BY LAW IBITOYE
Sons and daughters of Ilupeju-Ekiti, a community in Ekiti State, Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria, resident in North America and Canada gathered at the Gardens Inn, 3400 Fort Meade Rd., Laurel, USA , to celebrate IlUPEJU DAY.
The event tagged, “North America and Canada Anniversary Day”. which took place on Saturday, June 8, 2024, was an assemblage that showcased unity and love among Ilupeju Development Association in North America.
This gives credence to one of the missions of the Association embedded in sustained support for the national body of Ilupeju Development Association towards rapid development of the town and by extension launch the community into global reckoning.
The National president of the Association, Mr Banji Ogungbemi, in a goodwill message presented on his behalf by one of the Vice Presidents, Mr Jide Babalola, applauded the unity of members in North America and their support for the Association. He underscored the fact that their contributions to the development of Ilupeju Ekiti have kept the town afloat, and without sounding immodest catapulted it to be placed on the world map.
According to him “I appreciate you. With your enormous financial support we have taken off. We have started registering successes. The Solar powered street lights from Obalatan to our boundary with Itapa are in place. This project has become a reference point with motorists stopping over to ask questions about how we did it. Some of you here were reached out to make general contributions. Others were specifically requested to give us N1m each. And they responded”
“I will like to thank the North America branch for the progress we are making in our effort to transform our cottage hospital. We have recorded good progress here. Your Chairman, Dr Deji Olajide is the pilot. He will henceforth be supported by a battery of our Ilupeju sons who are Health workers around the world.
“We remain grateful for your show of patriotism. Once again, I congratulate you all for a successful Ilupeju Day in North America. We appreciate your support and high level of commitment towards our journey of transforming the town of our origin”
Mr Ogungbemi reiterated that I.D.A had renovated Ilupeju Civic Center and library in preparation for the take off of FUOYE Part time College of Nursing as a temporary site. Adding that, beautification of Ilupeju Ekiti through planting of trees are ongoing and remarked that more efforts are on top gear to attract federal presence to Ilupeju Ekiti.
He informed the gathering that membership mobilization is yielding fantastic results as more illustrious sons and daughters of the town have been located in their various areas of abode.
The national president who reminded everyone that the development of the town requires the cooperation and unflinching support of all, saddled the North America and UK members with the responsibility of ensuring a befitting mobility for the traditional ruler of the town, ” Apeju of Ilupeju- Ekiti”.
Earlier, the Chairman of I.D.A, North America, Dr Deji Olajide appreciated his members for their generous contributions and show of love for their origin, Ilupeju Ekiti. He ugrd them to brace up for the task ahead aimed at reaching their socioeconomic goals.
The yearly projects of the branch which has gulped over $110,000 as reeled out by the chairman include:
2015 – Menara market, Soccer tournament
2016 – Menara market, Soccer tournament, llere and Odolla boreholes
2017-Menara market, Soccer tournament, Araromi and Market boreholes
2018- Library, FUOYE, Soccer tournament, laye and market water projects
2019-Street Naming, Aita and Odo-Ogan boreholes
2020- Menara market, Soccer tournament, COVID-19 palliative, ICT, Soccer, Hospital, Ilidan and
Ajowa boreholes
2021-Apeju 40th anniversary celebration, Hospital rehabilitation, lloro and Surulere boreholes, LCDA,
022 2-Hosptal west wing reconstruction, Hospital walkways and drainage, Surulere borehole,
Soccer
2023-Apeju palace water, Hospital access road and drainage,
solar street lamps; Light up llupeju project: Youth solar training sponsorship
2024- Hospital quarters solar installation, kitchen cabinetry, Office table and chairs.
Dignitaries at the event include: Engineer Tola Gbuyiro, Mr Jide Babalola (VP1) and Chief Yemi Agbaje, the pioneer Chairman of North America among others