Abiodun rallies support for N600m Ogun palace project

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, representative of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi and the Odemo of Isara Remo, Oba Peter Ogunbayo during the 57th Afotamodi Day held at Isara on Saturday.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has thrown his weight behind the proposed N600m palace project in Isara-Remo, Remo North Local Government Area of the state, urging indigenes at home and in the diaspora to rally support for the initiative.

Abiodun, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, at the 57th Afotamodi Day celebration held in Isara-Remo on Saturday, described the proposed palace as more than a physical structure, saying it would preserve the community’s cultural heritage, strengthen traditional institutions and reflect the dignity of the ancient town.

Other dignitaries at the event included Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, an indigene of the community; Chief Mrs Bola Obasanjo, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Hon Oladipupo Adebutu, the 2027 PDP governorship candidate in the state; the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; the Chief Executive Officer of Adron Homes, Adetola Emmanuel King; and the Onirolu of Irolu Remo, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga, among others.

The governor commended the Afotamodi Planning Committee, community leaders and individuals who had contributed to the initiative, while calling on all sons and daughters of Isara to support the project towards its successful completion.

He said, “Your Majesty, I understand that this year’s celebration also provides an opportunity to mobilise resources towards the proposed N600 million befitting palace project. I commend the Afotamodi Planning Committee, the community leadership and every individual who has contributed to this worthy initiative.

“A palace is not merely a physical structure; it is an enduring symbol of traditional authority, cultural continuity, communal pride and the dignity of the institution it represents. I encourage all sons and daughters of Isara, wherever they may be, to identify with this noble undertaking and contribute generously towards its successful realisation.”

The governor, who congratulated the Odemo of Isara-Remo, Oba Peter Ogunbayo, on the celebration, described the 57-year-old Afotamodi festival as a significant platform for preserving the community’s history, values and traditions.

He said the annual festival had remained a symbol of the people’s collective identity and a rallying point for strengthening family ties, promoting religious harmony and advancing communal development.

Abiodun also commended Isara indigenes in Nigeria and across the world for maintaining strong ties with their ancestral home, noting that their willingness to mobilise resources and invest in community development remained essential to sustainable growth.

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According to him, the development of Ogun State was a collective responsibility requiring the active participation of the government, traditional institutions, community leaders and citizens.

The governor, who described himself as a proud son of Remoland, used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and other development initiatives across the area.

He said his administration had remained committed to equitable development across the state since assuming office in 2019 through its ISEYA development agenda, covering Infrastructure, Social Welfare and Well-being, Education, Youth Empowerment, and Agriculture and Food Security.

Speaking at the event, the Odemo of Isara-Remo, Oba Peter Ogunbayo, appealed to indigenes of the community, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the proposed N600m reconstruction of his palace.

Oba Ogunbayo described the proposed palace project as a collective responsibility and an important legacy that would preserve the community’s history, cultural identity and traditional institution for future generations.

He said the N600m target should not be regarded merely as a fundraising figure but as a commitment by the people to restoring their heritage and preserving their identity.

The monarch also highlighted efforts by his traditional administration to strengthen security, attract investments and promote economic development in the ancient community.

The Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, in his remarks, urged the sons and daughters of the community to prioritise unity and reaffirm their commitment to using their resources and influence to develop the community.

Oba Ajayi emphasised that rapid development could only be achieved when the people rose to complement the government’s efforts to improve the lives of citizens.