Ekiti State governor, Dr.Kayode Fayemi, recently received a delegation of the people of Ootunja-Ekiti, led by His Royal Majesty, Oba Joseph Adelola Fagbamila, the Olootunja of Ootunja-Ekiti in his office.
Ootunja-Ekiti is one of the autonomous communities in Ikole Local Government area of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the President of Ootunja Sons and Daughters Association (OSDA), Emeritus Professor Peter Olufemi Adeniyi, stated that they have made concerted efforts to pay a courtesy visit to the governor, whom he described as one of them biologically through his grandmother between 2010 and 2014.
Professor Adeniyi, former Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), and former Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ekiti State University, stated further that the original plan of the community was to organise a reception in honour of the governor after his electoral victory in 2018 which did not materialise.
He stated that the purpose of the visit is to fully appreciate the connection between the governor and the people of Ootunja, express their love to the governor, as well as appreciate the governor over a number issues such as the governor’s insistence on the location of a campus of Federal University, Oye (Fuoye), which Ootunja and other towns in Ikole Local Government are benefitting from the location.
He also made mention of the proposed Ijelu-Ootunja World Bank assisted road project.
Adeniyi seized the opportunity of the visit to intimate the governor about the new Ootunja Town Project, adding that “the current Ootunja town is already chocked up to the extent that our sons and daughters now move to Ijesha-Isu road, Oke Ijebu /Oke Ayedun road, Odo Oro road, amongst others to buy lands for their residential developments”.
Adeniyi further lamented that the community cannot expand the current Oba’s palace, just as the community lacks what he describes as “discernible physical identity” as well as commensurate recognition.
Based on the above, Adeniyi said the community has decided to embark on the development of new Ootunja Town and further asked for the governor’s support.
The delegation presented a copy of the approved town plan to the governor.
Responding, Fayemi thanked the delegation on the visit and assured them of government support concerning their request.
