By Divine Sam
It was an epoch in history of Ayegun- Oleyo community to perform it’s first ever inauguration of newly elected members of executive council to pilot the affairs of the community in the next couple of years. Those inaugurated were, Prof. Saka Jelili Olaide as Chairman, Pastor Agbolade Oludipe – Vice Chairman zone 1, Mr. Francis Olufemi Onikosi – vice chairman zone 2, Alabi Adewale Isiak – vice chairman zone 3, Chief Adebayo Michael Olakunle – vice chairman zone 4, Alhaji Lawal Lateef- treasurer, Abimbola Ajibola – secretary, Chief Raheem Maruff Ademola, Asst. Secretary, Mrs. Ibidun Koilo- financial secretary, Mr. Ogunmuyiwa Oluwayounbo Damilare – Public relations officer 1, Akala Gbenga PRO 2 and Mr. Omotayo Emmanuel – chief whip. The nine man electoral committee, which conducted the election ,consisted of Alhaji Jimoh Abiola, who chaired the committee, Rev’d Timothy Johnson – Secretary, Mr. Tokun Emmanuel and pastor Banji Olowe, Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Adiamoh, pastor Adebayo Taiwo, Mr. Adesola Sylvester, Mrs. Agbatoogun and Alhaji Akeem AzeezThe inauguration of the newly elected executive which took place on Saturday 20th January, 2024 at Christ High school, Oleyo, Ibadan had in attendance both the political class and some prominent and distinguished members of the community including the Baale Ayegun Oleyo Alhaji (Chief) Kabiru Olajide.Addressing the inauguration ceremony in it valedictory speech, the immediate past chairman of the association Mr. Adetunji Alabi said his milestone achievement throughout his administration was possible through the maximum cooperation of the people in the community and the supports of some dignitaries in government which made it easy despite some challenges.Mr. Alabi who has served as the chairman of the Community for almost 13 years, reviewed that his administration met the community at it forests looking conditions, most especially the road situation.” I remember when I took over as the chairman, the road was not passable to both cars and motorcycles, but we keep pushing. That time attention was focused on the local government for the much needed repair, then the state goverment until recently when the federal government is intervening through the efforts of our Distinguish Senator (Oyo Central SenatorialDistrict), Dr. Yunus Akintunde. We believe the new government will pursue that course””On the area of security, we did our best with the total cooperation of our people. We have both internal and external security agencies operating in the community even till now. I can say we did well and we hope the new era will do better”” I use this medium to congratulate the new executives and also call on them to wear on the old sandals through continuity from the legacies we already established to make their achievements easier” Also speaking, the chairman electoral committee Alhaji Jimoh Abiola in his charge to the newly sworn-in administration, urge for team spirit and togetherness, they should see themselves as one family without diversification. There are over 73 communities under Ayegun Oleyo, and they need wisdom to exercise their leadership in other to succeed. Alhaji Abiola who was very excited to have headed the electoral committee that produced the 1st ever elected and inaugurated executives, also called on them to always resolve their issues whenever the need arises without the hearing of 3rd parties. He said ” this is the first official inauguration of executive council in Ayegun-Oleyo Community Development Association and I am happy that I was the chairman of the election committee, it wasn’t easy but our decision and determination brought what we are seeing today “When as the criteria for the election of the executives, Alhaji Jimoh said” they obtained forms for the respective offices contested wherein requirements for qualification included among others, prebious experience and achievements in leadership positions in their respective zones and communities. If these requirements are not met they have no chance of contesting. So we in the election panel took time to scrutinize and interview them one after another, we also listened to their programmes and intentions especially what they wish to do to move the community forward”He applauded their immediate past administration for their gigantic achievements, therefore calling on the new administration to improve on the footprint and legacies of their predicessor. Goodwill messages also poured from respective invited government officials, traditional fathers and political class, including the former public relations officer of the people’s Democratic Party PDP in Oyo State Hon. Akeem Olatunji who assures that he will continue to rally his support to ensure the progress and development of the Ayegun Oleyo community. Hon. Akeem who is currently the Chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Oluyole LGA in the forthcoming local government elections in Oyo State also pledge his interest to support the new administration. Also speaking was the erstwhile Council chairman of Oluyole LGA Hon. Abbas Alesinloye who said he will not hesitate to continue his usual support to ensure continuous development of the community.Hon. Abbas while congratulating the new administration, also extolled the leadership qualities of the immediate past administration. He called on the new era to follow the development strides of the past government. Responding, in his acceptance speech Prof. Saka Olaide, in his inaugural speech, thanked the people for the confidence reposed in him and other members of his team, promising to discharge his duties diligently in such a way as to bring peace and development to the community.He assured the people of Ayegun Oleyo community that he was going to be a leader and not ruler through team work, inclusive administration and demand driven development projects will be the hallmark of his administration. As a new community chairman, we the members of the newly sworn in executive strategise on initiatives that will ensure development, peace and progress of the community.He added that the new executives will focus attention on youth development initiatives by harnessing available potentials and political good will of its representatives in government. He specifically mention the devolution of administration through the newly created zones which will be adopted as administrative units. He also added that his team will entrench effective synergy between the existing security structure in the community and the different state security machineries. He also added that efforts will be concretized in building on the solid relationship established by Baale and the past executive in ensuring that the efforts of Senator Yunus Akintunde on the Ayegun-Oleyo Road receives maximum cooperation of the community for the success if the project at flag off and execution among other laudable initiatives that are ongoing. Prof. Saka noted that the task of rebuilding the community would not be his and his executives members alone, but that of every member of the community who he might, from time to time, call upon to make material and financial contributions and otherwise. He added that the community will embark in creation of database of professionals and personalities to harness potentials and build strong network for the development initiatives of the new executives.He called for maximum cooperation of his team members to put all hands on deck and ensure the responsibility entrusted on them recorded positive impact in the community.He specially acknowledged the fatherly role played by Baale Kabiru Olajide during the election and the build up to inauguration.In his word the Baale of Ayegun Oleyo community Alhaji (Chief) Kabiru Olajide congratulated the newly inaugurated executives under the leadership of a Professor Saka Jelili Olaide for their determination to serve the community. He pray that Almighty Allah bestow them with the necessary wisdom to transform the community better than how they met. Baale Kabiru Olajide urged the new Exco to be truthful, honest and transparent in managing the affairs of the Community so that together Ayegun Oleyo can move forward in the quest for development.Others who spoke were, Alhaji Chief Isah Danlami Nako, Kusodu Nupe of Ibadanland, representative of Sen. Yunus Akintunde Abiodun, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe and other stakeholders in the political class. The hallmark of the event was the presentation of certificate of office to each member of the new executives, speeches and donations. The event was rounded off with group photographs, entertainment to herald a new dawn in Ayegun Oleyo community in Oluyole Local Government of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
