OPINION
By LAWRENCE IBITOYE
The journey of two eventful years which started on 4th January, 2022 when Comrade Babatunde Ogunmilugba was sworn-in as the pioneer Chairman of Ifeloju Local Council Development Area, Ilupeju Ekiti, will on 4th January, 2024 come to a sizzling and a memorable end. Yes, memorable, because the former council boss gave a good account of himself while he steered the ship of third tier of government( LG/ LCDA) where he touched lives.
Any opportunity given to mankind either as a politician, community or religious leader is to prove one’s mettle and be assessed by the people (constituents) either positively or negatively. But this man can be said to be in the good books of the masses he served because he put infrastructural facilities on ground to demonstrate or showcase the practicality of being a leader who cared about the needs and aspirations of his people.
It is on this score, I am constrained to say Comrade Babatunde Ogunmilugba through the help of God, APC leaders, Ifeloju kings, his management team and the staff of the LCDA has written his name in the Guinness book of record in Ekiti state and Nigeria, via his numerous impactful programmes and achievements within two years.
Comrade Ogunmilugba being the pioneer Chairman of Ifeloju LCDA, Ilupeju Ekiti has set a solid template of development for successive chairmen. He has built a befitting block of multimillion naira Administrative secretariat, made up of eight standard offices and a spacious reception with modern facilities for effective operation in Ilupeju Ekiti. It is not exaggeration to say that the secretariat is the best in Ekiti State. This standpoint is authoritative as my profession has afforded me the opportunity to be at other councils’ secretariats either officially or otherwise. It is a landmark achievement one may admonish those who find themselves in such an enviable position to emulate.
Comrade Ogunmilugba’s dream is to see Ifeloju Local Council Development Area, Ilupeju Ekiti transformed to Local Government any time opportunity presents itself, the vision made him put in place all that are needed for the take off of a standard Local Government. Internally generated Revenue being part of the criteria was vigorously worked on and improved upon, as workers’ welfare were taken care of while Ifeloju LCDA was given good recognition in Ekiti state.These are made possible due to the intelligence, charismatic, pragmatism and administrative acumen of Comrade Ogunmilugba towards the rapid development of the LCDA.
It’s imperative to chronicle some of the achievements of the outgoing executive for record purpose which were made possible by the proper usage of funds allotted to Ifeloju and the management of his staff who were in tandem with his vision.
The damaged portion of Ilupeju Central mosque – Menara market was concretized and water channels constructed .
In order to boost the economic standard of Ifeloju Local Council Development Area and to improve the standard of living of its residents, the chairman and his team built and renovated several shops and stalls in Ilupeju, Osin, Omu Ekiti, while the palace court of Owatapa was renovated and Omu and Ijelu Ekiti were provided with over fifty concrete solar lights. The same gesture was extended to Ilupeju, Osin and Itapa where twenty solar lights were erected at strategic places.
Moreso, new roads were opened for settlements as a result of expansion by the five communities that make up the LCDA and for easy access to convey farm produce to market seamlessly while water channels were constructed to forestall hazards of erosion.
Comrade Ogunmilugba who upon assumption of office noticed that security, mostly in Omu and Ijelu was porous, while Ilupeju, Osin and Itapa were seriously battling with cases of theft and burgling of houses and shops as a result of government inadequate security personnel organized a security summit which led to the establishment of ‘Ifeloju Lion Squad’
The outgoing chairman leveraged on the security expertise of Pastor Olu Olosunde, his Chief of Staff to officially inaugurate, equip, kit, and provide necessary logistics which among others were purchase of six motorcycles for the operation of the Sqaud’ which has helped to reduce crime in Ifeloju LCDA. With the operation of the security squad, residents of Ilupeju, Itapa, Osin , Omu and Ijelu could sleep without any panic.
On Agriculture, Comrade Ogunmilugba being a mechanized farmer, empowered interested youths and original farmers with farm implements and seedlings such as ; cutlasses, files, chemicals, spraying machines, cocoa, cashew, maize seedlings and cassava hybrid stems. Also, aside the regular training given them, they were grouped into cooperative where they could access funds to expand their farms.
On education, Comrade Ogunmilugba who believed that education is the best legacy to give a child, provided scholarships for outstanding students which cut across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Also, throughout the two years, he sponsored summer coaching for SSS 2, 3 and JAMB students across the five communities of the LCDA with payment of JAMB forms for many students. Under his supervision, the councillors provided thousands of exercise books to all students in the LCDA
Comrade Ogunmilugba prioritized the welfare of residents and the staff of the LCDA. He built standard bus stop at Ilupeju Ekiti with recreational facilities. Many residents were helped to secure employment in both government and private sectors, many market men and women were empowered including people with disabilities.
Three operation vehicles gotten from parent local Government, Oye, were repaired and made operational, chairs and tables were provided for staff while five casual staffers were given permanent job by Ekiti State Government.
Comrade Ogunmilugba’s stomach infrastructure for his residents and cordial relationship with all stakeholders in the LCDA was commendable. Comrade Ogunmilugba who believed that all his team achieved were their little contributions for the recognition of Ifeloju LCDA.
Based on the aforementioned laudable achievements, and without sounding immodest, I conclude that the outgoing chairman, Comrade Ogunmilugba came, impacted lives, gave due recognition to Ifeloju and made all sons, daughters and residents of the LCDA proud. I believe, if he is given higher responsibilities, and driven by his humility, he will perform excellently. Congratulations sir!