It was pomp and pageantry on Saturday at the 2024 Ikire Day celebration as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, announced donations facilitated from friends, business partners, political associates and professional colleagues to support the developmental projects in his hometown, Ikire, in Irewole Local Government Area of Osun state.

The former Osun Commissioner of Finance, who disclosed how he was rallied round by his friends and political associates to generate and raise the funds for development purpose of the town, stated that the donors handsomely donated directly into the accounts of the Ikire Progressive Union, IPU as provided by the Planning Committee.

Oyebamiji and friends who stimulated the occasion with their elegant appearance and presence were showered encomiums on by the excited sons and daughters of the ancient town who went into spontaneous jubilations in appreciation of their generosity and heart-of-giving to advance the developmental cause of the town.

Oyebamiji, who is the Asiwaju of Ikire-land, was enthusiastically ushered to the podium in company of the Osun State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal, friends and political associates.

Addressing the gathering, Oyebamiji pointed out that the donations running into millions were generously contributed by his friends he personally spoke to on the quest to support his town for development.

Oyebamiji, who also analysed how the funds were raised and contributed by his friends specifically and emphatically mentioned N25million naira cash donated by his friends to support the town as well as another N10million generously gifted to Chiefs and wife of the monarch (Olori) in appreciation of their significant contributions to the peaceful coexistence, unity and love reigning in the town.

He announced that his friends had equally purchased a brand new vehicle for Akire of Ikire to further ease the activities of the palace.

While congratulating the Akire of Ikireland, Oba Olatunde Falabi, sons and daughters of the ancient town on the successful celebration of the Day, Oyebamiji noted that the annual celebration has been a great source of unity, love, brotherhood and bond between and among sons and daughters of the ancient town.

Oyebamiji acknowledged the support garnered from his allies to support the cause of the town as millions of naira were willingly donated for the execution of developmental projects.

He attributed the existing peace reigning in the town to the leadership quality of the monarch, chiefs and peace-loving residents of the town just as he pledged his continued support to the town.

Oyebamiji implored the indigenes of the ancient town, home and in the diaspora to continue to prioritize the growth and development of the town, saying “in all, Ikire is first.”