In his heartening address, Mr. Ogunlana Oluseun, Chairman of Peoples Conscience, extended warm Christmas greetings to the resilient people of Ibarapa region. He expressed his sincere wishes for a joyous holiday season filled with love, unity, and moments of reflection.

Looking ahead, Mr. Oluseun shared his anticipation for the upcoming year, expressing his heartfelt wish for a Happy New Year 2024. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts in continuing the positive trajectory of growth and development within the Ibarapa community.

Amidst the festive cheer, the Chairman reiterated his encouragement for the youth to persist in prioritizing education, envisioning a future where their commitment would lead to boundless opportunities.

Expressing gratitude, the Chairman extended heartfelt appreciation to all partners and donors of the event: Mr Toriola Soji Ademola, Mr Afolabi Tunde Abayomi, Hon. Sola Adeleke, Hon. Akorede, Mr Gabriel Timileyin, Hadizah Adeoti, Eunik Nig Ltd, the Olaoniye family and the Ibarapa Development Forum (IDF) with a special mention of our regular sponsor- Mr Dominic Akinjide, the Dominic Akinjide Fagbemi Foundation, DAFF. Their generous support has played a pivotal role in fostering educational initiatives and community development in Ibarapa.

Therefore, the chairman proudly declared the full readiness of the Peoples Conscience organization and its dedicated team members to host the much-anticipated annual Ibarapa Debate and Quiz competitions, 2024 edition. The event, scheduled for January 2, 2024, promises to be worthwhile, with everything meticulously set in place for a seamless and enriching experience.

As the countdown to the competition begins, Mr. Oluseun expressed confidence that the event will not only showcase the intellectual prowess of the youth but also serve as a testament to the collective efforts in nurturing a brighter future for the Ibarapa community.

Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, known as Ibarapakan, representing Ibarapa Central/North Federal Constituency, has recently unveiled his 100-day account of stewardship along with forthcoming programs for the next six months. This transparent reporting, released on September 24, 2023, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hassan Adesodi Olaoniye, signifies a shift from previous representatives’ practices

In his 100 days in office, Hon. Adepoju has demonstrated a commitment to the welfare of his constituents. Notable achievements include job opportunities created for residents in Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North, the establishment of the Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju Free Scholarship Scheme for top-performing students in SSCE and UTME, and the provision of free holiday lessons for over 1,000 senior secondary school students.

Moreover, the legislator has been proactive in national matters, initiating motions and sponsoring bills on crucial issues, addressing power, water, infrastructure development, and more. He has also secured job placements for deserving constituents and donated over N5 million to support patients in need of medical surgeries, including a kidney transplant.

Hon. Adepoju’s dedication extends to the empowerment of over 100 constituents in poultry farming, emphasizing skill development and self-reliance. Furthermore, he has outlined his future plans for the next six months:

• Commissioning of Lawn Tennis and Volleyball Courts at Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-Ora.

• Construction of a three-block classroom at Oke-Odo Community Secondary School, Igboora.

• Conducting Town Hall Meetings in both local government areas within the constituency to understand and address constituents’ needs.

• Offering Free Medical Health Care Services to 500 selected constituents.

• Initiating the One-Day Ibarapa Central/North Federal House of Representatives Member program to engage and inspire the younger generation.

• Launching empowerment training and capacity-building programs in various fields.

• Advocating for a progressive automobile policy for Nigeria.

• Seeking justice for the late Jerry Okorodudu, a Nigerian boxing legend.

• Addressing concerns regarding Nigerian medical students in Ukraine.

• Contributing to the improvement of education through the establishment of the Institute of Economists of Nigeria in 2023.

 Overall points of emphasis here are, that Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, Ibarapakan, has demonstrated a commitment to effective representation during his 100 days in office. 

Unveiling his accomplishments and future plans before his constituents amounts to readiness for a proper feedback system between a political leader and the led. 

 The factual and data-driven account of office like this should remain a template for subsequent tenures in Ibarapa region. Before citizens would exercise their rights to rate a public officer’s performance and communicate their opinion back to him timely and successfully, it takes an official who makes himself available and make intentional arrangement for feedback from and to his people. 

As normal or ordinary as this timely information is considered to be, it is sadly noted that this was not formerly the case, especially in this constituency, perhaps because, there is no mass media organization that usually take up such responsibility of interrogating public officers as regards their electoral promises and proportionate delivery. Therefore, social media users who for the sake of progress, do call out and constructively criticize public office holders  should be encouraged to keep it up.

The echoes of countless unfinished projects reverberate across the nook and cranny of Nigeria. This dire issue has been a thorn in the flesh of our beloved nation for years, especially the last two decades ago, casting a shadow over development and leaving citizens disheartened.

As we delve into the staggering statistics, it becomes evident that this epidemic demands urgent attention.
One cannot overlook the astonishing number of abandoned projects that has plagued Nigeria over the last twenty years, counting up to 56,000 different projects according to the Institute of Quantity Surveyors.

This figure is staggering indeed. If spread evenly all over the 36 states, and the FCT, Abuja, each state would be grappling with an average of 1,500 projects left in disarray.
Equally staggering is the financial implications of these abandoned endeavours which soared to the tune of 12 trillion naira! Taxpayers monetary resources getting vanished into the drain!

It is actually acknowledged that certain projects may require more time than the stipulated four-year tenure of an elected public officer to reach fruition. However, this acknowledgement should not be a justification for indefinite abandonment of works once started.

The very essence of democracy hinges on accountability and progress. Therefore, policy makers should consider entrusting the responsibility of ensuring project continuity to a distinct entity or government agency, empowered by their own official mandate.

Zooming in on Ibarapa region of Oyo state, the terrain of this countryside bears its own scars of unfinished dreams. The much hyped electricity project – 132/33KV TCN injections substations in Lalante, Igboora and Igangan is getting abandoned over time.

Also, the Oyo State Mining site in Igangan, intended to drive economic growth, lays dormant. The aspirations for clean and accessible water through the Oyo State Water Works in Ayete have been washed away by neglect.
The Ofiki Bridge, once touted as a World Bank Project requiring the Oyo State Government’s counterpart fund contributions, remains a bridge to nowhere.
The Science Lab at Grammar School, Ayete, an investment in future scientists, continues to gather dust. The Cassava Processing Center at Tapa, a beacon of economic potential in such an agrarian environment, stands untouched any longer today.
The three General Hospitals and the Federal Primary Health Centres in Ayete, intended to bolster healthcare, lie abandoned, emblematic of a healthcare system in dire need of intervention.

Our children’s education also falls victim to this cycle of neglect. The Igboora High School and numerous institutions across Ido, Ibarapa North, Ibarapa Central, and Ibarapa East have been marred by halted school projects since 2017, stifling the growth and development of the young minds.

Another worrisome deficiency in project supervision, especially nowadays is the poor quality of roads we have been seeing around the region for decades of years now. So poor are virtually all the newly-constructed roads in the region that one begin to question whether the quality technology equipment used about 20 years ago does not exist any longer or what?

Some of the roads that would readily come to one’s mind when discussion comes to the carelessly supervised and badly constructed road projects are the road that links New-garage with Oke-Ola in Eruwa, the one from L.A school to the town palace and another road from L.A school to main Express, including the road that leads to Lanlate from Orita, all looking shambolic in the Eastern part of Ibarapa just as much as we have them in the central and northern parts of the region. Till today, quarters roads in Tapa/Ayete remain dilapidated.

In fact, in recent times, this other part witnessed some roads so badly constructed that after some couple of weeks, they virtually vanished and had to be re-constructed, even when the ones done by Nigerian ancestors about 20 years ago are still there firm and solid.

One critical point to make here is that regardless of how difficult is it to stop an average Nigerian politician from stealing or embezzlement (as they love to call it), there should still be a minimum quality standard which the public should expect from every project worth doing at all.

As we gaze ahead, a powerful plea is directed towards our current lawmakers. It is imperative that they consider the inclusion of constitutional amendments that focus on the conduct of public projects and the establishment of a designated body or commission responsible for their thorough supervision and seamless transition from one tenure of government to the other.

It is time for us to collectively rise, demand change, and insist on a culture where projects are not embarked upon only to litter the floor but are instead nurtured to fruition, serving as stepping stones to a brighter future for Ibarapa and beyond.