• Reiterates determination to produce next governor of Oyo State
PROMINENT indigenes of Oke-Ogun in Oyo State have reiterated their resolve to promote human and physical development of the area, acknowledged to be the food basket of the South West geo-political zone of Nigeria.
They also resolved to work towards the realization of their dream of producing the next governor of Oyo State among other demands listed in the Oke-Ogun Agenda, a collective aspiration of a people, who despite their industry and positive contributions to national development have not occupied the top office.
Foremost among the demands, which were stressed once again at the weekend during a Civic Reception organized by Oke-Ogun Development Council (ODC), is that the abundant human and natural resources available to the growth and development of Nigeria in the area, deserve urgent and proper attention from both the Federal and Oyo State governments.
The reception was organized in honour of the Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shitu, an indigene of the area who represents the state in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at Iseyin District Grammar School (IDGS).
Minister for Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, his Works, Housing and Power counterpart, Babatunde Fashola as well as Minister for Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, were also honoured at the event that attracted leading politicians, traditional rulers, community and religious leaders and captains of industries from the ten local councils that made up the area.
In his remarks, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba (Dr.) Abdulganiyu Ologunebi Ajinase 1, who is also the Chairman, Conference of Oke-Ogun Obas and Chiefs said it was not a surprise that Shittu was made a senior minister.
While reiterating the determination of Oke-Ogun to produce the next governor of Oyo State, the monarch said, “Oke-Ogun region has the best brains and hands for the job.”
Oba Ologunebi said it is unfortunate that some detractors of Oke-Ogun at the state and the federal levels, “are erroneously looking down us and also categorizing us as being uncivilized but we have by several means, proved this notion wrong, not just by performance but also in characters.”
According to him, “I can count the number of people from Oke-Ogun who have done well and are still doing well in the service of their fatherland, Nigeria.
Starting his speech on a jovial mood by greeting the audience in Christian and Islamic ways, former Minister of State for Agriculture, Otunba Bamidele Dada described Shittu’s appointment as a blessing of God to Oke-Ogun.
The former minister under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration wondered why some people are always averse to any strong appointment coming to Oke-Ogun.
Dada, who stood in for Ogbeh as Chairman of the event, however tasked Shittu on the need to take the Oke-Ogun agenda seriously in the federal cabinet stressing that, “the issue of agriculture, water resources and electricity are germane to this area. We have able men and women who can transform Oyo State.”
He also tasked Shittu not to relent in effort to instill it in President Buhari and the Minister of Power the need to develop electricity in Oke-Ogun because of the Ikere George Dam.”
In his keynote address, the Asiwaju of Oke-Ogun, Professor Emeritus, Dibu Ojerinde said Oke-Ogun takes a significant position within the Oyo State geo-political equation.
Ojerinde who is the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), however lamented that despite these opportunities, the development of Oke-Ogun does not match the huge human as well as natural resources, which abound there “as these resources are yet to attract the attention of either the Federal Government or the successive Oyo State governments.”
He expressed gratitude to President Buhari for Shittu’s appointment.In his response, Shittu promised to work within his capacity to ensure that the issue of Oke-Ogun is adequately presented, defended and articulated in the federal cabinet.
He emphasized the need to formulate an Oke-Ogun Agenda, which must focus on infrastructure disclosing that he has already appointed a Special Adviser on Oke-Ogun Matters pending the time he would receive the agenda.
Earlier the duo of Mr. Dauda Adams, Chairman of the reception committee and Joseph Oladoja Oladele, President of ODC, in their addresses commended the wind of positive change in policy direction across the country adding, “we want the federal and state governments to use Oke-Ogun as a trajectory for opening up the rural areas and one of the practical ways of achieving this is the completion of work on Ikere Geroge dam.”
