Governor Ademola Adeleke is the first governor to recreate and expand Iwo central business districts through the ongoing integrated dualisation of Odo Ori-Post Office road as a strategy to boost economic development of the ancient town.
Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed made this assertion while receiving the new leadership of the Federation of Iwo, Ayedire Olaoluwa Students Union (FILSU) at his country home at Iwo on Monday afternoon.
The Spokesperson who mentioned Iwo Central Business District as the heart of the town linking Akaso, Post Office, Jankara and Palace junctions posited that the governor is deliberately revolutionising business and economic life of the Central part of Iwo alongside Junction roundabout.
“What is happening to Iwo in the infra sector is unprecedented. This is beyond road dualisation; it is not a beautification exercise; this is a deliberate re-engineering of the heartland of Iwo. A triangular economy from main roundabout to palace and to Junction Osogbo is being recreated and expanded.
“In the 90s, during the time of our fatherfigure, Chief Adedeji Gbadegesin as chairman of Iwo local government, myself, late Tunde Akinlawon and other youth leaders presented a Central Business District Development plan to him on his first day in office. He did his best. Today, Governor Adeleke has expanded the concept and is delivering multiple CBD to Iwo people.
“Aside from the triangular economic district covering Junction Osogbo, palace junction and the main roundabout, the Governor has added a magic touch to Odoori market, making it a truly South West market with an innovative road network. Iwo has never had it so good.
“It is therefore retrogressive for any Iwo indigene to canvas a vote for an Ikire man. An Ede man has proved beyond doubt that he is a true friend of Iwo. Beyond the CBD innovations, over 20 kilometers of roads have been constructed by the same Ede man.
“Iwo people must rise to defend their developmental gains. If we failed to attract development in the past, we must hold tight to the current winning train. From decades of neglect under so called progressive groups, Iwo is today realising and achieving its dreams. We cannot look or go back.
“I task our leaders, elders, elite, young ones and student leaders to support continuity of state leadership. We don’t want abandoned projects. We want the dualisation to reach Adeke junction with a flyover bridge. We need a flyover at Odoori. We need dualisation of Olupoona junction to Kara market. The Ede man will deliver all these for us.
“As student leaders, you have a duty to rise and strengthen the pro-development forces now taking Iwo to greater heights. Iwo is accordingly getting it right and we cannot afford to retrogress. This is a pan-Iwo agenda that we must all support with all strengths at our disposal”, the Spokesperson told the student leaders.
Speaking earlier, the FILSU president, Ibrahim Adijat Morayo expressed deep appreciation of Iwo students to the governor for the ongoing massive upgrade of infrastructure at Iwo, describing it “a game changer for the people of the ancient town”.
The first female president of FILSU spoke further: “Iwo is experiencing rapid development never witnessed before and we must acknowledge the deep love Mr Governor has for Iwoland. Our town is changing for the better and wearing a new look as senatorial Headquarter.
“We love Iwo and Osun to continue to grow and develop. We know the governor has even greater plans for us. I met the governor at Osogbo recently and he told me:”you have not seen anything yet’
“We embrace continuity. We pledge to fully mobilise our members for the August polls. We are doing this for the sake of our town that was neglected for so long by previous governments”, she declared.
The FILSU president was accompanied by the Vice President, Tijani Marzook Ayofe; social director, Ishola Olaitan Adejoke; General Secretary, Sulaiman Hamzat Olaide; and former sports director, Bello Hammed Ayankunmi.
