Igbo road,” he said.

He charged the honourees to make the development of the community paramount on their minds.

Earlier, Alhaji Kola Bolomope, an indigene of the area, said that by all socio-economic indicators, Ona-Ara is the least developed local government in Ibadanland.

Bolomope said that there was no federal presence in the area, noting that the Oke-Akanran Games Village approved by the Kolapo Ishola administration in 1992 remained at the level of physical development plan.

“The council was created in 1989. It is a council rich in human and material resources but inhabited by extremely poor people,” he said.

The event was attended by High Chief Owolabi Olakunlehin, the Balogun of Ibadanland; High Chief Olufemi Olaifa, Otun Balogun of Ibadanland and Chief Taiye Ayorinde, Baale of Ekotedo.

Others are Chief Wole Akinwande, President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII); Chief Bayo Oyero, former CCII President-General and Mr Shina Adeagbo, Caretaker Chairman, Ona-Ara Local Government Area.