Indigenes, at The Guardian, seek support for Ile-Ife
By Idowu Ajanaku
EFFORTS to industrialise Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yorubaland, formed the kernel of discussion at the weekend when members of the Ile-Ife Development Board (IDB), visited Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos headquarters of Guardian Newspapers Limited (GNL).
For the team, which included Chief Jide Elugbaju, Mr. Layi Adereh, Kazeem Adereti, Demola Balogun, Gbenga Omiwole and Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, editor of Vanguard newspaper, it was an opportunity to explain the need to transform the cradle of the Yoruba.
As a start, a N500-million community development fund is expected to be launched on December 11, just as the people of Ile-Ife will mark the annual "Ile-Ife Day" with its rich culture displayed.
Speaking during the visit, Elugbaju, who claimed to have stood in for Prince Dera Adeyemo, said the team was at The Guardian to solicit the support of the newspaper towards the objectives before the IDB.
According to him, to industrialise the town became imperative against the background of the need to turn it around.
He said indigenes of Ife doing well in various spheres of life were ready to support the board.
His words: "There is the absolute need to get Ile-Ife on the track of industrialisation. There are many resources in our land and the entire South-West. We plan to start with timber and cassava industries".
He said if Malaysia, which came to source palm kernels from Nigeria could become one of the world's leading producers of palm oil, there was nothing stopping Ife from becoming a giant timber-producing centre in sub-Sahara Africa.
According to him, the job will be easier since the group would only embark on the implementation of the blueprint designed by a committee of prominent sons of Ile-Ife set up by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade.
Elugbaju said the IDB would also mend cracks between the people of Ife and Modakeke who had been at loggerheads.
This, he said, was important because nothing could be achieved under the atmosphere of violence.
He stressed that Ife and Modakeke are one big family.
In his response, Mr. Debo Adesina, the editor of The Guardian, who led the newspaper's team that received the delegation, said he was delighted with the efforts of the IDB.
In his reckoning, what the board embarked upon would not only promote unity but rekindle the spirit of self-help among the people.
Adesina, who is also the deputy editor-in-chief of The Guardian, recalled with nostalgia how such efforts helped in the education of many individuals in the communities, who ordinarily would not have been educated.
Charging the board to ensure full take-off of industrialisation of Ile-Ife, Adesina said the success of the efforts would have a positive impact on Ile-Ife and other communities.
He commended the board for giving younger people the opportunity to mix with the old ones in its quest for development of Ile-Ife.
The editor pledged The Guardians support towards the effort of the board.
Other members of The Guardian team that received the delegation included Mr. Jewell Dafinone, deputy editor; Mr. Banji Adisa, editor, The Guardian on Saturday and Mr. Paul Okunlola, assistant editor, The Guardian.
|
