Ooni of Ife
By John Dike, Osogbo
The Obalufe of Ile-Ife and second-in-command to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, has said the construction of the N14 billion flyover and 17 road projects in Ile-Ife by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke has helped preserve the town’s cultural heritage and rescued it from global embarrassment caused by years of infrastructural neglect.
Oba Adediwura, who is also the head of the kingmakers in Ile-Ife, made the remark on Tuesday after an inspection tour of ongoing and completed projects by officials of Osun State Government, led by the Director of Highways, Engr. Moruf Ojebode.
He lamented that the ancient town, regarded as the cradle of the Yoruba Race, had suffered prolonged infrastructural decay, which often caused embarrassment when tourists and cultural enthusiasts from across the world visited Ile-Ife.
According to him, poor road networks previously made access to major cultural and historical sites difficult, thereby undermining the town’s global cultural status.
However, the Obalufe noted that the road and flyover projects initiated by Governor Adeleke across Ile-Ife have significantly changed the narrative, saving the town from further embarrassment and enhancing access to its numerous cultural centres.
“This project will promote our culture and bring honour to Ile-Ife as the source of the Yoruba race. It is unfortunate when visitors come from all over the world to their origin and find roads that are not motorable. It is very embarrassing,” he said.
“But I want to commend Governor Ademola Adeleke for saving us from global embarrassment through the ongoing flyover project and other township roads. With good roads now, our culture will thrive.
As we prepare for the Olojo Festival in September and the Aje Festival coming up next week, tourists and worshippers will be able to move around on good roads.”
Earlier, the Director of Highways, Engr. Moruf Ojebode, disclosed that the N14 billion flyover project in Ile-Ife is about 80 per cent completed and will be delivered within record time.
He listed several completed road projects to include Iredunmi to Oke-Ijan, Oriyangi to St. John, Manchester to Igboya, Olurin to Omi Okun, Ife City Benediction Road, London Street to Iremo, Ogbingbin to Garage Isale, Agric to Opa Ife, Akinlalu Junction to Akinlalu Town, Magistrate Court to Itamerin Yakooyo, and AP Junction Road to Itasin Junction, Modakeke.
According to him, Cele Road to Ajape Junction, Modakeke; RCM Road One, Alafia Ifetedo; Moore Babaakodi; and Osun State University roads have also been completed, while construction is ongoing on the Edunabon–Tonkere and Ayedaade roads.
He assured residents that the
remaining projects would be completed in line with the government’s commitment to quality infrastructure delivery across the state.
