The Giant Strides of Alaa Ojarotade that is moving Ilaa-Ijesa gradually towards a more advanced town

The ancient town of Ilaa-Ijesa in the Atakumosa West Local Government of Osun State of Nigeria is located between Muroko and Oke-Ibode on the road to Kajola ijesa while using Ilesa Isale-General Hospital road as a link to Osogbo.

His Royal Highness Oba Dr. Ojarotade Adewale, Ogbeesun II, ascended the throne of his forefathers on November 27, 2015 and he received the Staff of Office with certificate of recognition by the State of Osun government on February 1, 2016 to make the 13th recorded Alaa of Ilaa-Ijesa. He has been credited with much over his 5 years reign so far.

Oba Ojarotade is undoubtedly a monarch with class, an enigma who has held the Ilaa-Ijesa people together in response to the covenant he made with them at his coronation.

His love for his people moved him to inaugurate the Ilaa Progressive Union (I.P.U) and within this short period on the throne, the 13th Alaa has attracted a number of developmental projects in his community, including a modern palace administrative building attached to the old palace that he has equally renovated.

He is attracting government’s attention to the town.

The Alaa is encouraging and working with the Ilaa Progressive Union for better results. One of his most important achievements is the enthronement of peace in Ilaa-Ijesa and environ particular at this time of illegal artisanal miners incursion into Ijesaland. He carries everybody along, including Ilaa-Ijesa citizens in the Diaspora. His efforts and love for the town has resulted to the following highlighted achievements:

BUSINESS

The King facilitated the establishment of a new Ilaa-Ijesa mordern market and this is giving the town prominence and attracting traders from far and near.

EDUCATION

Kabiyesi has influenced the construction of new blocks of classrooms , toilets and provision of furniture to the classrooms done by the Osun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Also under his reign National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members were posted to Ilaa-Ijesa for the first time.

CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION:

Construction of a morden Town Hall equipped with necessary amenities.

Renovation of the old existing palace.

Perimeter fencing of the Palace for security purpose.

Construction of new modern Palace Office for administrative use of the king.

SOCIAL ADVOCACY:

Inauguration of Ilaa Progressive Union (I.P.U.)

Provision of four potable water supply by the World Bank Assisted Project (CSDP), Rotary Club of Ilesa Metropolitan, Senator Francis Fadahunsi and the biggest of all done by Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

Payment of Monthly Stipends to the 40 aged women from social intervention programme from the Office of the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Conservation of the land of Ilaa-Ijesa from illegal Miners.

Conservation of the forest of Ilaa-Ijesa to prevent land

depletion.

Approval of Nigeria Police Force (NPF) post in Ilaa-Ijesa.

Road rehabilitations by World Bank through RAMP Agency from Isale-General, Muroko, Ilaa-Ijesa , Oke-bode to Kajola-Ijesa.

Provision of Electricity to the Community.

Provision of solar light to the Town.

Appointment of the Son of Ilaa-Ijesa, Hon Minirun Bello as the Secretary to the Atakumosa West Local Government Area of Osun State for the first time in the history of the Community.

Oba Dr. Adewale Ojarotade was born some decades ago to the Ogbeesun Ruling House of Ilaa-Ijesa. For his elementary education, he attended The Apostolic Primary School Igbogi/ Ikoyi, Ilesa till the year 1977 and for his secondary school education, he attended Methodist High School, Ilesa where he had his Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in the year 1982.

Thereafter, he attended Divisional Training College, Ijebu-Jesa where he graduated in 1984. After that, he got admission to study at the then Oyo State College of Education, Ila-Orangun where he studied Agricultural Science and graduated in the year 1988.

Kabiyesi attended Lagos State University, Ojoo, Lagos State where he studied Plant Science and graduated in the year 2002; there, he also bagged Masters degree in Mycology in the year 2008.

In order to serve God better, he had a Diploma in Deaconship from the Logos School of Theological College, while in the year 2016, he got admission to Christ-Pattern Divinity College affiliated to United States of America where he bagged Ph.D. in Divinity.

His Royal Majesty worked with Leadway Assurance Company, Kaduna for seven (7) years after he had his SSCE. He left the company for School to further his education. In the year 1990, he was employed to Osun State Agricultural Development Programme (OSSADEP) till 1995. He started his teaching career as a Classroom Teacher at Isolo Community High School, Isolo-Ijesa between the year 1995 and 2000; also, Ilaa-Ijesa Community High School 2000-2013. Thereafter, in the year 2013, he was posted as Vice-Principal at The Apostolic Middle School, Oke-Ooye till 2015 when he left the teaching service for the throne.

Kabiyesi was a full time Horticulturist known as Ojarotade gardens , specialist in floriculture , nursing of agro fruits, Tree planting, bee- keeping, Orchard farming, Vegetable gardens and Consultancy and Training programmes from year 2000 till 2015.

He is a socialite, he was an Administrative Secretary of the Root Club of Ilesa from 2007 to 2015. He has travelled far and wide to countries like USA, UK, Canada, Australia and even most African Countries . He has passion for his country side, Ilaa-Ijesa.

Presently, he is the Secretary of the Ijesa South Traditional Council (consisting of: Atakunmosa West Local Government, Atakunmosa West Central L.C.D.A., Atakunmosa East Local Government, Atakunmosa East L.C.D.A.) with the Oloja of Ibodi, His Royal Majesty, Oba Omisade as the President.

In a chat with our correspondent, Kabiyesi pinpointed some other needs of the community including:

Tarring of the road from Ilesa Isale General Hospital-Muroko-Ilaa ijesa-Oke Ibode to Kajola Ijesa, siting of tertiary institution in the area and provision of good and stable telecommunication network by providers.