By
Taoreed AbdullahiÂ
Development in any society occurs in various forms. Since Nigeria restored democracy nearly thirty years ago, many areas have experienced significant development and changes that often go unnoticed, mostly due to improvements in roads, healthcare facilities, and other social amenities. I had the chance to visit my hometown, Ayetoro-Oke in Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State, during the New Year holiday to attend social functions and reconnect with people I haven’t seen for a while.
I was deeply disappointed to see no noticeable changes; things remained the same for more than two decades. The roads are still in poor condition, there’s no electricity, and development from the government is minimal, aside from individuals who have transformed places into new sites. Residents are not demanding much — just good roads, hospitals, electricity, and quality primary and secondary schools — and they are content because they largely provide themselves with potable water and transportation.
Upon visiting my alma mater, Iwa Community Grammar School in Ayetoro-Oke, Kajola Local Government Area after twenty-four years, I observed that the existing classrooms are still the original structures, with no new buildings added- thanks to the aluminium association for installing a gate and some facilities. This is disappointing; despite good governance, there has been no effort to renovate the school or provide new classrooms and furniture. While the current classrooms are not terrible, I expected more modernisation in this day and age.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, I urge you to send a delegation or personally visit the school to witness its condition. It remains a crucial learning centre, desperately in need of infrastructural upgrades like new classrooms and facilities that could make education more appealing. Founded in 1970, Iwa Community Grammar School is begging for your attention.
The students and local community would greatly appreciate seeing your active support in improving the school before your tenure ends. I trust you will take action. The road leading to the school was built in 1997, before the return to democracy in 1999.
I’ve travelled many roads across six of the seven towns in Kajola- Ayetoro-Oke, Okeho, Iwere-Oke, Ilaji-Oke, and Ilua- but none are in good condition. The road from the start of Ayetoro-Oke to the neighbouring towns is also in a poor state. The township road in Ayetoro-Oke urgently needs attention from the relevant authorities. I appeal to the Oyo State Government, under Governor Seyi Makinde, to assist us.
Ayetoro-Oke has few roads; the one from Isale Idi-Iroko to Pakoyi compound, Ile Alagbon, and Oja in Ayetoro was constructed by the previous administration. These roads need repair to improve residents’ lives. Another road from Idiroko- Ansar Ud Deen Primary School to Iwere-Oke was built by the military before 1999 and now also requires rehabilitation. I had to use an alternative route to visit family at Iwere Oke.
The RCM Primary School in Iwere-Oke, Ansar Ud Deen Primary School I and 11, and Baptist Primary School Ayetoro-Oke, once a hub of activity, are now abandoned. The Oyo State government should support us with better roads. From Ayetoro Oke to Ilero, the road passing Ilaji-Oke, down to Olabata Hill and Ilero was built by the military and needs repair. The road from Ilero to Okeho town is in poor condition, and the route to Kajola Local Government headquarters is also unpassable due to potholes. I wonder how the council chairman feels when leaving his house for work on these bad roads, which hinder motorists’ travel. Under Governor Seyi Makinde, we request assistance to improve our infrastructure.
Special thanks to the Federal Government, which rehabilitated the road from Iseyin town down to Isale Alubo junction in Okeho. That’s the only motorable road, which people can gladly associate with. The rehabilitation came after two decades of pleading and appealing. Residents will be glad to see more roads that are more motorable.
Electricity is another challenge. I stayed and slept in Ayetoro-Oke and Ilero towns for almost a week of holiday, with no electricity in all parts of the towns. I wondered what may have happened that a whole Kajola Local Government Area didn’t have electricity for a single day for one week. This was a festive period where sons and daughters would travel home to spend the holidays with their loved ones. This is so bad. When I asked my parents, they quickly said the electricity was a no-go area. They said that they have bought a solar light to power the house; they don’t worry about the electricity supply. If it comes, it’s welcome, but if it doesn’t, the solar light is their alternative power supply to the house. I have to spend some money on petrol to watch television and do other things.
The community has engaged Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company for the supply of electricity, but it has not yielded results. I will appeal to the Disco in Oyo State to see reason to supply Kajola Local Government Area with electricity to make life more meaningful. Apart from its usefulness to the people, a lot of artisans closed their shops due to the fact that they cannot afford petrol or other power supplies to power their businesses, while those who make use of alternative power supplies do so at a high price. Electricity is paramount no alternative power supply can do what electricity is doing in the lives of people. Distribution company, please, supply the people of Kajola with electricity. Thanks to the youths and individuals who pulled resources together to provide solar lights that make the communities more secure at night. It will be appreciated if community development associations can come together and engage the representatives of Disco in fashioning out modalities of providing electricity. This will be of great help to the people in general.
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities. From looking at General Hospital in Okeho, it speaks volumes about what access to healthcare would be like; the area is deserted, and you hardly see new facilities that would make people patronise the place. Thanks to private individuals and religious organisations that come to the rescue of people in providing healthcare at a high price. The appeal is coming as students of a new tertiary institution, the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, are about to resume academic activities. Help the community to grow, may Almighty God bless Kajola Local Government, may Almighty God bless Oyo State and Governor Seyi Makinde
Taoreed Abdullahi writes from Ayetoro-Oke, Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State.
