Security is still a cause for concern in Ago-Iwoye –Prince Banjoko, chairman of AICDC

October 13, 2012 by ADEOLA BALOGUN 1 Comment

Prince Banjoko, chairman of AICDC
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The Chairman of the Ago-Iwoye Central Development Council, Ogun State, Prince Adegboyega Banjoko, tells ADEOLA BALOGUN about the role played by the council in the development of the university town

What is the function of the Central Development Council in Ago-Iwoye?

As the name implies, it is a vehicle for social and community development. The council comprises many clubs and associations. Every year, we come together to fellowship with one another. Programmes are often drawn up for the events. It used to be called the Ago-Iwoye Day. But since it involves a week-long activity, we thought that it would be grossly inadequate to call it a day. That is why we changed it to the Ago-Iwoye Annual Festival.

How was the last festival?

It was a grand event and we had all those that matter in the society in attendance. The representative of  the  governor and the deputy governor were in attendance. All illustrous sons and daughters of Ago-Iwoye were in attendance. There were people like Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, a former minister; retired Maj.-Gen. Awosanya and Sir Feyisayo Sonowo, as well as many others.

Are they all members of the council?

Of course, as long as they belong to their own age groups, they are by implication members of the Ago-Iwoye Central Development Council because their financial contribution is so enormous to the developmental efforts in Ago-Iwoye. All the people that I have mentioned their names contribute to projects in the town. There is no project you want to talk about in Ago-Iwoye that you do not have substantial contributions.

Which projects has the council executed so far?

Through the effort of the council, we have been able to build a general hospital, a post office, the city hall and many schools. We have been able to assist the university in many ways and in the implementation of health-related programmes, such as the global fight against malaria. One of the members of the council, Club 50, sponsored the distribution of treated mosquito nets and many others like that. This year, we are hoping to key into the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Arrangements are in top level to ensure that we carry out something tangible.

If last year’s event was a grand event, what are your expectations for the forthcoming one?

Like a student preparing for examination, you do all things to ensure that you score good grades. And as a student, you cannot be your own examiner. We will make sure that we have a more successful event this year.

Is the council collaborating with the university to carry out some programmes?

The resources of the council have been used in the past to provide amenities for the university. Right now, we are opening a kind of bridge between the university community and the town, and the vice-chancellor has the prerogative to constitute a town-gown committee. By the special grace of God, the Central Development Council is a member of the committee. And by being a member of that committee, we believe that we have a lot to do to ensure harmony.

What is the council doing to ensure security in Ago-Iwoye?

We have a sad memory when it comes to the issue of security. Right now, there is no financial institution functioning in Ago-Iwoye or in the entire Ijebu North Local Government Area. Sometime ago, some commercial banks were attacked by robbers simultaneously and all of them closed shop. So, it is a matter of serious concern, not only to indigenes of the town and the Ago-Iwoye Central Development Council, but the entire local government and even the state government. We are all working seriously to ensure that security returns and all the financial institutions can resume their normal business. At the local government level, a security trust fund was established to tackle the issue. I want to tell you that the council is a member of that committee and we have been meeting. We have also approached the university authorities to ensure that all financial institutions resume operations. I can confirm to you that the governor of the state is taking the matter seriously. He promised and has fulfilled the promise by providing an Armoured Personnel Carrier for the local government. He has even promised to provide an APC to ensure that all the banks in the Olabisi Onabanjo University resume operations. The kabiyesi and his cabinet too are working assiduously to tackle insecurity in the community.

How do you create time to supervise all these projects?

It is what is called commitment. Let me also tell you that nobody will come to you and beg you to come and be the chairman. You must be committed to the cause of the land and be able to sacrifice. When I became the chairman of the council, I was still in active service. But I retired from the African Petroleum (Forte Oil). My retirement affords me additional time to be able to be able to do one or two things for my community.

Did you get here through selection or election?

Positions in the Ago-Iwoye Central Development Council are by election. I told you that the council is made up of associations, clubs and age groups and the tenure of each administration is three years. At the end of each tenure, all the offices are thrown open. Last year, when the tenure of the last administration expired, there was an opportunity for a new executive to come in. When I signified interest, I was lucky that a majority of all the clubs and associations endorsed my candidacy and I was elected unopposed.

Does it mean that all those projects were executed before you became chairman?

Yes, they were executed by my predecessors. But there are other projects that I am working on, such as a new secretariat for the council. Also, I make sure that the existing projects are kept alive. The general hospital built by the administration of Otunba Abayomi Adedeji is still there, but it is not functioning. It is my wish that the hospital is functional before the end of my tenure. So, I am equally working on that with all interested bodies, including the government particularly, to take over the hospital and run it for the benefit of our people.

Since you assumed the position, have you enjoyed the people’s support?

The response has been tremendous. Let me seize the opportunity to express my gratitude to the kabiyesi, Oba Abdulrazaq Adenugba, for his support. He has always been there for me and has never hesitated to help us out. I thank all the sons and daughters of Ago-Iwoye at home and abroad for their support. I will mention people like Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, Maj.-Gen. Awosanya, Dr. Bayo Yusuf, and the deputy governor of the state, Prince Segun Adesegun and Club 50 of Ago-Iwoye.

Does it mean that you always maintained contact with the town?

I am a homeboy. Even when I was out of the Western State, I was always in touch with my community. In appreciation of my efforts, I was given the highest recognition award even before I became chairman of the council. This year, such awards will be bestowed on a number of illustrious sons and daughters of Ago-Iwoye for their contributions to the community.