Ijesa people in Osun State are making concerted efforts to industrialise their area and provide employment for their army of unemployed youths. Dideolu Falobi, Chairman of the Ijesaland Development Foundation (IDF) tells NNEKA NWANERI, what the fund, to be unveiled on November 11, is doing in this regard.
Spread across six local government areas of Osun State, Ijesaland is composed of about 600,000 people, comprising of itinerant businessmen, trader and educationists among others Ijesas spread across the world.
In the run up to the creation of Osun state in 1991, Ilesa, arguably the largest of the Ijesa towns was in direct competition with Osogbo for the capital which was finally given to Osogbo when the new state was named by the then Federal Military Government. Between then and now, while Osogbo has continued to grow in leaps and bounds, Ilesa and by extension- Ijesaland has not witnessed much in terms of development.
Cognisant of this fact, the Ijesa Development Foundation was incorporated in June 1994 to identify and cater for the basic needs of the people of Ijesaland and the area. For it to develop quickly, the foundation has plans to resort to self help, advocacy and pooling resources together, with the help of its sons and daughters leveraging positions in commerce, education, trade and government establishments.
23 years after the creation of Osun State why wait till now for Ijesaland Development Fund?
There has not been any lack of developmental initiatives in Ijesaland. Today, there are quite a number of groups, associations and societies and clubs that are focused directly or indirectly on the development of the clan. While some are looking at scholarship and education; others focus on urban renewal and development and others on health and social aspects of development.
What makes IDF different from other associations?
It is not completely different from other associations but is meant to complement others. The association is just a group of people coming together as friends, but in a structured organisation to approach development from another perspective.
We are also leveraging on our resources to ensure that Ijesaland develop in leaps and bounds.
We will begin by stepping out on November 11, in Lagos, to initiate and lecture indigenes through a program that seeks to draw partnership with each other. The schemes are not for business but for investment and will basically identify areas where there is need for action to initiate plans. The 3-in-1 event will comprise of traditional rulers, the political; business and youth leaders from across the country and beyond.
We cannot sit around waiting for the government to help us develop, but this is a concrete step on our own to attract the government. In Ijesaland, there are educated graduates in virtually every family such as former University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oye Ibidapo-Obe; former Olabisi Onabanjo University Vice Chencellor, Prof. Wale Omole and the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan.
The essence of industrialisation is to see that all our human resources are creating employment for our teeming youth and ensure that investors harness some of the raw materials in our locality.
What are some of the natural resources?
Here, we sit on gold, cocoa, clay and kola. We have a lot of them, so we can utilise the clay for ceramics. Also, the water can be turned into a tourist attraction site. The agricultural products such as cocoa, oranges and cashew nuts can be industrialised. We also have human resources that can be tapped into. Even the governor of Osun State Ogbeni Rauf Arebgesola is an Ijesa man and is in full support of the initiative.
There will also be an industrial centre to serve as a hub for those who want to invest in the land. There, investors will be provided with necessary information they want for traditional or government support. The dream park will allow children on weekends and public holidays to relax in a green environment.
How do you intend luring back Ijesha in the Diaspora?
IDF is not asking Ijesha in Diaspora to migrate. All we want for them to do is come home and let’s rub minds to see how conducive and how we can make our locality open to opportunities naturally.
There is a good business plan, and there are already accessible funds for prospective investors.
By the time we open up, the youth in the axis will be employed as unskilled labourers. It is obvious that the action plan is for the people at the grassroots based in Ijesa. Governor Aregbesola, who will be the special guest at the summit, has confirmed his interest and readiness to support the project together with other functionaries of the state government.
Isn’t the registration and membership fee high?
It is basically to fund the foundation and these registration and membership monies will be used to keep the projects running. Nothing can be achieved without funding and the foundation is open to only those with genuine interest.
Ile la bo simi oko, which interprets to mean ‘East or West, Home is the Best’. Just as we lay our beds, so we will lie on it. We all are working, trying to make a means one way or the other. At some point, we will all return home, and if home is not conducive for us, all our effort will be in vain. So, it is our duty to be part of the good that will develop the country.
