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The crowd at the entrance to the palace of the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun, on Monday, July 2021, awaiting the arrival of the Asiwaju of Edeland, Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, was massive.
The weather was not extremely inclement, but staying under the noon sun without feeling the heat would have been challenging.
However, the jubilant people of Ila Orangun, who had seemingly been neglected despite having one of their own, Chief Bisi Akande, serve as governor of the state, were in high spirits, exhibiting unrestrained elation.
Many of them, in appreciation of the landmark project deemed necessary for the ancient community, danced, vibrating, turning, and twisting to the high-tempo Fuji sound being played by the live band that kept the ambiance alive, pending the arrival of the governor.
The siren announcing the approaching convoy of Governor Adeleke, who was accompanied by a handful of his aides, suddenly heightened the excitement that filled the air.
The Orangun, resplendent in his majesty, with his chiefs and prominent indigenes of the town, was joined by top government officials hailing from the town, seated at the entrance to the palace, where the groundbreaking of the project took place, and warmly welcomed Adeleke as his convoy came to a halt.
Also seated at the gathering to receive the governor were the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; the Akesin of Ora; the Asaoni of Ora; and other royal fathers across Igbomina land.
Amid thunderous applause and shouts of “Imole,” Adeleke, in his remarks at the event, affirmed that his pact of service with the people of Osun is unbreakable and sustainable, repeating his vow to deepen the service relationship with the people of the state.
Moved by the massive reception from the people of Ila Orangun, Adeleke expressed his commitment to delivering on his five-point agenda and other electoral promises, stressing that Ila Orangun and other cities are being positively impacted by his administration.
The governor narrated that his administration has so far completed the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and renovation of over 200 kilometers of roads, while several dualization and flyover projects are at various stages of completion.
“The Ilesa dualization project is 78 percent completed; the Ile-Ife flyover project is 75 percent completed; the Oke-Fia flyover is over 95 percent done, while the LAMECO flyover is about 55 percent executed.
“I am equally glad to inform you at this august gathering that the 1.5 kilometers of roads across all the Local Government Areas of the State are almost completed in their entirety.
The Oke Gada bridge is 100 percent completed.
“For the records, we have completed the construction of about 2KM length of Oba Jinsin/Ita Obajoko road, Ogunlade Junction – Kamila Junction road, and Ajagunla Street. Also, 1.8KM length of the rehabilitation/construction of Aregun Junction – Ogunlolu road has also been completed in Ila
“My dear people of the State, while the first phase of the infrastructure projects is being successfully executed, today we are announcing the takeoff of the dualization of the 1st phase of 3.5KM length of Ila Township Road, and this project will be delivered in 10 months by the grace of God.
“As part of my government’s efforts to open up Osun state through road infrastructure, I have also approved the rehabilitation of Ila-Ora-Oke Ila road. The rehabilitation job has reached Oke Ila junction, and I want to assure the Orangun of Oke-Ila, the Akesin of Ora, the Asaoni of Ora, and my people in Ora that the job will continue shortly,” the state governor declared.
The Orangun of Ila, while addressing the gathering, appreciated the performance of the governor since he assumed office, citing several completed and ongoing projects and programs across the state.
Both the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, and Hon. Ayo Awolowo, and the Member of the House of Representatives representing the Ila/Ifedayo/Boluwaduro federal constituency, Hon. Clement Akanni, who coordinated the massive reception, expressed appreciation to the Governor for projects already completed and the dualization of the Ila township road that had just been flagged off.
Days after the dualization flag-off, the landmark event dominated public discussions in Ila Orangun, with many wondering why real development had eluded the town.
While many people are of the opinion that those in positions to influence development in the direction of the community don’t really care, others were of the view that Ila was just a beneficiary of the deliberate efforts by the incumbent governor to place politics aside and pursue real development in major towns across the state.
Contributing to the debate on the lack of development in Ila despite having political bigwigs as indigenes, a clergy member based in the Isedo area of the town, Pastor John Olabisi, said, “Maybe God ministered to Adeleke to do this for us in this community. We are the forgotten ones.
“Those we look up to as leaders in politics have been using us to make brisk political business without showing any real intent to improve the lives of the residents by using their influence to bring development to Ila. This dual carriageway by Adeleke will definitely transform this community from a big village that it is to a modern town good enough to attract investors to come in and create jobs.”
Another resident, Oloye Dauda Gbadamonsi, while commenting on the decision by the Adeleke administration to give Ila its first dual carriageway, said the incumbent governor has created history and written his name in gold on the minds of the people.
“He could have looked elsewhere, but he decided to look at the plight of the people living in Ila. It’s a special gift to us, the forgotten ones.
“Maybe because Ila is a bit far from the state capital, previous administrations have not given us the kind of attention we deserve in this town. We sincerely appreciate him, and we should speak loudly with our votes during the next governorship,” Gbadamonsi further said.
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