Oluwo And His Credits By Alli Ibraheem

Installed as the Paramount Ruler of Iwoland 10 years ago, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has changed and converted the gory of Iwo to glory, misfortunes to fortunes and weaknesses to strengths. Today, Iwo is known beyond introduction. This new status is news. No moment will pass without someone somewhere discussing Iwo. Oluwo is Iwo and Iwo is Oluwo. The current occupier of the stool brought that honour. I don’t care what you think of him, the end has convincingly justified the means.

Oluwo, immediately after his ascension discovered that, the Iwo- Osogbo has been abandoned with commercial and private vehicles passing an Ogbaagbaa road. He immediately mobilized himself, rehabilitated and reopened the road. It’s rare to see a king resuming on the road everyday for almost two months. Since then, vehicles are using the route till date. He has extended the effort to Iwo- Ibadan road six years back when the road was becoming non motorable.

When a new Federal College of Education was to be established, 6 in numbers and 1 per geo political zone. Oluwo rose, established the Marginalization of Iwo in federal presence and threatened to go against the federal government should they deny Iwo. Oluwo was everywhere convincing and lobbying to locate the federal institution in Iwo. To the glory of God, the effort was crowned. I was at a meeting when the then Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said it openly ” Kabiesi, the locate the Federal College of Education in Iwo to honour you”. The stool commands both national and international forces.

Another rare development Oluwo attracted to Iwo was the National Open University (NOUN) Study Centre. The practice is to have one study centre in a state. Enthused by passion to develop his city, Oluwo lobbied and got approval for a study centre of the university in Iwo. He got the supoort of the town to provide all necessary logistics for the take off of the centre. Presently, Osun is having two centres of the university in the state, Osogbo and Iwo.

Two months after pronouncing him as Oluwo, Oba Akanbi established food and clothing banks. The program was designed to provide sumptuous meals and clothing for the orphans, windows and generally the less privileged. An partially enclosed house-like iron was built and strategically placed at the palace for cloth deposit to benefit the needy. Free meals is prepared and distributed three days every week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The exercise was ater reviewed to two days- Monday and Friday. Oba Akanbi is sustaining the free feeding and clothing banks till date. Beneficiaries are Nigerians in Iwo. No religious, ethnic or political colouration.

To strengthen the security architecture of Iwoland, Oluwo faciliated the location of the Nigerian Police Force area command to Iwo. As usual, with the support of his subjects, Oluwo provided needed logistics for the take off.

Before his enthronement, the relationship between Iwo community and Bowen University was frosty. Oluwo engineered a peaceful and robust cordial relationship with the university and Iwo community and halted further encroachment from either side.

As one of the Governing Council members of Wolex Polytechnic Iwo, Oba Akanbi played a pivotal role in ensuring the conversion of the Polytechnic to Westland university. His role in the exercise prompted the management to appoint him as the Chancellor of the university late last year.

Oluwo through Telu Scholarship Endowment has offered scholarship to many students. Many have graduated while some are still in school because it’s a continuous exercise. His educational scholarship is not limited to students schooling in Nigeria. He also contributed to international scholarships. He has many adopted children who enjoy this gesture till date.

Of great merit is the ongoing vonstruction of an international standard ultra modern ivy league Onward hospital promoted by Dr. Yinka Laosebikan, the son of the late Dr. Aremu Laosebikan, founder of Onward Hospital, Osogbo. The new Oneard Hospital in Iwo, will be the mother of all hospitals in South Western Nigeria. The promoter was encouraged by Oluwo. Just last week, Oluwo visited the site of the construction.

Some months ago, Odo Ori- Oja Ale dual carriage road was flagged off by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State. Currently, the asphalt laying is ongoing on the road with full streetlights. This is the first dual carriage road in Iwo. It was one of the credits of Oba Akanbi.

Just last week, Osogbo-Iwo- Ibadan road was acquired and approved by the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for full reconstruction. This gesture will undoubtedly exposed and promote the economic strength and visibility of Iwoland. Oluwo image counts in the extension of Iwo opportunities and infrastructural power.

Most appreciated of all these efforts is his committed to emancipation of the black race from the poverty of the mind. His Imperial Majesty has liberated his subjects from occultic practices limiting the progress of Iwoland. Through this singular wisdom, Oluwo has erased generational curses on his subjects being the first monarch to be used by Olodumare to checkmate deity and idol worshipping. In Iwo, there are no movement restrictions in reference to traditional rites. And you cannot place traditional sacrifice at any junction. This factor will tell on both the citizens and the town. In no distance time, people may be divinely touched to visit Iwo for pure blessings. Oluwo has successfully arrested the clogs in the wood limiting the town. Today, many commercial structures are springing up. Just late last year, over 10 shopping malls and eateries were commissioned in Iwo by Oluwo.

On Monday 18th June, 2018, Oluwo distributed #1.5b worth of medical equipment to public and private hospitals in Osun State. Such a monumental gesture was the first of its kind to be facilitated by the king. The consignment was facilitated by Oluwo through his friends in the diaspora.

The first arch of triumph (Apoti Aseyori) in Nigeria was personally constructed by Oluwo in his hometown, Iwo. The facility serves as adornment, beautifying and attracting attention to the major round and go junction in the heart of Iwo.

A few weeks ago, a college of nursing sciences , Skyward College of Nursing Sciences, took off administrative activities after full approval by the government.

Oluwo promoted to modernization of Oluwo stadium to taste to host national League
He supervised the construction of 600-capacity seaters pavilion in the stadium and the grassing of the football pitch to meet international standard. He is currently promoting the construction of the stadium perimeter fence as condition to be adopted for national game venue.

Sometimes, Oluwo operates mobile palace. He would think of the aged men and women who could not move out under their respective roof. He would visit, pray for them and offers foodstuffs and cash gift. Many of them felt amazed and expressed their mind with joy and ectasy. Sometimes you see the tear of joy on their faces. Oluwo is an exemplary monarch. Not many Iwo indigenes will expect such a a wonder at such a material phase of the town.

Today, the honour Oluwo has brought on and to Iwo is unquantifiable. Many Iwo sons and daughters not frequent at home may get lost if not properly guided because Iwo is wearing a new infrastructural face. If you doubt me, tell your family members not frequently at home to come alone. One of the best things ever happened to Iwo was the appointment of a progressive minded and progress oriented monarch as Oluwo. We have never had it so good like this.

Leadership is a pure act of service. May this land continue to succeed and prosper. To reinforce this prosperity, Oluwo needs maximum support from all patriots of Iwoland.