Development: Rebuilding Ilaje Land, A Task That Must Be Done — IPOIDU
By Olusegun HOSEA
1st June, 2026
Call for Unity and Development
The members of the Indigenous People of Ilaje Development Union (IPOIDU) , a registered nonprofit organization have called on all sons and daughters of Ilaje land to unite and bring development to the area without further delay. The call was made during the association’s weekly virtual meeting, moderated by Dr. Ayomi Akinjole, who invited Rev. Nicodemus Odolo to present a situation report on developments in Africa, which he duly did.
Update on Organizational Activities
According to him, the association needs to obtain detailed reports concerning the proposed office for the organization and other salient matters affecting the association. However, because the person assigned to present the report to the entire house was unavailable, progress within the committee was not moving as quickly as expected.
He explained that one thousand copies of the association’s flyers had been produced and distribution had already commenced in order to attract more members to join the team.
Challenges Facing Members and Membership Growth
While praying for God’s protection over all members of the organization, Nicodemus Odolo identified some of the challenges causing members to arrive late for meetings. According to him, poor internet connectivity and adverse weather conditions were among the major factors. He added that the production and distribution of the organization’s flyers had already started yielding positive results, as new members were now joining the association. He admonished members to make use of the flyers and other documents to invite more credible sons and daughters of Ilaje to the organization.
Ilaje Day and Developmental Prospects
In another development, one of the leadership of the association informed members that the Chairman of the Ilaje Local Government Council had promised to provide the letter being requested by the organization on Monday of this week. He also stated that the forthcoming Ilaje Day celebration would take place before the end of 2026. He therefore urged all members to be proactive in ensuring the success of the programme and emphasized that the investors expected to attend would contribute positively to the economic development of the entire Ilaje land.
Consequently, members were encouraged to promote the idea of Ilaje Day to ensure that it becomes a reality. They agreed that all hands must be on deck, as they were not prepared to wait for anyone unwilling to join the progressive effort aimed at making the event successful.
Concerns Over Environmental and Social Challenges
Similarly, the group used the forum to raise other critical issues affecting the people of Ilaje, which they urged the government to address. These included sea incursions and the lack of potable drinking water across the region. Since water is essential to life, they called on the government to intensify efforts toward solving these challenges permanently.
The group also drew the government’s attention to illegal mining and quarrying activities taking place in Ondo State. According to members, these activities negatively affect Ilaje land and should be addressed promptly, as they could worsen the erosion problems already being experienced in the region.
Appeal to NDDC and OSOPADEC Representatives
In the same vein, the leadership of the association also used the forum to remind the representatives of Ondo State and Ilaje land on the boards of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) to collaborate effectively and ensure that more developmental projects are attracted to the region for the benefit of the people living in those communities.
While acknowledging some of the ongoing projects being executed by these agencies in parts of the region, members of the association encouraged them to do more in the provision of social amenities and infrastructural development in communities that are still lagging behind, so that residents can begin to enjoy the dividends of democracy for which they voted.
Call for Greater Commitment to Regional Development
Furthering the discussion, Dr. Ogundeji spoke extensively on the need for OSOPADEC and other representatives of Ilaje in the National Assembly to work together in providing the region with the development it deserves. He stressed the importance of making meaningful impacts, particularly in ensuring that the Ayetoro community is rescued from the persistent threat of sea incursions.
He also called on the State Governor, being an Ilaje indigene, to ensure that the agencies established to cater for the welfare and infrastructural development of the mandate areas become more proactive and bring additional developmental projects to alleviate the pain and hardship being experienced due to inadequate development in the region. He further called for the release and disbursement of funds to OSOPADEC to enable it to effectively carry out its statutory responsibilities for the people of the region.
Sponsorship and Member Contributions
The meeting resolved that letters should be written and distributed to prospective sponsors of the programme. According to members, all hands must be on deck in order to make the initiative successful. Members were also advised to contribute financially, regardless of the amount, toward the success of the planned programme.
Commendations from Members
Among those who spoke in support of the organization’s objectives was Dr. Ogundeji Gboyega (FCA), who expressed great enthusiasm about being part of the association, especially as it was established for the development of Ilaje land. According to him, he had also invited other prominent sons and daughters of Ilaje to join the group, believing that their participation would be beneficial. He commended members for the progress being recorded by the organization.
Support for Membership Expansion
Also speaking was Dr. Mafo Akintoye, who expressed delight over the progress being achieved by the association. He disclosed that he had shared the invitation letter with nearly one thousand people, including several Ilaje indigenes whom he believed could add significant value to the platform. While some had responded positively, others were yet to join. He thanked the committee for the commendable work being done toward the development of Ilaje land.
Conclusion: A Collective Responsibility
The group concluded by reiterating its desire to see more developmental projects across Ilaje land, particularly in the areas of security, potable water supply, and electricity that would illuminate the entire region and foster genuine growth and prosperity. They noted that it is only when these essential needs are adequately provided that it can truly be said that rebuilding Ilaje land is a task that has been successfully accomplished through the collective efforts of all stakeholders.
