OTUNBA TAIWO OYEBANJO ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF IPERU DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

By: Tope OYEKAN

Otunba Taiwo Abdulrasaq OYEBANJO, CEO, Avalon Hotel and Suites, Iperu, has been elected the President, Iperu Development Association, in the election of the association, held on Saturday 25th May, 2024. 

He was declared elected unopposed by the Chairman, Iperu Development Association Electoral Committee, Mr. Sakiru SODIPO, at the Iperu Development Association Plaza, Atenda, Iperu, venue of the exercise, yesterday.

The newly-elected President, who is the current Vice Chairman of the association will succeed the incumbent and outgoing Chairman, Chief Babajide OYETI.

OYEBANJO, an Auditor in the then Iperu Community Development Association; served as Vice Chairman of Akesan Day Celebrations Planning Committee; and also served as Chairman of the Akesan Day Celebrations Planning Committee in the years 2016 and 2017. He later became the Vice Chairman of the IDA in 2018, following a resuscitation of the association from its state of comatose.

From 2018 till date, he has served the Chief Babajide OYETI-led executive with all sense of humility, absolute loyalty, and complete dedication to the cause of promoting and developing an Iperu that all sons and daughters, both at home and abroad, as well as residents, can all be proud of.

It is instructive to state that during the Chief Babajide OYETI-led executive, where OYEBANJO served as the Vice Chairman there were a lot of verifiable achievements recorded by the association.

Otunba OYEBANJO, community development advocate, successful entrepreneur and an accomplished boardroom personality, had since his voluntary retirement as the Deputy General Manager, from his paid employment in the Consolidated Breweries PLC., Agbara Plant, Ogun State, and his former job as the Acting Managing Director of DIL/Maltex PLC., also at Agbara, decided to permanently relocate to Iperu, his home town, and has contributed meaningfully to the Iperu development agenda.

His entrepreneurial attributes and boardroom experience shall no doubt be brought to bear in the new dispensation.

His love and passion for his native community is obvious in his establishment of the Avalon Suites and Gardens, an hospitality concern in Iperu, with its attendant socio-economic effect on the town.

The free, fair, open, and transparent exercise  held under a very peaceful atmosphere at the IDA Plaza, Atenda, Iperu Remo, also witnessed the election of Otunba Wale ABDUL, as the Vice President; and Barr. Wasiu ONAWOLE as General Secretary.

Otunba ABDUL scored 56 votes to defeat his main challenger, Alhaji Sulaimon SOWEMIMO, who scored 15 votes; while Barr. ONAWOLE on his part garnered 66 votes, and his co-contestant, Olujide KUTI, had 5 votes.

The following officers having also contested unopposed, were all declared elected.

These include Mr. Wale OYEKOYA, Treasurer; Alhaji Nureni AMUSA, Financial Secretary; Mr. Lukman Olawale ODUKOYA, Assistant General Secretary; Mr. Temitope ADETOLA, Publicity Secretary; Mr. Musa Adeboye ELEPE, Social Secretary; and Alhaji Babatunde Ganiu AHMED, Youth Representative.

Others are Mrs. Oluwakemi JOLAOSO, Women Representative; Alhaji Abiodun Kazeem SOSINMI, Welfare Officer; Mr. Tokunbo ODUMBO, Internal Auditor; and Mr. Gbolahan OSHO, Legal Adviser.

In his acceptance speech shortly after his declaration as the President-elect, Otunba OYEBANJO, thanked Allah for guiding and preserving him till this moment.

He commended and expressed gratitude to the electoral committee, for the peaceful conduct of a free, fair, and transparent election.

He appreciated the Alaperu of Iperu, His Royal Highness, Oba Adeleke Adelekan IDOWU-BASIBO (Odoru V), FIEX, FICMC, for his unwavering support, and also expressed gratitude to the Ebi of Idena, His Royal Highness, Oba Lukman Oluwadamilare Adebambo SALAMI (Sebu II); and all Royal Fathers in Iperu, for their royal blessings.

In his speech entitled, - "The Future Starts Now", OYEBANJO stated his eagerness to lead the association with passion and dedication, as he appreciated all those who have supported him in his journey.

"Our town is blessed with many successful and prominent indigenes, among which are the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo ABIODUN, CON; the Odole Oodua, Sir Dr. Kesington ADEBUTU, CON; the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat MADEIN; and a host of others. I promised to work alongside all of them to further develop our community and make a positive impact on the lives of our people", said the President-elect.

He also acknowledged and commended his predecessor, Chief Babajide OYETI for his exceptional leadership and dedication in bringing the association to its current esteemed position. According to him, Chief OYETI's hard work and vision had truly made the association, a brand to reckon with, both at home and abroad.

Earlier in his address to both the candidates and delegates, the Chairman of the electoral committee, Mr. Sakiru SODIPO, read out the voting guidelines, and enjoined the contestants and their supporters to see themselves as brothers from the same clan whose intention is to selflessly serve the community.

He charged whoever emerged as winners to embrace their opponents.

In his charge after the successful completion of the exercise, the Executive Chairman, Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Olusegun OGUNLEYE, represented by a Community Development Officer from the council, Mr. Olusesan BOLAJI, enjoined the newly-elected officers to work together as a team, and always consult where and when necessary. 

He therefore wished them a successful tenure.

Also speaking on the sideline of the event, the outgoing Chairman of Iperu Development Association, Chief Babajide OYETI, thanked almighty God for his grace and protection over the association and its elected officers since 2018, when they assumed office.

He said they never expected to stay that long in office, but however appreciated God for the succesful and peaceful transition.

He was glad that aside from other achievements, the association was able to actualise the production of a constitution, as well as the registration of the association with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

He also hinted on the association's plan of becoming more financially self-sustaining and self-reliant, as plans are underway at erecting more properties in addition to the IDA Plaza at Atenda, Iperu.

The election, an exercise which was well applauded by many, brought to a climax, a process which started with the appointment and inauguration of the electoral committee by the Chief Jide OYETI-led IDA over a month ago.

The committee led by Mr. Sakiru SODIPO, the Director of Community Development, Ikenne Local Government, as Chairman; also has Mrs. Iyabo JOLAOSO-AJAYI, as Secretary; and Otunba Adebayo SALAMI, as member.