Out of about 400–450 million naira expended on the renovation of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola’s country home palace in Iragbiji, Osun State, the minister said to have spent N120 million from his personal purse to make the project a successful one.
The monarch of the town, Oba Abdulrasheed Ayotunde Olabomi who made this known at the official commissioning of the Ultra Modern project on Thursday in the town, explained that “the project, which was intended to be completed in six months in 2017, is now being commissioned after six years and three months.”
“The initial bill of quantity was 77 million naira. However, as of date, about 400–450 million naira have been expended, yet about 100 million naira are still needed to complete furniture and other ancillary services.”.
He, however, remarked that if they had to dedicate the main palace building, they would be dedicating it to His Excellency Alh. Isiaka Adeboyega Oyetol (CON), who served as the Chairman, the Renovation Committee, and who expended about 120 million naira of his personal money since the project commenced.
“He also facilitated the successes of Iragbiji Day programmes, especially in 2023, the proceeds of which were used to effect the completion of the building and the guest suite complex, which are being commissioned today. But because it’s a palace, which is our common heritage, I will not want to do that.”
” I am through this medium affirming the strategic importance of His Excellency, Alh Isiaka Adeboyega Oyetola, and his invaluable contributions towards the success we have recorded in the palace and several other community-sponsored infrastructures in Iragbiji. I beseech God Almighty to reward him with the best that he may desire in life.”.
“I must not fail to appreciate Engr. Olatoke Hussain Olaniyan, the head of the technical team, Architect Wasiu Sulaiman, Engr. Ismail Adigun, Q.S. Adesoye Idowu, and Architect Jamiu for all their respective efforts at different stages of the project execution. I must, of essence, commend the resilience, dedication, and unparalleled passion of Engr. Muhideen Adeyemo, who was the site engineer in charge of the project from conception until today, when the project has been completed.”
“He committed his time, energy, knowledge, and skill without presenting any bill for the community to date. I also commend all my chiefs and all the men and women who carried out one assignment or the other, which has given us the success we are recording today.”
Speaking at the commissioning, Oyetola said, “Today’s inauguration is a further fulfilment of our resolve as a progressive community to unleash infrastructure development in our community.”
“As a community, we have proved to the world that we are strong partners in the best demonstration of love, unity of purpose, and community efforts.”
“During my tenure as the governor of our dear state, I represented you well and proved to be a worthy ambassador of our community, as I prioritised the provision of quality and equitable services across all sectors, especially health, education, security, and the economy.”
“I managed the resources of the state, using the skills of probity, accountability, creativity, and innovation, rendering the best of services despite challenging economic conditions. Through strategic measures, I successfully steered our economy towards the path of stability and sustainability. Rest assured that in Abuja, as a minister of marine and blue economy, I will also not let you down.”.
“Let me remind us that our greatest strength and potential lie with us. We possess all that we need to put Iragbiji on a steady and sustainable path of development and progress. Therefore, we must continue to discover the best of us to attain the best that we need, starting with cultivating our youths to achieve our progressive ideals.”
“To our father, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulrasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV, I cannot thank you enough for providing quality leadership over the years and for carrying every Iragbiji son and daughter along in our bid to build a strong and united community. May your reign be long, Sir, Kabiyeesi”, he concluded
