AbdulRasaq Promises Omu-Aran Infrastructures As Community Launched N500million Development Fund Raising

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has pledged provision of infrastructures to Omu-Aran community, by his administration.

He made this pledge when he spoke at this year Omu-Aran Day and N500million development fund raising in Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun local government area of the State.

According to the Governor, Kwara South has key potential for tourism and agriculture and Omu-Aran in particular is resourceful, his administration would do everything possible within available resources to the State to encourage and develop these for the economic benefit of the people and the State.

He also promised that his administration would do everything in its capacity to industrialize the State in accordance with the foundation laid by late Brigadier-General David Lasisi Bamgboye who was the first Military Governor of the State and an indigene of Omu-Aran.

He added that his administration would harness the dam in the community to ensure reticulation of portable water for the community.

The Governor further pledged that his administration would complete the abandoned rehabilitation of Taiwo Road by the previous administration after the rainy season.

Reiterating his administration’s plans to replicate the federal government’s social investment programme in the state, he assured that Omu-Aran community and its people would be a key beneficiary when implemented.

He also promised to tackle the security challenge which had crippled banking activities in the community for the past four years by strengthening security not only in the community but the entire state.

In his welcome address, the National President, Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA), Chief Bisi Adeyemi, lamented the neglect and setback Omu-Aran community has suffered regarding provision of infrastructures and essential municipal facilities by both the state and federal governments despite being one of the first generation local government area headquarters in Nigeria, saying this “motivated the founding fathers of the community to galvanize communal efforts in putting in place different physical and sociocultural projects which are visible all over our community today.”

The ODA President, who reeled out a number of projects undertaken by community, appealed to the Kwara state government to direct the state Road Maintenance Agency to complete work on rehabilitation of the Taiwo Road in the community, which, he said, has reached about 65 percent completion.

He also sought the state government’s intervention in finding solutions to the challenges of potable water from the antiquated water dam which has become inadequate for the community’s demand.

In addition, Adeyemi stated that the community is deserving of a public tertiary institution by both the state and federal governments for her ever increasing population, urging support to the Bill being sponsored by Hon. Abdulraheem Tunji Olawuyi Ajuloopin in the House of Representatives to have a Federal College of Education “located in Omu-Aran as a matter of right”, adding that it was long overdue.

He reminded the state government of the need to fulfill its pledge to immortalise the name of the Late Brigadier-General David Lasisi Bamigboye who was the first Military Governor of the state and also hailed from the community, adding that such honour was long overdue.

In his Royal speech, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Oladele Adeoti (fnitp), Olomu Efon ii, opined that though the community is known for self help, it could not do all by itself and therefore called on government and well meaning individuals to support the developmental efforts of the community by donating generously towards the noble cause.

He said: “Omu-Aran is no longer a rural community, it is a fast developing urban centre that requires the attention of government.”

In his goodwill message, the President of Living Faith Ministry worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo charged all the dignitaries present to always think about the young ones as leaders of tomorrow in whatever they do for the society to progress.

Prominent Nigerians present at the occasion included Bishop David O. Oyedepo, the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Kayode Alabi, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by Hon. Ibraheem Obanikoro of Eti-Osa Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Architect Senator Oyelola Ashiru represented by Rev. Dr. Clement Ajewole, Senators, members of House of Representatives, Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed represented by Alhaji Mohammed Niyi Abioye, Hon. Prince Bisi Yusuf of Alimosho 1, Lagos State House of Assembly, the former Military Administrator of Bauchi and Osun States, Col. Theophilous Oladapo Bamgboye (rtd.), Major- General Olayemi Abidoye (rtd.),Alhaja Bpla Mariam Yusuf of Kamwire Industries traditional rulers from across the state.as well as members of the various clubs and guilds in the town