Ondo Community Day: Ooni, Akeredolu, Oyerinmade, Endorse New Oke-Igbo Concept

By Ayodele Oni

Sons and daughters of Oke-Igbo, an ancient town in Ileoluji/Oke-Igbo council area of Ondo State, on Saturday, celebrated the 28th edition of the Annual Oke-Igbo Day.

The Royal Father of the hilly town, Oba Lawrence Oluwole Babajide, the Oluoke of Oke-Igbo, was in high spirit as he proudly recounted some unique achievements and giant strides recorded since his three years reign as the Traditional Ruler, with a rebirth of New Oke-Igbo.

Sharing in the joy of the Monarch and the entire indigenes of the town, were Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife who doubled as the Royal Father of the day, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN and an illustrious son of Oke-Igbo, Mathew Oye Oyerinmade, aka Mato, who was the chief launcher at the occassion.

They all hailed the Oluoke  exemplary leadership qualities, especially the concept of a New Oke-Igbo.

According to Oba Babajide, “it is pleasant to note that virtually all indigenes of Oke-Igbo, both home and abroad have aligned themselves with the New Oke-Igbo mantra.

“There is no doubt that ‘Oke-Igbo Tuntun’ has gained so much attraction that nothing can clog its wheel.

“It is my prayer that the Lord will grant us all the enablement to deepen our patriotic interests in our community.”

The monarch recounted some developmental achievements of his reign, stressing that all hands must be on desk to “build Oke-Igbo of our dream that will be an envy of our peers.”

Some of the achievements of the Monarch three years on the throne include ; 2.5 kilometer township road project funded by Governor Akeredolu’s led Government that is 70 percent completed; Refurbished moribund water corporation, renovated and commissioned; the birth of LOBREM MF BANK, a microfinance bank for Oke-Igbo, commissioned with two standard ATM machines, ready for use soon.

Others are; completion of first phase of the ultra modern Oluoke Palace commissioned in July this year; completed office for Divisional Police in the town; commissioned  Secretariat for Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) built; installation of CCTV cameras inside Oluoke Palace; award of scholarship to both secondary and University students by Oba Olu Babajide Annual Scholarship Award and other scholarship schemes; other private developmental projects by Indegenes of the town.

In his Goodwill message, Oba Ogunwusi promised to key into the New Oke-Igbo project, adding that Ile-Ife would remain the big brother to the ancient town in order to fast track its social and political development.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN while affirming his commitment towards massive infrastructure development of Oke-Igbo, noted that the town has always been his second home, with his undieing love for the late famous writer, an Indigene of the town, Chief D.O Fagunwa.

Chief launcher for this year Oke-Igbo Day, Mathew Oyerinmade, Mato thanked the king, organisers and  Indegenes of Oke-Igbo for the honour bestowed on him, as he announced the sum of N26 million donation for developmental projects in the town.