Date: 2018-08-29

...Charges Kwarans on voters registration The town of Ijomu-Oro, in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State was agog last Saturday for all the right reasons.

Gaily dressed sons and daughters of the town trooped out in large numbers to welcome prominent guests who had honoured their invitation to come and help the communitys drive for further development.

Mutual backslapping, exchange of banter, and generally joyous mood pervaded the environment on the day.

And they had every reason to be happy about the event and the day: a jinx had been broken. It was the second edition of the Ijomu-Oro Day Celebration, and was taking place exactly 20 years after the first edition.

At the occasion, the Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed charged Kwarans to register to vote in the forthcoming general elections.

Represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Leke Ogungbe, the Governor explained that the possession of the PVC, is essential for the citizens meaningful participation in the 2019 polls. While applauding the communal efforts of Ijomu-Oro community, Dr. Ahmed enumerated the supportive efforts of his administration including the construction of the asphalt Oro Police Station-Ijomu Oro Road.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to upgrading the stool of the Oloro of Oro to first class status. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed praised the indomitable communal spirit of Oro Kingdom, adding that he was proud to be a "son of the soil."

Alh. Mohammed, who was represented by his wife, Hajia Kudirat Mohammed, expressed delight at the turn out of indigenes at the programme.

The Paramount ruler of Oroland, Oba Abdulrauf Ajiboye Oyelaran1, urged the people of Oro to come home to participate in the 2019 elections so as to influence communal development across the kingdom. Spokesman of the Community and Oloriewe of Oro Kingdom, Chief Raheem Adedoyin expressed appreciation to Ijomu-Oro indigenes and the invited guests who turned out in large number to grace the occasion.

Adedoyin recalled that the first Ijomu-Oro day took place exactly 20 year ago adding that "we are happy we have broken the jinx".

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr. John Adefila, commended the Ijomu-Oro community branches in Lagos, Ilorin and at home for the huge mobilisation for the event.

Other dignitaries at the occasion included the Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim (Chairman of the occasion), represented by Chief Abdulrauf Akogun; Hon. Moshood Mustapha, (Principal Launcher), represented by Hon. Adamu Sabi; Chief (Mrs) Ebun Oloruntoba (Chairlady); former Secretary to Kwara State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Olododo; former Security Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State and former deputy governorship candidate in the 2015 election, Hon. Yinka Aluko; incumbent Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Ademola Banu (represented by Comrade Kazeem Adekanye); Engr. Nurudeen Adeyemi, represented by Mal. Aroworowon; Elder Oyin Zubair; Mr. Niyi Adekeye; traditional chiefs from Oro Kingdom and a host of others.

The Herald reports that the innovative and iconic Igbomina Mobile Clinic headed by Elder Oyin Zubair, was fully on ground to offer free medical services. The implementation committee of the Clinic, founded and funded by Igbomina Community in North America, is headed by Oloriewe Adedoyin. Key part of the event was the launching of a N250m Ijomu Oro Market Fund.

Donors included the Minister ( N500,000), Sen. Ibrahim( N500,000), Hon. Mustapha ( N500,000), Hon. Banu ( N200,000), Adekanye family( 50,000) and undisclosed donation by, Mrs Oloruntoba, Oloriewe Adedoyin, Engr. Adeyemi and some Ijomu-Oro community leaders.