The Anowoneyo Area Community Development Committee is the committee established to envision and facilitate the quick development of Irete Ijebu Kingdom, and it has achieved tremendous feats since it's establishment in 2022.
In this exclusive Interview with Lekki People Magazine, Otunba Dosumu Saheed, the Aare Agadagudu of Irete-Ijebu, and the Saraki Adinni of Irete-Ijebu, who is also the present pioneer chairman of Anowoneyo Area Community Development Committee, asserted that HRH. Oba (Dr.) Abdul Ganiyu Olusegun Awokoya-Yesufu, is the great pillar behind the many successes of the development Committee.
Lekki People Magazine.
Q. Please Sir, kindly tell us a little history of Irete Ijebu Kingdom
A. Irete Ijebu is an ancient town situated along Ala-Ejinrin express road, in the Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria, with origins dating back to the 15th century. The town was founded by Oyenuyi, our maternal ancestor renowned for his royal lineage connecting Idowa and Ijebu Ode through Oba JADIARA, who held the positions of the Dagburewe of Idowa and Awujale of Ijebu land. This earned him the title "Olowo joye meji po," signifying the wealthy owner of two Obaship titles. Oba Moses Okulote, the great-grandson of Anowoneyo, was chosen as Dagbùrewe in the 19th century. The accommodating gesture of our forefathers helped allocate land for others to settle, fostering good relationships with neighbouring communities. The community is known for its agricultural production, particularly of okro, cocoa, palm oil, and cassava, Irete Ijebu thrives today as a hub of cultural significance and economic activity within the Ijebu kingdom, boasting landmarks like the Oduduwa shrine and Otufesojoye Palace. The town also hosts various cultural festivals annually, such as honouring ancestors such as Anowoneyo, Ademoyegun, and Okulote, as well as celebrations like Erena, Oduduwa, Agbo, and Epa festivals.
Furthermore, Irete Ijebu, alongside Odo Jobore, serves as a hub for the Oba Sikiru Olukayode Adetona College of Education and Technology, bolstering the economic prosperity of the town and its surrounding areas.
Furthermore, Irete Ijebu, alongside Odo Jobore, serves as a hub for the Oba Sikiru Olukayode Adetona College of Education and Technology, bolstering the economic prosperity of the town and its surrounding areas.
Q. How will you rate the performance of the Onirete of Irete, HRH Olusegun Awokoya since he ascended the throne?
His Royal Highness (HRH) has achieved remarkable feats in his various capacities. These accomplishments include establishing the Anowoneyo Area Community Development Committee (AACDC) in 2022, obtaining a Doctoral Degree in Real Estate Management from the American University for Peace and Governance in Texas, USA, and receiving an excellence award from the Ogun State Government and Ministry of Community Development for grassroots community development efforts. Under HRH's leadership,
Anowoneyo Area Community Development Committee (AACDC) has made significant strides. The committee has empowered community market vendors, provided scholarships to disadvantaged students, constructed market stalls, installed solar street lights, and supported law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, AACDC secured grants for infrastructural development, facilitated the acquisition of a 500kVA transformer, and established a Cooperative Society with a substantial fund to provide business loans for local farmers and traders.
Through HRH's guidance, AACDC in Irete-Ijebu has demonstrated a strong commitment to community welfare and development, fostering a culture of progress and empowerment within the region.
Q. What are the purposes of establishing the Anowoneyo Community Development Committee and how does the committee plan to approach development issues in Irete community?
The Anowoneyo Community Development Committee was established in year 2022 to promote sustainable development in Irete community. The committee's primary purposes are: Community Empowerment:
The Anowoneyo Community Development Committee was established in year 2022 to promote sustainable development in Irete community. The committee's primary purposes are: Community Empowerment:
To empower community members to take ownership of development projects and participate actively in decision-making processes. Development Planning:
To develop and implement comprehensive development plans that address the community's specific needs and challenges. Resource Mobilization: To mobilize resources, including funding, expertise, and materials, to support development projects in the community. Project Implementation: To oversee the implementation of development projects, ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
To approach development issues in Irete community, the committee plans to:
Conduct Needs Assessments: To identify the community's specific needs and challenges through participatory needs assessments. Develop Community-Led Plans: To develop development plans that are led by the community, taking into account their needs, aspirations, and priorities. Foster Partnerships: To foster partnerships with local government, NGOs, and private sector organizations to access resources, expertise, and funding. Promote Community Participation: To promote community participation in development projects, ensuring that community members are actively involved in decision-making processes.
Monitor and Evaluate Progress: To monitor and evaluate progress regularly, making adjustments to development plans as needed to ensure that they remain relevant
and effective.
Meanwhile, AACDC has achieved alot within the short period of it establishment. Part of the achievement includes: • Empowerment of the community market men and women
• Scholarship awards to indigent students annually.
• Building of market stall. • Provision of sollar street lights within the market and the
community roads.
• We were also able to facilitate grants from the state government to support our infrastructural development, vis-a-vis facilitation of 500kva transformer from state government and repaired the old one for the benefit of the community.
Other achievement include the establishment of Cooperative Society with a start up fund of #5million naira where our farmers, traders, market men and women within the community could access loan for the growth and expansion of their businesses. All these were what AACDC IreteIjebu has done and still doing for the socio-economic growth of our community.
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