Govt Will Not Neglect Any Part Of Ogun State At Expense Of Other Area – Abiodun

…As Oba Olugbenle Calls On Governor Abiodun To Hasten Development In Yewaland

ILARO-YEWA – The Ogun State Governor, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, has said that his government will not neglect any part of the State as no part will be developed at the expense of the others.

Abiodun stated this in his address read by the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at the inauguration of Yewa People Development Council (YPDC), an umbrella body for Pan-Yewa Groups and Associations which took place at Yewa Frontier Hotel, situated along Ilaro-Ibese road, Ilaro.

He assured that the State Government will partner with the Yewa People Development Council in realising the objectives for which it was set up in line with the “Building our Future Together” Development Agenda of his Administration.

The Governor commended the people on the inauguration of the Yewa People Council, saying its incorporation fits into his’ ‘Building our Future Together’ agenda.

He said opinion of the people would  always count at all times.

“This inauguration could not  have come at a better time than now. It indicates that Yewa  people are poised to start the new year on a positive note”, he posited.

The governor called on public-spirited  indigenes of Yewaland to join hands for the advancement of the area,’ warning that cultural identity devoid of political identity avail little.

According to him, ”cultural identity is nothing without political identity.”

In his speech at the event, the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle (MFR), assured the Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and his administration of the continued support of the people of Yewaland with the hope that the administration will in turn hasten the development of the area.

Oba Olugbenle disclosed that Yewa People Development Council (YPDC) is an umbrella body for Pan-Yewa Groups and Associations, with a mandate to promote unity and co-ordinate the mobilization of the Yewa people for rapid development of the area.

His words, “Our people see the incumbent government in Ogun State, led by Prince Dapo Abiodun, as a listening government, a partner and major stakeholder in facilitating the development that we want. This is why we shall continue to support the Governor.

“However, the Governor must not disappoint us.The narrative of how we are being treated must change. The Governor needs to hasten completion of the on-going  projects and support our aspirations, because I also wish to join the Governor in commissioning projects located in Yewaland.”

The Paramount Ruler told the various non-governmental and non-partisan Yewa Groups and Associations that graced the event that YPDC will concentrate on the organization of major events that will promote unity and development in Yewaland, including the resuscitation of the annual Yewa Day Celebration, saying he had discovered that the development of the area cannot be left solely in the hands of the government.

“Let us have a non-partisan body that will concentrate on the things that will bind us together as an indivisible entity while we live politics to the politicians”, Oba Olugbenle quips.

Olu of Ilaro stated further: “We are appealing to our governor to expedite action on projects being executed in the state. This should be a challenge to this government. Something must be commissioned by May 2022 in Yewaland. Let me say it here. I was not always happy with the last government when they would invite me for commissioning of projects elsewhere whereas here(Yewaland), it is only flag – off, flag off for eight years.

“For good eight years I have carried my agbada to dance with them and nobody has come here to dance with me for commissioning of projects in Yewaland. That was why I told that the narrative must change. He has promised us and I can assure you that by May 29 next year we will have something here to commission. This is what we prayed for that we should have a government that listen to our yearnings in Yewaland nay Ogun West.

“There is no doubt about that. It is not that we have not had a government before but that government had dead ear for eight years. This government has a listening ear and it is doing things possible to change the narrative of where we are coming from. That is why today(Thursday December 30) we will be celebrating these two leaders – the governor and his deputy, that God has given us at this time  in Ogun State,  to direct the affairs of this state. That is why are  appreciating them.”

The monarch lamented the neglect of Ogun West by the immediate past administration, saying for eight years, Amosun turned a deaf ear to the yearnings of his people.

Oba Olugbenle called on his people to unite towards growth and development of Yewaland through self help and not keep waiting until until a governor from the zone emerges to develop the area.

He commended the present administration for its listening ear, hailing it for doing things in Yewaland to change the narratives.

In his presentation, the Chairman, YPDC , Prof. Rahman Bello, said the non- profit organisation was created to carry out activities and enforce unity among the people of Yewaland, promote effective development in all strata, as well as giving optimum priority to the needs of the people in the area.

Earlier in his address , the Olu of Imasayi-Yewa, Oba Kuoye Lukman, commended the people of Yewa who have been making the State proud in their endeavours, urging them not to relent in their oars and continue to promote peace and harmony among themselves.

Highlight of the event held at the newly completed Afisu Olabimtan Foundation Centre, Yewa Frontier Hotel, Ilaro include presentation of Awards to Governor Dapo Abiodun; his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele and Engr. Afisu Olabimtan. the US-based Founder of the Afisu Olabimtan Foundation and the Yewa Frontier Hotel.

The Paramount Ruler also inaugurated the YPDC Board of Trustees, the Governing Council and the Executive Council which has as it’s Chairman a former Ogun State Commissioner for Special Duties and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Rahmon Bello and Pastor Bamidele Obafemi Akinola as the Secretary General.

Yewa Groups and Associations which have already been registered with the YPDC are the Yewa Think Tank; Yewa Elders Council; the Yewa Development Forum; Yewa Metropolitan Club; Yewa Descendants Union, UK & Ireland; Yewa Descendants Union, USA & Canada; Yewa Descendants Union, Abuja; Yewa Professionals, while the applications of other groups which drew their membership across Yewaland are being considered.

Dignitaries at the inauguration include, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Ogun State Commissioner for Finance and Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Matters, Mr Dapo Okubadejo; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan; Commissioner for Forestry, Engr Tunji Akinosi; Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi; High Chief Biodun Ilo, the Adele Olu of Ilaro-Yewa; Major-General Bamidele Shafa and Members of the Yewa Traditional Council, among others.