By Tope Obembe
The Executive Chairman of Irewolede Local
Council Developmment Area (LCDA), Hon. (Mrs.) Dupe Bakare, on Thursday led the council management, traditional rulers, spiritual leaders, political stakeholders, artisans, market women and other key stakeholders from the council to a community engagement with the Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, on the 2027 budget.
The town hall meeting, held at Elizabeth Aladeloye Event Centre, Aramoko-Ekiti, brought together prominent indigenes, community leaders and stakeholders from across Ijero Local Government and the three LCDAs under the area as part of the state government’s consultation with citizens on their developmental needs and challenges ahead of the 2027 budget.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers across Ijero Local Government and the three LCDAs, the Owa Ajero of Ijero Kingdom, HRM Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole II, commended Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling promises made during the previous year’s community engagement.
The royal father described the Governor as a leader who keeps his word, expressing appreciation for the various developmental initiatives undertaken by his administration.
He particularly applauded the Governor’s commitment to upgrading the Ekiti State School of Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, to a Polytechnic, describing the initiative, alongside other developmental projects across the area, as legacies that would remain evergreen in the history of the communities.
The Owa Ajero, however, appealed to the Governor to give further attention to pressing infrastructural and social needs across the communities, particularly the provision of good roads, electricity and solar-powered infrastructure.
He specifically mentioned communities including Ijurin-Ekiti, Iroko-Ekiti, Ayegunle-Ekiti and Temidire-Ekiti, among others, where residents require improved social amenities to enhance their standard of living.
The traditional ruler stressed the importance of continued collaboration between the state government and the people at the grassroots, noting that addressing the identified challenges would further promote economic activities and improve the wellbeing of residents.
Responding, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji assured the people of Irewolede LCDA and other communities within the area that their concerns would be given due consideration in the preparation of the 2027 Ekiti State Budget.
Governor Oyebanji promised that the challenges raised during the engagement would be captured and addressed according to government priorities and available resources, with the objective of making life easier and improving the living conditions of the people.
The Governor’s assurance was received with appreciation by the various stakeholders who attended the town hall meeting, which provided an opportunity for the people to directly present their needs and development priorities to the state government.
The engagement further underscored the importance of citizens’ participation in the budgetary process and the commitment of the state government to inclusive and grassroots-oriented development.
Dignitaries at the Event
Present at the event were the Executive Chairman of Irewolede LCDA, Hon. (Mrs.) Dupe Bakare; Secretary to the Council, Hon. Adebo Adewale; Head of Local Council Development Area, Mr. Babatunde Vincent; HRM Oba (Dr.) Moses Olunlade, Onikun of Temidire-Ekiti; HRM Oba Joachim Adeyemi Afolabi, Ojurin of Ijurin-Ekiti; HRM Oba J.F. Aderiye (MSA), Oluwafemiloye I, Alayegunle of Ayegunle-Ekiti; HRM Oba Sunday Ekundayo, Oluroye of Iroko-Ekiti; HRM Oba Alexander Adebukola Aina, Owa of Oke-Oro-Ekiti, as well as other important personalities and stakeholders from the council.