His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, is a visionary ruler who follows an inner sense of direction, and lead from the inside out.
Consequently, the Alaafin has been judiciously utilising his revered institution at both the Federal and State levels, in conjunction with his son, who is a Member of the House of Representatives representing Oyo Federal Constituency [Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East and Oyo West]. Honourable Prince Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi, a.k.a Skimeh, for actualizing their human capacity development drive for the wellbeing of his people of the Federal Constituency.
To date, over sixty indigenes of Oyo town are occupying administrative cadre levels in the State Civil Service.
Another twenty people have been recruited into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, including some agencies of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
However, in 1990, two princes, Totoola and Ake, who were teachers and top officials of the Nigeria Union of Teachers [NUT] met with Prince Kabiru Gbadegesin, who was then the Vice Chairman of the former Oyo Local Government in his office at Kosobo, with an appeal for the clearing of heaps of refuse mounted at Ode Aremo, which almost caused an outbreak of epidemics in the town.
Due to administrative bottlenecks, nothing was done.
Prince Totoola is now the Principal Private Secretary to the Alaafin.
Close to Ode Aremo where heaps of refuse was mounting are the ancient Akesan market and the central mosque.
During the time of worship, muslims worshippers must cover their noses to prevent emission of offensive odour oozing out of the uncleared refuse.
The same was applicable to traders and residents within the vicinity.
But on assumption of office as elected Chairman of the Atiba Local Government, Alaafin’s son, Prince Akeem Adeniyi, Adeyemi in 2008, engaged the service of commercial tippers’ operators and some staffers in the health department of the Local Government to clear the heaps of refuse at Ode Aremo, to the admiration of residents who lauded the concerted effort of the monarch’s son.
Thereafter, Ode Aremo became avenue where all sorts of activities, be it social, religious and political are being held till today.
Younger ones are also not left out, as open space serves as their football pitch and other recreations.
However, during an empowerment programme held at Ode Aremo open space, where equipment and cash were donated by Prince Adeniyi, now a Federal Lawmaker, to a cross section of indigenes from the four local governments that constitute Oyo Federal Constituency, Alaafin’s son disclosed that an ultra modern complex, that would include a mini stadium and which is to be known as OBA ADEYEMI ARCADE would be constructed on the open space.
Hon. Akeem Adeniyi defended his decision to build a mini-stadium on a disputed land in the town, saying it was once used as a rubbish dump.
“This, according to him, will not only beautify the town and enhance its development, but also serve as a source of employment and income generation. It is only those who do not want the town to witness progress that will oppose what the monarch’s son is planning to do. Any contrary view on a project of this nature can only be borne out of jealous.
Although when this laudable initiative was announced by the Federal Lawmaker, some forces defecated and polluted both the social and conventional media spaces with disgusting, reckless, unguarded and illogical write ups and hate comments.
All that were to no avail.
Pertinent questions being asked by right thinking residents and indigenes of Oyo town is, “Where were they (spent forces) when the heaps of refuse almost led to cholera outbreak in the town?
” Where were they when the refuse were cleared by Kabiyesi’s son? We need to ask them again, after the clearing, can they tell the world that their families and relations are not among those who use the Ode Aremo open space for social gatherings, parties and other events?
” Why had there been conspiracy of silence among these enemies of progress before now? Enough is enough.
“There can never be two kings in a town at a time. Our dynamic ruler is Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 11. So what, if Skimeh named the proposed Arcade after his father? Is that what should preoccupy minds of responsible indigenes, or the development inherent?”
