- Promises To Draw Up Progress Master-Plan
By John Oghojafor
The Ilaje Development Council (IDC), a world-wide indigenous Association of accomplished sons and daughters of Ilaje, Ondo State has inaugurated its Executive Committee that will run the affairs of the association.
The inauguration which took place at the Council meeting at Alarcarte Residence Inn and Resort limited Sapele, Delta State recently, saw Prince Godday Erewa emerging as the National President while Dr. Aderonke Ikuomola emeged the Vice President.
Other members of the Executive include; Engr. Ibikunle Karaki, General Secretary; Barr. Omoniyi Adeomo, legal Aviser; Hon. Banji Okunomo, PRO; Mr Ola Omotehinse, Director of Finance/Treasurer and Mr. Soji Ayenuro, liaison Officer(USA).
Some major challenges facing the Ilaje nation were highlighted during the inaugural meeting. They include poor infrastructure, wrong value, insecurity, poor quality of education, and unemployment.
It was further noted that Ilaje land has suffered neglect from successive governments, leading to abandonment and lack of sustainable projects by interventionist agencies coupled with environmental degradation which has affected the socio-economic development of Ilaje nation.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the inaugural meeting, signed by Prince Godday Erewa, National President and Engr. IbiKunle Karaki, Secretary, the group resolved that: “The Council shall be non-partisan, adding that it will be a development-driven association of the Ilaje nation.
The Council unanimously agreed to come up with a developmental master-plan for the Ilaje nation and also to embark on value re-orientation of the teeming Ilaje youths through various programmes.
It was further resolved that the Council shall embark on the tour of Ilaje land to assess the extent of infrastructural decay and also attempt to replicate successful development models of similar terrains of developed countries of the world.
The communique further read: “that the Council shall collaborate with all security agencies in order to tackle insecurity and to facilitate rapid development in Ilaje land.
“That the Council shall collaborate with government to exploit the tourism potentials in Ilaje land and shall work in cooperation with all traditional institutions in order to tackle dichotomy headlong.
It added that, “the membership of the Council shall be open to persons of good character and proven integrity.”
The National President, Prince Godday Erewa, in his remarks after the inauguration promised that the Executive will put the interest of Ilaje nation first in all their decisions and will consult widely with stakeholders before taking any major decision.
He stated further that the Executive will reach out to prominent Ilaje sons and daughters both at home and in Diaspora in order to harness their individual capacity and intellect for the development of Ilaje nation.
While praying for the Executive, HRH Oba Obafemi M. Ogbaro, the Odoka of Obe Ogbaro, in Ilaje LGA, Ondo state, charged them to be focused and united, urging them to put Ilaje interest first in any of their actions.
