IPOIDU: Elevate Ilaje Kingdom to a Modern City, Stakeholders Tell Aiyedatiwa
By Olusegun HOSEA, Akure
24th May, 2026.
The Indigenous People of Ilaje Development Union (IPOIDU) , a registered and none governmental organization, -NGO that is meant for the development of Ilaje land has called on the Executive Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to, as a matter of urgency, give the development of Ilaje communities top priority, considering the enormous natural resources deposited in the area for the development of the region and beyond. The call came from the leadership of the union during their weekly virtual meeting held today to discuss issues concerning Ilaje land.
The leadership of the union condemned the lack of infrastructural development in the region despite the oil and other mineral resources deposited there by the Creator. According to the Aare of Ilaje land, Bode Thomas, the Ondo State Government should borrow from the experience of the former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, an Ilaje man who represented his people well by transforming Epe into a modern city in Lagos State.
The speaker said Ilaje had remained backward for years due to the absence of government attention to the development of the region. However, now that their son occupies the seat of authority and is in control of both human and natural resources within the region and the state at large, the people of Ilaje communities should expect rapid development in the area.
Emphasis was laid on late Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, late Olusegun Agagu, Adefarati, and several others, highlighting how they used the resources of the state to improve the lives of people from their respective regions. Today, their people continue to appreciate them for the remarkable development they brought to their communities.
They therefore urged him to do more for his people, considering the age-long neglect that has plagued the region for years. The Governor was also reminded to make adequate use of the opportunities provided by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) for the development of Ilaje communities before the expiration of his tenure
Speaking, the meeting also acknowledged the role of the Traditional Rulers in maintaining peace and tranquility in the region but however challenged them to also work together in unity in order to fastract development to the environment like we have in other parts of the state.
In another development, the meeting expressed concern that Ilaje people are the golden hen laying golden eggs for other ethnic groups in the state to benefit from, yet they continue to suffer neglect. They therefore called for proactive actions from the state government to fast-track the development of the region.
According to them, the multi-billion-naira oil industries operating in the region have caused a lot of havoc to the area while using the resources derived from the land to beautify other places, thereby leaving the people at the mercy of God.
