The International chairman of Oluponna Home and Diaspora forum, Mr Sabitu Mutiu Alafe, on Saturday September 25, 2021 unwrapped the journey so far.
In his opening speech at the maiden event tagged; THE JOURNEY SO FAR, an assessment and re-engineering of Oluponna home and diaspora commitment to the service of our fatherland.
The Genesis of Oluponna Home and Diaspora was from a WhatsApp forum, it was observed in the platform how the forum can re-unite Oluponna sons and daughters, home and abroad.
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Having realized community service as a process of change, amelioration and empowerment of the people’s situation in social, economic, physical, cultural and environmental aspects and to keep it’s sustenance in the future. We swiftly set up the underlisted for checks and balances;
- The elders council
- The executive
- Technical implementation committee
- Education committee
- Economic and security committee
- Health committee
- Adhoc committee
The formations of the above mentioned committees has helped us tremendously in achieving our target goals.
The education committee had organized education summit in 2019, where the lopsidedness in our educational atmosphere was treated and possible solutions raised.
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Also, health committee has been able to raise funds twice to attend to life threatening situations. The economic and security committee has been responsible for the non-interest loan, which today has saw many beneficiaries and counting.
Four beneficiaries are to go home with the sum of N50,000 each repayable with zero interest. Several other beneficiaries with lower amount shall receive their loan as soon as conditions are met.
It was a great occasion at the first anniversary of Oluponna home and diaspora, His Royal Highness, Oba Emmanuel Oyebamiji Oyeleso, Fadare II was so elated in his speech
‘It’s with great pleasure that I take part in this epoch making event and first anniversary’
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The monarch admonished the organizers for the honor and invitation, Olupo was quoted as saying
“The concept of community development is collective responsibility anywhere in the world and history would write down the success of the Oluponna Home and Diaspora since it’s inception in changing the philosophy of dealing with socio political-economic sectors from the concept of the traditional charity work in spite of its importance into a more positive concept that aims to head towards turning these sectors into effective potentials that are qualified for participation and giving, and as a force of the human developmental investment forces.”
The monarch further charged other Oluponna indigenes home and diaspora to participate in taking the ancient town to her promise land by giving scholarships to students, giving economic empowerments, educational summits, rendering of healthcare services.
He concluded his speech by urging every sons and daughters of the town to have a stake in the Oluponna Home and Diaspora project to take Oluponna to eldorado.
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Professor Abel Oludele Adigun in his key note address made case for steps in business/organizational process re-engineering.
The erudite professor stated emphatically that the forum is running and accountable and transparent administration which is note worthy, he expressed his satisfaction as the patron of the forum.
Furthermore, the forum was advised to create an advisory body to include the National president and the secretary of the Oluponna Development Association.
Professor Adigun re-echoed how the emergence of Oluponna Home and Diaspora forum has been helpful in rejuvenation of the town and her populace.
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Hon Femi Idowu Okanola in his speech appreciates the contributions of the forum in combating poverty in the town, pledges his administrations unalloyed support to any future program of the Oluponna Home and Diaspora forum.
To be politically involved and enjoy more dividends of democracy, Hon Leke Ogunsola calls for political participation in all strata to give the town more recognition at the state level and to draw political concentration.
O’Leke as popularly known described Oluponna as a second home to all politicians and as such affirm that with enough participation in politics, the town would gain access to social and economical development.