..As Body Inaugurates Steering Committee on Thursday
The Federation of Ondo State Indigene in Abuja (FEDOSIA) has expressed its support for the incumbent governor, Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, as the body warms up to receive their governor in the Federal Capital Territory in days ahead.
In line with the declaration, the Federation of Ondo indigenes, who are residents of the FCT and environs, has established a seven-member Steering Committee tasked with overseeing the federation’s activities for a term yet disclosed.
FEDOSIA was formed to advocate for the interests of Ondo State and is committed to ensuring the welfare of its members while promoting good governance by the state’s leadership at all levels, regardless of members’ political affiliations.
In a unanimous decision by the federation on Thursday in Abuja, the assembly of indigenes, while maintaining its apolitical stance, said it align itself with the significant accomplishments and progress made by the incumbent governor during his tenure.
The federation emphasized that the future development of the state looks promising if Ayedatiwa is granted another term to continue the positive initiatives he has initiated as the substantive governor of Ondo State.
At the well-attended inauguration of the federation, a seven-member Steering Committee was appointed to manage the federation’s affairs, focusing on the welfare of its members and the state. Dignitaries from Ondo State, including the monarch of the Ondo State indigenes residing in the FCT, Oba (Dr) Olu Adeoye (JP), commended the gathering.
Participants pledged their unwavering commitment to work diligently for the advancement of Ondo State, transcending their political differences.
The revered traditional ruler, Oba (Dr) Olu Adeoye (JP), officiated the inauguration of the Federation and the pioneer Steering committee at the event.
The monarch urged the federation to take on the task of identifying and incorporating additional colleagues to enhance the promotion of their state. He emphasized the importance of supporting the state’s leadership, regardless of dialects or political affiliations.
“It is a positive development for the indigenes of Ondo state to unite today despite various challenges. I want to remind you that we share the same heritage. I do not concern myself with your religious beliefs; what matters to me, as Oba (Dr) Olu Adeoye (JP), is witnessing Ondo indigenes gathered in unity. I extend my gratitude to all of you.
“I wish to clarify that I am not involved in politics; please emphasize that point. As a traditional ruler, it does not matter whether you belong to the APC, PDP, LP, or any other party; all members are under my care, and I am committed to everyone. My affection lies with the indigenes of Ondo state, my home, and particularly with Ilaje and Ikale lands.
“As we convene today, I hope this gathering marks the beginning of our collective journey rather than its conclusion. Let us unite to form a strong coalition; we will be heard by the government, and the Governor will take note of our concerns.
“Our federal lawmakers, including Senators and Representatives, are present with us in Abuja. While some may find it difficult to reach them, they can always reach out to me. I will serve as your voice to them.
“Regrettably, some individuals may choose to distance themselves from you, feigning a lack of understanding of your dialect simply because they are in Abuja, but notable politicians from our state, including ministers, have consistently made themselves accessible to me. We must leverage our resources, similar to other ethnic groups who support their members by providing employment and assistance during times of need; Ondo state indigenes should not be an exception.
“I take this opportunity to urge everyone to collaborate to uplift ourselves and our state. We are integral to the state, yet we are not reaping the benefits from the allocations designated for it.
“Regarding job creation, we lack access to both the Civil Service Commission and the Federal Character Commission, and it is disheartening that some Ondo indigenes are obstructing their fellow indigenes within these government agencies; this must cease if we are to unite effectively.
“Ondo indigenes residing in the FCT should serve as the driving force for our state.
“Once again, I implore everyone to eliminate any divisions or clan distinctions among us; we are united as one.
However, during the swearing-in ceremony held on Thursday, the monarch, Oba (Dr) Olu Adeoye (JP), emphasized that the establishment of the Steering Committee is intended to guide the union’s activities and represents a call to service. He urged the seven-member Committee to uphold a culture of high performance, reputation, integrity, and productivity as essential tools to fulfill their responsibilities.
Earlier, Mr. Bright Ojubuyi, an Ilaje-born coordinator and the mobilizer of the clarion call reeled out the vision behind the establishment of the federation.
“As a fallout of my interactions with few of our indigenes from Ondo State on the state of affairs of our state, particularly as it affects contributions by some of us in the diaspora, we came to realize that most governors spent the bulk part of their weekly activities in Abuja, hence the need to come up with a channel through which we can establish direct interaction with our Governor, the governor of Ondo state without hitches, hence the formation of this body.
“The focus of this honorable association is devoid of class; its members encompass stakeholders that cut across all trade and professionals from all works of life, including artisans, civil servants, technicians, academia, and military, among other experts from the private sector and what have you.” He declares.
Ojubuyi said the body is empowered by the constitution to ensure members’ voices are heard as a people in the affairs that govern them.
“As a body and concerned indigene of Ondo State, it is part of our duty to offer necessary advice to the leadership of our state.
“For us as a body, we are empowered by the constitution to make our voices known as a people. As a body and concerned indigene of Ondo State, it is part of our duty to offer necessary advice to the leadership of our state as a federation of concerned Ondo indigenes.
“It is on this note, that the leadership of the body shall be a retired civil servant, hence the name, Federation of Ondo State Indigenes in Abuja (FEDOSIA).” He opined.
On priorities before FEDOSIA, he said, include avenues to engage “whoever becomes our state governor, irrespective of political party affiliation. The body will serve as an open window of opportunity to network with the leadership of our state in the person of the governor, including his aids and Commissioners, each time such an opportunity presents itself.
“Employment generation happens in the state timely and with levels of a private relationship and connection some of us have built with power blocs in the state, we cannot afford to lag in the scheme of things.
“Also, there are professionals among us here in Abuja that can be useful to the Governor and the state in terms of adding value to his work either here in Abuja or in the state. The governor needs to know that such resource persons exist among us and will be ready to serve the state.” Ojubuyi said.
Advocating support for the incumbent governor come to the November 16, 2024 election, the Coordinator identified with strides of Governor Orimisan Ayedatiwa, says the governor would need the support of everyone to continue his notable, undisputable achievements in office.
“As our governor, we need to tell Mr Governor that we love him, he is our governor irrespective of political party affiliations, and he remains our governor and a leader to everyone. We love him. We need to tell him that we will support his election, and if he wins, he too must do something.
“Until now, if you get to Ondo state at night, you can’t see the touch of development in the state, you can’t be proud of Ondo state, but with what we have seen within the short period of Hon Orimisan Ayedatiwa as the substantive governor of the state, hope is beckon.
I am using this opportunity to tell everyone that the governor needs our support during the coming election by November 16. Let’s talk to ourselves, let’s mobilize ourselves down to Ondo state, and talk to our people in the state for the support of His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa.
“Mr Governor is privy to this gathering and is aware that we are here at this meeting. In meeting with him, we shall get a date of his interaction with us as a body of Ondo indigene here in Abuja.
So I want to thank every one of us present here for this clarion call, honored by all.
Hon. Wole Iroaye, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs on his part, admitted that development is not in isolation. He noted that the essence of the gathering is to come together, to help each other and the state to develop.
He says: “Development cannot be done in isolation; it has to be done by putting people at the center of it. We need people, to work through the people and for the people to achieve whatever we want to achieve.
“Our gathering today is very unique in every respect, while we work together.
“I am here to say that I am very happy to be in your midst and will try as much as possible in my little way to do whatever I can to ensure that this gathering becomes a bigger one.
“As it is today, there is one person who is the symbol of the state, and that person is Governor Orimisan Ayedatiwa, election or not, but right now, he is the man of the moment, and we must support him.
“So whatever we are doing as a people, we cannot but refer to him, and that must be at the back of our minds, just as our Kabiyesi has said.
“We want to work together to achieve the desired results for ourselves; share ideas among ourselves. So for the essence of this meeting, I want to appeal among ourselves in the name of God, let us come together and work together to achieve success for Ondo state.
“If there is anything we can do to protect the integrity of Ondo state, that’s exactly what we must do. In unity, we stand.
“Kabiyesi, we want to thank you for your presence today. All the retired civil servants and retired Directors that are here today, we want to say thanks to all of you.” Iroaye stressed.
The former Director General of NAFDAC, Mr Ademola Mogbojuri, also an indigene of the state, in his comments, appreciates those who thought it wise to put in place the assembly.
According to him, Abuja is a state on its own. He laments the non-inclusion of Ondo Indigenes in the day-to-day running of the capital city and says the anomaly must be addressed with the coming of FEDOSIA.
“If you look at the major organs of administration of this Abuja, you will hardly see our people from Ondo State among, why?
“To me, this association is formed to champion the cause of Ondo state indigene, and with the coming of this association, it is time to take what belongs to us in the country as a whole. It is not worth saying that those who occupied the state of affairs in the FCT are predominantly from the South East and the South-South, without relevant positions given to our people from the West, particularly the Ondo state indigene.
“So I’m appealing to us, let us help ourselves, and let us ensure that we get the rightful things that belong to Ondo state. Don’t let us forget that we need to contribute to the developmental strides of Ondo state. We have come to stay as a body, and let’s offer the necessary support to the growth of Ondo state. God bless Ondo State.
However, in the composition of the new seven-man Steering Committee, two members each were selected from the three senatorial zones of the state to pilot the affairs of the federation.
The seven-man Steering Committee comprised of:
Dipo Akinsola (Ondo West LG) – Chairman:
Akinsola was a former SA to the Senate President, H E Senator, H E Senator Ken Nnamani, and later SA to the former Speaker, Rt Hon Patricia Olubunmi Etteh. He is a Retired Director at FCC. He holds an MBA degree from the University of Lagos and a BSc Econs, OSUA.
Dare Balogun (Akoko N/W LG) – Vice Chairman:
Pastor Dare Balogun is the Publisher / Editor-in-Chief of Society Watch. Director General, Rafido Security Guards Ltd, National Publicity Secretary, BAT Vanguard.
Sola Akingboye (Ilaje LG)- Secretary:
Akingboye is the Publisher of RegentAfrica Times Newspapers. Chairman, Association of Ondo Media Practitioners (AOMP). General Secretary, Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE). A Content Creator and Media Consult.
He is from Obe Akingboye, Ugbo Kingdom, Ilaje.
Mrs Abiri Ademola (Akure South) – Member
Madam Abiri is a retired Senior Civil Servant, now an Abuja-based businesswoman; she is from Akure.
John Omoogun – (Akoko S/E) Member
Omoogun Rtd is a senior police officer; after meritorious service to the nation, he is now an Abuja-based businessman and 1st President of Akoko Patriotic Association, FCT-Abuja.
Festus Ilukoyenikan Sebi (Okitipupa) – Member:
Retired in 2023 as an Assistant Director.
A former member of the Presidential Technical Tariff Committee on tax policy (2015 -2022); member of Review of Nigeria Trade Policy, 2021;
Served as a member to Investigate Challenges faced by the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company, Nigeria Passport (2022), now a full-time farmer. He is from Okitipipa LG
Dr Ojo Timothy Olusope – (Odigbo LG):
A Retired Director, Office of the Auditor-General for the federation, currently with Nassarawa-state University. He is from Araromi-Obu, Odigbo LG
While congratulating the newly inaugurated executives, Kabiyesi, Oba (Dr) Olu Adeoye (JP) urged the new executives to eschew misunderstanding among them and said they are the eyes of the federation. He admonished them to operate in one spirit and delivered on the mandate handed down to them for the progress of the federation and that of Ondo State.
In his reaction, Mr Dipo Akinsola, the Chairman of the newly appointed Committee speaks on behalf of his team. He expressed appreciation for the honor. He described it as a call to serve and lauded the initiative that brings sons and daughters of Ondo state under one roof to discuss the progress of the state.
Akinsola added that there would not have been a better time for the formation of the federation than now, as the Ondo State gubernatorial election draws near.
Akinsola assured the indigenes and the state of absolute loyalty to the cause for which the Steering Committee was appointed, for the progress of Ondo state and the welfare of its indigenes in Abuja and environs.
The committee’s primary goal is to mobilize all indigenes of Ondo state in the FCT and bring them on board, ensure that the umbrella body is duly registered with CAC in no distant time, to facilitate meetings with the Governor of Ondo state anytime he is in Abuja as done in other states.
Other mandates of the Committee are to liaise and enlist the support of Ondo state’s top indigenes, such as politicians, military, businessmen, and artisans, among others, to mastermind a draft constitution for the federation and any other business relevant to the body.
