From Neglect to Progress: Akogun Lere Oyewumi’s Effects in Apomu and Ikoyi
By Dinho-Apomu
A Yoruba maxim says, “If a matter is not serious enough, one shouldn’t go into excessive details about it”. The communities of Apomu, Ikoyi, and Ikire share a rich history and bond that once united us as one family. In the past, the three communities shared a local government under the old Oyo state with Irewole Ikire as the headquarters, and it was common for individuals from Apomu and Ikoyi to identify as Ikire indigenes while describing their town to the people outside their community, commonly among the people staying in Lagos, Abuja and outside the country
Despite sharing a rich heritage, Apomu and Ikoyi have not benefited from the desired development and transformation, whereas Ikire has been fortunate enough to produce distinguished leaders, including the first female Speaker of the Nigerian National Assembly, Rt Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, a Deputy Governor, Commissioner for Finance currently the National Inland Waterways Authority boss, and a two-term Federal House Representative, Hon. Omidiran. These leadership positions are expected to have brought significant development to Ikire and its surrounding environment, unfortunately, the benefits did not trickle down to Apomu and Ikoyi.
It’s interesting to note that this unfriendly behaviour has exacerbated the perceived hatred and disparity from Ikire community towards the people of Isokan Local Government with the motive that it was a deliberate decision to hinder the progress of their sister’s community to avoid leadership contests. This execration gained some traction with the 2019 and 2023 House of Representatives elections, where Isokan indigenes on the ballot received unfavourable results from Ikire.
In contrast, whenever an Ikire indigene was on the ballot, Apomu and Ikoyi consistently stood behind them, never backing an outsider even if it was going to cost them. But with the latest development in Isokan Local Government, Senator Lere Oyewumi has successfully changed the narrative. He has proven and shifted the blame from Ikire community to the previous leaders, who were consumed by intense dislike and hostility towards the communities of Apomu and Ikoyi.
Aside from the fact that Isokan may not have produced a Federal Rep candidate without the input of Senator Lere Oyewumi, In less than two years of office, Senator Oyewumi has recorded a significant achievement in Isokan Local Government, which includes Community Support with Millions of naira for Apomu and Ikoyi day, ongoing 1.4km road construction linking Apomu and Ikoyi, Empowerment and employment opportunities for 100th of residents both youths and the aged, distributions of fertilizers application for the farmers, Procurement of brand new motorcycles for eleven person in all the eleven wards in Isokan Local Government, and solar powered street lighting, making him the first political office holder to prioritize his neighbourhood development among his contemporary.
Beyond his urgent intervention to find a lasting solution to the epileptic power supply in Ikire/Apomu/Ikoyi/ Wasinmi/Gbongan and Orile Owu communities with the installation of a new Breaker at Ajebandele Sub-station in Ile Ife by Transmission Company of Nigeria, Senator Lere Oyewumi also made a significant contribution to Apomu and Ikoyi communities by fulfilling yet another promise and donating two brand-new transformers to power the light.
In another Development, Senator Lere Oyewumi initiated the full renovation of the Iconic Balogun’s Hall in Apomu and also graded kilometres of rural roads in the two communities to improve road connectivity and easy transportation of goods to the market.
Just a few days ago, Senator Lere Oyewumi also dished out an empowerment opportunity in Osun West where nothing less than 20 residents from Apomu and Ikoyi were empowered with six motorcycles, Keke napep, Electrical sewing machines, Deep freezers, Complete barbing tools, Grinder machines, Generator Machines and many more. These are unprecedented developments from an Ikire indigene towards the communities of Apomu and Ikoyi compared with the former occupiers from the same town.
We are entering a season when the likes of Mr Bola Oyebamiji, Benedict Alabi and others who didn’t see the need to extend developmental gestures to Isokan while facilitating projects during their time will take to the podium to tout their supposed benefits for our community. They will tell us how much they love us. They will justify the reason why Ikire roads should be constructed while a roadside mosque is what Ikoyi need. They will explain why reasonable appointments should be given to their people while Apomu should have PA on mosque monitoring. It’s left to us to be fooled by their promises.
We should not also forget the role these same individuals, particularly the current NIWA Boss, Bola Oyebamiji played in 2019 and 2023 when he was moving everywhere against the interests of Apomu to produce House of Rep, compared with Senator Lere Oyewumi, who before his emergency as a Senator, had been working tirelessly to make a change by leading the struggle for Isokan to produce the first Federal House of Representative, the development that has never happened in the Local Government since 1960 of Nigeria independent.
The demonstration of Senator Lere Oyewumi and his commitment to the people of Apomu and Ikoyi in his less than two years of office should be rewarded in future elections. His administration has brought tangible development to our area, addressing the long-standing infrastructure deficits. The impact of his leadership is a testament to his dedication to the welfare of not only Apomu and Ikoyi communities but Osun West Senatorial district as a whole.
There’s this popular adage which says The company you keep reveals your character, and the leaders you follow determine your destiny. Beyond political sentiments, we should beware of politicians who exploit our community for personal gain and embrace leaders like Akogun Lere Oyewumi, who genuinely commit to the development and well-being of our people. May Apomu and Ikoyi continue to progress and thrive, free from unscrupulous politicians parading themselves as messiahs.
Azeez Mao Olakunle Dinho-Apomu, Writes from Ward 9, unit 3, Isokan Local Government, Apomu.
