IFESOWAPO IGBAFA-IMEDE CDA HOSTS MAIDEN AWARD AND FUND-RAISING CEREMONY, SET TO EMBARK ON ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT

The fact that government alone cannot implement development projects is obvious, one organization that has taken the bull by the horn, to assist government in the development of their community is the Ifesowapo Community Development Association, based in the Sagamu South Local Council Development Area of Ogun State.

This disclosure was made by the acting / Vice Chairman of the association, Dr Olayinka Oladunni Oduwole, Chairman of Ifesowapo CDA who also doubles as the Olu of Oke Ariko, one of the 22 communities that constitutes the association.

According to Dr Olayinka Oladunni, the maiden award ceremony was inspired by the need to appreciate and honour distinguished men and women from the various 22 communities under the association who has contributed immensely to the development of the association, particularly those who contributed to the grading of the community access road.

On the criterion used to select awardees, Dr Oladunni disclosed that, ‘Financial status was not a major consideration we employed in the selection process. We considered the selfless contributions of these men and women we are honouring today towards the development of our community. These men and women did a lot to make this road motorable. If you came here in the past ten years, you could only access these communities by bicycles or motor bikes but, thanks to the efforts of these great people. So far, we have spent over five million towards grading the road’ he said.

Chief among the honourees were Olotu Omoba Jazz Adekunle as Aare of Ifesowapo CDA, Chief (Mrs) Iyabo Olusanya, Iyalode General of Remo Land, who was honoured with the title of Iyalode of Ifesowapo CDA and Pastor Odugbesi as Spiritual Father.

Others honoured at the event also includes, frontline political woman leader, Alhaja Mujidat Ogunnaike as Asiwaju Obirin, Mr Tajudeen Akinyemi, Balogun of Ifesowapo,Alhaji Adekunle Adegbite was honoured as the Life Patron.  

The list of honourees include, Otunba Olore Tikare as Jagunmolu, Mr Jimoh Oyesanya as Jagun Aso, Alhaja Iyabo Tikare as Asoju Obinrin, Otunba Fola Akodu as Tayese, Mr Shode Olushoga as Patron and Chief Saliu Amodu as Agba Akin.

The list also includes, Alhaji Muniru Henry Sobowale and Mr Samson Abayomi Abudu as Baba Egbe, Mrs Raliat Yekinni as Otun Iyalode and Alhaji Abass Sulemon Osho as Asiwaju Okunrin. 

In a chat with Remo Times, Chief Iyabo Olusanya, the Iyalode General of Remo Land corroborated Dr Oladunni’s position, explaining that but, for the intervention of the Ifesowapo CDA, the road, which has been impassable for over ten years, would not have been motorable till date.

Also speaking in the same vein, Otunba Taiwo Adegbenro Adenusi, the Otunba Adesegun of Ipoji Land, who also doubles as the Olotu Ebi Akinyemi-Ajabiogofa of Fojege Ajabiogofa community expressed delight at the award ceremony.

‘This is the first of its kind community award event I am witnessing in any community association. I am very happy about today’s event, particularly because, one of my subjects, in person of Mr Tajudeen Akinyemi is one of the award recipients. He is the Balogun of the association.

Speaking on the development potentials of the communities, Otunba Adenusi added that, ‘This area is going to develop. As a retiree from PHCN, I know that, once an area is electrified, you can be rest assured of the immediate and rapid development of that area, and that is exactly what is going on now. Once it is done, believe me sincerely, this community will start witnessing development’ he stated.

Some of those who spoke to Remo Times at the event expressed satisfaction with the choice of men and women honoured by the association, for their immense contributions to the development of the community.