Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has backed the agitation by Oke-Ogun people to produce the next governor.
He, however, advised that they must seek the support of other zones for the dream to be actualised; noting, for instance that Ibadan alone constitutes 52 per cent of the state’s population.
The governor spoke in Okeho, headquarters of Kajola Local Government, at the fidau for a stalwart of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Salami Oloola.
He acknowledged the role played by Oke Ogun people in his election.
Ajimobi said: “I can recall that during the 2015 governorship election, I won in nine out of 10 local governments in Oke-Ogun. This aided my emergence as the first governor to secure a second term in office in Oyo State.
“I cannot thank you enough. I will forever cherish you my people from Oke-Ogun. I assure you that I will reciprocate your love for me.
“Without prejudice to the competence and legitimacy of aspirants from other zones nursing the ambition of succeeding me, I can say the people of Oke Ogun deserve my support.
“But I will advise that you seek the support of people from other zones. You must win them over to win a governorship election.”
The Onjo of Okeho, Oba Abdulrafiu Adekiitan, praised the governor for his gesture towards Oke-Ogun people, particularly in locating the Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology in his domain.
Tag: Oke-Ogun
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Ajimobi supports Oke-Ogun’s agitation for 2019
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Oke-Ogun backs Buhari on proposal for university of agriculture
The people of Oke ogun, Oyo State, have called on the federal government to positively consider the proposal for the establishment of Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Oke Ogun, by Senator Fatai Buhari.
In a statement issued by Oke ogun Council of Elders (OCE) and signed by the spokesman of the organisation, Mr Jare Ajayi, the people said that enacting the law and implementing it promptly will be of immense benefit to Oke ogun, to Oyo State and to Nigeria in general.
While commending the sponsor of the bill, the OCE stated that by moving the bill for the establishment of Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Oke Ogun and Federal Polytechnic, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Sen. Buhari has again demonstrated that he is a true representative of the people.
Buhari is the senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District in the upper chamber of the National Assembly. Ten local government areas in Oke ogun and three local government areas in Ogbomoso area make up the said senatorial district.
Buhari had, on Tuesday, moved a motion for the establishment of Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Oke Ogun and Federal Polytechnic, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
“As clearly stated by our Senator, there is no federal institution of any type in Oke ogun. Establishing a University in the area will therefore be a way of redressing an agelong neglect of Oke ogun.”
That the proposed University is going to specialize in agriculture makes it more fitting because of the agrarian nature of Oke ogun and the adeptness of the people in this occupation. We commend Senator Abdulfatai Buhari for this well thought-out initiative and urge the National Assembly as a whole to pass the bill without further delay” the statement read. -
Oke-Ogun… Oyo’s untapped goldmine
The Oke-Ogun belt of Oyo State has a lot to offer but for myriad of reasons its goldmine remains untouched, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU
Its name is Ado Awaye. It is about 20 kilometre west of Iseyin in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State. In this tucked-away community lies one of nature’s greatest gifts to man. It is a suspended lake nestled on one of the crests of rocks, which surveyors love to call “sleeping lion”.
To get to this Wonder of Oke-Ogun, you have 350 steps to climb from the base. All you need is about an hour. But as you go, there are ‘consolation prizes’ in the forms of historical shrines and others on the way.
Once you climb up, Benin Republic border beckons. You have a full view of the border into this neigbouring country and a breath-taking view of a range of hills. Many who have got to a point called “Esekan Iku” (the verge of death) have their names etched permanently on the rock with pieces of stone.
The inhabitants rely on the lake for water. The lake does not know dry or wet season. It retains the same volume of water all year round. The thick vegetation remains evergreen all through the year.
The suspended lake is just one of the many good things about the Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State, which are waiting to be fully put to profitable use.
Apart from the suspended lake, other tourism potentials include the Royal Forest (Igbo-Oba) in Igboho; Old Oyo National Park; Asabari Hill, Saki; Rock formation (Agbele hill) In Igbeti; Ikere Gorge Dam, Iseyin; Akomare Hill Iganagan; Samuel Ajayi Crowther’s birth place, Osoogu; and Imofin Hill.
Of the state’s 33 local government areas, Oke-Ogun has 10. These 10 local governments boast of land, which are suitable for agricultural and agro-allied uses, but 70 per cent of the population are engaged in subsistence farming and related activities.
Oke-Ogun is not just about land alone. Inside the land, nature deposited mineral resources, which unfortunately still lie unused. These minerals have been found in commercial and mineable quantities.
Marble and dolomite are in abundance in Igbeti, Olorunsogo Local Government and in Alaguntan, in Orile Local Government. Tourmaline is found in quantum in Budo Are and Komu, Itesiwaju Local Government.
If tantalite is what interests you, Olodo in Egbeda Local Government and Seperati in Saki East Local Government are where to head to. There are large quantity of feldspar in Atiba Local Government and in Itesiwaju Local Government, quartz is in commercial quantity.
Other resources include: Bismuth in Iwajowa; agate in Iwajowa and Itesiwaju; cassiterite in Saki East; columbite in Itesiwaju and Saki East; talc in Ona-Ara; kaolin in Ado-Awaye in Iseyin Local Government; and coloured Granite in Irawo, Atisbo Local Government.
From records, there are no exploitations of these resources on commercial scale to yield abundant wealth. No value being added to the abundant raw materials to generate jobs and wealth. Farming is still done at subsistence level, making it impossible for the cycle of poverty to be broken.
The political angle
Not a few have wondered why a people so blessed are so poor. Many in Oke-Ogun believe that its people have a lot to do with its under-development. Divisions among the people, lack of respect for one another and envy have been identified as reasons why the people have not been able to speak with one voice on the leadership of the state.
Since the creation of the state, no indigene of the area has been elected governor. The best that has happened is producing deputy governor. Ibadan and Ogbomosho have mastered the art of taking advantage of the division in Oke-Ogun, a source said.
As the countdown to the next general elections begin, traditional rulers in the axis are said to have begun underground mobilisation to get the political class to speak with one voice.
Already names of some indigenes of the area are being bandied as likely governorship aspirants. On this list is Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo, who was born on April 4, 1950 in Igboho, Oorelope Local Government. A former Chief of Staff to Ajimobi, Deolu Akande, has also been named as interested. Akande also worked with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
There is also Remi Olaniyan from Igboho, who was Permanent Secretary in Oyo State under Governor Rashidi Ladoja. The name of Ahmed Sani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who hails from Iseyin, has also been linked with the 2019 race.
Also being mentioned is Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu, who has tried his hands on getting the seat in the past. The last time he tried, he lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to Ajimobi. This generated bad blood and led to a protest against his ministerial nomination.
Aside these contenders, the talk in many circles in Oyo is about what someone has described as ‘the candidate hidden in the plain sight’: Debo Adesina. The Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, who as a federal commissioner under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua walked out and returned to the newsroom, is being encouraged to bid journalism bye and take a shot at being Ajimobi’s successor. The move to draft Adesina is said to have been led by Prof. Dada Adeniyi of Kishi, who was President of the Oke-Ogun Development Council. Kishi was said to have had the backing of many monarchs in the area.
This accomplished journalist — and perhaps the most decorated in Nigerian journalism having been Editor of the Year seven times — became the Editor of African Guardian at 27. It remains to be seen if the 51-year-old Okaka-born journalist, who edited The Guardian from 1999 to 2011, will join the race.
But for Oke-Ogun to make impact in the race, unity of purpose, said a source, is important. “They have to speak in almost one voice. The majority have to buy into the idea and end the current situation where people from the area belong to almost all available political party.”
Rotational leadership
Apart from Akande, Shittu, Adesina and others who are from Oke-Ogun, Ibadan, which has led the state more than any other zone, is warming up again. Former Governor Ladoja is warming up. A deputy governor in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is also being prodded by Ibadan elite to join the race. There is also Soji Akanbi, who represents Oyo South in the Senate. His predecessor on that seat, Senator Femi Lanlehin, is also said to be interested in the coveted seat.
A former candidate and an indigene of Ibadan, Seyi Makinde, is also said to be re-oiling his machinery ahead of 2019.
Not a few, however, feel that for equity and justice, Ibadan should back off for Oke-Ogun. A former governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Dr Bayo Adewusi, believes rotation should be a factor in determining who becomes governor.
Adewusi, a former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, said a situation where only a zone in the state produces successive governors is not in the best interest of the people of the state.
Speaking with reporters on his 58th birthday, Adewusi, who hails from Eruwa, said: “If you have followed the politics and voting patterns of election in Oyo State since 1999, you will see that nobody will emerge governor without the active votes of all the other 22 local governments of the state. Ibadan votes alone cannot produce governor in Oyo State. In the last election, the votes from the Oke-Ogun part of the state produced the governor. For me, in the interest of justice, equity and fairness, the position of the governor must be rotated. Let everyone be a part of it. There should be a sense of belonging of every other part of the state. If there are other people from other parts of the state who indicate interests, they should be encouraged; that is my view.”
Time will tell
Analysts are of the view that Oke-Ogun deserves more than it is getting. T is also their contention that what tomorrow will bring to Oke-Ogun will also depend largely on how its leaders and followers play the political game.
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Ajimobi: marginalisation of Oke-Ogun ‘ll end
The Oke-Ogun zone of Oyo State has started putting its act together, ahead of the 2019 governoship election.
The zone has 10 out of the 33 local government areas of the state. Oke-Ogun is a bloc of homogenous agrarian communities scattered across several kilometres of land.
It has been receiving special attention since the inception of the administration of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and later, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oke-Ogun has not produced a governor since the creation of the old Oyo State in 1976. The late Cicero of Esa-Oke, Chief Bola Ige, was the first civilian governor of Oyo State. He won the election to become governor in 1979.
He was succeeded by an Ibadan man, the erudite scholar and mathematician, Dr Omololu Olunloyo in 1983. After nine years of military interregnum, another Ibadan man, the late Kolapo Isola, became governor in 1992.
At the return of democracy in 1999, Alhaji Lam Adesina, an Ibadan man, was elected governor. He was succeeded by another indigene of Ibadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, in 2003.
But, in 2007, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, who hails from Ogbomoso, was elected as the governor. He was succeeded by, another indigene of Ibadan, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in 2011.
Throughout the period, Oke-Ogun indigenes, under various pressure groups, called for political balancing. They criticised the system as marginalizing them for creating no opportunity for any indigene of the area to emerge as governor. The topmost position they have been getting is that of the Deputy Governor. For instance, Chief Hameed Gbadamosi was Chief Kolapo Isola’s deputy, while Chief Iyiola Oladokun was elected deputy governor during the tenure of Adesina. Both are from Oke-Ogun.
The current deputy governor Moses Adeyemo, is also from Oke-Ogun and in his second term in office.
Among the governors, Ajimobi showed much interest in the zone. In his first term in office, he appointed same aides who hail from the area. For the first time, Oyo State government dualised a major road in the zone Iseyin township Road.
Ajimobi’s also established a School of Nursing in Kisi and upgraded the Saki campus of Ibadan Polytechnic, named Oke-Ogun Polytechnic. His administration also established high courts in Kisi and Iseyin, in addition to the only one in Saki. Besides, he established three zonal headquarters of the joint security outfit, the Operation Burst, in the area.
The zone voted for Ajimobi in the last year general election. The governor only lost to Chief Alao-Akala in Orelope Local Government.
The attention given to the zone by the Ajimobi administration seemed to have assuaged their feeling of marginalisation.
Since assuming office for the second time, the governor has launched two major initiatives to transform the economy of the zone.
First, the government launched its farming project tagged: Agric-Oyo, and later made a concrete promise to establish an international aso ofi market to promote the traditional fabric, which is a major product in Iseyin, a popular town in the zone. It has also approved the dualization of Saki township Road.
While Agric-Oyo opens up land for mechanized farmers in a bid to diversify the economy, empower locals and generate ?revenue for the state. This is in addition to the emergence of the Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu as the representative of the state in the Federal Executive Council. Shittu hails from Saki.
All these seem to be weakening the marginalization in the area.
At a town hall meeting last week, Ajimobi solicited their support of the zone for Agric-Oyo and the education reform, which will see each public secondary school have a Management Board.
The governor said Agric-Oyo was aimed at Job creation, poverty alleviation and food security through massive engagement of the human and material resources of the state through agricultural value chain.
Held at Harmony Gardens, Gedu Estate, Ibadan Road, Saki, the governor explained that the purpose of the visit was to thank the people of Oke-Ogun for their support, to discuss development of the state, to highlight government activities, to find joint solutions to critical issues, obtain feedback from all stakeholders and to bequeath a lasting legacy to the younger generation.
He stressed that the target of the state was to harness its agriculture potential with the ultimate ambition of becoming the food basket of the Southwest.
With an expanse of land spanning 28,454 square kilometre, the governor said the state had the largest arable land in the southern part of the country and human resources, which gave it comparative advantage over many other states.
Ajimobi called for attitudinal change among the people, advising that citizens must work hard to survive, instead of relying on prayers to meet their needs.
His words: “Now that oil, which is the major source of economy of Nigeria, has crashed, the government and our people should put to maximum use the available land mass, physical infrastructure and clean environment to invite investors for the economic growth of the country.
“Nigeria is now at crossroads, because even our strategic reserve is nothing to write home about. Oil is our largest source of income in Nigeria but it has crashed due to oil glut in the international market. We are very lucky in Oyo State. Out of our 33 local governments, 28 are agrarian. So, what Lagos State has in water, Oyo State has in land. We need to harness these through the agriculture value chain to revive our economy.”
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Leaders Oke Ogun deserves
John Maxwell writes, ‘the right to lead isn’t gained by election or appointment, having position, title, rank or degree doesn’t qualify anyone to lead other people. And the ability doesn’t come from age or experience either. No, it would be accurate to say that no one can be given the right to lead. The right to lead can only be earned.’
In any period where there is no leadership, the society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, charismatic leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. Since the beginning of this democratic dispensation, indigenes of Oke-Ogun area have been clamouring for a chance to be the executive governor of Oyo State. As a concerned son of this area, l can’t just help but to add my voice to this quest. In doing this, l think we must first address the Oke-Ogun leadership problem. Many people have said that the area is being marginalized politically, but I ask myself, how? Though, those crying of marginalization may not agree with me, but the truth is that the present political appointments, at both the state and the federal, favour the people of Oke-Ogun .
While the several people of Oke Ogun have found themselves in governance, development in this part of Oyo State is nil. The reason is not far- fetched as the area has not been blessed with a leader that possesses the right intellect, character and charisma that are needed for making developmental decisions. The area lacks someone who can use his/her position to add value to the life of our people.
One would be very wrong to think that Oke-Ogun does not have brilliant people all over the country and abroad. The only minus here is that most of these so called intellectuals and professionals have not seen any reason to come home to participate in this type of politics dubbed ‘amala politics’. To a large extent, their resolves are right, but it is at the risk of leaving the political arena for a few opportunists who know little or nothing about good governance.
Experience has shown that, socio-economic development without ‘political will’ is like fetching water into a basket. To stop this, Oke Ogun people must put in place, a strategic team that will lead the process of political revolution to produce someone who can bring quality contributions to the development of Oke-Ogun. If my memory serves me right, of the many past governorship aspirants that came out in the area, we got nothing. The reason is simply because we never put forward good candidates.
For Oke Ogun to be a better place, let’s look forward to a charismatic leader, it is only such a leader that can lead us right.
- Eniola is a member of Oke-Ogun Youth Association, Ipapo, Itesiwaju LGA, Oyo State
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Oke-Ogun obas evolve common front for development
Obas in Oke-Ogun, under the aegies of Oke-Ogun Conference of Obas and Chiefs have called on indigenes of the region to rally round the traditional rulers to bring about further development in the region.
This and many issues were deliberated upon at a meeting held yesterday at Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area, where members were asked to go back to their various domains and spread the message of Oke-Ogun unity for socio-economic development.
The Onigboho of Igboholand, Oba John Oyetola Bolarinwa Olubiyi II, who hosted other Obas and Chiefs in an interview after the meeting said the meeting was called to discuss the progress of Oke-Ogun area in the face of daunting economic situation of the country and ways to encourage indigenes home and abroad to latch on to the state government’s agriculture project in creating wealth and employment for the teeming youths in the region.
Oba Oyetola said the meeting also focused on reasons why an Oke-Ogun indigene should be supported come 2019 to become the state governor as, according to him, the region has suffered untold neglect from successive federal and state governments, resulting in non-existence of federal projects, higher institutions of learning and abandonment of the Ikere George Dam.
“We gather here today to discuss the progress of Oke-Ogun as the people of the region have been at the receiving end of continued neglect by the federal and state governments and who do you think can rally support for such project than the Obas and Chiefs in the region?
“You can imagine the way and manner the federal government has turned deaf hears to our yearnings for federal projects and completion of the Ikere George Dam, which is supposed to create wealth for our people and bring about sustainable employment opportunity if well harnessed.
“We have discussed the issue of unity among us Obas and Chiefs, so as not to allow for dissent voices in our aspirations for a better Oke-ogun,” he said.
The Aare of Ago-Are, Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola Olakanla II, who also spoke with reporters at the event, said the region has got many challenges that if not looked into, might degenerate into untold hardship for dwellers, stressing that it was time for obas in the region to chart a new course for the progress of Oke-ogun.
Those in attendance at the meeting include the Aseyin of Iseyin, (HRM), Oba Abd-Ganiy Saludeen Adekunle Oloogunebi, Ajinese 1, Oniro of Otu, Oba Sunday Adepoju Ayilola, Oniwere of Iwere and their chiefs among others.
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‘Oke-Ogun should produce next Oyo governor’
An appeal has gone to the Oyo State All Progressive Congress (APC) to zone the governorship to Oke-Ogun in 2019.
The appeal came from the President of Oke-Ogun Liberation Movement, Alhaji Fatai Azeez, shortly after the monthly meeting of the group in Iseyin.
Azeez said the Oke-Ogun community, which makes up 10 of the 33 local governments in Oyo State, has not produced a governor since the inception of the state in 1976, in spite of its contribution to the socio-economic development of the state.
Lamenting the fate of the community, he said: “It is on record that Oke-Ogun gave the current administration the second largest vote in the last election.
“The APC lost only in one council out of 10 that make up the community. As we have garnered support for the APC at every election, it is regrettable that none of our sons or daughters has been considered fit to be governor.
“This trend should stop for justice to reign. Bayelsa State is made up just eight local government areas and Ibadan axis where most of the governors have been coming from has 11 councils. Oke-Ogun has 10. We are, therefore, appealing to those in control of the APC to consider this before the next election.”
Azeez decried the neglect the community, adding that there are many abandoned projects, including the Ikere Dam and many state and federal roads. He said many towns and villages in the Oke-Ogun axis lack amenities, including hospitals, maternities, electricity, schools and modern markets.
He added: “Repair of these roads and provision of these facilities will enhance the economic wellbeing of the people, reduce crime, restiveness among youths and make life bubble again among rural dwellers. Youths that are interested in agriculture are not encouraged by the bad roads, as their produce often gets damaged before they are evacuated to nearby markets.”
He pledged to work with other interest groups to end what he descry bed as the marginalisation of the area. He said: “We will work assiduously with other groups within and outside the community to liberate Oke-Ogun, by making an indigene a governor come 2019.”
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Oke-Ogun Poly on JAMB list
The Rector, Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki (TOPS), Oladeji Matthew Olaniyi, has said the institution has been listed by the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to admit candidates for the 2015/2016 examination.
The Rector said the institution can now admit students into the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Science and Faculty of Business Studies.
Speaking with reporters at his office, Oladeji said the institution was created along others such as Esa-Oke Campus and Eruwa Campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, after which Osun State was created and Esa-Oke Campus became a polytechnic on its own.
Olaniyi described the height attained by the institution as astounding and attributed the success to the unflinching support Governor Abiola Ajimobi gave the management.
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Oke-Ogun: Gbade Ojo’s deceptive treatise
SIR: There is no gainsaying the fact that The Nation’s Assistant Editor; Leke Salaudeen and other contributors expressed the real situation of Oke-Ogun neglect especially by Governor Abiola Ajimobi led state government. Gbade Ojo’s rejoinder on the matter in The Nation of Thursday February 3, is therefore off the mark. I am a son of Igboho, Oke-Ogun and a member of Oke-Ogun Project. As a youth leader and former National Assistant General Secretary of Federation of Oyo State Students Union (FOSSU) for three years during ex-Governor Ladoja’s administration, I have updates on the happenings in the region.
Except Gbade Ojo wants us to believe that all his claimed achievements were done by Ajimobi between Tuesday February 2, and February 4, the day his article was published, all his claims except those of Ajimobi’s deputy, the Iseyin road which was the only road in the whole 10 local government areas of Oke- Ogun Ajimobi did for four years, Oke-Ogun Polytechnic Shaki and few deceptive appointments made in Oke-Ogun are utter lies.
The so-called School of Nursing in Okeho, Oke-Ogun hardly resembles a school for human use as no building and equipment have been moved to the site after the governor proclaimed its establishment after his second term swearing in ceremony. In fact, the Okeho community is responsible for everything regarding the administration of the school including accommodation of the lecturers and the students. Besides, the school is just a satellite campus of the College of Health Technology, Eleyele, Ibadan with just two departments and not School of Nursing claimed by Gbade Ojo. The acclaimed School of Nursing and Midwifery in Kishi is a community school taken over by the federal government based on the effort of a former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health. Ajimobi only promised to ensure that the state government takes it over and till date is yet to do anything. Why would Gbade now claim Ajimobi built a midwifery school in Kishi?
I can authoritatively say that no local government in Oke-Ogun has pipe-borne water. The last effort was made under Lam Adesina and other administrations had not deemed it fit to provide such so far there is water in Ibadan, Oyo and Ogbomoso. On the roads rehabilitation, what was done was not rehabilitation but patching of pot-holes which had gone from bad to worse now. My journey in January from Abeokuta to Iseyin to Shaki to Igboho and other towns in the area up to Ikoyi-Ile, Ogbomoso to Oyo and then to Ibadan was a nightmare.
From Federal Government College Ogbomosho to Takie Junction, it is pathetic as Iseyin Shaki road. Since Alao Akala left in 2011, the Iseyin-Shaki road stopped at the Polytechnic Shaki area has not been deemed worthy of completion by Ajimobi for almost five years now. In fact, it was only a week to his campaign in Shaki in November 2014 that he hurriedly directed tractors to clear the Polytechnic-Shaki road as if he was ready to construct the road. Immediately he left the campaign where he promised dualization of Shaki-Ilesa Ibaruba road, the tractors vanished and nothing more again till date.
For Oyo state, to reclaim its lost glory, it is only Oke-Ogun governor in 2019 that can bring justice and harmony to the whole state as we are trained to be fair and just in our dealings with others. Our illustrious sons have distinguished themselves notable among them are Prof. Dibu Ojerinde of JAMB that led NECO from zero to global recognition and also transformed JAMB; Adebayo Shittu is another product of Oke-Ogun currently supervising Nigerian Communication Ministry.
- Soliu, Luqman M.
Abeokuta, Ogun State
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Re: Oke-Ogun renews bid for power shift
SIR: A piece with the above caption written by ‘Leke Salaudeen which was published in the politics column of The Nation of January 18, makes an interesting reading.
To start-with, the piece claimed that Oyo State is made up of four administrative zones whereas they are seven. The operating power matrix and configuration in terms of equity and justice are: Ibadan City and Ibadan Outer cities which comprises of 11 local government areas; Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun I and II, Ogbomoso and Oyo zones. These seven divisions enhance zonal balancing in distribution of both political offices and infrastructure.
The claims that the people of Oke-Ogun region of the state are unified in the agitation for the creation of their own state and desire to occupy the number one position in the state come 2019 are quite legitimate and absolutely in consonance with human inclination for progress. But to lay such claims on deprivations, deliberate marginalization cum under-development by successive governments in the state without exception, is uncalled for; whereas, the people of Oke-Ogun are sufficiently aware that the last four years had been really good for them. All empirical indices pointed to the fact that they never had it so good. This is due to the fact that Governor Abiola Ajimobi who has been in the saddle as the Chief Executive of the State since 2011 till date is a strong believer in ‘spatial development’. No zone of the state could complain of marginalization and I am cork sure that in the next four years of his second term he will replicate same feat which was a herculean task to his predecessors.
The author claims that Oke-Ogun do not have “higher institutions of learning, no tertiary health institution” among others. The fact on the ground is that between 2011 till date, Governor Ajimobi upgraded the satellite Campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan in Saki to an autonomous Polytechnic while indigene of the zone was appointed Rector. A School of Health Technology was not just approved but established in Okeho with another school of Nursing and Midwifery at Kisi all in Oke-Ogun region of the state.
Salaudeen also wrote that Oke-Ogun lack pipe borne water. Residents of Igbeti, Saki, Igboho, Iseyin and Ago Amodu all in Oke-Ogun with functional water works would be taken aback by this. While the write-up claimed that there is no articulated policy towards encouraging the teeming youths to take to agriculture as a vocation and business, Ajimobi administration was well focused from inception on agriculture. His administration procured the highest number of tractors than any previous ones. In fact, 10 tractors each were allocated to all the Local Government Areas in Oke-Ogun making a total of 100 tractors from Oyo State government. Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP) which was moribund as at the time Senator Ajimobi came in was re-animated with the management team ordered to return to Saki.
It is amazing that Salaudeen does know that the incumbent Deputy Governor of the State – Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo – from Oke-Ogun is the first Deputy Governor ever to be retained for a second term, when it is not in all states that public office holders are allowed to return for a second term in their former positions.
While claiming further that Oke-Ogun lacks motorable roads, the administration of Senator Ajimobi embarked upon and commissioned dualization of Iseyin township road while Iseyin is the gateway to Oke-Ogun zone. He also rehabilitated Iganna–Ilero–Otu–Alaga road. One should not easily target that Okeho–Iseyin road was awarded by Oyo State government before the efforts of the contractor and state government were truncated by the PDP Federal Government, claiming that the road was within its purview.
? Still on roads in Oke-Ogun, between 2011 till date, Governor Ajimobi rehabilitated Moniya-Iseyin road, Saki–Ogbomoso road, and Igbope-Kisi roads too. The road dualization in Saki was flag-offf shortly before the 2014 elections, if not for cash crunch the project could have gone far by now.
On Ikere Gorge Dam which was abandoned by Federal Government, the cheering news is that there is a strong effort by Oyo State Government to engage reputable foreign partners to actualize the purpose for which the Dam was built by Ogun River Basin Authority (Federal government agency) to generate electricity, irrigation and pipe borne water for Iseyin and its environs. It should be noted too that Iseyin hosts the best NYSC orientation camp in the South-West.
If any zone of the State is to be appreciative for getting the desired attention in terms of political appointments and infrastructural lip it is the Oke-Oguns. In Ajimobi’s first term, Honourable Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Economic Planning, Special Duties, Health, Inter-governmental Relations, Environment, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Information and Orientation at different times all hails from Oke-Ogun. Thus, an avid reader would now see the writer crying wolf where there is none.
- Gbade Ojo
University of Ilorin.