Worried by the lack of developmental projects in Ona-Ara local government areas of Oyo State, indigenes of the council areas have organised the first Ona Ara Stakeholders’ Summit.
Chairman of the Ona-Ara Development Forum, ODF, Alhaji Kola Bolomope, explained that all development indicators revealed the community as one of the least developed local governments in the Oyo State.
Bolomope said: “Ona-Ara has never been short of successful people in politics, commerce and various professions but still lacking the necessary development among the various councils in the state.”
Insideoyo.com learnt that Chief Richard Akinjide, Chief Bode Amao, former Senate leader, Oloye Teslim Folarin; ex-FCT minister, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; incumbent Chief of Staff to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Dr. Gbade Ojo; incumbent finance commissioner, Mr. Bimbo Adekanmbi and many others hail from the council area, which is one of Ibadan’s 11 LGAs.
He added: “This is why we have evolved several strategies, among which is the summit to rally our people and channel ways for meaningful development in our community,” he said.
Bolomope enjoined the sons and daughters of Ona-Ara to rally support for the leadership of ODF, saying they were determined to ensure the development of the community.
In his address, the Asiwaju of Ibadanland, Chief Olabode Amao, said that sustainable growth could only be achieved through effective collaboration and goodwill of relevant stakeholders.
He decried how the state grapples with poor development, calling on the federal government to help rehabilitate Ibadan-Akanran-Ijebu Igbo interstate road.
Earlier, Governor Ajimobi who was represented by Dr.Ojo described the frustrating attention of the people on government, noting that contemporary times demand the involvement of non-state actors in fostering grassroots’ development.
He also explained that government’s efforts look inadequate owing to lean resources and population explosion.
He consequently called for increased involvement of wealthy and influential citizens, voluntary organisations, legislators, sociocultural clubs especially at local government level, for grassroots development.
He noted that it was really challenging for government to attend to all aspects of social and physical infrastructure required in all localities across states.
He lamented that local government administration also failed to deliver the goods to the grassroots in ensuring development owing to inefficiency and corruption.
“The attention on government in contemporary time is becoming frustrating. The reason is not connected with the fact that government resources is lean, while population explosion is making nonsense efforts of the government.”
“Beyond that, the capacity of administrators at the grassroots level is indeed doubtful. When you link this with corruption complex at the grassroots, it is alarming. Thus, attention must shift to the non-state actors, while not completely putting government efforts into abeyance,” Ajimobi said.
Former President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Alhaji Adebayo Oyero, also charged indigenes of the community to display greater commitment to their individual villages and participate actively in Community Development Association meetings.
Oyero, who is also the Aare Mayegun of Ibadanland, urged members of the community to desist from selling village lands and be ready to donate such for meaningful development of the area.
He commended the governor on the recent elevation of 11 High Chiefs and 21 Baales in Ibadan, saying the effort would further enhance the development of the ancient city.
