Gov Adeleke, Lasun, Lagbaja, Tunde Ojo To Lead Others In N200m Fund Raising For Ilobu Day 2023

As part of the activities marking the 2023 Ilobu Day Celebration, the leadership of Ilobu-Asake Development Union, (IDU) in Ilobu, the headquarters of Irepoodun local government area of Osun State has revealed that the community needs the intervention of the government at all levels.

The union President, Pastor Olufemi Salako stated this at a press briefing held in Ilobu on Monday to kickstart the 2023 Ilobu-Asake Day.

While explaining the activities for this year celebration, IDU President affirmed that many illustrious sons of Ilobu will lead fund raising of N200m for developmental projects, adding that Governor Ademola Adeleke will lead other invited dignitaries at the event.

Pastor Salako further explained that medical outreach where more than the last year’s 550 people will benefit in free medical care; empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in the community; Commemoration Lecture organized by the Ilobu National Students Union; and a host of others will make this year event a memorable.

IDU also congratulated the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Asiru Olatoye Olaniyan, his chiefs, community leaders and every son and daughter of Ilobu on this year’s anniversary, just as it called on sons and daughters of the community to contribute meaningfully to the celebrations to make it more colorful and memorable than ever.

In his words; “Our medical outreach program will be held at the Ojutu PHC on Tuesday. It may interest you to note that no fewer than 550 people including over 50 surgical cases benefitted from the maiden edition held last year. This spurred us to bring it alive again this year for the benefit of all residents of Ilobu and its environment. Ilobu culture and talents shall be on display on Wednesday at the Palace of Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Asiru Olatoye Olaniyan. Sporting activities will follow on Thursday at the Playing Field of St Paul’s Grammar School and we shall be having a special Jumat prayer and our annual Eko Evening on Friday.

“Grand Finale holding on Saturday at St Paul’s Grammar School where the Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke will be leading a galaxy of dignitaries to our peaceful community. Illustrious sons of Ilobu, Rt Hon. Lasun Yussuff, Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives; Arc. Tunde Ojo, former Clerk to the National Assembly and Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff will be leading fund raising of N200M for developmental projects in our community.

“A thanksgiving Service on Sunday, at the St Michael’s Anglican Church will wrap up the celebration,” IDU boss said.

The press briefing also dressed critical infrastructure challenges facing the town, calling for the quick intervention of the government at all levels.

IDU president called on Governor Ademola Adeleke, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi and Hon. Adewale Maruf Gangaria to complete Ojutu Bridge and rehabilitate the comprehensive healthcare center at Konda.

According to him; “The clinic, which was once a one-stop shop for medical treatment, is in a state of total disrepair. The non-functionality of the facility has compounded the health challenge of our people. Over 1,500 households living around the clinic now cover kilometers to assess healthcare.

“Lastly, the two sides of the Ojutu Bridge have not been stone-pitched and leaving it like that portends great danger to the billion naira facility. We call on our Representatives in Abuja, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi and Hon. Adewale Maruf to help take our matter to the national stage.

“We wish to call the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria, most especially the Ecological Funds Office, the National Assembly and Osun State Government to some critical challenges facing us as a people.

“Recall that we cried over a then collapsing, and now collapsed Laaro Bridge during our celebration last year. It is highly unfortunate that no action has been taken despite our efforts. As we speak, tens of thousands of our people have been cut off following the collapse of the bridge.

“Another challenge is that students of Ilobu Secondary Commercial Grammar School, Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammar School and AUD Primary School now crawl over debris and wade through flowing rivers daily to assess their school buildings as both the connecting bridges have now also collapsed. This makes learning not only difficult but ordinary commuting to school treacherous for these young students and their teachers,” Salako added