Irawo Day: Bayo Lawal reels out new govt plans in Oke-ogun, seeks Makinde’s re-election

The deputy governor of Oyo state, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal has assured the residents of Atisbo local government of the government’s ongoing plans to develop the town, adding that the current administration is very concerned about the development of the zone. 

Lawal, who was representing Governor Seyi Makinde, made this remark on Saturday, at the 3rd Irawo Day 2022 celebration, which also featured a N500 million  fund raising, held at the Play Ground of Comprehensive High School, Ori-Okoo, Irawo.

He asserted that the Oke-ogun zone is receiving the most government support for road construction as well as other infrastructural development under the current administration, which is headed by Governor Seyi Makinde, after Ibadan.

According to him, “In response to demands from royal fathers, the government had instructed OYSROMA to begin rehabilitation on the Ipapo road and other roads within two weeks after the completion of the Ibadan to Iseyin road project. 

He said, “It is true that the Irawo community is facing a number of challenges, but the government is strongly focusing on agriculture. For your information, I was in Abuja a few weeks ago with the commissioner for agriculture, Hon. Niyi Olabisi, to discuss agricultural expansion and to build roads for the easy movement of farm inputs. 

“We will soon begin the opening of our roads, and the Atisbo local government has been included as one of the Oke-ogun beneficiaries. 

“As a government, we believe it’s necessary to repair deplorable roads across each local government and as such, we appeal to the people of Irawo to also engage us on where necessary they would want us to rehabilitate.”

Lawal encouraged the local government chairman of Atisbo local government and other significant stakeholders to meet with him on Wednesday to start the transformation of the school into a modern high school in response to the crumbling infrastructure of Irawo Comprehensive School. 

Additionally, he informed the Irawo community about the government’s intention to establish an ICT centre  in the Irawo comprehensive high school as well as urging the council boss and chairman of culture and tourism board, Adebowale Adejumobi to submit a template that will allow government to implement concept of tourism and mineral resources in the community. 

The deputy governor also disclosed the government’s plans for farm settlement and agricultural development, urging the Irawo community’s residents to provide enough land for the Flag off and noting that it would not only benefit the younger generation by providing job opportunities but also develop the town. 

He appealed to the people of Irawo to keep supporting the current administration and also ensure that Governor Makinde is re-elected in order to continue to enjoy good dividends of democracy and to also replicate the claims that the current administration is Oke-ogun government. 

“This administration has about six months left to run. You should be aware that there are still many tasks to complete in order to advance the town, therefore I kindly ask for your continued support. 

“Just like Shina Peller has brought his friend who is a contestant under PDP in Ogun state to the program, this is the kind of love I want to be seeing among all candidates of Oke-ogun because we all need to be united irrespective of political differences”.

He urged the Oke-ogun sons and daughters to also remain united irrespective of political differences while also appreciating the unity that exists between the royal fathers in the zone. 

Earlier in his welcome address speech, the chairman planning committee, Alhaji Kola Oladeebo, said the Irawo day 2022 celebration is coming up at a period when the people of Oyo state have listening governor and deputy governor as their captains in yhe pacesetter state. 

He noted that the gathering is designed to address various issues concerning the development of the town and thus, to seek assistance on donation of 500 million fund raising in achieving numerous developmental programs. 

According to Oladeebo, “I am not unaware of several economic challenges being experienced by the present government following the current economic meltdown of our dear country and unlimited requests by the govern, but I am very sure that with your window’s mite that will be donated to us today, it will go a long way in building new Irawo and also reduce the financial birding of this people oriented government.

“In view of this, we humbly appeal to the Engnr. Seyi Makinde led Oyo state government to pay attention to our numerous problems in this town with a promise that we will keep supporting this God’s sent Government to move Oyo state to a greater height: 

“In the area of Education, the Comprehensive High School, Irawo, the first secondary school in the town, needs a very serious renovation, the deplorable condition of the school is an eye-saw. I am on behalf of t he community pleading with your Excellency to kindly come to the side of the school and help us to restore the lost glory of the school. 

“Establishment of a tertiary institution or kindly consider sitting a satellite campus of any higher institution at Irawo as to facilitate development in our community. 

“Establishment of a farm settlement and cashew processing industry in Irawo

“Considering the establishment of Gem stone and Granite industries in Irawo community.”

He submitted that the request are not only to facilitate the development of their community alone but also to engage the youths and the growing population of the community and its environs in a more productive activities and also afford the young ones to have easy access to tertiary education and boost the economy of the state at large. 

He added that the request if granted will reduce mass exodus to urban cities as well as increase the State Internally Generated Revenue in no small measure and the state will begin to compete successfully with other higher economically viable states.  

Among top government functionaries at the event include Special Adviser on legislative matters, Samuel Adejumobi, Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Oni, Commissioner for Special duties,  Fausat Sani, Commissioner for Agric, Hon. Niyi Adebisi and Chairman Culture and Tourism Board and Hon. Adejumobi Adebowale. 

Others were PDP Reps candidate, Hon. Luqman Adamawa, Hon. Shina Peller, Hon. Rilwan Gbadamosi Wale Canada, Hon. Saheed Alaran, royal fathers, local government chairmen.