Obas and Communities in Ijesaland have unanimously endorsed Good Governance at all the Six Local Governments in Ijesaland during the Ijesa Stakeholders Conference for the Inauguration and Public Presentation of Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) Members to the public.
The newly inaugurated members of Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) that were sworn in by the team of legal luminaries comprising of Barr. Dele Ibironke, SAN; Chairman Ilesa NBA Chapter, Barr. Raymond Oki; and five other legal practitioners were former Acting Statistician General of the Federation, Dr Adigun Adewoye, Chairman; Chairman of CHAMS PLC, Sir Ademola Aladekomo, Vice Chairman; Chairman of Osun Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Dr Olusanya Olujide, General Secretary; Lagos Legal Practitioner, Barr. Mrs Funmi Obisan, Legal; Renowned Financial Technocrat, Dr Remi Folorunso FCA, Finance; Project Consultant, Mr Ayodeji Odeyemi; and Former Vice President Ijesa Youth Forum, Mr Tobi Adeleye, Youth.
According to the keynote address delivered by Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi, The Asiwaju of Ijesaland, who doubles as The Chairman, Ijesa Community Development Assembly (ICDA) and The Chairman, Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) Steering Committee expressed that for years, local governments in Nigeria have struggled under the heavy hand of state administration, who wielding significant control over local councils, have often undermined their autonomy. This control manifested in various ways, including the dissolution of elected councils, the appointment of caretaker committees, and the manipulation of local government funds through the State Joint Local Government Account. These practices have stifled local governance, inhibited development, and disenfranchised citizens at the grassroots level. The over-centralisation of power perpetuated inefficiencies and corruption.
According to him, the move of the Supreme Court ruling of Thursday 11th July 2024 set the councils free from the yokes of the state administration, granting them financial autonomy and upholds the constitutional guarantee of a system of local government by democratically elected councils, as enshrined in the Constitution.
However, the local government autonomy has attracted reactions across different stakeholders’ group which centered on the anxiety and fears about the capacity and capability of the Chairpersons of LGAs to transparently and accountably utilise this fresh opportunity to prudently, judiciously, and sustainably transform their respective communities of jurisdictions with the resources received from the Federal Allocation in addition to their own Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Asiwaju Fasuyi stated that these concerns were the driving force behind the creation of the Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM). He stressed that Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM), a monitoring group was birthed by Ijesa Community Development Assembly (ICDA) and endorsed by His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, CFR, LL.D, Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland on Thursday 29th August, 2024 with a responsibility to enthrone good governance, transparency, accountability in the use and application of public resources most especially at all our six local governments in Ijesaland.
Asiwaju Fasuyi underlined that Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) as a WIN-WIN to all Interests and Stakeholders in Ijesaland, be it Politicians and Political Class; Electorates; Community Members, Women, Men, Youths, Taditional Rulers and Chiefs; Vulnerable Groups, Market Associations, Religious Groups, Poorest of the Poor, Socio-Cultural Groups, Pan-Ijesa Societies and Clubs etc.
Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi further reiterated that Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) will be proactively shielding the political groups from the exposure and vulnerabilities to anti-corruption agencies like Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Federal Ministry of Justice and other litigants.
He noted that out of the three tiers of government in Nigeria, President has Immunity while in Office, State Governors have Immunity while Office but Local Government Chairmen do not have Immunity while in the Office. Due to this lack of constitutional immunity protection for Local Government Chairpersons, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is waiting out to bite, Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is waiting to jail, Federal Ministry of Justice is waiting to disgrace, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) is waiting to embarrass, Community Based Organisations (CBOs) are waiting to humiliate, any Local Government Chairperson who has misappropriated Local Government Funds.
Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi emphasized that in order to prevent EFCC embarrassing our Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons, SERAP humiliating and ICPC arresting them, Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) will be proactively monitoring the activities of the Local Government Areas in Ijesaland and help call the attention of Local Government to activities in which they claimed to have done and identify with them where there are gaps.
He noted that through the monitoring of local government activities, primary education will be attended to and children will have access to quality primary education which is bedrock of human capital development, access to good primary healthcare services, agriculture for food security; farmers will be able to cultivate on their farms year round with the help of mechanized farming and irrigation systems to enhance productivity.
Also speaking at the Inauguration, The Representative of Iwarefa-Mefa Ijesa, Alademure Ogboni of Ibokun, HRM Oba Festus Kayode Awogboro expressed that the Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) will serve as a pathway to the transformation of Ijesaland by enabling people to feel the meaning of democracy, that is the Government of the People, by the People and for the People, which has long been alienated for.
According to The President Ijesa South Traditional Rulers Council and Ogboni of Ipole, HRM Oba Samson Kehinde Oyebade Oyeleye expressed that the Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) will reposition the traditional institution and ensure their inclusion in governance leadership and structure.
In his word, The President Ijesa North Traditional Rulers Council & Owamiran of Esa-Oke, HRM Oba Adeyemi Adediran noted that bad governance has brought the country to its knees and it is responsible largely for the past and present misfortunes. However, IIDM will bring about Good Governance, Accountable and Responsive Democracy, Effective and Efficient System, Egalitarianism and Sustainable Democracy in the Six Local Government Areas in Ijesaland.
Asotun of Isotun-Ijesa, HRM Oba (Prof) Owosekun expressed that the initiative of the ICDA to give birth to IIDM is quite laudable. He further reiterated that the concept of IIDM should have come earlier before now; however, it is never late than ever. He further stressed that activities of IIDM will help the Local Chairmen to be focused on delivering services and development projects that will lead to better governance and accountability.
HRM Oba (Prof) Owosekun further said that the IIDM in its activities will help in prioritizing projects and programmes that will each community though the Needs Assessment, thereby promoting grassroots development.
Alamuye of Amuye Faforiji-Ijesa, HRM Oba (Dr) Adebayo Faforiji said that IIDM will ensure delivery of essential services like healthcare, primary education and infrastructural development to the people without interference.
Chairman Obokun Local Government Traditional Rulers Council, Owa Ooye of Imesi-Ile, HRM Oba Enoch Ademola Akinyemi stated that the need for IIDM becomes imperative to promote good governance, transparency, accountability and results-driven administration in Ijesaland.
Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesa, HRM Oba Hakeem Olusayo Ogungbamgbe applauded the ICDA in its transformation agenda in ensuring that good governance are delivered to the people in Ijesaland.
The Ijesaland Stakeholders Conference also featured the Swearing- in of 7- Members of Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) which was presided over by Barr. Dele Ibironke, SAN. The Inaugurated Members included Dr. Adigun Adewoye as the Chairman; Sir Ademola Aladekomo, Vice Chairman; Dr. Olusanya Olujide, General Secretary; Dr. Oluremi Folorunso, Member; Barr. Funmi Obisan, Member; Mr. Ayodeji Odeyemi, Member; Mr. Tobi Adeleye, Member.
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| Dr. Adigun Adewoye |
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| Tobi Adeleye |
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| Mr. Ayodeji Odeyemi |
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| Dr. Oluremi Folorunso |
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| Barr. Funmi Obisan |
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| Dr. Olusanya Olujide |
Also featured at the Ijesaland Stakeholders Conference was the Public Presentation of Register Of Advocates of Good Governance In Ijesaland by Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi.
The IIDM Chairman, Dr. Adigun Adewoye appreciated the ICDA for the confidence reposed in him and other members of IIDM to serve in this capacity. He promised to pursue the objectives of IIDM and strengthen Good Governance, Transparency, Accountability and Results-driven Administration in the Six Local Government Areas of Ijesaland through their monitoring assessment.
The attendance at the Ijesaland Stakeholders Conference for the Inauguration and Public Presentation of Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) comprises of the Traditional Rulers from all the Six Local Government Areas in Ijesaland, Pan- Ijesa Societies and Clubs; Churches and Mosque Leaders; Professional Bodies and Associations; All the Vocational Trade Associations; The Youth Organisations and The Market Women and Men Leaders, representing all the stakeholders in Ijesaland unanimously endorsed the instrument of Ijesaland Independent Development Monitors (IIDM) for the promotion of Good Governance, Transparency, Accountability and Results-driven Administration of the Six Local Government Areas in Ijesaland.
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