Sabiganna seeks more state support for roads, security, infrastructure
Iwajowa LGA of Oyo State has marked its 30th anniversary with the commissioning of four legacy projects and the honouring of past leaders and other distinguished individuals who have contributed to the development of the area.
The projects commissioned during the anniversary celebration include a Primary Health Centre at Itasa, staff quarters for the Iwere-Ile Primary Health Centre, a police station at Ilaji-Ile and a building for the Iwajowa LG Traditional Council.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the council secretariat, Iwere-Ile, the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Muritala Abiodun Oyewumi, said the anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the journey of the local government while laying the foundation for a more prosperous future.
Oyewumi said, “Today is not an ordinary day. We have gathered to celebrate 30 years of Iwajowa Local Government Area — 30 years of history, identity, struggles, achievements, challenges, resilience and hope restoration.”
He recalled that Iwajowa was created in 1996 from Kajola Local Government Area by the administration of the then Head of State, General Sani Abacha, describing its creation as “the birth of a new administrative identity” for the people.
According to him, “Iwajowa’s story is one of vision, sacrifice, resilience and hope.”
The chairman expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde for what he described as the state government’s commitment to grassroots development.
He said, “I express our profound appreciation to the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for his administration’s commitment to grassroots development and for creating an enabling environment for local governments to contribute meaningfully to our communities.”
Oyewumi also commended the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, for his support and leadership.
He said Iwajowa was ready to work with the state government to accelerate development across the local government.
“Our message is simple: Iwajowa is ready to partner with the Oyo State Government for greater development,” he stated.
Speaking on the four projects, the chairman said the initiatives were deliberately selected to address pressing needs in traditional administration, security and healthcare.
He said, “An anniversary should not only be about speeches and celebrations; it should leave something behind. That is why this 30th anniversary is accompanied by four legacy projects.”
He listed the projects as the Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs Building at Iwere-Ile, Police Station at Ilaji-Ile, Primary Health Centre at Itasa and Primary Health Care Staff Quarters at Iwere-Ile.
According to him, the projects represented the council’s commitment to improving the welfare of residents.
“These projects respond to real needs and reflect our commitment to three fundamental pillars of a functional society — traditional institutions, security and healthcare,” he said.
On security, Oyewumi said the commissioning of the police station at Ilaji-Ile was significant because security remained fundamental to economic and social development.
“Security is the foundation upon which development rests,” he said, urging residents to provide useful information to security agencies and work collectively to protect their communities.
He added, “Security is not the responsibility of government alone. Every citizen has a role to play.”
The chairman said his administration had also embarked on several other interventions, including the reconstruction of a collapsed bridge at Balogun village, construction of an Amotekun Corps office at Iwere-Ile and provision of two Bajaj motorcycles for the corps.
Other interventions, he said, included the construction of motorised boreholes at Samo, Olorunda market, Oke-Adura and Olugbagun compound, Ayede, as well as the procurement of generating sets for Operation Burst, Otanyerin village and a Fulani community at Apata-Ibadan village.
He also listed the distribution of fertilisers and herbicides to farmers, scholarships to students of TECH-U and the School of Nursing, provision of science laboratory equipment to selected secondary schools and the provision of 24-hour solar-powered electricity to three divisional police headquarters and the new Ilaji-Ile Police Station.
Oyewumi said the council had facilitated additional projects through the Oyo State government’s intervention programmes, including new primary healthcare centres at Agbaakin, Ajimati and Ayede.
He said, “As the government closest to the people, we see the roads they travel, the challenges they face and the needs of our communities. We also hear the voices of our people.”
The chairman, however, acknowledged that more remained to be done, saying the anniversary should not be interpreted as a declaration that the council had achieved everything.
“Our 30th anniversary is not a declaration that we have arrived; it is a declaration that we are ready to do more,” he said.
He called for greater investment in youth empowerment, education, healthcare, agriculture, security, rural development and infrastructure.
Oyewumi also appealed to residents and political actors to place the collective interest of Iwajowa above partisan considerations.
“There is one resource I believe Iwajowa needs more than anything else as we enter our next 30 years: unity,” he said.
“Our political differences must never become greater than our love for Iwajowa. Our individual ambitions must never destroy our collective future.”
The anniversary featured cultural displays, including the Gelede Ijio masquerade and Egungun Alare performances, merit awards, goodwill messages, the commissioning of the projects and cutting of the anniversary cake.
Among those honoured were former leaders and distinguished indigenes of the local government.
Recipients of the Lifetime Service Award included Hon. Barr. John Adeniyi Farinto, Hon. Muritala Abiodun Oyewumi and DIG Femi Folawiyo (rtd).
Others received the Distinguished Service Award, Icon of Service Award, Pillar of Development Award and Legacy of Service Award.
The event was attended by traditional rulers, political leaders, government officials, community leaders and other dignitaries.
The anniversary was themed: “30 Years of Service, Legacy and Development.”
Speaking at the event, the Sabiganna of Iganna and paramount ruler of Iganna Kingdom, Oba Saliu Oyemonla Azeez (Ayefemiloye I), commended the Executive Chairman of Iwajowa Local Government, Hon. Muritala Abiodun Oyewumi, for what he described as a laudable initiative to commemorate the council’s 30th anniversary.
The monarch noted that the celebration was particularly significant as it combined the commemoration of the council’s three decades of existence with the recognition of past leaders and the commissioning of development projects.
He said the initiative was unprecedented in the history of local government administration in the state, urging other councils to emulate the gesture of celebrating their achievements while honouring those who had contributed to their development.
Oba Azeez, however, appealed to the Oyo State Government to provide additional support to the local government to enable it execute more developmental projects across its communities.
He also called for expedited action on security, road infrastructure and other critical amenities at the grassroots, stressing that more attention was required to accelerate development in the area.
According to him, “Iwajowa Local Government is still youthful at 30, and there is still a lot to be done. We therefore appeal to the state government to assist the local government so that more projects can be facilitated across the council area.”
The monarch commended Oyewumi for his efforts and urged him to intensify his developmental initiatives, particularly in areas that would have direct impact on the people.
On his part, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) senatorial candidate for Oyo North Senatorial District, Mr Shina Peller, said he had previously represented the area at the House of Representatives and remained committed to its development.
Peller said his relationship with the people of the council had remained strong, promising to continue supporting the area if elected to represent Oyo North in the Senate in 2027.
He appealed to the people of the area to support his senatorial ambition, saying his objective was to attract more development and democratic dividends to the district.
He said, “I have represented this area as a member of the House of Representatives, and I will continue to support the people. If given the opportunity to serve as Senator in 2027, I will do everything within my capacity to attract more dividends of democracy to our people.”
He urged the people to entrust their mandate to leaders who, according to him, had demonstrated commitment to the development and welfare of the constituents.