Sons and daughters of Igbomina Land from across the globe converged at the Igbomina House, Ganmo, Ifelodun LGA, on Saturday for the official inauguration of the newly elected Executive members of the OMO IBILE IGBOMINA.
The ceremony, which saw Sir (Chief) Bisi Fakayode inaugurated as the 8th National President, marked a significant turning point for the socio-cultural group, which represents the Igbomina ethnic nationality primarily spanning Ifelodun, Irepodun, and Isin Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
In his inaugural speech, Sir Chief Bisi Fakayode acknowledged the magnitude of the task, accepting the mandate as a sacred vessel that carries the collective hopes and aspirations of our people.
He immediately unveiled a clear, urgent, and tripartite mandate for his four-year term: To RESCUE, To REVITALIZE, and To REBUILD Igbomina Land, where Phase One which is The Rescue Mission (Years 1-2) focuses on stabilization and security.
He explained that declaring a state of emergency on safety where he vowed to immediately convene an Igbomina Security Compact (ISC) uniting all stakeholders. The visionary aspect involves a Land Conversion Strategy to reclaim dangerous bushes by turning them into Large-Scale Commercial Farming Clusters and Agro-Security Estates to deny sanctuary to criminals.
Fakayode also spoke on Launching the Igbomina Economic Revival Coalition (IERC) and the Igbomina Industrial Seeds Programme (IISP), with planned specialization in Ifelodun for rice/honey, Irepodun for cashew/cassava, and Isin for cocoa/livestock.
To combat political fragmentation, Fakayode noted that a Non-Partisan Igbomina Political Council (NPC) will be formed where all Igbomina political representatives will be required to sign a Commitment Charter to the communal agenda and report progress quarterly.
He added that aTeacher Quality Improvement Drive and relaunching an Igbomina Mobile Clinic Project which aims to institutionalize gains, including establishing a permanent Igbomina Vigilante Academy, creating Igbomina Economic Transformation Zones, and securing institutional representation in state committees.
Fakayode further concluded by calling for unprecedented unity, urging Igbomina elites and the diaspora to revive the spirit of Owe communal labour and to stop treating Igbomina land as a cemetery that is only good to swallow our bodies.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of a brand new H1 Hummer Bus (fully air-conditioned) to Omo Ibile Igbomina by Engr. Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun, the ENACT Principal and TETFund Board Member representing North Central.
Hon. Abdulrahman Akani, who represented Engr. Balogun, noted that the donation was a commitment to service, not a political gambit, citing the Principal’s heavy investment in the Igbomina Health Mobile Clinic over the last 12 years before he even considered politics.
Speaking on behalf of the royal fathers, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, HRH Oba Ismail Bolaji Yahaya Alebiosu (Chairman Igbomina/Ekiti Traditional Rulers), commended Engr. Balogun for the symbolic and massive donation.
Oba Alebiosu seized the opportunity to charge all participants to stand firm and work towards the actualization of the ‘Igbomina Lokan’ as the 2027 electioneering period approaches, emphasizing that the political goal requires all hands on deck.
9japarrot reports that the inauguration was attended by numerous dignitaries, including the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Kwara Governor, Princess Bukola Babalola, the Executive Secretary/CEO of NICO, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, LGA Chairmen, and all Royal Fathers, including the Olomu of Omu-aran and the Olusin of Isanlu-Isin.
