The Agbaigba of Ijaka-Oke in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Kayode Joseph Ogungbohun, the Osolo 1 in this interview by SAM NWAOKO, speaks on his plans for his town.
CAN you recall your journey to the throne?
I never knew I was from a royal family until the process of filling our town’s throne started. Of a fact, I never prepared for the task at all but based on my previous activities and experiences in various associations, I was able to adjust to the tasks and obligations of royal father.
What was your vision for the town when you eventually emerged?
I have the vision to take the name of Ijaka-Oke to places that matter. First is to seek the support of government as an instrument of development, and that of every individual who can assist to put an end to direct drinking of water from the Yewa River. By this, I mean that we need to make potable water accessible and available for the good people of Ijaka-Oke.
Secondly, we seek to improve the enrolment of children of Agbaigba kingdom in the formal education system through the availability of learning facilities in Ijaka-Oke. Thirdly, we desire to raise the bar of good people of Ijaka-Oke’s standard of living through improvement of social amenities and economic empowerment.
How are you implementing the vision?
As I said earlier, I want to take good advantage of government’s involvement, which is the only instrument of development that can stand test of test. This will consist of efforts of the local, state and federal governments through their programmes, interventions, empowerment, and establishment of government agencies as well as the protection of government infrastructure in our community. Above all, consultation, dialogue, and community involvement among the good people of Ijaka-Oke is a crucial tool that is being employed to improve participation of all indigenes within and outside Ijaka-Oke.
What are the unique features of your people?
The unique features of my people are that they are hard-working; they are law-abiding and are very accommodating.
What would you advise your people with regards to early childhood education?
The only language I understand about the children of Agbaigba is to be well educated because education is the only key that can bridge the gap between the poor and the rich; the powerful and the less privileged. All children must be allowed to get proper education so that they will prepare well ahead of the future and be able to stand the test of time in all areas of life, irrespective of their location or area of residence.
What do you want Ogun State government and individuals to do for your town?
I want the Ogun State government to support Ijaka-Oke by completing the rural electrification project currently going on in the town. It will also be nice if they could absorb the community’s secondary school, Agbaigba Community High School as well as the two primary schools in Olorogbo and Baabo so that our children can have unrestricted access to formal education. I also want the government to assist us with a road network from Saala Orile to Ijaka-Oke, Ijaka-Isale, Ijaale Ketu, and Ijoun. The road network in the aforementioned areas plays a very important role in the economic development of the areas and indeed the region.
How prepared are you for your first anniversary?
The preparation for the first coronation anniversary is ongoing. By the grace of God almighty, the good people of Ijaka-Oke will be commissioning two boreholes. They would also lay the foundation of a school hall in Agbaigba Community High School, and there will be a free medical outreach. Among the students, we will be having speech and quiz competitions, and Ewi recitation. There will also be conferment of chieftaincy titles on some indigenes of Ijaka-Oke and some of the friends of Agbaigba kingdom.
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