- Prepare for commissioning of Bridge completed by Nigerian Army, New Olowu Palace
By Banji Ayoola
Arrangements for the commissioning of the newly completed bridge over Osun River, linking Kuta, Ikoyi and Ede communities in Osun State are in top gear as the Federal Government moves to construct the Kuta – Ikoyi –Ede Road.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola; Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja the Second; Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai; Head of Army Information in Osogbo; the Army Commandant from Ibadan; and most of the Obas in Osun State among others, are being expected.
The President of Kuta United Front, KUF, which is the umbrella organisation for all the town’s sons and daughters, Mr Adegboyega Adeniran, told The Radiance in an exclusive interview on Wednesday that: “Apart from the bridge, the engineering drawings for the construction of Kuta – Ikoyi –Ede Road have just been awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works.
“The Federal Controller of Works in Osogbo and his team of engineers were in Kuta last week to take measurements from Atounmope through the town, Ikoyi and Ede which they have done.
“By the directives of the Minister of Works as to the duration of work, the Controller was reportedly given 60 days duration to submit his report for the Federal Ministry of Works to act on.”
According to him, the newly built magnificent Palace of the Olowu, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, Tegbosun the Third, popularly called Makama, would also be commissioned the same day.
He said: “Also, the newly built palace would be commissioned that day. It would be two in one occasion. The palace as at the last date when I discussed with the Kabiyesi, is 98 percent complete. We could see it.
“Yesterday (Tuesday), the meeting held in the newly built palace. It is worth commending the Kabiyesi for what he has done to ensure that we have such an edifice in Kuta.”
He said that five committees including Central Development to oversee all the committees, Welfare, Publicity, Protocols and Logistics, Security and Venue are working on the arrangements.
He added that plans are being intensified with meetings by the various committees being held weekly at the palace.
In Adeniran’s words: “To the Glory of God, meetings were being held, at the initial stage fortnightly. But since about three weeks ago, they are being held weekly with the aim of getting things together in readiness for the commissioning.
“Weekly meetings become necessary because we understand from the army authorities that the commissioning date would be communicated and the period may be short.
“To that extent, we deem it fit to meet weekly to get things done ahead of time before the date is known. We are expecting a message from the Chief of Army Staff.
“Once that information comes and the date is known, we would push the bulk of the communication, programmes, radio and online adverts.”
He said: “When the committee met yesterday (Tuesday), we collated all the budgets submitted by the committees. We were able to see globally what the budget looks like and the purse in terms of the contributions by all sons and daughters of Kuta and Ikoyi.
“With what we have, we are covered and we believe that some of us would still contribute as the commissioning date comes closer. As I was telling Baba S.A. Aminu, others would still contribute. We are expectant, trusting God that the commissioning would be a glorious one.
“One information that I heard yesterday is that it is likely that former President Olusegun Obasanjo would come for the occasion.”
Giving details of the programme, he said that there would be a gala nite organised by Governor Oyetola for the Chief of Army Staff the night before the commissioning.
On the preparations, Adeniran said: “In summary we are awaiting the letter giving us the commissioning date from the army authorities.
“All the sons and daughters of Kuta and Ikoyi would grace the occasion. We have taken a uniform, an Ankara, to be bought by the bulk of the people of the communities to celebrate and make the day colourful.
“We have set up five committees including Central Development to oversee all the committees, Welfare, Publicity, Protocols and Logistics, Security and Venue.”
On the general feelings in the communities over the completed bridge, he said: “Sincerely yours, the old ones and everybody feels fulfilled that this is happening at their own time. This thing started when I was a toddler.
“Even the younger ones who did not have detailed knowledge about the bridge are so happy. That happiness is shown in the way they contributed.
“There has never been a time when we called for contributions that we had this kind of response. With this, we believe that we are having new Kuta and Ikoyi.
“Subsequently we want to harness this cooperation and continue to build on it and use the platform to build New Kuta.
“That is where we are and we are believing God that not only the bridge, the road would be done within a short time.”
Adeniran showered praises on the Olowu, saying: “On behalf of the entire citizens of Kuta, we appreciate His Royal Majesty, Oba Adekunle Makama Oyelude, Tegbosun the Third for his personal efforts at taking us to this level.
“May he live long and may he continue to rule and reign. We give glory to God for making this to happen in our own time.”
