The honourable Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako has assured the indigenes of Ayetoro-Yewaland that the much-needed holistic development of the ancient town will receive priority attention from both Ogun State and federal
Dr. Salako stated this while addressing guests and dignitaries at the grand reception organized in his honour at the grand-finale of Ayetoro-Yewa Day 2023 on Saturday 11th November, 2023.
The event, which held at the Comprehensive High School Playing Ground, Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State had in attendance the representative of Ogun State Governor, S.S.G Tokunbo Talabi, former Ogun State Deputy Governors, Prince Segun Adesegun as Chairman of the occasion and Beere of Yewaland, Alhaja Salmot Makanjuola Badru, the representative of Ogun West Senator, Aremo Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, House of Representatives Member representing Egbado North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka.
Others include former Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Aremo Surajudeen Ishola Adekunbi, representative of the Hon. Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the representative of the Olu of Ilaro-Yewa and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, HRM, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle Gbadewole, MFR, Royal Host and Alaye of Ayetoro-Yewa, HRM, Oba Azees Ishola Adelakun, other Yewa traditional rulers, top government functionaries, politicians and community leaders, the Iyalojas of Yewaland, clubs and associations, sons and daughters of Ayetoro-Yewa from far and near.
The Minister of State for the Environment hinted at the colourful event that, “In line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu and commitment of Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to human capita, infrastructural development, Ayetoro-Yewa will witness massive transformation that will be move the ancient town to the next level”.
Salako, the newly installed ‘High Chief O Debe O Dero’, of Ayetoroland, earlier in his address, paid glowing tributes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for the honour extended to him to serve in his cabinet as minister of the Federal Republic, assuring that he would strive to justify the confidence reposed in him by living up to the expectations of the president and people of Nigeria.
Dr. Salako did not fail to draw attention of the people to the some of the developmental footprints of the federal government in Ayetoro-Yewa as evidenced in ongoing projects in Ayetoro-Yewa such as roads, blocks of classrooms, town hall and health centre facilitated by the Ogun West Senator, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.
The Honourable Minister charged the people of the town, especially the younger generation to rededicate themselves to the service of their fatherland.
Dr. Salako likens service to fatherland to a farmer who does not tilt the land and plant the produce and should not therefore expect to harvest anything. The Minister says that, “The fact that I am being celebrated today is a testimony of my belief that if you serve your land, your land will serve you. Everywhere I have been, I have always taken it as a responsibility to serve my land. I am happy and thank God Almighty that today, my land is serving me.”
In his welcome address, the Chairman, Central Ayetoro-Yewa Day Organizing Committee, CAYDOC, Chief (Elder) Kunle Amosun, while acknowledging the support of the federal and state governments to infrastructural development of the ancient town, stated that since inception in 1991, Ayetoro-Yewa Day annual celebration has continued to serve as a potent symbol of unity, resilience and shared aspiration for a brighter future in Ayetoroland.
The chairman noted with profound sense of fulfilment that under the auspices of Alaye of Ayetoro, the Alaye-in Council and the Central Ayetoro-Yewa Day Planning Committee, their collective collaborative efforts, over the years have yielded positive results in the scholarship scheme for the deserving but underserved natives, the renovation of the Alaye of Ayetoro’s Palace and the erection of public infrastructure such as the High Court building and Maternity Centre in Ayetoro.
Chief Amosun, in his speech extended profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for some of the on-going federal government projects in Ayetoro-Yewa such as the construction of 12 classromms at the Technical College, Comprehensive Health Centre at OOU Ayetoro Campus, the reconstruction of the Old Secretariat, Isale Araba Road, the ultra-modern Community Hall, the 1,000 capacity New Omidokun Hall and the Palace Renovation Project facilitated by Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, FCA, CON.