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Igbemo-Ekiti,
Ekiti State
Nigeria
NEWS
1. A New Oba of Igbemo is coming soon...
2. The following memo is Chief Olorunda Akinwande's response to IDO Initiatives:
Date: 6th July 2007
From: Chief Olorunda Akinwande
markenakin012@yahoo.com
To: Prof. Wole Akindahunsi
Omololu2000@aol.com
CC: Dr. Olu Adeleye
Oluadeleye61@aol.com
Subject: Chief Olorunda Akinwande’s input: Re: Igbemo Diaspora Organisation
Bulletin.
1. Appreciation
a) Without doubt your packaged working paper is award winning (for you and the pivotal group). I tag it TRANSFORMING, NEW, IGBEMO AGENDA.
b) Your phone discussions are no less stimulatingly vibrant. The vision, mission and passion are thoughtful.
c) We the living like-mind old soldiers are satisfied that the tomorrow of Igbemo, even in the global Village is hopeful.
2. Obaship succession and advice
(i) Prince Adewumi Daramola has been properly briefed and is being honestly advised. He will be sincerely guided but not intimidated in the choice of advisers and instruments of Office.
(ii) Constraints
The pockets of challenges and resistance are fizzling out. They are at best seeking recognition.
(iii) Coronation and attendant activities.
The choice of date is not wholly that of one body or person. It is subjective. The Local and State governments, regulated due process, tradition, Omo Obas, the Community, and finance are factors. December proposal could still be worked out considering the role of IDO. We will work and pray.
(iv) Orun Issue.
There is solace and palpable calm because of the justified selection of Prince Adewumi. All shades of opinion and interest groups seem ready to sheath swords for enduring, harmonious resolution and unity.
3. Final rites / Memorial Ceremonies for Oba Olominu II.
The divisions and unyielding stances in this household do not favour, for now, united and centrally organized ceremonies. On-going sectional arrangements have advanced such that an imposed shift could be chaotic. Brokered is the level playing ground for as many groups as would want to honour the departed to do so without acrimony.
They are advised to act in love and to give room for future reconciliation. The one that should involve the community would be centrally and appropriately planned.
4. STRUCTURES DESIGNED BY IDO
(i) Commendation
Once again I commend your valued and guiding ‘Organogram’. It is just superb.
(ii) IDO Executive Council
The structure (14 member Council) exclusive to IDO as designed is ok but could accommodate a few more activities. See the list of those who readily come to mind elsewhere in this memo. They may be those who you might not readily remember but who are on hand within the IDO axis. Except, of course, you have other responsibilities for some of them, my thinking might be considerable.
5. PROJECTS.
You have identified adequate projects and programs for the fancied ‘new born’ New ideas, except to build flesh, where necessary, might over-load the truck and thereby truncate the mission.
(i) Igbemo Consultative Assembly (ICA)
The ICA, as structured, is welcome. It will give life to comatose organizations, which had been devalued, jettisoned or abandoned because of wrong values. With it in place, all that existed or new progressive and developmental clubs and associations would spring up again. The long awaited translation and transformation seems in sight. A little push will lead us to the Promised Land. There would be need to create branches in every city or group of cities with sizeable number of Igbemos.
(ii) Igbemo Youth Carnival (IYC)
The establishment of a Youth Forum will secure the tomorrow of the town. Starting with Students Union, peer groups, age brackets etc the IYC dream will be actualized.
Today’s youth rather than queue behind the adult groupings find themselves ruling freelancing and dictating. This accounts for avoidable mistakes of the head due to lack of orientation.
(iii) Igbemo Community Service Awards (ICS)
A river that forgets its source will dry. Reviving the once casually celebrated remembrance of dead and living heroes is well thought. If nothing, the joy of appreciating values will propel people to sacrificially serve the town.
The aims and objectives are good and challenging.
(iv) Igbemo Development Trust Fund. (IDTF)
In this competitive era communities sweat and struggle for existence and sustenance. Achievements depend on how much each Community or individual can generate or earn. Empowerment is the core route to prosperity. Government funds are scarcely available or accessible for amenities and needs. Hence the need for refundable loan to individuals. Globally, small and medium scale entrepreneurship, including family in-house productions, is the poverty alleviation modules. The government is promoting micro finance institutions and reoriented Community banking with minimum of N20million financial base. As proposed, a well planned sourcing of fund to manage would empower and make a turning point in the lives of the populace.
(v) N20million Development Fund Raising.
Distinct from the IDTF above, this fund raising understandably is targeted at Community development. It is to be tied to the coronation activities. There would be target projects / programs. Properly packaged, Philanthropists would be enthused to make useful contributions.
As I believe and can understand the onus of raising this fund is 90% on the IDO. Vast as you are with grant and aid attracting projects / programs in your overseas abode your input and generation cannot be less than 90%. At the home front identifying needs and providing logistics friendly to the desired investments would be ours. I am rest assured you people are up to the task.
CAPTAINS OF UNITS, OFFICES AND OFFICE HOLDERS.
Your presentation has enumerated convincingly how and who to manage identified units. It is a job well done. You will recall I advised that the draft should be cautiously circulated until certain inputs and observations by identified contributors are made. It is to forestall people hiding under the excuse of not being called to serve, recognized or reckoned with to be cold, lethargically, disenchanted and counter productive. Not that they are more committed or more resourceful than the originators. Again unconsciously, one or two useful hands might be over sighted. Hence the wisdom in rubbing minds before circulating a final paper.
(i) Assignments
Some of us you confined in and discussed with, honestly owe a responsibility to play roles according to callings and talents. Updated, some of us must be ready to “tell the story and keep the faith” by piloting where necessary. You can trust I will give my best in or out of office. A key role might suffice for now. Better still only a few predetermined positions should be allocated and published for now. Thus, responsibilities would be equitable shared.
I accept to coordinate after Mr. Olowosejeje (strategically positioned) would have convened and Engr. Dayisi facilitates the inauguration of the ICA. When the platform is set we shall call for election into offices. Whosoever emerges as what would have unanimous support. I would recommend same for the other units using others as captains rather than recirculating some of us. It is to avoid undue pressure and over saturation and for result.
ELONGATING YOUR PRIMARY LIST.
(i) Olu Akinwande: Two of you said that Olu would be brought into the fold after due discussion with him. We discussed with him even while he was driving. He consented and is ready to team up with you. He promised to reach out to you. I hope you’ve gotten to yourselves. I am sure he will take responsibilities.
(ii) Patriotic and as usual of him, Mr. Wole Anifowose imbibed and accepted the concept and is disposed to be part of the project. You know he is our (Lagos IDA) branch Chairman. He has and is still investing much of his resources to our causes even when there are no more meetings; talk less of avenue to repay our indebtedness to him. He readily offered to contact Dele Anifowose, his son in the UK, to join hands with you. I have given Wole your phone numbers.
(iii) I have informed Michael Awe in Chicago. He was not until then informed. He and his wife promise to make contacts to join hands with you.
(iv) At my level I can remember a few indigenes in Diaspora who you may or may not know. You can add their names to your list so that you can have a reservoir to “harvest” names for responsibilities. They include Dr. Funmi Olonisakin and her simblings, my Bimbo, (Ajetunmobi) Ope Adesola, Sanya Olajide and Siblings, Dr. Mrs. Ronke Awe (Nee Daramola) Tunji Oloniluyi, Lanre Oloniniyi, Rev. Olajide, Dr. Seyi Elesin (Nee Olowokere) and some others especially in Ireland. Locally here, we have Chief Mrs. Lana Olonisakin, Ven. Luyi Akinwande, Dr. Johnson Omotoso, Dr. Ropo Adeyemo, Mrs Yemi Akinbulumo, (Jegede) and Siblings. Messrs Olu Adeyemo. Ayo Owolabi Emman Owolabi, Toyin Owolabi, Chief & Mrs. J.O. Odu, Rotimi Odu and Siblings, Mess James Fagbolagun, Martin Familade, Biodun Oluwole, Oso Omotoso, Bamidele Oluwole, Kola Oluwole, Mrs Bimipe Sodipe and simblings, the Baloguns, Olori Abike Olayemi, Mrs. Yemisi Familua, Alhaji Abdul Adejuyigbe, The Oluwadumiyes Messrs Segun Adetifa, Sanya Jegede, Emman Ogunjobi and siblings, Lawrence Abegunde (JP) Femi & Mrs. Adesola, Chief Jones Babalola, Chief Sedu Alli, Mr. Saka Sedu, Mr & Mrs. Joseph Olowokere, Mrs. Deborah Adeyemo, Chief C.I. Akinluyi the Oloketuyis etc. You can imagine how many more would make the list. Blended with those you have listed now and many more to be submitted by others there would be equitable distribution of responsibilities and many helping hands.
OUR MENTORS’ OFFSPRINGS.
At this juncture the need to identify, locate and enlist the services of the off springs of our mentors cannot be over emphasized. We revered their parents and followed after them. Wherever the children are, they should identify with us to continue the good work some of us followed their parents to do even when we were tender.
IGBEMO DAUGHTERS MARRIED TO OTHERS
Beijing toga has lifted woman fold. Women are now proud and confidential demand their share of political, social and professional rights. Many go back to source for grassroots support or putch. We should search for and enlist ours for the project. NEW IGBEMO.
OUR WIVES.
Our wives should be treated as we men in the project ‘Igbemo’.
CONCLUSION.
Your request asking us to bring up new ideas, ‘edit and audit’ your work marvels me.
What you have done is more than enough for a good start. It will take us years to productively accomplish your presentation.
Your efforts to put Igbemo on the web are appreciated and evidently reflect your value and love for your birthplace. Please keep it on. Please for clear identity remember to always write Igbemo-Ekiti and importantly too on the web and especially when communicating with non-natives.
Thanks and God bless.
Olorunda Akinwande (Chief)
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