Ikole indigenes charge govt on tertiary institution, amenities

The people of Ikole community, headquarters of Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State have called for more amenities from the state government and specifically demanded for the siting of a tertiary institution in the area.

The people made the call during the celebration of this year’s Ikole national festival at the Elekole’s palace grounds, where prominent sons and daughters of the community as well as deserving individuals were honoured.

The Elekole of Ikole and paramount ruler of Egbeoba kingdom, Oba Adewumi Ajibade Fasiku, who made the call in his speech on the occasion, noted that of all former provincial headquarters in the old Ondo Province and Ekiti division, only Ikole has not been privileged to host a tertiary institution.

The traditional ruler noted that Ikole was one of the administrative headquarters in old Ondo Province and regretted that of the headquarters, only Ikole had no tertiary institution.

Oba Fasiku also called for more amenities in the community, and asked that the next senator to represent Ekiti North district in the state should come from Ikole, considering the contributions of the community to the political growth of the state.

While thanking the state government for dualising Ikole road, he said there was the need for more amenities in the town.

He also lauded the chairman of the local government area, Mr. Adeyanju Adeyeye, for the reconstruction of Oja Oba in Ikole.

In his address, the chairman of the central planning committee of the Ikole National Festival, Dr. Olajide Ogunlayi, noted that peace was being enjoyed in Ikole and said this must be sustained.

Dr Ogunlayi noted that being the first Ikole national festival, his committee had “attempted to pilot it with a view that in subsequent years, we would be able to build on it” saying that the movement from National Ikole Day to Ikole National Festival “has enabled us to bring in more activities aiming at harnessing the interests of more of our people in the annual event.”

Deputy governor of the state, Professor Kolapo Olusola, who represented Governor Ayodele Fayose on the occasion,  noted that the request for an institution of higher learning in the town was not too much for the people of Ikole and prayed that the economy of the country should improve for the realisation of the numerous programmes the Fayose-led administration in the state had in store for the people.

Professor Olusola thanked the people for their support.

Some prominent sons of the town, including late Professor Jacob Ade Ajayi; Chief Bunmi Awotiku; Apostle Babalola Ola-Ojo were among the indigenes honoured while the chairman of the day, Chief Oluwole Taiwo, was also honoured.