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OTA – Barrister Biyi Otegbeye, Group Managing Director, Regency Alliance Insurance Plc, has called on the people of Yewa-Awori to come together as a people “to take advantage of the centripetal forces uniting Yewa-Aworiland with less emphasis on the centrifugal forces of division, noting that in unity we stand, divided we fall’.
The former House of Representatives candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) at the last election stated this at the 2021 Ita Oba Day Fiesta which took place on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Ota in Ado-Odo/Ota Local government of Ogun state.
BOT as he is fondly called said that, “The Yewa Traditional Council and the Egba traditional council are Siamese twins joined together in the heart, stressing that the heart that joins them is Ota.
“Kabiyesi, the loud and clarion call that an indigene of this area should be allowed and voted for to assume the saddle as the Governor of Ogun State is a genuine ambition which needs to be paid a serious and special attention by all Stakeholders.
“For emphasis, we can not successfully prosecute our agenda to become Governor anytime soon without unity among the rank and file of our people. One apparent and often neglected factor that is open to us and which we can take advantage of is the historical ties between Aworiland and Yewaland.”
Read full text of the speech below:
SPEECH BY BARRISTER BIYI OTEGBEYE, GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR, REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2021 ITA OBA DAY FIESTA, HELD IN OTA, OGUN STATE ON 21ST JULY 2021.
PROTOCOL & SALUTATION….
I count it as a great privilege to say these few words on this very important occasion of Ita Oba Day, Ota, which marks the second day of Ileya festivities.
I am here with full excitement to experience the passion and patriotism of a people that are historically one of the most sophisticated and forward-looking in Ogun State. Not only that, I am here to feel the essence of OTA as a centre of industrial and economic development.
Since the time of Western State government, and consequently the creation of Ogun State in 1976, Ota and environs have been reckoned with and primed as an area with stupendous potential industrially and economically.
Firstly, I would like to appreciate God for today’s event. In His infinite mercies, God has been so marvellous to make this event possible. Ita Oba Day is a day that has been set aside for interaction among the people of OTA following the Ileya festivities every year. The occasion offers to be highly eventful and futuristic as it sets agenda for the present and future development of the land. Invariably, what we are here to celebrate is God’s kindness to mankind in general and OTA-Awori in particular. It is my fervent hope that this year’s event will live up to its advanced expectation, and even surpass the achievements of the past events.
Kabiyesi, distinguished guests, let me use this moment to rejoice with the Muslim faithful on this year’s Eid-El-Kabir celebration. I pray that as we gather on this second day of Ileya festival, the peace of Allah will spread through the entire OTA and Aworiland while the joy of the celebration will endure.
I call on all Muslim believers to embrace the spirits of sacrifice and obedience, which are exemplified in the life of Prophet Ibrahim. This is an auspicious time for our muslim brothers and sisters to move closer to Allah while ensuring that they follow the injunctions of the Islamic religion astutely.
Let me at this stage pay homage to the Olota of Otaland, Awori Kingdom, Oba (Professor) Adeyemi Abdukadir Obalanlege, Ph.d, who counted me worthy to preside over today’s ceremony as the Chairman. He is an Oba that I will continue to hold in awe and esteem because of his attributes that have endeared him and OTA-Awori to men of high calibre and quality across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
Today, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege remains a reference point in terms of the socio-economic transformation being experienced under his reign. His transformational and groundbreaking programmes have shown that His Royal Majesty is indeed a wise Oba and an intellectual on the throne of his forefathers and that he is a lover of his people.
This occasion is being held at a time that Aworiland and their counterpart in Yewaland are at a crossroad in their socio-political endeavour. It is therefore important that I say one thing or two concerning the present and future of Yewa-Awori in the entity called Ogun State.
It is no secret that OTA and Environs account for about 70 percent of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in Ogun State. Sadly, this huge contribution to the common wealth of Ogun State had consistently been ignored. There is no doubt that the Yewa-Awori part of the state has suffered neglect over the years in terms of infrastructural development and provision of social amenities. Except for the few bold initiatives of some past administrations, the entire Ogun west Senatorial District has remained grossly marginalised.
Kabiyesi, the loud and clarion call that an indigene of this area should be allowed and voted for to assume the saddle as the Governor of Ogun State is a genuine ambition which needs to be paid a serious and special attention by all Stakeholders. We need to take advantage of the centripetal forces that unite us in Yewa-Awori and emphasize less on the centrifugal forces that divide us. As the old adage goes, “in unity we stand, divided we fall”
“The Yewa traditional Council and the Egba traditional Council are Siamese twins joined together in the heart…That heart is OTA.”
For emphasis, we can not successfully prosecute our agenda to become Governor anytime soon without unity among the rank and file of our people. One apparent and often neglected factor that is open to us and which we can take advantage of is the historical ties between Aworiland and Yewaland.
God shall help to bring our aspiration to fruition. Amen.
As I hereby bow and accord full respect to His Royal Majesty and regard to the distinguished guests, I say AWORI LA. Eku Odun o. Emi ase opolopo re o. A o tun pe jo ba yi ni odun to nbo fun ajoyo yi ooo. Won o ni wa eni kan kan ni nu wa ti o. Ase Edumare.
Thank you.
BIYI OTEGBEYE (BOT)
