Written and compiled by Omoruyi Hannah J
The Polytechnic Ile-Ife, Osun State
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has unveiled ambitious plans to elevate the infrastructure and cultural significance of Ile-Ife, declaring his intent to be remembered as the leader who transformed the historic city into a modern cultural and tourism center.
During a meeting with the Ife Development Board, Adeleke announced the initiation of significant upgrades, starting with the Lagere flyover and the dualization of the road leading to the Ooni’s palace. “Our administration is dedicated to completing the flyover project and improving the road infrastructure to enhance access to the Ooni palace,” he stated. The governor emphasized the importance of these developments in enhancing the city’s appeal.
Adeleke also assured the board that a request to expand the dualization project to Ilesa Garage would be assessed by his technical team for further action.
In addition to infrastructure, the governor addressed security concerns raised by the Ife Development Board, revealing plans to reform the state’s Amotekun security service. He explained that local vigilantes and forest hunters would collaborate with Amotekun and other formal security agencies to enhance safety in Osun’s urban and rural areas.
Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, President of the Ife Development Board, commended Governor Adeleke for his developmental initiatives across Osun State, particularly in Ile-Ife. He highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to infrastructure, security, and agriculture, stating, “Ile-Ife is our collective heritage. It deserves more than passing attention. As the ancestral home of all Yoruba, both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, we have a duty to transform it into a more welcoming and amiable place.”
Governor Adeleke lamented the slow pace of physical and infrastructural development in Ile-Ife, calling for an extensive upgrade of flyovers, dualized roads, and other facilities that reflect its status as the cultural capital of the Yoruba people. According to his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, the governor expressed deep concern over the ancient city’s developmental outlook during the meeting with the Ife Development Board at the government house.
