Ogbomoso traditional rulers, stakeholders warmly receive Ayede Poly Governing Council, pledge supports

Traditional rulers, including the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, and other stakeholders in Ogbomoso have welcomed and pledged their unflinching supports to the newly inaugurated governing council of Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Oyo State, led by Barrister Ademubowale Mercy Adelabu.

The council, which was inaugurated in Abuja last month, had a two-day visits to pay homage to traditional rulers and familiarise with stakeholders ahead of the council’s meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

Other members of the council included Mrs. O. C. Nwokorie representing the Federal Ministry of  Education; Alhaji Aminu Sokoto; Alhaji Modu Minter; Chief (Mrs.) Monisola Tegbe; Chief Mathew Adesanya; Revd. Dr. Abraham Akinola Okunade, representing the host community.

The council visited some stakeholders of the Ogbomoso communities, including the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Sen. (Dr.) Fatai Buhari; former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Chief Sunday Dare and Sen. Ayoade Adesun on Monday.

In the same vein, the council, on Tuesday, visited the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III; the Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran, Lagbami Osekun III; the Aresa-Pupa of Ires-Pupa, Oba Moses Olayiwola JP, Ajiboye III and community leaders of Ayede, where the permanent site of the polytechnic is located.

At separate sessions, Barrister Adelabu, who appreciated the numerous supports received by the institution, also solicited more support of the various communities and stakeholders.

The Rector of the institution, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, also noted that the enormity of the communities’ contributions could not be underestimated, saying, “When this institution was established, we began to meet the stakeholders of Ogbomoso and they warmly received us and provided assistance for us to connect with the Ogbomoso sons and daughters in Abuja and beyond.

“Names of our supporters are too numerous and we are grateful for that. We have received donations of projects and equipment from different people and groups in Ogbomoso.”

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Sen. Dr. Fatai Buhari, appreciated the governing council chairman and members, including the rector, for their dedication and commitment to the development of the institution.

Buhari, who encouraged the governing council to work assiduously for the growth and development of the institution, also pledged his unflinching supports, which, according to him, has been his priority particularly on projects and other interventions.

While receiving the council at his Onipaanu residenece, Sen. Adeseun stressed the importance of siting the polytechnic in the remote rural area of Ayede in Surulere Local Government Area.

“We will see that institutions sited in rural areas will, in future, choke our urban centres. The essence of siting the institution at Ayede in Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo State is to bring the rural area to limelight and give the dwellers of the community a better life. The dwellers will be able to do their businesses and development will be the order of the day.”

Sen. Adeseun also asvised the council to consider leaving some programmes behind at temporary site of Iresa-Pupa in Surulere LGA when the institution eventually moved to Ayede.

“You see, let me urge the council and the management not to abandon the temporary site in Iresa-Pupa when the institution eventually moves to Ayede. A lot has been invested at the site,” Adeseun said.

Assuring the council and the institution of his total support, Chief Dare pledged that he would contribute to the progress and mandates as contained in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration and in the “Ogbomosoland 25-Year Development Plans” of Oba Olaoye.

Chief Dare reiterated the robust relationship he had with the last council.

The traditional rulers, in their separate palaces, pledged their supports for the growth and development of the institution, calling on all indigenes of the communities and beyond to be committed to the polytechnic project.