THE MASTER PLANNER OF THE ANCIENT CITY: How Engr. Ogungbenro Iyiola Alao Engineered Modern Igboho

By David Alani Ige

July 23, 2026

     

Engr. Iyiola Ogungbenro Alao
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In the history of human civilization, true leadership has never been defined by the comfort of a political throne, the length of a siren-blaring convoy, or the fleeting applause of sycophants. True leadership is found in the dirt under a builder’s fingernails. It is the rare ability to roll up one's sleeves, stand in the red earth of one's hometown, and draw a blueprint for a future that others cannot yet see. 

Today, as we celebrate the birthday of an iconic elder statesman, we turn the spotlight on the "Great Architect of the Red Earth" and the Grand Overseer of the Igboho Map: Engr. Ogungbenro Iyiola Alao. 

He is a man who proved that public office is not a venue for self-enrichment, but a laboratory for community development. While other politicians of his era were busy building temporary fame, Engr. Alao was busy building permanent drainages, mapping communities, and laying intricate road networks that continue to guide the feet of our people today. 

The Son of Isale Bonni: A Destiny Foretold

Almost nine decades ago, a star began to glow in the respected Ogungbenro family. Born in the historical quarters of Isale Bonni, young Iyiola was blessed with a mind that was naturally sharp, analytical, and profoundly observant. 

He was an engineer not just by academic calling, but by his very soul. Long before he held political power, he looked at the ancient, sprawling landscapes of Igboho and saw what they could become. Where others saw untamed bush paths, he saw the potential for a city of order, grace, and structural dignity. His deep roots in Isale Bonni grounded him, ensuring that no matter how high his education or career took him, his ultimate goal was to return and elevate his people.

The "Koto Alao" Phenomenon: Engineering Oorelope

When Engr. Alao took the Chairman’s seat to lead Oorelope Local Government, he immediately abandoned the loud, performative games of traditional politics. Instead, he brought the discipline of the engineering field straight into the local government secretariat.

He embarked on an unprecedented urban renewal project. Refusing to let the town grow in chaos, he meticulously mapped every quarter and drew decisive lines that would become the town's modern layout. He foresaw the devastating impact of erosion and seasonal flooding, preemptively designing a massive network of drainages and channels. 

His structural interventions were so profound and life-saving that the awestruck citizens of Igboho affectionately named his drainage systems "Koto Alao" (Alao’s Channels). It was a name bestowed in deep reverence for a man who calculated the water’s path long before the rains even fell. If not for his foresight and his charts, Igboho today would be a town without a structural heart.

The Inventor of the People’s Road: The Oorelope Express

Engr. Alao’s brilliance was not limited to concrete and earth; it extended deeply into social welfare. He understood the economic struggles of the everyday traveler, the trader moving goods, and the poor student seeking education. 

To solve this, he birthed the legendary "Oorelope Express," a highly subsidized transportation system that connected the people of Igboho directly to the bustling commercial gates of Ibadan. This initiative lifted a massive financial burden off the shoulders of the masses. Yet, what made this initiative legendary was not just its creation, but how he interacted with it. Engr. Alao did not watch the buses from afar; he rode in them. He sat among the common clan, traveling from Ibadan to Igboho in the very buses he designed, living a simple life with a quiet, noble mind.

A Down-to-Earth Legend

Perhaps the greatest lesson modern politicians can learn from Baba Ogungbenro is his absolute lack of flair for illicit earthly riches. He had no hunger for the gold that corrupts the soul. He was armed only with a courageous heart for his people.

When his tenure ended, he left the high seat of power, but he never left the ground. He remains the humblest leader the town has ever produced—a mentor of mentors, a stabilizing force, and the man who kept the Igboho ship afloat through turbulent times. 

Baba, as you celebrate your birthday today, the good people of Oorelope Local Government, Oke-Ogun, and Oyo State at large look back at your legacy with deep emotional gratitude. You taught us that public office is a brief tenancy, but the monuments of good governance will outlive generations. 

May Olodumare continue to grant you sound health, profound peace of mind, and the joy of watching the seeds you planted grow into towering oaks. 

Happy Birthday to Baba Ogungbenro, the Architect of Grace and the undisputed Master Planner of Modern Igboho!

David Alani Ige

Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Ayekooto Media

Phunshor01@gmail.com | publisher@ayekootomediang.com

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