By Law Ibitoye
Ekiti state government, political leaders, community stakeholders and residents on Tuesday showered encomiums on the Chairman of Ifeloju Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ilupeju Ekiti, Hon. Olusola Michael Oniyelu as he commissioned lock up shops, market stalls, Bus-stop, laid foundation for the second phase of the council complex and empowered over one hundred and fifty residents.
Dignitaries at the event described the council boss as a grassroots-oriented leader whose initiatives have positively transformed communities within the LCDA.
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Folorunso Olabode, and the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, applauded Oniyelu for executing people-centred projects that directly impact residents’ lives. They noted that the chairman had consistently replicated the developmental strides of Governor Biodun Oyebanji within the LCDA.
According to them, the quality of the projects — a block of six lock-up shops christened Galaxy Complex in Ilupeju Ekiti, a block of 12 market stalls in Itapa Ekiti, and the newly constructed Eye Sewa Bus Stop at Osin Ekiti — reflects prudent management of resources and a genuine commitment to development at the grassroots.
They urged residents to ensure proper maintenance and effective utilisation of the facilities to sustain their benefits.The commissioners also commended the empowerment programme, which saw over 150 residents receive various tools and equipment, describing it as massive and impactful. Items distributed included sewing machines, deep freezers, hair dryers, over 50 spraying machines, and food items.
Beneficiaries were encouraged to make productive use of the items to improve their livelihoods.
Also speaking, the Ekiti State RAAMP Coordinator, Hon. Sunday Adunmo, praised Oniyelu’s leadership style and commitment to service, adding that his performance had further strengthened the credibility of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area. He described the foundation laying of the Phase 2 Ifeloju LCDA Office Complex as a significant milestone that would enhance administrative efficiency when completed.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender Empowerment and Mobilisation, Chief Mrs. Kemisola Olaleye, and the member representing Oye Constituency II in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Idowu Odebunmi, equally lauded the chairman’s legacy projects, noting that they had deepened public confidence in the APC within the LCDA.
Traditional rulers and community leaders were not left out in the commendations. The Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti, Oba Sunday Awe Akingbade I; the Owajumu of Omu Kingdom, Oba Joseph Ogundeyi; and former President of the Ilupeju Development Association, Chief Dr. Femi Babalola, commended Oniyelu for his impactful leadership and appreciated the state government’s interventions in road rehabilitation, healthcare, education, security and empowerment initiatives in Ifeloju LCDA. They, however, appealed to the state government to urgently address erosion-prone areas within the council.
Highlights of the event included the commissioning of the Galaxy Complex by Hon. Olabode, the inauguration of the Itapa market stalls by Chief Mrs. Olaleye, and the commissioning of the Eye Sewa Bus Stop by Hon. Olatunbosun alongside Oba Phillip Eniayewu. The foundation laying ceremony for the Phase 2 LCDA Office Complex was performed by the Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti in the presence of top government officials and community leaders.
In his remarks, Hon. Oniyelu expressed appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for granting autonomy to local government administrations, which he said has enabled chairmen to deliver more effectively at the grassroots. He reaffirmed his commitment to initiating more people-oriented projects and thanked political leaders, traditional rulers and residents for their continued support.
Some beneficiaries, offered prayers for the chairman and pledged their unwavering support for the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji