Ayekooto Media NG

Ambassador David A Adejuwon  President/Convener, Advocacy for Oke Ogun Zone Advancement (AFOZA)

OKE OGUN: A NATURALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY ENDOWED BUT UNPARDONABLY UNDERDEVELOPED ZONE

Where Have We Gotten It Wrong?

An Advocacy for Responsible Leadership, Regional Economic Transformation, Collective Accountability and Sustainable Development in Oke Ogun, Oyo State, Nigeria

By Ambassador David Ademola Adejuwon

President/Convener, Advocacy for Oke Ogun Zone Advancement (AFOZA)

Oke Ogun presents one of the most compelling development questions in southwestern Nigeria: How can a zone endowed with fertile agricultural land, solid mineral resources, a favourable agroecological environment, hardworking people and considerable intellectual capital continue to struggle to translate these advantages into broad-based economic prosperity?

The question is not whether Oke Ogun possesses development opportunities. Rather, it is whether the people, public and private institutions, traditional authorities and successive administrations responsible for harnessing these opportunities have established the policies, infrastructure, partnerships and institutional structures required to translate potential into measurable progress.

This daunting but surmountable challenge demands honest introspection. It is not enough to blame the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, local government administrations, political officeholders, traditional institutions or external circumstances. Each has a responsibility to fulfil. However, the people and institutions of Oke Ogun must also examine their priorities, political choices, development strategies and capacity for collective action.

Oke Ogun’s development challenges should not be treated as an inevitable consequence of geography or destiny. They must be investigated as developmental problems with identifiable causes, measurable consequences and practical solutions.

The time has come to ask ourselves a fundamental question: Where have we gotten it wrong, and what must we do differently to secure a prosperous future for Oke Ogun?

1. Where Have We Gotten It Wrong?

The Absence of a Sustained Regional Development Agenda

One fundamental weakness is the failure to establish and consistently pursue a comprehensive, long-term development agenda for the entire Oke Ogun zone.

Development rarely happens by accident. It requires deliberate planning, sustained commitment and effective implementation. It cannot be achieved through isolated projects, occasional political announcements, individual constituency interventions or the pursuit of short-term benefits.

Oke Ogun needs a well-articulated, time-bound development agenda that connects its ten local government areas through agriculture, agro-industrial development, transportation, education, healthcare, mining, commerce, security and investment.

Such an agenda must transcend party affiliations, electoral cycles, local government boundaries and personal interests. It must provide a common framework for identifying priorities, mobilising resources, implementing projects and measuring results.

Our failure to consistently translate collective aspirations into a coordinated, costed, time-bound and publicly monitored regional development programme remains a significant obstacle to progress.

Political Divisions and the Failure of Collective Bargaining

Political competition is a normal feature of democracy. However, when political differences prevent communities from agreeing on common developmental priorities, the consequences can be devastating.

Oke Ogun’s developmental interests should not change whenever political parties change, representatives assume office or electoral alliances shift.

The zone needs a culture of collective bargaining in which political representatives, traditional rulers, professionals, entrepreneurs, farmers, youth organisations and civil society agree on essential priorities and hold public institutions accountable for delivering them.

Where we have gotten it wrong: We have too often allowed individual political ambitions and partisan loyalties to overshadow the common economic interests of our communities.

The way forward is not to discourage political differences but to establish a nonpartisan regional development compact that every responsible representative can support, irrespective of political affiliation.

Electing and Appointing Leaders Without Sufficiently Demanding Competence and Results

Political representation must be assessed not merely by campaign promises, political access, personal popularity, religious sentiments or party loyalty, but also by the quality of representation and the public benefits delivered.

Oke Ogun needs credible, capable, competent, mature and responsible leaders who understand development economics, public policy, infrastructure financing, agriculture, education, healthcare, private investment and institutional accountability.

Our representatives should be able to articulate the zone’s priorities, build effective coalitions, pursue budgetary commitments, attract investment and report periodically on measurable progress.

This requires informed voters, credible candidates, stronger civic engagement and systematic monitoring of the performance of elected and appointed public officials.

Where we have gotten it wrong: We have not always placed sufficient emphasis on competence, integrity, strategic thinking, public service and verifiable development outcomes when evaluating political representation and leadership positions.

The question citizens should continually ask is simple: What has changed in the lives of our communities as a result of the representation and leadership we have chosen?

2. Failure to Transform Agricultural Potential into Wealth

Agriculture should be one of Oke Ogun’s principal engines of economic transformation. Its opportunities extend beyond crop production to livestock, poultry, aquaculture, horticulture and agricultural processing.

Priority opportunities include:

- Arable crops: Cassava, yam, maize, rice, soybean, cowpea, fruits and vegetables.

- Industrial and tree crops: Cotton, cashew, mango, plantain, citrus, rubber and other suitable crops, depending on local agroecological conditions and commercial viability.

- Livestock and poultry: Cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys and other commercially viable livestock enterprises.

- Aquaculture: Fish farming, feed production, hatcheries, cold-chain facilities and fish processing.

- Agro-industrial development: Starch, flour, animal feed, edible oils, fruit processing, textiles where supported by suitable raw materials, packaging and other agricultural products.

Agricultural production alone cannot guarantee prosperity. Farmers need affordable finance, improved seeds and breeds, mechanisation, irrigation where appropriate, extension services, storage facilities, reliable electricity, insurance, market information, accessible roads and dependable markets.

Strategically located agricultural processing zones in Oke Ogun could connect farms to factories, logistics operators, research institutions and domestic and export markets.

Where we have gotten it wrong: We have not sufficiently integrated agricultural production with processing, industrial demand, logistics, finance, technology and dependable markets.

Oke Ogun must move from an agricultural economy that predominantly sells raw produce to a competitive agro-industrial economy that captures more value locally, creates employment and improves farmers’ incomes.

3. Allowing Mineral Extraction to Substitute for Sustainable Mineral Development

The presence of mineral resources can create employment, stimulate industrial activity and generate public revenue. However, mineral extraction without adequate regulation, local value addition and environmental restoration can leave host communities with damaged roads, degraded land, safety risks and limited lasting economic benefits.

Mining must therefore be approached as part of an integrated regional industrial development strategy.

Essential requirements include:

- Proper geological investigation and verification of commercially viable deposits.

- Lawful licensing, environmental assessments and enforcement of applicable mining regulations.

- Local mineral processing and value addition wherever commercially and technically feasible.

- Community participation and transparent arrangements for local economic benefits.

- Rehabilitation of disturbed land and enforcement of environmental obligations.

- Road protection, haulage regulation and maintenance arrangements proportionate to heavy commercial traffic.

Where we have gotten it wrong: We have not sufficiently insisted that resource extraction should produce durable economic benefits for the region rather than merely removing resources without adequate consideration for host communities and the environment.

The principle should be clear: mineral wealth must contribute to industrial development, decent employment, public revenue and environmental sustainability.

4. Neglect of Critical Infrastructure and Regional Connectivity

Roads are not merely transportation facilities. They are economic infrastructure connecting farmers to markets, students to schools, patients to hospitals, businesses to customers and rural communities to investment opportunities.

Poor road connectivity raises transport costs, increases post-harvest losses, discourages investors and makes local economic activities less competitive.

Oke Ogun needs a coordinated infrastructure programme covering inter-community roads, farm-to-market routes, strategic transport corridors, bridges, drainage, electricity, telecommunications, water supply and logistics facilities.

The challenge is particularly important where heavy mineral-haulage vehicles place additional pressure on vulnerable roads across the zone.

A regional road protection and commercial logistics framework should establish appropriate haulage controls, vehicle-load enforcement, maintenance funding and accountability for damage caused by commercial operations.

Where we have gotten it wrong: Infrastructure needs have not always been treated as interconnected economic priorities requiring long-term planning, adequate maintenance funding and coordination among relevant government institutions.

Road infrastructure must be recognised as a direct investment in agriculture, commerce, industrialisation and the overall economic competitiveness of Oke Ogun.

5. Failure to Mobilise Intellectual Capital and Professional Expertise

Oke Ogun has produced highly educated individuals, academics, professionals, entrepreneurs, administrators and other people with valuable knowledge and experience.

However, human capital contributes to development only when it is effectively organised and connected to local opportunities.

Oke Ogun needs a structured network of professionals and technical experts who can support research, policy development, investment promotion, enterprise creation, institutional reform and project implementation.

Universities, polytechnics, research institutions, technology enterprises and professional associations should be encouraged to collaborate with the ten local governments, farmers, manufacturers and community organisations across the zone.

A regional knowledge and innovation platform could help identify investment opportunities, prepare bankable projects, mobilise technical expertise and connect local enterprises to domestic and international partners.

Where we have gotten it wrong: We have not sufficiently converted intellectual achievement into coordinated local problem-solving, enterprise development and institution-building.

The objective should not merely be to celebrate successful sons and daughters of Oke Ogun. It should be to organise their knowledge, professional networks and resources in ways that create opportunities for the wider population.

6. Weak Investment Promotion and Inadequate Public-Private Partnerships

Governments alone cannot finance all the road infrastructure, industrial zones, agricultural enterprises, processing plants, technology centres and logistics platforms required for regional transformation.

Government’s responsibility includes providing an enabling business environment, sound policies, essential infrastructure, security, transparent regulation and effective public institutions. Within such an environment, the private sector can play a leading role in productive investment, enterprise development and job creation.

Private capital, development finance institutions, commercial banks, institutional investors, diaspora investors and strategic international partners all have important roles to play.

However, investors require credible project preparation, transparent land acquisition arrangements, predictable regulations, basic infrastructure, competent local partners, reliable market information and effective dispute-resolution mechanisms.

Oke Ogun needs a coordinated investment promotion framework that identifies commercially viable projects, prepares feasibility studies, assesses risks and matches opportunities with appropriate sources of finance.

Public-private partnerships must be carefully structured, with clear allocation of risks, transparent procurement, measurable performance obligations and protection of the public interest.

Where we have gotten it wrong: We have not sufficiently moved from making general appeals for investment to presenting well-prepared, bankable projects with clear commercial and developmental returns.

Investment promotion must become a practical exercise in project preparation, investor engagement, financing and implementation rather than a succession of uncoordinated appeals.

7. Weak Institutional Coordination and Accountability

Regional development requires cooperation among federal, state and local governments, traditional institutions, community associations, businesses and civil society.

When responsibilities are fragmented, projects may be duplicated, resources wasted and essential priorities neglected.

Oke Ogun would benefit from a practical regional development coordination mechanism that brings stakeholders together around agreed priorities without unlawfully usurping the constitutional or statutory responsibilities of existing government institutions.

Such a mechanism should maintain a regional project register, publish development indicators, track budgetary commitments, identify funding gaps and report periodically on implementation.

Where we have gotten it wrong: We have not consistently established effective mechanisms that convert collective concern into coordinated action and verifiable results.

The zone needs a culture in which developmental commitments are documented, responsibilities are clearly assigned, progress is publicly assessed and institutions are held accountable for their performance.

8. Insufficient Attention to Education, Healthcare, Security and Human Development

Economic development cannot be sustained where communities lack access to quality education, essential healthcare, safe environments and productive employment.

Schools must equip young people with foundational knowledge, technical skills, digital competence and entrepreneurial capabilities. Healthcare facilities must be adequately staffed and equipped. Rural communities need improved access to essential services, while farmers, businesses and residents require effective security and justice systems.

Community safety initiatives should operate lawfully and collaboratively with relevant security agencies, local authorities, traditional institutions and community stakeholders.

Young people must also be equipped with practical skills and meaningful economic opportunities that enable them to contribute to the development of their communities.

Where we have gotten it wrong: We have not always approached social development as an integral part of economic development.

Human welfare is not a secondary benefit of prosperity. It is one of the principal purposes of development itself.

9. Failure to Sustain Projects Beyond Political and Administrative Cycles

Developmental initiatives may begin with considerable enthusiasm but lose momentum when leadership changes, funding declines or political priorities shift.

This cycle undermines public confidence and prevents communities from accumulating the benefits of long-term investment.

Oke Ogun needs projects supported by realistic financing plans, competent management, maintenance arrangements, transparent reporting and mechanisms that encourage continuity.

Projects should be selected on the basis of their economic and social value, not simply their visibility or political appeal.

Where we have gotten it wrong: We have not consistently protected important development priorities against discontinuity, poor execution, inadequate maintenance and the absence of clear institutional responsibility.

A sustainable regional development agenda must outlive individual officeholders and electoral cycles. Projects of enduring public value should be supported by transparent records, realistic budgets and continuity arrangements.

10. What Should Oke Ogun Do Differently Going Forward?

Criticism is useful only when it leads to corrective action. Oke Ogun therefore needs a practical development compact with clear priorities, responsible institutions, realistic financing arrangements and measurable timelines.

OKE OGUN 2031: A Regional Transformation Agenda

The proposed OKE OGUN 2031 agenda should provide a framework for coordinated action across the ten local government areas of Atisbo, Irepo, Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, Olorunsogo, Oorelope, Saki East and Saki West.

The following strategic priorities deserve urgent attention.

1. Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Revolution

Develop commercially viable farming clusters, livestock and aquaculture enterprises, agro-processing facilities, storage systems and structured agricultural markets. Connect farmers to affordable finance, technology, processors and reliable buyers.

2. Roads, Logistics and Infrastructure

Prioritise strategic roads, farm-to-market connectivity, rural infrastructure, electricity, water supply, telecommunications, road maintenance and responsible commercial haulage.

3. Mineral Value Addition and Industrialisation

Promote responsible mining practices, verified mineral opportunities, local processing, enterprise participation, industrial clusters and environmental restoration.

4. Local and Foreign Investment Mobilisation

Prepare bankable projects, engage financial institutions and investors, support small and medium-sized enterprises and develop transparent public-private partnerships.

5. Education, Vocational Skills and Innovation

Connect educational institutions and professionals to local economic needs through technical and vocational training, applied research, digital skills, entrepreneurship and industry-focused programmes.

6. Security, Quality Healthcare and Inclusive Development

Strengthen lawful community security partnerships, essential services, youth employment, women’s economic participation and rural livelihood initiatives.

7. Governance, Accountability and Continuity

Adopt measurable development targets, transparent procurement processes, annual public performance scorecards and a regional project pipeline that can survive political transitions.

These priorities must be translated into specific projects, cost estimates, implementation schedules, funding strategies and publicly accessible performance indicators.

11. Establishing an Institutional Framework for Delivering Results

A regional development agenda should be supported by a credible institutional arrangement capable of translating plans into measurable outcomes.

The proposed framework should have four complementary components.

A Regional Development Compact: An agreed statement of priorities supported by political representatives, traditional institutions, local governments, businesses, professional groups, community organisations and civil society.

A Technical Planning and Investment Platform: A team of qualified professionals responsible for project preparation, evaluation, feasibility studies, investment promotion, stakeholder coordination and performance monitoring.

A Regional Project Pipeline: A publicly accessible register of priority projects, including their locations, estimated costs, implementing authorities, financing requirements, expected benefits and implementation status.

An Independent Accountability Mechanism: Periodic assessments of commitments, expenditure, outputs and outcomes, with opportunities for citizens to question public officials and project implementers.

The framework must complement, not replace, the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of government institutions. Its credibility will depend on transparency, professional competence, financial discipline and measurable benefits to Oke Ogun.

Above all, the framework must not become another platform for political patronage or endless meetings. It must be judged by the quality of its projects, the effectiveness of its partnerships and the results it delivers.

12. Questions Every Stakeholder Must Answer

The future of Oke Ogun requires difficult but constructive questions.

To our political representatives: What specific development commitments have you pursued, and what evidence demonstrates progress?

To our traditional institutions: How can traditional authority and community influence be used more effectively to build consensus, resolve disputes and promote responsible investment?

To our professionals and intellectuals: What practical expertise, research, networks and resources can you contribute to solving local problems?

To our entrepreneurs and investors: What conditions would make commercially viable investments in Oke Ogun possible, and what partnerships can you help establish?

To our farmers and community organisations: What are the most urgent barriers to production, market access, security and household prosperity?

To our governments and public institutions: Which projects have been prioritised, how are they funded, who is responsible for implementation, and how will their results be measured?

To our youths: How can your skills, creativity, enterprise and participation help build a more productive Oke Ogun economy?

These questions should not become weapons for political hostility. They should serve as instruments of public accountability, informed participation and collective problem-solving.

The objective is not to condemn individuals or institutions indiscriminately. It is to encourage every stakeholder to recognise their responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to the region’s transformation.

Conclusion: Oke Ogun Must Take Responsibility for Its Developmental Future

Oke Ogun’s development challenges are undoubtedly daunting, but they are surmountable with collective resolve, competent leadership, strategic planning and sustained implementation.

They cannot be resolved by lamentation alone. Neither can they be solved by blaming every difficulty on external forces or assuming that natural resources and educated citizens will automatically produce prosperity.

The zone must confront the institutional, political, economic and social weaknesses that have prevented its advantages from generating the desired scale of development.

Government has a responsibility to provide an enabling environment, sound policies and programmes, critical infrastructure, security of lives and property, effective public services and equitable development. Political representatives must provide purposeful representation. Traditional institutions must help build consensus. Professionals must contribute knowledge and expertise. Businesses must identify viable opportunities. Communities must demand accountability and participate actively in development initiatives.

Most importantly, Oke Ogun must move from fragmented advocacy to coordinated action, from raw-material production to value addition, from unstructured appeals for investment to bankable projects, and from political promises to measurable outcomes.

The ultimate objective must be an Oke Ogun where farmers are supported to improve food production and earn better incomes; young people are gainfully employed; businesses grow; roads and other infrastructure support commerce; natural resources are harnessed responsibly to generate lasting local benefits; public institutions are accountable, effective and efficient; communities enjoy improved security; and essential services are accessible to the people.

Our major concern should not merely be to ask why Oke Ogun remains underdeveloped. It should be to identify what we have failed to do, what we have been doing wrongly, what must change, who must act, what resources are required and how progress will be measured.

A Wake-Up Call to Oke Ogun

The time has come for the people of Oke Ogun to awaken from complacency, replace fragmented efforts with a common purpose and embrace collective responsibility.

Our naturally, materially and intellectually endowed ancestral homeland must move decisively towards a future of economic prosperity, social advancement and sustainable development.

Oke Ogun does not need miracles or magic, sympathy without strategy, promises without implementation or leadership without accountability. What it needs is a shared vision, competent institutions, credible and responsible representation, strategic local and foreign investment, and the collective resolve of its people to transform its endowments into sustainable prosperity.

Yes, we can!

The defining question is no longer simply, “Where have we gotten it wrong?”

It is this: “What are we collectively prepared to do differently now to secure a better future for Oke Ogun by 2031?”

The answer must be found not merely in our speeches, meetings and declarations, but in the decisions we make, the partnerships we build, the resources we mobilise and the results we deliver.

God bless Oke Ogun!

God bless Oyo State!!

God bless Nigeria!!!

Ambassador David Ademola Adejuwon

President/Convener

Advocacy for Oke Ogun Zone Advancement (AFOZA)

OKE OGUN 2031: FROM UNTAPPED POTENTIAL TO SUSTAINABLE PROSPERITY — THE TIME FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION IS NOW.