The Oluwo of Iwoland, Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has disclosed that the ancient city will soon compete favourably and surpass Kano, Lagos and other big cities in Nigeria.
Oba Akanbi expressed this at the annual 2021 Iwo day celebration held at Oluwo Stadium, Iwo, noting that, “My dream is to see the ancient town greater than the Centre of Excellence, Lagos.”
The monarch further said his efforts is tailored towards building a distinctively economic vibrant metropolis, urging stakeholders to complement his endeavours at restoring the glory of Iwo.
“Iwo was the 5th largest city in Nigeria in 1931 after Lagos, Ibadan, Kano and Ogbomoso” he added, even as he assured citizens of his commitment to meet up again and be better through a vigorous and rigorous exercise of traditional influence.
Oba Akanbi called on well meaning sons and daughters of Iwoland to more dedicated to Iwo through harmonization of interest at securing a better future for the land.
He said: “In 1931, according to census conducted, Iwo was the 5th largest city after Lagos, Ibadan, Kano and Ogbomoso. But certain factors that cannot be discussed here caused a monumental drawback. I’ve come to reclaim and restore the glory of the town to compete favourably with Lagos, Kano and other great cities.
“I’m trying my utmost hrough traditional influence. Occassionally, I act like a boy, I don’t mine presenting myself a party man if such will be to the advantage of town.
“While I acknowledge the efforts of the Patriots, I want to charge them to continously toe the path of honour. I look up to constitution of a powerful team that will designed 2030, 2040 and 2050 visions for Iwoland. We should a plan of action at interval to economically, politically, socially and educationally shaped the fortune of our great land,Iwo, the home of parrot.”
Akanbi added that, “I appeal to every parent to encourage their children to be loyal and patriotic. Iwo is business friendly and safe for investment. Let’s harmonize interest to bring out the best in us.
“My enthronement heralded unprecedented recognition for Iwo. Development is in stages. We have successfully established our position and the next is facilitation of infrastructures. We are on that now. Though, it is a sacrifice but I’m enjoying it. The results are motivations to do. I enjoin reasonable individual to cooperate in face-lifting our dear heritage.”
