Gov. Abiodun has performed excellently in 2 years — Oba Adeyinka Onakade
The Alakenne of ikeene Alaayeluwa Oba Adeyinka Onakade, Moruwafu 1 in this interview with Nigerian NewsDirect said the Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun-led administration has performed wonders in the last 2 years in office.
Take us through your 10-year journey leading the people of Ikenne?
I thank God, for sparing my life to celebrate 10 years of my reign as the Alakene of Ikenne.
10 years ago, precisely on the 15th of May, 2011, I was appointed as the Alakene of Ikenne and It was approved by the executive council of Ogun State. On the 20 May, 2011, I was given the staff of office and the installation took place.
Since my installation, I have been happy and grateful to the Almighty God that I have no cause to regret all that had happened in Ikenne Community.
Take us through the development thus far in Ikenne Community since your installation?
Since my ascendance to the throne, I thank God that many developmental activities have taken place in Ikenne. Especially, development has come through the organization we have in the town- it is called Ikenne Development Association.
They have been able to do many developmental projects that have added to the development of the community.
I also thank God because since my ascendance to the throne, God has given us the Vice President of the country. Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN)- he is an indigene of Ikenne, and many developmental projects have taken place.
The Ikenne indigenes always come together to contribute money and, materials to develop our community. We don’t want to wait for the government, because we have a very good culture in this town. Many of the educational institutions in this town were self-built by the community.
Does that mean the government has not contributed to happenings in the town?
The government has been doing its part, but we can’t wait because we want development to come to our town as quickly as possible.
How have you been able to resolve amicably the challenges that rock the race for Kingship?
I thank God for what the Almighty God has done for us. Since it is naturally nowadays that there is no ascendancy to the throne that will not have opposition. We thank God that He has given us grace, even though we have some dissidents. I have been to the court and God has given me the victory.
God gave us victory against litigation we had last year. However, I am appealing to the opponent to please calm down, and do things according to the law.
Notwithstanding, we are making sure that we tolerate and give them the opportunity to let us develop the town.
We have not relented in our efforts to bring them in, because we are all together. I am the father of all of them and I am always calling on them to remain calm.
We pray that God will continue to touch their hearts and will have unity of purpose in the town. I thank God that we have not gotten any challenges that is beyond our control.
How has security threat affected your community and what’s your advice to the government towards curbing security challenges?
As far as our community is concerned, we thank God that we have not experienced any unusual security challenge. But notwithstanding, we have vigilante people, Police who have been very useful in protecting lives and properties.
They have been trying their best to contain any unusual development and my subjects too are trying to resolve security threats in the community.
We are not happy with what is happening in the country, but Christian, Muslim and the traditional worshippers are praying to God to resolve security issue in the country. We believe that it’s only prayers that can see us through all these challenges.
The government too is trying, to make sure the situation does not go beyond control. It’s a serious challenge, but it is not beyond God’s control.
The Governor will be 2 years in office, and will be 61 by May 29. What has been his contribution to the development of your town?
I wish him well as he clocked 2 years in Office. To us, May 29, 2021 is a special day. You know his Excellency is from my local government. He is my son, and subject and wish him well. I wish the State appreciates economically and politically during his tenure. I will be celebrating my 10th year as well.
How can you assess the Governor’s performance in the last 2 years?
We realized that what is happening in the country is very critical because the insecurity poses a lot of challenge to federal state and local governments.
We would not blame any tier of government because the security is consuming a lot of money. So all the developmental money they are using in prosecuting the security challenges.
But notwithstanding, his Excellency is doing his best. For instance look at the Dry cargo project that is going on at Iperu and Ilisan- it has a huge prospect and it’s going to take a lot of money from the state purse. However, it is a very good development.
And around us here in Ikenne, we are trying our best to complement what the government is doing in terms of development.
