By Olu Fanwo
It was not a day for long speeches but speeches were delivered all the same with each of the speech drawing the attention of government to the deplorable state of the road leading to Takete – Ide, an agrarian community in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The event was the 2024 edition of Takete-Ide Day. It was without doubt a colourful event which recorded the presence of many dignitaries, especially top government functionaries in the administration of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The community took advantage of the event to hold a N100 million fundraising for the completion of its town hall.
Related News
Takete -Ide is one of the ancient villages in Kogi State and it is a community where education and farming top the list of the people’s priorities.
The Chief Host and Chairman, Planning Committee, Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Olorunfemi Fanwo, described the celebration as a means of celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the community, bring to limelight the unity and the cherished spirit of hard work among the people.
The Honourable Commissioner while speaking to newsmen, commended the Chief Servant of the State, Governor Ododo for his steady support for community development and infrastructural facelifts across the state. He also appreciated the Governor for his exemplary leadership and appealed to him to accord priority attention to the road leading to the community for easy and smooth access.
One of the major significances of the celebration, he hinted, is to promote the culture of Takete-Ide people, draw the attention of the world to the exceptional and unique culture of the people. He also harped on the fact that the people are united and have always worked to advance their collective wellbeing.
Takete -Ide indigenous people, he revealed, are known to be hardworking, honest and industrious, adding that they have remained consistent in their support for the APC-led government in the state without waivering in their support.
Hon. Fanwo had said; “I call on the people of my community to remain united and be good ambassadors of Takete Ide wherever they find themselves around the world. Our community imbibes in us the spirit of fairness, hard work and honest living. So, we can survive wherever we are.
“We are believing government for more development in the areas of infrastructure, especially our access road. One of the things we are proud of is that the government is already fixing our secondary school here. The project would be completed in no distance time. But we want more of government’s presence and I will continue to campaign for that. I am part of the government but I will continue to bring it to the attention of His Excellency until it becomes a reality.”
He further said Takete -Ide is the centre of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as far as Yagba Federal Constituency is concerned and that government is sure that this community will always support its programmes.
The Olude of Takete Ide, HRH Oba Philip Ebilakun expressed his gratitude to Almighty God for making the day a reality, he appreciated the people of the community for their maximum support, describing the celebration as a symbol of peace and unity.
The President of Takete Ide Progressives Union ( TIPU), Builder Richard Dare Fiki, while appreciating Governor Ododo for appointing one of their illustrious sons as a Commissioner, commended him for approving remedial measures for roads in the community, but like Oliver Twist, he pleaded for a complete construction of the road to ease movement in and out of the community.
TIPU President described Takete Ide Day as a day the people set aside to celebrate love and togetherness, adding that they have agreed to move the community forward. On the sideline, four gallant security operatives, who are part of the community’s hunters’ group that defended the community against external attack in recent time at the risk of their lives, were conferred with awards and rewarded for their rare display of courage which helped them to repel the attack.
This year’s Takeke Ide day celebration took another dimension as deliberate effort was made to incorporate other events to make the celebration rich. Events that were incorporated included, cultural displays, a ceremonious maiden traditional wedding, eulogies, citations, award presentation and many more interesting and educative packages.
The occasion witnessed the presence of high calibre dignitaries with the Majority Leader of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Suleiman AbdulRazak, who represented the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Ali Bello, leading the pack of the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Mohammed Ahovi Yusuf; Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones; Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Hon. Sunday Faleke; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Acharu Okpanachi; Commissioner for Commerce, Hon. Mohammed Muktah Shuabu; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Communication, Mr. Ebenezer Adurodija, Managing Director/ CEO Kogi State Newspaper Corporation, Mr. Y.J Itopa, Director General, Kogi Broadcasting Corporation, Hajia Nana-Hawa Yusufu and all their Management team. Others included, Alamuro of Amuro, HRM Alfred Modupe Aiyedogbon and other traditional rulers and a host of others, who came to identify with the community with all of them praising the community for such huge display of unity and commitment to common good.
