The Modakeke Community in Osun State has called on the State Government to come to its aid and fix several inner roads within the town and ease the hardship the residents are currently facing.
The community said many of the roads linking various settlements within were in a deplorable state, impacting negatively on social, cultural, and commercial activities.
This was disclosed by the chairman, 40th Akoraye Day planning committee, Prince Tunmbi Toriola, in Modakeke, Osun State, on Monday, at a press conference heralding activities for the annual celebrations.
Toriola, who said in a bid to address the infrastructural deficit that the town was experiencing, the community planned to raise a sum of N1billion for different developmental projects during the grand finale of this year’s edition of the Akoraye Day celebrations.
Stating the readiness of the community to partner with the state government to improve infrastructural amenities in the town, Toriola said, “Modakeke has consistently demonstrated its commitment to self-help development,” adding that “communities thrive best when government support strengthens local initiatives.”
He further said, “Today, on behalf of the entire Modakeke community, we call on the Osun State Government to take immediate and strategic action to address dilapidated and impassable access roads, poor condition of community link roads, need for upgraded health facilities, improved and expanded water supply systems, modern drainage channels to prevent flooding, and enhanced security infrastructure.
“Our roads, in particular, have become a pressing concern. They affect commerce, emergency response, social mobility, and the overall well-being of residents. One of such is the bridge at Old Nepa Area, which has been repaired to a considerable stage, yet incomplete, left to destruction.
“It is therefore both appropriate and imperative that the state government partners with us to uplift the infrastructural landscape of this historic community. We remain open to strategic engagement, collaboration, and dialogue in the interest of development.”
While reviewing the successes recorded in the past with communal efforts, Toriola noted “Modakeke High School, an ultramodern palace, a modern police station, a befitting post office and postmaster’s quarters, customary court, magistrate court, and high Court of Justice” projects as some of the initiatives executed with funds raised through Akoraye Day.
He further said that during the grand finale of the week-long activities for this year’s celebrations, a sum of N1billion Community Development Fund would be launched.
Toriola further said Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, would attend the grand finale of this year’s event, assuring that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free celebration.
Emphasising the need for all residents to embrace peace for meaningful development to take place, he reiterated the community’s commitment to peaceful and harmonious coexistence with other neighboring communities.
The PUNCH reported on October 4, 2024, that the Modakeke community appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to intervene and stop frequent attacks on the town by suspected hoodlums.
The President of the Modakeke Progressive Union, a flagship group for indigenes of the town, Prof. Peter Olawuni, made the appeal.
He said the intervention of the federal and state governments became necessary to de-escalate tension after a signpost welcoming visitors to the town, around Urban Day Area, was pulled down by hoodlums.
