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Bolu-Olu Esho
A socio-economic summit was on Wednesday held in by all Akure-speaking communities in Ondo State.
The 3-Day summit was attended by traditional rulers, politicians and all stakeholders from Akure North, Akure South and Ifedore local government areas of Ondo State.
The summit with the theme: “Building a Smart, Integrated, and Prosperous Development Corridor,” was declared open on Wednesday was put in place to address all challenges being faced by all the communities.
Held at the International Culture and Event Centre (The Dome), Alagbaka, Akure, their deliberations cut across different sectors, including ongoing security challenges.
In his address, the Deji & Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom
Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna, His Imperial Majesty,
Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi,
Odundun II,
“Today, I am glad to be part of this great summit where we can sit together as one to discuss and seek to address all the challenges bedeviling us and militating against our unity which is the hallmark of our strength as Akure Speaking Communities. With our gathering today, the turn of events has reinforced and rekindled my hope and belief that every communities across the Akure-speaking communities will definitely attain her desired height of greatness, a glorious future lies ahead of us.
“I have seen commitments and spirited efforts of the entire sons and daughters of Akure speaking communities from Obaile, Ala, Iju, Ita-Ogbolu, Ogbese, Alayere, Ilu-Abo, Igoba, Ilado, Imafon, Osi, Isinigbo, Abo Asakin, Eleyowo down to Ijare, Igbara-Oke, Ilara, Isarun, Ero, Ibuji, Mariwo, Irese, Aaye, Ibule, Isarun and all communities in Akure South.
“This summit had the capacity to rebuild our strength, unity and restore our confidence as one indivisible brothers. Our people at home and in the diaspora are keenly mending broken fences and dusting up old alliances with their kith and kin, towards building a progressive, united and peaceful larger Akure speaking communities of our dream, so that we can fully occupy our true place of pride.
“We now have a stronger tie of our people both at home and in the diaspora against some narratives which some fifth columnists wish to paint that we are irredeemably divided.
Though, we seem not to be there yet, but no stone will be left unturned to achieve this.
“I am emboldened today to say that with the gathering of today, we are at the threshold of achieving our dream of unity as people bounded by same language, culture and traditions. I am of the opinion that no challenges are insurmountable. We will disagree to agree as a brother that we used to be.
“I want to reaffirm my commitment for the establishment for the Akure-Speaking Communities Central body and all other pending ideas that will further develop our land.
“Let me say without mincing word that I aligned with this idea and the fact that it is long overdue. However, this will not in anyway subsume any of our community development Associations, rather it will further strengthen the umbrella body and ensure its stability.
“There is now a consensus among us that our unity is non-negotiable
“Let me sincerely appreciate the understanding and cooperation of all the traditional Rulers in Akure Land of Akure North, Akure South and Ifedore. We must see as self as one with a common destiny for greatness and the good of our people.
“I urge you all to join hands with me to ensure that our Land, of which you are an integral part, continues to witness peace and progress.”
The chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the summit, Air Commodore Adewale Ogunmodede (Retd) in his address emphasised the importance of concerted efforts by all stakeholders to develop the communities to a modern environment.
He said: “As we begin this journey, I warmly and respectfully encourage you all to engage wholeheartedly. Share your ideas. Ask difficult questions. Offer solutions. Challenge assumptions. Build partnerships.
“This summit belongs to all of us, and its success depends on our collective energy. We are renewing our path with destiny, that is, reshaping the future of our Akure-speaking communities for the better.
“Our youths cannot be employed by speeches but by strategies for productive development. This is what this Summit is all about. This Summit is designed to help us explore these pillars in depth.”
In his contributions, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, stated that the summit was apt.
He said: “The summit is important to us because a lot of people have said a lot of things about Akure, so we are trying to change the view of things.
“We want to have a unique house. We want to have a formed, organic reform that all the Kabiesi, all the chiefs, and everybody want to speak in one language.
“It doesn’t matter whoever it is. Somebody must make a sacrifice for something to come up. So, we are making the sacrifice. The most important thing is to have a strong voice, so that we can grow.”
Many sons and daughters of the Akure-speaking communities from different sectors attended the opening section of the summit and some connected through webinar.
Ogunmodede disclosed that critical issues bothering on the development and unity of the communities would be deliberated on in the remaining two days of the summit.
