nycn ijebu north brings together sons and daughters of ijebu igbo for a community town hall meeting
Community Town Hall meeting has been seen by many as an avenue for people born in a community (either living in the community or not) to come together and deliberate on issues that will bring the needed development to the community. In consonant with this, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ijebu North Branch organized same for their great town Ijebu Igbo.
The program held at the Ijebu Igbo Community Town Hall on March 20th, 2021 with an Opening Prayer led by the representative of Tailoring Association of Nigeria and was followed by a Welcome address by the Deputy Chairman, NYCN(Ogun State) Com. Olawale Senbadejo, who used that medium to welcome all to the event of the day and also explained the main mission behind the meeting which is one it's kind to be organized by the organization (to kickstart the propelling development of the town which has stopped working from the past).
The Guest Speaker of the day, Dr Oduyemi G.O. who discussed on "Economic Development in Ijebu Igbo, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow", compare the situation index of the town from the past, he stated that Ijebu igbo has started well, most especially with help of most influenced, exposed and educated late monarch of Orimolusi ,Oba Joel Adeboye, and other sons and daughters who obliged and took it as responsibility in bringing many physical and social development programs, infrastructure etc to the town in which we have former Senators, Business Mogue/Tycoon. He also went down memory lane to state some tremendously developments they brought to the town. He lamented on the present crumbled situation due to Segmentation, Political difference, Religion affiliation and Power tussle most especially among the Area Obas and well to do personnel in the town.
On Agriculture, he called on those in power now representing Ijebu Igbo to put pressure on the State government in reviving the dilapidated Apoje farm settlement for the benefits of the state and entire community, if this can be done accordingly, it will motivate youth to engage in agriculture and unemployment rate will be reduced as that will dictate the tune of Ijebu Igbo development tomorrow.
In his own presentation, the Chief Imam of Ijebu Igbo, Alhaji Issa-Hakeem Olanipekun on Religion and Development, culled his speech from the Holy Quran Chapter 3 vs 101-103, and explained the needs for the three major religion irrespective of their beliefs and mode of worshipping should speak in one voice when it comes to the development of the community. He also used the medium to appreciate the Organizers of the program and pray for the development of Ijebu Igbo.
In their various responses, the Kabiesi appreciate the Organizers while also admonishing them to keep up the good work and make the program a continuous one as there are limited times but we have many issues to discuss.
While reacting on behalf of the three Obas in attendance (Sopen Lukale of Oke Sopen , Beje Roku of Oke Agbo and Olokine of Ojowo) on the first lecture, the Olokine of Ojowo stated the reason for the downward trend of Ijebu Igbo economic development as change in priority placement of the three important concepts that aids development, which includes Education, Wealth and Power.
In his Goodwill message the Commissioner at the Teaching Service Commission in Ogun State, Hon. Ademola Joseph Adeleye e, he use the medium to seek for a minute silence for all the departed heroes of the town and lamented about the nonchalant attitudes of the Obas towards the meeting, because some were not in attendance, while those one in attendance quickly leave the venue of the meeting with an apologies of having other meetings and things to attend to, he re-emphasized that when we are talking about Ijebu Igbo matters all hands must be on deck without any excuses, he also craved the indulgence of the elders and good people of the town to fix a day unanimously to be celebrating as Ijebu Igbo day or Orimolusi day like they used to do in other neighboring communities/cities as this will bring oneness among the indigenes both home and abroad. He also preached love among everyone in the community and urged our leaders to discuss about the need for our leaders to have a successor as that will involve training of the youth to take up the baton from them.
The third lecture of the day titled Agriculture and Youth development: Ijebu Igbo perspective delivered by Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka, an Agricultural specialist, former commissioner for Agriculture in Ogun State, former Deputy Governor and also a former Senator. He stated that the major problems that hinders youth participation in Agriculture activities includes lack of commitment, lack of logistics support from both parents and government and lack of land ownership (i.e. most of Ijebu igbo rural area/land has been either sold or let to non-indigenes for farming), it was recommended that a robust relationship between agencies interested in encouraging youth involvement in Agriculture should be evolved through legislation and implementation of policies to guarantee training programmes, credit facilities, land accessibility to youths at different quarters of the town, government should also prohibits herding on farmer's land because they are both private business owners, he called for re-construction/rehabilitation of road channel that leads to these rural areas for the smooth conveying of the farm produce, maintenance of the machines used in the farm settlement should be well dated. He also used the medium to implore all the Kabiyesi to work hand in hand to achieve all the necessary development.
While reacting to Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka's speech, the former Chairman of the Local Government in person of Hon. Mojeed Ekelojumati advised that we should create a working template by forming action plan groups or call it a committee that will be in charge of different aspect of life that needs development.
Rt. Hon Dr. 'Tokunbo Oshin, the former Deputy Speaker at the Ogun State House of Assembly advised all Ijebu igbo indigenes to pervert from PHD(Pull Him Down) syndrome, and advised the Obas to work inward from their respective quarters, hence, they should outline those well-to-do personalities, identify with them, bring them to the drawing board for the accomplishment of the goal with the phrase "Unity attract Success"
In his response, the Olokine assure the house to convey these messages to the rest Obas and he used the medium to inform the congregation on establishment of the Second Microfinance Bank in Ijebu igbo to be situated in Ojowo and will be launched on the 29th March 2021.
The Babaloja of Ijebu Igbo, The Chairman of I.C.D.A., Vice Chairman of Ijebu Igbo Council of Elders and the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of Rolatex Holdings, Otunba Toyin Abass also appreciated the youths in the community for coming up with this kind of program, and encouraged them to work and learn from elders for more guidelines for successful implementation. He implore them to please try and look for the major problems faced by people who have previously try to work on the development of the town. He promised to give a template if he is approached.
Otunba Remi Ogunbanjo who represented the Council of Elder also appreciate and charge the youths to work in ones and be careful as the elders are watching them closely. Questions were raised on some pertinent issues and answers were given to them as assurance was also given to everyone that this Community Town Hall meeting will be a continuous program.
Also present at the Community Town Hall meeting are top Sons and Daughters of Ijebu Igbo like Chief Adeoye (Representative of Iyaloja), Hon. Ismaila Sansa (Transition Committee Vice Chairman INLG), and the likes of Senator Lekan Mustapha( Senator Rep. Ogun East), Mr. Tony Ogundipe, Mr. Adekunle Hamzat, Mr. Sosanya Samuel, Engr. Oluyemi Dayo, Mr. Ola Busari( Chairman IID-UK), Mr. Ayodeji Olawande who also attended virtually via zoom.
The meeting was brought to close with prayer by Comrade Mrs Abioye .