By KEMI KASUMU
As Isolo town, an ancient autonomous community in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, is now effectively administered by an Oba, efforts towards development of the place are being unlocked.
Because power support plays pivotal role in development, the newly coronated Osolo of Isolo, Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole, Osalade II, held an emergency meeting in the Osolo’s Palace on Thursday at the instance of youths of the town with a view to reviewing situation of epileptic power supply that has ravaged the community, economically, over the time and finding the way forward.
“Power supply is the main push of Economic thrive as it is required by virtually all economic ventures and trades. The great fall in the supply of electricity aggravates the youth of some communities in Isolo town necessitating their fury which may cause them to assail officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in the area,” Special Assistant to the Osolo of Isolo on Administration and Media, Comrade Ayomide Michael, said in a statement sent to The DEFENDER on Friday.
According to Ayomide, the youths, who had showed anger over the anti-growth activities of the Benin Electric Distribution Company, were rightly told by their coordinating chairman that they now have where to channel their reports hence the coming to the Osolo of Isolo’s Palace.
At the meeting with the monarch, Chief Adejoro Johnson, the Elegiri of Isolo, announced the presence of the youth after which the youth treasurer and leader in the affected are, Mr. Seun Ogunkoya, explained that the power allocation and bill given to them in the area do not measure up.
The DEFENDER reports that Seun Ogunkoya is one time Fastest Runner in Africa and Second in the World. He is a notable subject of Osolo of Isolo, making Isolo town one that is connected with the world.
The athletic veteran, speaking furthermore, lamented that the drastic fall in the power allocated to the affected area had caused great harm to the economy and health of the people.
Seun Ogunkoya, therefore, appealed to the Kabiyesi to intervene on behalf of the youth based on a list of requests he submitted to the king: “1) Increment in power allocation to their Community and 2) Bill payment to correlate power consumption” all of which were corroborated by other members of the quarters youth association that visited.
The Special Assistance to Osolo of Isolo on Administration and Media, who is also the General Secretary of Isolo Youth Movement, Comrade Ayomide Micheal, appreciated the Kabiyesi for his audience and the youth for deeming it fit to present the matter to the king as against taking confrontational steps.
In his submission, the Ayomide sought the approval of Oba Adewole for general assembly of Isolo Youth Movement to take up the matter electricity in the town officially, noting that the body had done it before and expressed belief that it would yield expected result.
In his own comments, Leader of Isolo Youth Movement (IYM) and the Oshindinle of Isolo, Chief Ayodele Julius, appealed to the youth while charging them to allow the IYM follow the course officially as stated by the General Secretary.
Responding, His Royal Highness Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Adewole, Osalade II, Osolo of Isolo, after appreciating the youth consideration to present the matter to him first, appealed to them to be calm, promising that he would take the necessary actions based on their requests and what he should necessarily do as their traditional ruler.
Taking action immediately from the point of the meeting, the Osolo approved the proposal of the Isolo Youth Movement to take up the matter as, according to him, it will be too rowdy if all are involved.
He charged the IYM to ensure effective steps are taken official with the electricity distribution company steps as explained earlier by his Special Assistant on Administration and Media, who is also the Isolo Youth Movement, Ayomide Michael.
