The Ijesaland Cooperative Society has been officially opened by Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, with a 128 million Naira donation.
64 million Naira of the sum was donated by the state government and the remaining 64 million Naira came from Ijesa sons and daughters through the ICDA, while the mind blowing Owa Obokun's donation is said to be announced later .
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, at the Oba Adekunle Aromolaran Civic Centre Ilesa, Governor Adeleke noted that the government has previously disbursed N140 million naira to the six Local Government Areas of Ijesaland under its cooperative program.
Represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, the governor commended Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup and leadership of the ICDA over the numerous developments recorded in the land with less than a decade, urging other clans to follow suit for the overall economic growth of Osun State.
"I therefore see today's programme as a partnership between government and the people. Government alone cannot do everything. Sustainable development is best achieved when communities organise themselves, identify their priorities and work hand in hand with government to realise them. The ICDA has demonstrated that spirit and I encourage other communities across Osun State to emulate this worthy example.
To the newly registered cooperative societies, I congratulate you on attaining this important milestone. Receiving your certificates today is not the end of the journey but rather the beginning of greater responsibility. I urge you to uphold transparency, accountability, discipline and prudent financial management. Let these cooperatives become engines of genuine economic growth and not mere associations existing only on paper"
The governor recommended a monetary reward for outstanding wards as a means to encourage optimal practices and counselled members of the Ijesaland Cooperative Society to exercise prudence in managing the revolving loan, avoiding unnecessary expenditures to prevent denying other applicants access.
"Let these cooperatives become engines of genuine economic growth and not mere associations existing only on paper.
I also assure you that the Government of Osun State remains committed to creating an enabling environment where cooperative societies and community based organisations can flourish. Through the Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment, we shall continue to support genuine cooperative movements that are driven by integrity and measurable impact.
Let me particularly commend the people of Ijesaland for their long standing tradition of communal development, educational advancement and enterprise. The history of Ijesaland is replete with examples of communities coming together to build schools, hospitals, roads and other critical infrastructure. Today's initiative is another chapter in that proud legacy.
As your Governor, I remain committed to ensuring that every part of Osun State receives fair attention in our development agenda. We shall continue to deepen our partnership with our traditional institutions, community development associations, the private sector and development partners in building a stronger and more prosperous Osun."
The Ijesaland Community Development Assembly released 64 million naira in seed funding to the Ijesaland Cooperative Society in furtherance of its social intervention program to combat poverty in Ijesaland.
The ICDA also awarded certificates to twenty-nine of the sixty four wards that have finalized their registration within the Ijesaland Cooperative Society.
Twenty-nine wards with completed registration were able to access the ICDA and government donation of N1 million each making two million naira per ward
The ICDA Chairman, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, who is also the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, stated that the initiative seeks to revive economic prosperity among the people of Ijesaland and re-establish the region as a hub for enterprise, innovation, productivity, and shared prosperity.
This programme did hot emerge by chance, its genesis can be traced to a strategic engagement meeting where the Asiwaju of Ijesaland, Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi sought an audience with the Osun State Ministry of Cooperative and Empowerment to address the menace of increasing displacement of our sons and daughters in the commercial activities by non- Ijesas through the introduction of Cooperative Society to be sponsored by the Ijesa Community Development Assembly (ICDA).
According to Asiwaju Fasuyi, the meeting's resolutions with the state government and ministry of cooperative were communicated to Owa Obokun Adimula, the Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, who approved the setup of the Ijesaland Cooperative Society with a substantial financial pledge to each of the 64 wards.
The Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, reiterated his steadfast commitment to economically empowering Ijesaland and invited individuals and organizations to participate in the project to actualize the long-overdue renaissance.
Represented by Oba Dr Adebayo Faforiji, the Alamuye of Amuye Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup conveyed appreciation to the state government, Ministry of Cooperative, ICDA leadership, and donors for their impactful contributions to Ijesaland's growth.
In their remarks , the Elegboro of ijebujesa, Oba Olufemi Agunsoye, the Owaloko of Iloko, Oba Akeem Ogungbamgbe and Yeyerise of Ilesa, Chief Mrs Hannah Ojo laundered the Asiwaju Fasuyi led ICDA for various pioneering and innovative development projects across Ijesaland.
They advised members of the Ijesaland Cooperative Society to leverage the opportunity for considerable economic growth..
In attendance we're traditional rulers from across the six Local government Areas of Ijesaland , government officials and ICDA members
