The Elegboro of Ijebu Jesa, Oba (Engr) Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye, Abikẹhin Ẹkun Agunsoye II has been described as a rare gift and natural-born leader by indigenes, residents and friends of kabiyesi at a special Get Together Party sponsored by the traditional ruler at his Palace in Ijebu Jesa, Osun State.
The epoch event had in attendance
Oriade Local Government Chairman, Hon. Bunmi Obeisun, Owamiran of Esa Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, Olodogo of Odogo Ijesa, Oba Joseph Adebisi Owoeye, and other traditional rulers, politicians, Egboro Council-of-Chiefs, captains of industries, residents, friends and indigenes of the ancient town who all came from far and near to identify with Elegboro on the occasion of 2021 Christmas Celebration.
Many of them took time to appraise the good virtues of Oba Agunsoye which includes humility, selfless service, honesty, meekness and indiscriminate philanthropic gesture within and beyond Ijebu-Jesa long before and after his enthronement as the Elegboro.
In his keynote address titled ‘Collaboration: A Sine-Qua-Non for Progress and Development’, Professor F.O Fagbohun of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife quoted United Nations definition of community development “as a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.” He advised every patriotic Ẹgboroans to see the development of the town as a collective responsibility regardless of individual’s class, gender, trade, age or location.
In his speech, the Global President of Ijebu-Jesa Unions Conference, Engr. Olugbemiga Abudiore described Ijebu-Jesa as a land of unity, love and patriotism. He noted that Ijebu-Jesa has recorded landmark achievements in self-help projects than many cities in Nigeria.
He lauded the visions of our forebears long before now to make Ijebu-Jesa a new Jerusalem through community efforts a legacy that has continued to witness tremendous commitment. He mentioned some of the community projects in the town to include Ijebu-Jesa Grammar School, Nigeria Postal Agency Office, General Hospital Complex, Ijebu-Jesa Town Hall, Nigeria Police Force Office, The Magistrate Court and High Court Complex, Urban Day Grammar School among others.
The gathering afforded the opportunity to discuss many ongoing community self-help projects principally the Elegboro Ultra Modern Palace and the needed collaboration to develop Ijebu-Jesa. During the palace project overview, the IJUC Global President pointed that the new palace premises will accommodate a couple of iconic centres such as the ultramodern residential palace with carport for the Kabiyesi, a community museum for historical artifacts and monuments, a pavilion for indoor games like tennis, ayo-olopon, draughts etc. The customary court will also be housed within the new palace.
Engr. Abudiore took time to highlight the progress work on the Elegboro Ultra Modern Palace project with financial implications and appreciation to all who have contributed to it so far. He posited that the project is slated for 5 stages which are decking, roofing, plumbing and electrical as well as painting and interiors.
Engr. Abudiore listed many of the donations received for the first phase of the project to include 1000 Blocks and a pledge of ₦1.5m by Oba Agunsoye out of which ₦1m has been paid. A donation of ₦2m from ₦10m pledge in 5 tranches at 5 stages of the project by Asiwaju of Ijebu Jesa, Chief Rotimi Obeisun. ₦1m donation out of ₦10m pledge by IJUC North America. ₦1m donation for the first phase of the project by Balogun of Egboro land, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, 500 Blocks by Elegboro Council-of-Chiefs, 500 Blocks by IJUC executives, amongst other donations. He thereafter appealed for further support and redemption of promises for timely completion of the project as the project progresses to the second stage.
He also announced the formation and registration of Egboro Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agribusiness with Corporate Affairs Commission which will be launched early next year. A mini fund raising towards the palace projects was held where the IJUC Global President, Engr. Olugbemiga Abudiore promised a donation of half a million and another pledge of ₦1m by an anonymous native of Ijebu Jesa among other promises.
Appreciating God for His mercy and the attendees for the honor, Oba (Engr) Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye hinted that preparation has commenced for next year’s Egboro Day and his 5th Coronation coming up in November 2022. He thereafter solicited for volunteer members of the committee. Finally, he urged anyone with special ideas and programs that will make the 5th Coronation a worthwhile event to contact him for better discussions and planning.