In a significant move towards unity and progress, the Oyo State Government, through the Office of Community Relations (Igbo Community), hosted the “A-Day Extraordinary Igbo Town Hall Meeting” at the House of Chiefs, State Secretariat, Ibadan. The event, which took place on Friday, gathered Igbo leaders from various factions within Oyo State, with the aim of addressing emerging challenges and formulating strategies for sustainable development under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde.
The meeting, tagged “Peace Talk and Way Forward: Navigating Emerging Issues on Delivering the Roadmap for Sustainable Development in Oyo State,” focused on forging a common path for the Igbo community, fostering peace, and discussing the roles the Igbo people can play in contributing to the state’s development agenda.
Hon. Tallest Innocent, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Community Relations (Igbo Community), convened the meeting, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and mutual understanding among different Igbo factions in the state. He also encouraged the community to come and invest in Oyo State as the government has provided a safe and secured environment for business development.
The gathering approved the governor provided an inclusive platform for dialogue, where key issues affecting the community were addressed and solutions for harmonious coexistence and sustainable growth were proposed.
The event was well-attended by prominent Igbo leaders, elders, and representatives from various segments of the Igbo community in Oyo State. Participants engaged in thoughtful discussions aimed at charting a course for peace and prosperity, aligned with the state government’s roadmap for development.
Rt Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, the Speaker of the Oyo State Assembly, in his address, emphasized the need for peace and unity amongst the Igbo community in Oyo State and made it known that the legislature is dedicated to creating laws that benefit everyone, regardless of backgrounds and tribes.
The event also saw the participation of various stakeholders; Chief Aloy O. Obi, Chief James Oramadike, Sir Isaac Okonkwo (Uchekinze), Chief Collins Emeka Okolie, Chief Dan Okoye (Danax) among others who affirmed their commitment to contributing to the sustainable development of Oyo State, while also reinforcing the importance of peaceful coexistence among all ethnic groups within the state.
The Igbo Town Hall Meeting is expected to mark the beginning of an ongoing series of engagements aimed at further strengthening ties among the diverse communities in Oyo State and ensuring that all groups are represented and involved in the state’s growth trajectory.
