Wale Jagun & oladipupo Ayoola
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The Ijede Resource Forum (IRF), a development focused, non – political and non – governmental body, has celebrated its eight years of existence with presentations of what the organisation has been able to achieve especially in the areas of collaborating with the Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), corporate bodies, and the civil society in bringing development to the community.
In eight years, the body which formation was spearheaded by the former Council Chairman, Fatiu Jimoh Salisu, with an aim to promote accelerated socio-economic development, infrastructural advancement and protection of the socio-cultural heritage of ljede Town within the period under review has been able to protect the territorial boundary, integrity and cultural heritage of ljede Town against all forms of external aggression and oppression among other challenges.
IRF achievements in the last eight years were presented at the forum’s anniversary ceremony and award of excellence held at the Ijede LCDA secretariat on Saturday, October 11.
A new executive council led by Dr. AbdulGaniy Agbaje as Chairman, Mr Demola Olutusin as Vice Chairman, Mr Sadiq Afinah, General Secretary, Barr. Karimat Salisu, Assistant General Secretary, Mr Oluremi Adegbola, Financial Secretary, Mr Bashiru Saminu, Treasurer, Dr. Yomi Asodun, PRO, Mr Amos Adeyemi. Welfare Secretary, Col. Taiwo Aroyewun (rtd.) and Chief S. Ade Ajala as ex- Officio I and II respectively was inaugurated to pilot the affairs of the Ijede Resource Forum, at the anniversary celebration held at the Ijede LCDA secretariat on Saturday, October 11.
At the well – attended ceremony, the group honoured eminent sons and daughters of Ijede who have distinguished themselves in their chosen endeavours and impact the town with awards of excellence. The awardees include Hon. (Dr.) Aro Moshood Abiodun, member, Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, Executive Chairman, Ijede LCDA, AIG Abayomi Peter Oladipo, an Assistant Inspector General of Police, and Prof. Hakeem Adeniyi Ajonbadi, a Professor of International Human Resource Management and Organisational Development, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha, Qatar.
Others are Mr Wasiu Bolanle Agbabiaka, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Civil Service Commission and Mr Adebomehin Abdul Ganiyu Adeyemi, fnis, fcs, fnsf, the Surveyor – General of the Federation.
IRF Chairman and Chief Host at the event, Col. Taiwo Aroyewun (rtd.) welcoming members and guests to the anniversary presented the body’s journey so far, stating the impact of the Ijede Resource Forum (IRF).
According to him, “The Forum has been able to impact on our great town, ljede in so many important ways amongst which are; continuous protection of the territorial boundary, integrity and cultural heritage of ljede Town against all forms of external aggression and oppression.
Other achievements listed were “Continuous engagement with Corporate Organizations within Ijede to ensure they deliver on their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the Community, Planning and Execution of a World Press Conference against epileptic power supply, illegal hijacking of a 500KVA Transformer and other electricity related issues within ljede in collaboration with other relevant organisations and Strategic Collaboration with ljede LCDA Administration on the Perimetre Fencing of Anwar-ul-1slam Primary School, ljede.”
He also listed, “facilitation of 6 Units of Toilets, with Industrial Borehole at Anwar-ul-Islam Primary School, Ijede and facilitation of tens of Public Service employment opportunities to indigenes of ljede, continuous collaboration with relevant Stakeholders, Government Agencies, Traditional Chiefs, Royal Houses, Religious Leaders, Community Development Associations, Youth Organisations, Security Agencies and others towards achieving a conducive and peaceful ljede Town and environs.
Col. Aroyewun also noted that IJF has “Participated in the Environmental Impact Assessment (ElA) strategic meeting on the expansion of Egbin Power PLC with additional 3 Units of 220 Megawatts each, donation of Air Conditioners to Ijede General Hospital and timely intervention on Fantum Energy and Agura Community dispute.”
He called for support from residents and corporate organisations in assisting the group in the execution of its projects and also urged indigenes of Ijede with drive for development to join the fold.
“We hereby call on all eminent personalities of ljede origin, corporate organisations and progressive-minded entities to support the Ijede Resource Forum towards doing more good to all in our noble town ljede.
The chairman emphasised, “Also, we are calling on all development-oriented indigenes to join the fold of IRF in membership capacity to enable us double the gains for our ancient town and thus prepare a better and more prosperous Ijede for future generations.”
Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, Executive Chairman, Ijede LCDA and who incidentally is a member of the forum, also speaking, said that the group is celebrating progress and impacts on the community. She commended members for their commitment to the development of the group and Ijede community as a whole.
She was represented by the Vice Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Kabir Kareem, who is also a member of the forum.
“It is my great pleasure to be addressing you all at the 8th anniversary celebration and awards of excellence of our esteemed forum. Today, we gather to celebrate the progress and achievements of our community, and to recognise the outstanding contributions of distinguished personalities of the region.
“I must commend this initiative of rewarding personalities who have made significant impacts in social, economic development, and infrastructural advancement of our people. I make bold to say that this forum has been a beacon of hope for our community, fostering collaboration, innovation, and progress.”
While stating that the forum still has a long way to go and expressing no doubt as regards its objectives and capacity to take Ijede to a greater height, the council chairman urged members of the group to rededicate themselves to the ideal of the forum.
“With our mission, which is to promote socio-economic development and infrastructural advancements, I have no doubt in my mind that we will reach greater heights. As we honour distinguished personalities of the region, and as we celebrate our 8th anniversary today, I urge us all to continue to support the government, the good people of the state, and stakeholders that are making extra efforts in promoting Lagos State and Nigeria at large.“
The guest lecturer at the occasion, Prof. Hakeem Adeniyi Ajonbadi, presenting his paper on the topic, “Personal Sense of Responsibility: Pivot to Community Development”, stated that members of the group through their actions and participation have been discharging their responsibility to Ijede and ensuring its development.
He emphasised that due to the efforts of the group, Ijede has been a worthy place to live in for residents. He said personal and professional development of residents has accelerated with sons and daughters of the town making impacts in every area of human endeavours.
“I want to commend the past executives of IRF, ably led by Alhaji Saliu, for doing a great job — especially at the grassroots level, helping our children at the primary and secondary school levels, and even giving scholarships to those in the university. What we are doing here is uncommon, and we are doing it in spite of our meagre resources. Please, a round of applause for ITF and its members,” he said.
Prof. Ajonbadi, however, charged members of the forum and other guests in attendance to promote Ijede more to the world.
“Let me challenge us: when they ask where you’re from, don’t just say Lagos or Ikorodu. Say Ijede. Let’s make Ijede known. Let’s make it proud.
“Let’s also improve our visibility online. I realised that when you search Ijede, there’s almost no online presence apart from pictures. We can do better. Let’s document and publish our activities. Let’s tell our own stories. If we don’t, others will tell it the way it suits them,” he advised.
The Chairman of the occasion, Sen. (Sir) Kingsley Adeseye Ogunlewe, chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), former Minister of works and father of the day, Engr. Amid Adekunle Oduborisha, an expert in environment and former President, Oriwu Club, in their remarks commended the Ijede Resource Forum for its impact and contributions.
Among other eminent personalities that graced the occasion are High Chief Musediq Alliu, the Regent/Olisa of Ijede, and Alhaji Sulaiman Olatunji Akinjobi, the Grand Chief Imam of IjedeLCDA.
