Gov Makinde, Lover Of Cultural Development – Olooye Adegoke

*Says World Twins Festival will Boost Oyo’s Economy

By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan

Aare Egbe-Omo Balogun of Ibadanland, Olooye Adegboyega Adegoke at the weekend, lauded Gov Seyi Makinde for creating Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Olooye Adegoke who is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship hopeful in Oyo State, gave the commendation while speaking as the Chairman of this year’s edition of World Twins Festival held in Igboora on Saturday.

The PDP governorship hopeful said the creation of the Ministry has shown Gov Seyi Makinde as a lover of cultural developments.

Olooye Adegoke emphasized that if the annual World Twins Festival, Igbo-Ora is sustained and properly coordinated to attract foreign tourists it will boost the economy of not only Ibarapaland but the entire Oyo State.

“If we all come together to celebrate this festival every year, if we come together to organize it in a perfect way and we attract tourists from other countries like the Caribbean nations, the Latin America, it will help catapult the economy of IIbarapaland”, he said

Olooye Adegoke added, “And you know Ibarapa is a sub – set of Oyo State. Therefore, if the economy of Ibarapa improves invariably the economy of Oyo State will improve.”

“If this festival attracts tourists from Overseas, definitely it will attract developments. It will boost the economy of Ibarapaland because people will invest in hotels and tourism”.

He stressed further” People will invest in transportation, government will invest in security, electricity and other infrastructural development.

“And I want to be part of the people that will bring developments to this place and encourage developments in Oyo State. By next year, I will be here and by then I would have picked the governorship ticket and by 2027, by God’s grace, I will be governor of Oyo State and we will do it better”.

The Aare Egbe-Omo Balogun of Ibadanland at the Annual World Twins Festival donated N20 million to the development of the festival and N10 million each to the people of Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa North and Ibarapa East .

The Olu of Igbo-Ora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye while speaking said it’s the collective aspiration of all that the Igbo-Ora Twins Festival continues to grow “not only as a global celebration of our uniqueness but as a platform for youth development, peace – building and empowerment”.

” Together let us uphold the value, tradition and spirit that makes Igbo-Ora great while praying for a better future for generations yet unborn.

We must nurture in our youth, the spirit of cooperation, discipline, hard work dignity of labour and patriotism” he said.

Oba Titiloye stressed that the Twins Festival must provides the platform to re-orientate the minds of the youth towards positive values and purposeful living.

“It is through this spirit that we must empower our youth towards access to quality education, vocational training, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.Our young people can become productive citizens who will uplift Igbo-Ora and lift Oyo State in future. We must make Igbo-Ora a hub of youth empowerment”.

Her swearing-in on May 5, 2025, marked a historic milestone — making her the first female chairperson of Fufore in more than three decades, following in the footsteps of the late Zainab Ahmadu Ribadu. The appointment, endorsed by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, reflected not only political confidence but also recognition of her competence and dedication as a long-serving member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Transforming Vision into Action

Since assuming office, Hon. Audu has been driven by a clear vision: to transform Fufore through effective governance, inclusive growth, and community development. Her administration has prioritized agricultural support, infrastructure renewal, and social welfare.

Early in her tenure, she distributed more than 700 bags of fertilizer to local farmers — a move aimed at boosting productivity and ensuring a bountiful harvest. She also restored transparency and fairness in local governance, rekindling the morale of workers who had long felt neglected.

Education remains the cornerstone of sustainable progress, and Hon. Peace Audu has given it topmost priority. She believes that empowering the minds of the young is the surest way to secure Fufore’s future.

Under her leadership, new classrooms have been constructed and existing ones upgraded in Chigari and Dulo communities, giving children a more conducive learning environment. Her efforts are rekindling hope among parents and teachers alike — proving that when education is prioritized, the entire community thrives.

One of her most celebrated initiatives is the “Haske Maganin Duhu” project, meaning “Light is the solution to darkness.” Recognizing that many Fufore communities remain off the national power grid, Hon. Audu launched a solar electrification drive to illuminate some communities and dark spots in the LG

Through the initiative, solar-powered streetlights have been installed across Ribadu, Dasin Hausa, Dulo Bwatiye, Dason Bwatiye, Ngurore, Riko, and Fufore town. The project has enhanced security, stimulated night-time commerce, and improved the overall quality of life for residents.

In addition to lighting up Fufore, Hon. Audu has tackled one of the region’s most pressing challenges — access to clean water. Her administration has installed solar-powered boreholes in six communities, providing a sustainable solution to water scarcity. These boreholes have significantly improved hygiene, reduced water-borne diseases, and relieved women and children of the daily struggle to fetch water from distant sources.

Hon. Audu’s leadership style has often been described as “motherly” — firm, compassionate, and people-centered. She is leading by example, showing that governance at the grassroots level can be both visionary and humane.

Under her stewardship, Fufore is undergoing visible transformation — a change residents proudly liken to turning their hometown into “a small London.”

Following in the footsteps of a Mentor Hon. Audu attributed her leadership philosophy to the guidance of Governor Fintiri, whom she fondly describes as her mentor and “master transformer.”

“What I’m doing in Fufore is what Governor Fintiri has taught me — development and transformation,” she said.

As Fufore embraces this new era of progress, Hon. Peace Audu stands out as a shining example of inclusive leadership — one that brings light, water, and hope to her people.