A Professor of Urban and Regional Planning in the University of Ibadan, Prof. Bolanle Wahab has charged stakeholders in the development of Iseyin community to evolve an urbanization masterplan that will speed up needed growth of the people.
Wahab states this at the Pioneer Movement Iseyin (PMI)’s annual lecture and scholarship and teachers’ awards which held at Iseyin City Hall on Saturday.
In the lecture titled “Opportunities and Challenges of Urbanization,” the don highlighted the positive and negative effects of a community’s change from an ancient town to an urbanized city to include increase in commercial activities and business opportunities which will lead to rise in crime and poor residence layout plan.
He said the establishment of the College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH) and two private polytechnic campuses in the town has led to influx of students and people who have started different their businesses in the community.
Prof. Wahab charged residents of Iseyin whose means of survival are attached to local crafts like Aso-Ofi weaving, aluminum pots, goldsmith among others to put more efforts to the works so that outsiders would enter into the businesses and take them over.
The egghead listed areas where the masterplan will cover to include security, town planning, economic development, employment growth, education and healthcare support programs among others.
He also lamented the mass exodus of farmers from the hinterlands to Iseyin as urbanization started taking place, leading to shortage in farming hands and food production and urged members of Pioneer Movement, Iseyin (PMI) to lead a crusade to bring about an urbanization masterplan for Iseyin community.
“The community should be prepared to take control of its peculiar skill works and ancient crafts like Aso-Ofi, goldsmith, aluminum pots production and the rest to get the best from the emerging economy that would follow the expanding population and development, they should not allow external business interests to take over the businesses from them.
“As Iseyin is expanding and commerce is booming, farmers are also leaving their farms to partake in business, which is affecting food production.
“There is need for development plan for Iseyin city if we want Iseyin to be among the best communities in Nigeria and Africa, we all have to come together as stakeholders, do not leave it to politicians, engage other organizations, NGOs and others to make Iseyin the pride of its residents.”
The Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola, Adeyeri 111, who was the Royal Father of the day, saluted the efforts of members of Pioneer Movement over the scholarship program and financial incentives to outstanding teachers of public schools in Iseyin.
He said the teachers award program will motivate the teachers to do more in building and nurturing the future leaders.
The President of Pioneer Movement, Iseyin, Barrister Abimbola Ojedokun said the 2023 Annual Lecture and Scholarship/Teachers Awards was the 37th Edition of the organization as 1850 students have earned the PMI’s scholarship grants while 105 outstanding teachers have been honored as the teachers awards started fifteen years ago.
Ojedokun appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for opening the Iseyin community to development through road networks and establishment of the LAUTECH College in the town.
He added that Pioneer Movement was planning to establish an Education Resort Center in Iseyin to help students and academia access materials that will aid research for development.
Highlights of the event include a Jumat Service at Ansar-ud-deen Central Mosque, Agip, Iseyin, the finals of the PMI Football Competition which held at Ebedi Stadium, along Iseyin-Ogbomoso road on Friday and a thanksgiving service scheduled to hold at the First Baptist Church, Koso Iseyin, to end the 2023 edition of the event.
