OPINION:
BY LAW IBITOYE
Ilupeju Ekiti, a town set on the hill- top can never be hidden; bless with glorious sons and daughters who are doing fantastically well in their chosen careers have in no small way impacted their root. A town whose name may not frequently echo in the corridors of power but whose legacy of self-reliance and communal progress is nothing short of inspirational, shaped by the resilience and vision of its sons and daughters, with limited government assistance. Ilupeju has not only dreams but builds its own future.
Ilupeju’s transformation over the past few decades has been driven almost entirely by the collective sacrifices and investments of its indigenes, both at home and in the diaspora. These individuals pooled resources, ideas, and energy to uplift the town.
Over 70 percent of the town’s physical and human development are conceptualised and executed by indigenes under the coordination of Ilupeju Development Association (IDA) . Projects that typically fall under the jurisdiction of local, state, and federal governments—such as provision of portable water, electricity , health facility, standard market and others have been executed largely through community efforts. Recently, the community installed over nine hundred solar lights, renovated and equipped Ilupeju-Itapa general hospital with modern equipments. The work done in the general hospital is over 65 percent before Governor Oyebanji supported the project and provided the hospital with Doctors and nurses.
It’s worthy of mention that the Menara market that generated the highest internally generated revenue to Oye Local government then, now Ifeloju Local Council Development Area was built by the community with less than twenty percent of government assistance, ditto schools, rather than wait on government interventions, community groups, Alumni and individual persons have renovated dilapidated classrooms, provided ICT and scholarships to students, ensuring that the younger generation receives a quality education.
At this juncture, let me commend the spirited sons and daughters of Ilupeju Ekiti, home and in the diaspora who have consistently meet critical needs of the community. It is no longer news that just a month ago, the community presented an SUV JEEP WORTH # 27 MILLION naira to Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti, Oba David Sunday Awe Akingbade who was installed on Saturday, 8 October, 2022 as a first class Oba without a vehicle from government till date as against the chieftaincy law. Governor Biodun Oyebanji can still do the needful, we are expectant.
While I appreciate the former Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi for his initiative of five kilometer road construction across towns in Ekiti State which Ilupeju benefited. The present Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has also commenced the rehabilitation of Isiwo-, Araromi , Odoko road in Ilupeju Ekiti ,courtesy Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) whose coordinator in Ekiti state is Hon Sunday Jejewlowo Adunmo, a glorious son of the town and one of the philanthropists in Ilupeju Ekiti.
In as much as I cherish the unity, zeal and determination of my people ,these impressive strides, Ilupeju-Ekiti continues to face institutional neglect, largely due to the absence of political representation at the federal level. Unlike neighboring towns that have produced House of Representatives members or senators, Ilupeju Ekiti is yet to attain this level of political elevation or relevance.
This lack of federal presence has cost the town access to crucial infrastructure projects, employments, social programmes, and federal grants that could have fast-tracked its development efforts. Many indigenes are of the opinion that having a representative voice in Abuja would bridge this long-standing developmental gap, and give the town the recognition it rightfully deserves.
Ilupeju Ekiti, the most populated bloc in Ekiti North federal Constituency, precisely Oye Constituency 2, has been marginalized and relegated to only STATE POLITICS . In fact, Oye Constituency 2 comprises 3 axes; Ilupeju Ekiti, Ire Ekiti, And Itapa/Osin/Omu ijelu blocs with 6 wards . Historically, Late Dele ADU had represented Itapa/Osin/Ijelu twice likewise, Ire Ekiti bloc had produced Hon Segun Ojo and Hon Bimbo Daramola leaving the third block, Ilupeju Ekiti who has not been opportuned to occupy the exalted seat since the advent of democracy after which two out of the three blocs have consecutively occupied the federal seat uninterruptedly.
Still in, Oye Constituency 1 and 2, the federal seat had gone round their blocs, research had it that MHR Femi Dada from Ayede Ekiti block and Senator Ayò Arise from Oye/Ayegbaju Ekiti bloc leaving only ilupeju Ekiti bloc unrepresented at the federal level till date.
Sincerely, my people have done wonderfully well in giving the town a good name and by meeting its needs via donations but how long shall we continue carrying our cross alone when there is a structured arrangement on representation at the national Assembly. Honestly, there’s a limit to how much we can carry on our shoulders, Ilupeju needs a seat at the table where national cake of Nigeria is been decided and allocated. We need our voice in the National Assembly.”
As the 2027 elections approach, Ilupeju indigenes are calling for equitable representation. There’s growing momentum around producing a candidate that will finally break the federal barrier, ensuring that the town’s needs are no longer served from the margins. Ilupeju Ekiti has all it takes to produce a senator or House of Representatives member in the National Assembly. The indices are there for the perusal of political
bigwigs to correct the political imbalance
Ilupeju-Ekiti has proven that development is possible without waiting for government, but it has also shown that true transformation requires a partnership between people and power. While my people have done their part, it is time for the Nigerian political structure to do the needful. Until then, we Ilupejus will continue to do what we’ve always done—build our dear town with our sweat, sacrifice, influence and solidarity. Ilupeju-Ekiti’s model of development is a reading manual example of what grassroots empowerment and unity can achieve. It is also a quiet indictment of a system that has allowed a town with such enormous human capital to be politically sidelined for so long.