Story by Femi Dokunmu.
In what appears like a declaration of Memorandum of Understanding, the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Dr Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle has assured Governor Dapo Abiodun and his administration of the continued support of the people of Yewaland with the hope that the Governor will in turn support and hasten the development of the area.
Oba Olugbenle made this declaration yesterday in Ilaro at the inauguration of the Yewa People Development Council (YPDC), an umbrella body for Pan-Yewa Groups and Associations, with a mandate to promote unity and co-ordinate the mobilization of the Yewa people for rapid development of the area.
“Our people see the incumbent government in Ogun State, led by Prince Dapo Abiodun, as a listening government, a partner and major stakeholder in facilitating the development that we want. This is why we shall continue to support the Governor. However, the Governor must not disappoint us.The narrative of how we are being treated must change. The Governor needs to hasten the completion of on-going projects and support our aspirations, because I also wish to join the Governor in commissioning projects located in Yewaland”, Oba Olugbenle said.
The Paramount Ruler told the various non-governmental and non-partisan Yewa Groups and Associations that the YPDC will concentrate on the organization of major events that will promote unity and development in Yewaland, including the resuscitation of the annual Yewa Day Celebration, noting that he had discovered that the development of the area cannot be left solely in the hands of the politicians.
“Let us have a non-partisan body that will concentrate on the things that will bind us together while we live politics to the politicians, Oba Olugbenle said.
The State Governor, Dr Dapo Abiodun, in his address read by the Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele reiterated the policy trust of the government that it will not neglect any part of the State as no part will be developed at the expense of the others.
He assured that the State Government will partner with the Yewa People Development Council in realising the objectives for which it was set up in line with the “Building our Future Together” Development Agenda of his Administration.
Highlight of the event held at the newly completed Afisu Olabimtan Foundation Centre, Yewa Frontier Hotel, Ilaro include presentation of Awards to Governor Dapo Abiodun; his Deputy, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele and the USA based Founder of the Afisu Olabimtan Foundation and the Yewa Frontier Hotel, Engr Afisu Olabimtan.
The Paramount Ruler also inaugurated the YPDC Board of Trustees, the Governing Council and the Executive Council which has as it’s Chairman a former Ogun State Commissioner for Special Duties and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Rahamon Bello and Pastor Bamidele Obafemi Akinola as the Secretary General.
Yewa Groups and Associations which have already been registered with the YPDC are the Yewa Think Tank; Yewa Elders Council; the Yewa Development Forum; Yewa Metropolitan Club; Yewa Descendants Union, UK & Ireland; Yewa Descendants Union, USA & Canada; Yewa Descendants Union, Abuja; Yewa Professionals, while the applications of other groups which drew their membership across Yewaland are being considered.
Dignitaries at the inauguration include the Ogun State Commissioner for Finance and Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Matters, Mr Dapo Okubadejo; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan; and Commissioner for Forestry, Engr Tunji Akinosi; Senator Olamilekan Adeola and Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi and Members of the Yewa Traditional Council, among others.
[6:05 pm, 03/01/2022] Obafemi Akinola: Commissioning of YPDC SECRETARIAT and the Unveiling of YPDC LOGO was done on 23 November 2021 by the BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BOT) led by the Olu of Ilaro and the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland.
