Ijesa Development Assembly (IDA) Starts Distribution of N7.5m Palliatives Across Ijesaland

Ijesa Development Assembly (IDA), a congregation of all Ijesa sons and daughters at home and abroad, was established for the purpose of creating Ijesaland's progress, unity and development. It is an umbrella of associations, with the objective of pulling everybody together for the development of the land.


Immediately the Covid-19 lockdown happened and people were all ordered to stay at home, the IDA decided to put things together to help the needy in its effort to cushion the effect the Stay-at-Home order. This initiative which was thrown open on its platform on the 1st of May, 2020 was generally welcome and within three weeks, N12m was contributed.

For the Ijesaland Covid-19 Relief Support for the vulnerable ones, the State of Osun Community and Social Development office (CSDP), was approached. The Community Development Council (CDC), Chairmen who know their community very well were also co-opted and they set out and produced the people who really need assistance in the communities under their watch.

Because of the Covid-19, the IDA thought it fit that they should assist the needy, who they believe might be affected because of the lockdown. The Assembly penciled down 1500 people to be assisted within the 12 local governments of Ijesaland. 125 people were selected in each of the local governments.

The kickoff of the distribution of the relief support of N5000 to each of the selected beneficiaries was held on Thursday 7th, May 2020 at the palace of Elegboro of Ijebu-Ijesa, HRM Oba (Engr.) Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye II, who had Oba Adenipekun Alowolodu, the Elere of Ere-Ijesa as his guest.

Also, in attendance were the initiator and the Chairman of the Assembly, Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa and members of the COVID-19 Relief Support Team which include Prof. Kolawole Kazeem, Mr. Akin Ajayi-Obe, Dr. Dipo Folorunso, Chief Afolabi Igbaroola, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, Mrs. Victoria Oluwaseun, Mr. Kayode Ogedengbe among others.

Also present were the Community and Social Development Project Director in the State of Osun, Mrs. Funmi Abokede and Chairmen of Community Development Council represented by Chief Gboyega Ajeleti.

Explaining the reason for the decision of the Assembly to give cash as palliatives, Oba Agunsoye said that many of the aged beneficiaries are in need of cash to purchase such essentials like drugs and other commodities.

The highlight of the occasion was the giving out of envelopes containing the sum to twenty of the two hundred and fifty beneficiaries of Oriade LG who represented others because of the need to maintain social distancing. Measures have been put in place to reach other beneficiaries at home. In all, one thousand and five hundred vulnerable peole have been selected cutting across all the twelve Local Government/Council Development Areas at the calculation of one hundred and fifty per council.

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