Okemesi indigenes chart new course ...demands creation of local government

Emeka Ibemere

In a country where communities and towns wait endlessly for government presence in developing their communities by provide social infrastructure, before such towns could develop, the indigenes of Okemesi –Ekiti, in Ekiti State has risen to develop their community.  

Under the aegis of the Federation of Okemesi Improvement Union, Lagos branch, the indigenes recently chart a new course to complete the numerous projects and develop their town without waiting for the Federal Government and Ekiti State governments, to do it for them.  

Also, the indigenes, without much ado, demand the creation of Okemesi Local Government Area. According to them, the creation of local council area of Okemesi was long overdue; saying what they need now is for Okemesi to have its own local council headquarters.

To this end, the group on March 2, 2014 at the Civic Service Club, GRA, and Ikeja Lagos State re-strategise in their effort to complete the projects in other to develop Okemesi in Ekiti State.

The Union to situate their efforts carried out election following the end of the two year tenure of the past executive. Dr Yinka Olagunju, having effectively led the Union for two years stepped down after fresh election was conducted.

Also elected were TPL Bisi Adedire, now the chairman, Chief Idowu Fakorede, first Vice Chairman and Mr Ayo Ajewole, second vice chairman respectively. Prince Adeoye Dada won the Secretary of the organization. Other positions were contested and won: Folorunsho Oguntayo, Assistant Secretary, Mrs Nike Ekunnola, Treasury, Mrs Yemisi Odefunke, Financial Secretary, Alhaji Bakare Jimoh, social/Publicity Secretary, Mr Kayode Adelowo, Welfare Secretary, and Mr Rufus Gbadebo, Auditor. Dr Yinka Olagunju and Ropo Okumuyide were returned as ex-officio members.

His Royal Majesty, Owa Ooye of Okemesi-Ekiti, Oba Michael Gbadebo, Adedeji (JP), Ariyowonye 11, was recognized by the Chairman elect for the royal father’s support and his unquenchable desire to see the Union grow to an international organization.

Delivering his acceptance speech, Adedire praised the ex-chairman and his team for their excellent efforts in repositioning the group’s plans and projects in the years past. He disclosed that he would continue the good work they started and build Okemesi stronger.

“Let me begin by expressing my profound gratitude to the executives as well as the entire members of this great union both in Nigeria and in the diasporas for bestowing on me this prestigious honour”, he added.

“I must say that your belief in me to head the Adedire union for this season has left me astonished and I’m committed by the grace of God to reciprocate your believes into action”.

According to the new chairman, the Federation of Okemesi Improvement Union had in the past, been a frontier in the development of the town of Okemesi, Ekiti State. He said the Lagos arm of the organization has immensely contributed to the progress which Okemesi has enjoyed in the past years.

He promised that the Union cannot fold its arm and watch Okemesi remain under-developed, adding that the union and her members were ready to continue the good work they have been doing to bring development that side of Ekiti State. He reiterated the patriotic efforts of the union members and urged them to continue to do more for their fatherland saying the reward of good work is more good work.

“I must sincerely recognize and appreciate the enormous efforts of our immediate past chairman in moving the union to where it is now,” he said. “Notwithstanding our success thus far; I believe there are landslide achievements that can yet be made. Therefore, in a bid for continuity and swift movement, I have reviewed some of our past achievements and some of the projects we are still working on which I think, we can together help bring to reality”.

Bisi Adedire disclosed to his audience that the organization is committed in keeping their promise to see the establishment of Okemesi Institute of Technology in their plans to bring tertiary education to the community.

He averred that the group would join hands together with other relevant bodies, associations, cultural bodies, corporate institutions, clubs and other unions in the state to ensure that the town has tertiary institution. He said: “we shall do our possible best to make sure this becomes a reality in this dispensation”. Speaking further on the union’s welfare programmes, Adedire said that the union shall ensure that the plight of the community’s youth is taking care of adding that the organization would embark on welfare programmes that would empower the indigenes of Okemesi skilfully and financially.

The new chairman stressed the need for his team to liaise and build stronger relationship with other branches of Okemesi Improvement Union in other states of the federation and in diaspora to bring development to the town.

“Just as it is being said that success cannot be achieved in isolation, we shall link-up with other branches of the union within and outside the country to accelerate the development of Okemesi. You will agree with me that this is extremely essential.” 

On the demand for the local Government Council for Okemesi, Adedire said with the development in the area, there was no gain saying that Okemesi deserved local council area. According to him, Okemesi, being one of the major towns in Ekiti State was ripe for headquarters. He disclosed that there have been significant improvements in the economy of the town.

“With the improvements witnessed in the town recently, I believe Okemesi is mature enough to have a local government council. As such, we shall push very hard for this. Achieving this means, the image of the town will be boosted as it will be considered as one of the major towns in Ekiti State. Also, there will be significant growth in the economy of the town. This we shall accomplish”, Adedire vowed.

 In Lagos State, the chairman promised to rely on good relationship already on ground to boost the Union. He said the new executive would ensure that unity and cordial relationship exist amongst all the Okemesi Clubs in Lagos State.

“All activities to be carried out by these clubs would be checked to make sure that all members participate and benefit from them. We shall try to put away segregation and seclusion in our clubs.”

As that wasn’t enough, Adedire vowed that Okemesi would be a force to reckon with in Yoruba land.

He disclosed that the Federation of Okemesi Improvement Union would go further in participating strongly in every Yoruba activities; more so when such activities called by the Council of Yoruba leaders in the South-West; hence the Union is cultural cum social organization.

 “We intend also to make Okemesi a force to reckon with in the Yoruba land. This, we shall do by effectively participating in the activities of the council of Yoruba leaders in the South-West,” Adedire stated.

“Finally, knowing full well that great works cannot go unrecognized, we shall be organizing and presenting awards to deserving indigenes and non-indigenes of the town as at when due”.

According to him, the award would serve as an encouragement and appreciation to those scarifying themselves for the town and on the other hand serve as a boost for them to do more for the town.

“Now, I need to let us know that all I have read out will only become a reality if we all join our hands together”, he added, therefore, I solicit your support in all ramifications. I believe together we can all move the Federation of Okemesi Improvement Union, Lagos State branch to a new level of fulfilments”.

It would be recalled that last year, October, St. Michael Anglican Church, Okemesi, hosted the thanks giving service ceremony organized by the Union to mark the end of the one week Okemesi-Ekiti Day celebration, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

 Before that day, on Friday 25^th October Okemesi had solemnly emptied themselves at the popular Okemesi Central Mosque for jumaat service, where they gathered to give thanks to the Almighty Allah for His mercy and protection on the community. That year, they also prayed for the land of Okemesi and asked Allah for His abundant blessings in the years ahead.

Special guest and important dignitaries from all over the country conveyed at the venue of the event to celebrate with His royal Majesty, Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji, Ecipsmn, Ariyowonye II, The Owaooye of Okemesi Land and his entire people of Okemesi-Ekiti.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Bisi Adedire, now and the Chairman elect of the organization gave his speech on the essence of the event.

According to him, the focus of the Okemesi Day celebration since its inception has been the reunion of indigenes, both home and abroad and for the purpose of social interaction and mutual relations.

He said such relationship translates into meaningful development for the community.

“Every other agenda are only secondary. So I encourage us to relate and interact and as well inform others who are yet to be a part of this”, he stated.

“On this ground, I would like to implore the community heads to look at the possibility of staging this occasion along with one of the well-attended festivals like the Ladunwo Egungun Festival. This would avail many more the opportunity to be a part of this occasion and also boost the publicity.”  He praised the determination of the indigenes of Okemesi for their self-development drive and urged them to continue to build their community. “Our community has witnessed tremendous transformation over the years under the aegis of various bodies and associations in conjunction with the federation of Okemesi Improvement Union (FOIU)”, he said. “However, topmost on the agenda for further community development is the instating of institution of higher learning. Okemesi Institute of Technology. This is no wild dream as a similar feat has been achieved at Igbajo and Imesi-Ile, Osun State”.  Adedire explained that the dream of building high institution in the community was gradually being realized as the Certificate of Occupancy (C/O), for the 51.674 hectare site has been granted by the Ekiti State Government. He stated that Master Plan for the institution has been prepared by competent professionals. “This has facilitated approval from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), who recently showed the green light for the commencement of educational activities. Thus, what is left of our dream’s realization is the capital for the physical development of the institution. I hereby encourage us to freely donate towards this project that would live long after us”, he said.

From the throne, was the royal father’s speech which was also delivered by no other person than HRM, Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedeji.

 In his goodwill message, Adedeji said the event was meant to thank those who have assisted the community in her various levels of development and progress. “Meanwhile, I must appreciate my fellow celebrants-all Okemesi sons and daughters whose patriotic dispositions towards the development and progress of the town have earned us great respect among our neighbours. Of foremost mention is Okemesi Integral Club who is hosting this year’s Okemesi Day with her ever dynamic planning Committee without which whatever has been in the pipeline for this great day would have been a mirage”, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji said. “At this juncture, as we celebrate, I will like Okemesi to ponder a little on those things that belittle our entity as a leading community in Ekiti State”.

However, the Oba used the occasion to remind his subjects about their unfinished project and challenged them on the way forward.

“Where for more than a decade, we are yet to find solutions to the completion of a quarter-kilometer road that leads visitors to the land of the brave, Where our kind of electricity supply is one that is the most epileptic and frustrating in this part of the state”, Oba Adedeji spoke retrospectively. “We need to reconnect our line with Ita-Awure axis so that we can be linked to the State grid. This age-long problem has been channeled to the appropriate quarters but with action yet to be expected till date? Okemesi’s 1.5 kilometer share of the 5 kilometer local government township road is yet to be completed? And Okemesi is long overdue for designation as a local government Area Authority-the status she lost to visionless past administrations in the 20^th century”. Speaking at the ceremony, the President, Okemesi Integral Club, Dr Yinka Olagunju said the club’s acceptance to anchor this year’s edition wasn’t abstract but rather an evidence of fact based on the given outstanding performance of two members of the organizing committees of the two previous editions in the past. He said the present organizing committee was put together by integral Club under the chairmanship of Mr. Bisi Adedire. According to him, Adedire worked assiduously to make the event a unique spectacle. As you might have noticed, the theme of Okemesi Day 2013 is hinged on the Institution of Technology. The idea of having a higher institution of learning in Okemesi has been ruminated for some time. Concerted efforts have been made and some measure of success has been recorded. We must all share the belief that it is possible and achievable and summon the will power to mobilize our resources, both human and material to make it happen”, he stated. “Advocacy at governmental level must also be intensified. Fellow brothers and sisters, our friends and well wishers, as we wine and dine and savor our rich cultural heritage, we must not lose sight that now is the time to gird our loins and brace up to the challenges of making the institute of technology ‘a fait accompli’ by donating generously to this noble course”. Olagunju challenged the youths of the area to realize that their future is very important as leaders of tomorrow.

“You hold the ace for making our dear community a safe and secure one. Your dream of today is the life you shall live tomorrow”, Olagunju counseled.

For the National President Federation of Okemesi Improvement Unions, Chief Nathaniel Akinsola Ogunwole, it was a time to implement some of the developmental projects of the community. Okemesi our beloved town has been undergoing gradual face lift pioneered by the effort of the umbrella body, FOIU, State and Local Government and other Agencies. We want to thank the State Government for completing the Ijero-Okemesi and the Ita-Awure-Okemesi Road baring the few kilometers from Okemesi City Central Roundabout to Ita-Ode, the gateway to Ekiti State from Osun State through Okemesi.”, he stated.

 “The Okemesi Water Rehabilitation Scheme is progressing at a very slow pace as the whole town water distribution network is yet to be effectively covered. The Hospital building rehabilitation is ongoing. We implore the State Government to backup this with basic hospital equipment to enhance diagnosis, treatment and other health care delivery”.

Ogunwole described Okemesi as people of achievers adding that they wouldn’t stop asking for more from the people and government until their dream of owning their own institution is achieved.

“Our community has over the years committed time, money and energy into setting up a higher institution which has to be suspended due to financial constraints,” he stated.

“We have severally made attempts to the State Government for sitting of a higher institution, be it main, satellite or other specialized institution. This issue is again being revisited by the community and plans are ongoing for the continuation of the development plan of the Institute of Technology- Okemesi”. He however used the occasion to condemn the high level of political thuggrey ravaging the state and warned the community not to be part of evil politics.

 “While we are proud of the political appointees, we are not so proud of the political thuggery and brigandage of the few political groups currently being exhibited within the town and beyond. These actions are so embarrassing to Okemesi that we appeal to the leaders of these political parties to keep their wards in check”, he warned.

“Their misdemeanor collectively impact on entire people of the town. Despite this localized problems, we are happy that the present government policies and projects are impacting positively on the community”.

His Excellency, the executive Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi addresses the people of Okemesi.  In his speech, he promise to complete the road linking the town to Osun state,  He also assured the indigenes of Okemesi of the share of 5km township road, and concluded by making a promise to assist the community on the proposed Okemesi Institute of Technology.

The fiesta that marked the 16th edition of Okemesi day celebration was full of hopes.  The solemnly affair of that epoch-festival will remain ever green in the minds of Okemesi Ekiti people in Ekiti, Ekiti State, south west Nigeria because this year’s focus was on the celebration of Okemesi heritage, as well as the implementation of some developmental programmes in the community.

The foremost issue of that celebration was the continuation of the developmental efforts of the people Okemesi and fund raising for the proposed Okemesi Institute of Technology (OIT).

The event kicked off with various activities and programmes. It started with free medical services on 24^th and 25^thOctober, 2013.  Over 600 people benefited from the programme and medical services as there was free eye test, Blood Pressure (BP) checks. Diabetic test and malarial tests were conducted on people. As that was not enough, there was free health talk show and seminars which was delivered by medical experts on various issues. Also, drugs and eye glasses were also distributed to people freely.

As if that wasn’t enough, there was quiz and debate competitions among schools in Okemesi –Ekiti. The Football match, which was the height of the day, was played between Okemesi Grammar School and Fabunmi Memorial High School.

 Okemesi Grammar School won the match on penalty shoot-out and lifted the trophy. The Grand finale of the 16^th Okemesi day celebration took place on Saturday 26^th October, 2013 at Fabunmi Memorial High School Okemesi –Ekiti.

The Okemesi day celebration was also commemorated with traditional /cultural dances by school, social group and masquerade display of Egungun Oba, Soyoyo and Egungun Olode masquerades. The people were also treated with good live band music at the occasion.  There was fund raising for the developmental projects by various groups and from the people of Okemesi including their in-laws and invited quests. The event was spiced with several awards presented at the occasion to the worthy awardees. HRM Oba Fatai Adisa Irawo-Ogunsi, Ojomo-Eyisha, Akinwunmi (J.P) M.INST.M, Oba of Odi-Olowo, Mushin, Lagos, Chief S.O Bolarinde, Chief Kunle Ojo and TPL. Bisi Adedire received awards.