By Steve Oni, Ilorin
Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has pledged that Omu-Aran community, headquarters of Irepodun local government area, as a rapidly growing urban centre, would take a first place in his administration, adding that the community, like others, would not be abandoned.
The governor, who spoke at this year’s Omu-Aran Day 2019, said the stare government would complete the rehabilitation of the abandoned community’s Taiwo Road by the previous administration after the rainy season, while also also promising to harness the town’s water dam in order to reticulate water to the community.
AbdulRazaq said his administration would replicate the federal government’s social investment programme in the state, stating that Omu-Aran community and its people would be a key beneficiary when implemented.
The governor, who noted that Kwara South Senatorial District has key potential for tourism and agriculture, said his administration would do all within available resources to the state to encourage and develop it for economic benefits of the people and the state.
On insecurity which had grounded banking activities in the community, he promised to strengthen security not only in the community but also the state at large.
In his welcome address, the National President, Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA), Chief Bisi Adeyemi Akeweje, lamented the neglect and setback Omu-Aran community has suffered regarding provision of infrastructure and essential municipal facilities by both the state and federal governments despite being one of the first generation local government area headquarters in Nigeria, saying this “motivated the founding fathers of the community to galvanize communal efforts in putting in place different physical and sociocultural projects which are visible all over our community today.”
The ODA President, who reeled out a number of projects undertaken and community, appealed to the Kwara state government to direct the state Road Maintenance Agency to complete work on rehabilitation of the Taiwo Road in the community, which, he said, has reached about 65 percent completion. He sought state government’s intervention in finding solutions to the challenges of potable water from the antiquated water dam which has become inadequate for the community’s demand.
In addition, Akeweje pointed out that the community is deserving of a public tertiary institution by both the state and federal governments for her ever increasing population, urging support to the Bill being sponsored by Hon. Olawuyi Ajuloopin in the House of Representatives to have a Federal College of Education “located in Omu-Aran as a matter of right”, adding that it was long overdue.
He reminded the state government of the need to fulfill its pledge to immortalise the name of the Late Brigadier-General David Lasisi Bamigboye who was the first Military Governor of the state and also hailed from the community, adding that such honour was long overdue.
In his Royal speech, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Adeoti, opined that though the community is known for self help, it could not do all by itself and therefore call government and well meaning individuals to support the developmental efforts of the community by donating generously towards the noble cause.
He said: “Omu-Aran is no longer a rural community, it is a fast developing urban centre that requires the attention of government.”
Dignitaries that graced the occasion included the state deputy governor, Kayode Alabi, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senators, members of House of Representatives, information Minister Lai Mohammed and traditional rulers from across the state
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