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Charges Community Leaders and Residents to collaborate together for the development and progress of the Community.
With the signing of the Local Council Development Area into Law by the Ondo State Governor, His Excellency, Arakunrin Odunayo Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON on 9th September, 2023; beneficiaries of these LCDAs have been busy afterwards with plans on how to take off the new course.
Ultimately, Owo East LCDA, with its headquarters in Ipele is not left out in this administrative schedules. It becomes a necessity to scout for sites that will be appropriate and conducive for Secretariat.
For the aforementioned, the Honorable Member representing Owo Constituency 2 in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Prophetess Atinuke Witherspoon visited and inspected the various sites that were made available. The proposed sites are Ogo-Oluwa House, Pa Kayode Oladimeji (Joks Motors) House and the defunct venue of the National Open University Satellite Campus.
Hon. Atinuke Witherspoon was accompanied to these sites by Community Leaders and dignitaries such as the Asiwaju of Ipele Kingdom and a Former Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Environment, Chief (Barrister) Olatubosun Aganun, former Caretaker Chairman, Owo Local Government, Hon. Chief Oke Adebayo Benjamin, Secretary to the Olupele Traditional Council, Chief Balogun, the Ipele Central Youth President, Hon. Chief Orisadare Bola.
Others include the Chairman of the APC, Ipele Ward 7, Mr Oloye Ojo Oserin, Councillor Ipele Ward 7, Hon. Chief Are Oluwasola Monday. In attendence were Traditional Chiefs Raji Olujase, Isaac Olukoye, Taiwo Alagha, Tunde Dairo, etc.
Press and Media Teams were also fully on ground for the August event. The Media Team/Crew are: Ipele Media Production, Super Glory Abeyagho Online TV and Baba Ipele Media Communications.
The first point of call was Ogo-Oluwa House. The building which looks enticing from the outside had lots of renovating challenges. The windows are obsolete, the doors are bad and the floors are broken among other issues. It became clear at the instance that the renovation will gulp down lots of money.
Pa Kayode Oladimeji (Joks Motors) House faces similar challenges. Though spacious, the renovation will too overwhelming. According to a renowned building contractor in the Community, Chief Samuel Feyide, the windows need to be replaced and some buildings in the apartment need to be refurbished.
The third venue looks a perfect taste for the proposed Secretariat. Though located along the Ipele-Idoani Expressway, the ambience of the environment makes it perfect match. In addition, there is another building beside the proposed site which was unanimously suggested to be a Security Base for Security Personnel.
In an exclusive interaction with Media Teams and Crews, Hon Prophetess Atinuke Witherspoon expressed her immense gratitude to God Almighty for making the LCDA a reality and for counting Ipele worthy as a Headquarter during her time as a political figure.
“I must appreciate God Almighty for making it possible for us all to witness the evolution of this LCDA. It is a long term quest and I’m glad it finally materialized. Similarly, I thank the executive Governor of Ondo State, our dearest Arakunrin Odunayo Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN CON for this great feat. I am happy that Ipele is considered as a Headquarter in a time like this, under my watch. The time has come for us to put our hands on deck collectively for the development of this community.”
When asked concerning her takes and observations on the proposed sites, the Lawmaker described the proposed sites as nice places but she expressed her worries with the cost of renovations of the two places earlier visited.
However, she give a thumb up to the third site as a perfect space fit for the take off.
“Well, so far, I have seen all the three sites and I must admit they are nice places but my worries lie in the refurbishment of the two places earlier visited. However, the last site we visited alongside Ipele – Idoani Expressway is fair enough as a take off for the Secretariat. We hope that the cost of renovations will be bearable compared to the other sites”
Also speaking with Peoplesmind, the Asiwaju Of Ipele Kingdom and former SSA to the Ondo State Governor on Environment, Chief Barrister Olatubosun Aganun, expressed his ecstacy on the new achievement and appreciate the Ondo State Government. Significantly, Chief Barrister Olatubosun Aganun stated that the consideration of Ipele as a LCDA headquarter was made possible through the concerted efforts of Senator Titus Olajide Olupitan and Hon. Atinuke Witherspoon. He described these two political colossus are a man of valour and women of substance who made sure that they utilized their closeness with the government to accrue this landmark for Ipele.
The legal luminary also appreciated the efforts of some Community Leaders both past and present who were actively involved in the processes. He advised the people Ipele to stand tall and build the community of their dreams.
Meanwhile, Hon Prophetess Atinuke Witherspoon visited the Olupele Traditional Council for a round table discourse on matters affecting the community.
The Secretary to the Traditional Council, Chief Balogun highlighted some of the pressing issues affecting the community which include Obaship selection, deplorable roads, electricity, flood and LCDA.
Hon. Atinuke Witherspoon left no stone unturned on these matters. She explained that Obaship selection is the traditional functions of the Kingmakers and as such she will gladly accept anyone the community brings on board. She advised that they should follow the due processes and not be veiled my monetary gains
While addressing issue on flood, she stated that the Ondo State House of Assembly has made it a ceaseless point in its plenary reports have been made to appropriate authorities on how to profer lasting solution. She expressed her desire to invite the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to the State House of Assembly to come explain what went amiss and why the community is in long-term darkness.
On matters concerning LCDA, the Honorable Member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Witherspoon noted that the LCDA is just underway. She affirmed that there shall be time for stakeholders meeting where deliberation shall be made. However, the wills of the ruling party cannot be over ruled as it is a threshold for the actualisation of the LCDA.
Hon Prophetess Atinuke Witherspoon expressed immensely gratitude to the leaders of the community and charged them to uphold every tenet that can promote development, peace, oneness and unity.
📸 Credit: Ogunleye Busuyi Kehinde
Peoplesmind
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