Medical specialist and community advocate, Dr. Seyi Adigun, has convened over 35 communities across Ajase Ward 2 in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State under the newly established Ajase Ward 2 Stakeholders’ Union, urging members to transcend political and religious divisions in pursuit of sustainable development.
The inaugural parley brought together political actors across party lines, traditional leaders, professionals, business executives, youth groups, and women leaders to create a unified platform for dialogue, advocacy, and social progress.
In his address, presented by Hon. Michael Olatunde Odewale, Adigun said the initiative was established as a broad platform for dialogue, cooperation, collective advocacy and sustainable development, without undermining existing community associations, traditional institutions or other legitimate structures.
Adigun stressed that political differences must not become barriers to development, arguing that the challenges confronting Ajase Ward 2 do not recognise party affiliation. He noted that insecurity, poor roads, inadequate healthcare, educational needs, electricity and limited economic opportunities require collective action rather than partisan division. He therefore urged political actors to place the common interest above political differences and advocate what he described as “vantage political positioning” a united and strategic approach that would enable Ajase Ward 2 to effectively engage governments, elected representatives, development agencies, businesses, philanthropists and other institutions on matters affecting the people. “We can disagree politically and still cooperate developmentally,” he said.
The Convener outlined a four-point development agenda centred on peace and security, economic advancement, youth empowerment, and infrastructure and social welfare. He called for stronger collaboration in agriculture, commerce, entrepreneurship, professional services and investment, while emphasising skills acquisition, mentorship, enterprise development and meaningful participation for young people. He also advocated collective action on roads, electricity, water, healthcare, education and communication, stressing that vulnerable persons, the elderly, persons living with disabilities and families facing hardship must remain integral to the development agenda. According to him, the greatest strength of Ajase Ward 2 lies in deliberately connecting the human, social and economic resources of its constituent communities.
Adigun challenged the Union to become a platform for measurable action rather than another talk shop, warning against meetings that produce speeches and photographs without tangible results. He insisted that youth empowerment must translate into actual skills, opportunities and livelihoods, while economic initiatives and infrastructure advocacy must be driven by clearly defined priorities, targets and follow-up mechanisms. He charged stakeholders to ensure that every discussion leads to a commitment, every commitment to action, and every action to a measurable outcome, stressing that the credibility of the Union would ultimately depend on its ability to improve the lives of people across Ajase Ward 2.
The initiative received enthusiastic commendation from prominent stakeholders at the inaugural meeting, including Chief S.O. Oyinloye, Hon. Chief Bode Adekanye, Hon. Olusola Adedayo, Mrs. C.K. Oguntoye, Alhaji Amode Busari, Hon. Yemi Agboola, Hon. Michael Olatunde Odewale and Comrade Olusola Debo Adeyemi.
The stakeholders praised Adigun for the courage, vision and foresight to establish a platform capable of bringing together people from different political affiliations, backgrounds and religious persuasions for a common developmental purpose. They described the initiative as noble and timely, noting its potential to strengthen peaceful coexistence and accelerate development across Ajase Ward 2, while calling for consistency, continuity and active participation from all constituent communities.
In his closing appeal, Adigun urged all stakeholders to take ownership of the Union and contribute their expertise, networks, resources and goodwill towards its success. He encouraged business leaders to support aspiring entrepreneurs, professionals to mentor younger people, experienced community leaders to bridge generational gaps, political actors to deploy their networks in advancing legitimate community interests, and members of the diaspora to remain connected to local development efforts. He challenged the people of Ajase Ward 2 to make the initiative a lasting legacy by choosing cooperation over division and collective progress over individual advantage, declaring: “This Union belongs to all of us. Its success will be the success of our communities.”