Ife's Political Relevance: A Panacea For Developmental Strategies

Balogun Olakunle

The archeological existence of Ile-Ife was dated as far back as the creation of the earth.

Historically, this ancient kingdom has been in existence over 90 centuries ago which has been supported and proven by a recent Human Genome Research Study at the Harvard University in 2018 showing that, Yoruba race is the oldest race in the entire universe.

ILE IFE, the land of the most ancient days, undoubtedly, where the dawn of the day was first experienced is unarguably the cradle of mankind.

Apparently, the ancient kingdom has been fortunate to witnessed the reign of some Ooni and other distinguished persons who have contributed immensely to the developmental growth of Ile Ife.

Less to say that, the unparalleled efforts of  the 49th Ooni of Ife, Ooni (Sir) Adesoji Martins Tadenikawo Aderemi, a knight of the British Empire and a Governor of the defunct Western Region had brought an unprecedented developmental growth to Ile Ife which cannot be forgotten in a jiffy.

Having been enthroned  as the 50th Ooni of Ife, Ooni Okunade Adenle Sijuwade, Olubuse II had made a tremendous landmark achievements in the development of the ancient kingdom before the present Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Akande Ogunwusi, Ojaja Il, came on the throne and continuing giving it a facelift.

Distinguished like late Chief Eluyemi Omotosho, the Apena of Ife and late Amb. Olagunju Adeshakin's selfless service and contributions to Ile Ife and Nigeria at large cannot be undermined.

Needless to say that, late Chief Bisi Omidiora OON, the Balogun of Ife and late Chief Safiriyu Osuolale Faloyin who wrote the outstanding Ife Anthem selfless contribution need to be commended.

But over the past decades, Ile Ife has not been able to witness any developmental changes that can equal her supremacy over the other Yoruba nation.

It's apparent that a meaningful Community developmental growth can only be witness through political participation and facilitation through their Representatives in the political or government settings which none of our former political office holders can be boast of.

Hitherto, the Community has risen up to her Social Responsibility and Community Developmental Goals through social engagements and selfless contribution.

Since the inception of our transient Democracy in 1999, Ile Ife has been totally marginalised in terms of Community Development or Political Representation.

Then, the few elected or appointed ones both at the Executive Cabinet and the Parliament that has had the opportunity to salvage the situation has been docile.

For the record, before now, Ile Ife has been represented at the Green Hallow Chamber by trio of Hon. John Fashogbon, Hon. Rotimi Mikail Makinde and Hon. Albert Abiodun Adeogun.

At the Red Hallow Chamber, the duo of Sen. Christopher Iyiola Ajani Omisore and Sen. Christopher Babajide Omoworare had served consecutively.

We've also had the opportunity to be represented at the Federal Executive Council by Alhaji (Engr.) Bashir Ishola Awotorebo, the former Minister of State for Water Resources.

In all these, Ife has benefited nothing and no developmental change has been recorded except the Nigeria Navy School established at Ilode in Ife that was facilitated by Sen. Christopher Iyiola Omisore and the few appointments he got for some Ifes at the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) through the erstwhile Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani Kayode, whom's also an Ife Indigene.

Sequel to the recent political paradigm shift in the Ruling Party, All Progressive Congress that happened both at the State and the National level where our illustrious Sons, Alhaji (Sooko) Tajudeen Olaniyi Lawal and Otunba (Sen.) Christopher Iyiola Omisore were elected as the Deputy State Chairman and National Secretary of the Party respectively, Prof. Olawale 'Ladipo was once elected as the National Scribe of the People's Democratic Party under the leadership of Sen. Alimodu Sheriff, the former Governor of Borno State and up till this moment, no one can point to any meaningful achievement he has used the exalted office to bring to his homeland not even his native compound....too sad...!!.

It's no gain saying that Ifes has always been banking on the supremacy of the ancient kingdom and the sacred throne of Arole Oduduwa, without any visible Community developmental growth which has equally sustained the general Yoruba parlance that "Oba n'ife nii...Ife lee eyan".

For this reason, it's high time we change the narrative and borrow leaves from our neighbouring Communities by coming together to  support ourselves and the Ife course.

Recently, the fund raising of the Ijesaland Geriatric Centre worth over One Billion Naira (N1,000,000,000) was championed by some of their illustrious committed Sons and Daughters ably led by Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi while the Medical Supplies worth of over Four Hundred Million Naira (N400,000,000) have been secured from MedShare in the United States through one of them, Prof. Isaac Folorunsho Adewole, the former Minister of Health.

This same way they have been able to get the State Government's approval for the upgrading of the College of Education, Ilesha to a full blown University Degree awarding institution.

This is indeed remarkable.....

In the same vein, Sen. AbdulRahman Olamilekan Mustapha representing the good people of Ogun Central in Ogun State supported the bill for the upgrading of Tai Solarin College of Education, Ijagun in Ijebu Ode to a University awarded degree Institution which has been actualized.

It's no more a news that, the Senator representating Osun Central at the 9th Assembly and the spokesperson of the Senate, Sen. Surajudeen Ajibola Bashir has also sponsored a bill of the establishment of a new Federal Medical Centre in Osogbo which has passed the second (2nd) reading at the floor of the Hallow Chamber.

The essence of all these establishments is not only to enhance the Socio-Economic growth of the Community but to also gives employment to their young graduates and increase their Human Capacity Building.

Hence, it's imperative for us as a Community to put a stop to the politics of nepotism, back biting, egocentric, party discrimination and stop electing hypocrites, mediocre and one - track minded  people in order to bring back Ile Ife on the World map.

Without mincing words, Otunba (Sen.) Christopher Iyiola Omisore is the second man in hierarchy in the APC party's structure, but at the same time, I think it's not enough for us to be dancing on the euphoria of the position, rather, rallying together to use this position to build a new and better Ife for ourselves and the unborn generations.

As a true and loyal son of the soil, I wish to advise the Ife Development Board, (IDB) the supreme governing body of all Ife affairs that:

1. We should write a Congratulatory Letter to both Sen. Christopher Iyiola Omisore and Alhaji Tajudeen Olaniyi Lawal on their new positions.

2. Host the duo to meetings intermittently  where the Ifes will be able to charge them with responsibilities.

3. We should establish a good relationship with them based on Ife's request and needs in order to expedite actions on the implementation.

4. They both should be involve in the running of the Ife affairs through the Board.

5. Lastly, they should be encouraged to have inputs in the selection or appointment of our political office holders.

On the final note, a stitch in time they say it saves nine.

Thank you all

E-signed

Aare (Amb.) Balogun Olakunle

Wednesday, 6th April 2022