Chief Odomode Adeyemi LaCrown Joins all Sons and daughters of Ikaram Akoko to celebrate the new yam festival
…Marks three years in office as National President of Ikaram Progressive Union (IPU) with achievements
As I sit back in my home away from home, communing in my reflection of the new yam festival, IMUNA, in Ikaram today, I also remember that it is three years since I was elected the president of Ikaram Progressive Union. The New Yam Festival, in Ikaram, is an important way of marking the beginning and end of the farming season. It is a celebration of life, accomplishments in the community, culture, and well-being, and we so much cherish it.
To our kabiyesi, Oba Commodore (Rtd.) Andrew Olamoyi Momodu (Osona I), the Akala of Ikaram Kingdom. I say congratulations and happy celebration. To all the chiefs and the sons and daughters of Ikaram across the globe, I wish you happy imuna and pray that Oosi Omisedug, oba adeda, aseda will continue to endow you with long life. and in good health to celebrate many more imuna in your lifetime.
The knowledge that the tenure of this administration in IPU is three years today fills me with joy and great satisfaction. One would have thought that today would signal the change of baton according to Article 21 of our constitution, which stipulates that “election shall be conducted every three years”. However, Article 24, Election of Officers, also states that “election of officer shall be conducted at a meeting schedule for the purpose in December of every year. In line with this article, the congress at the annual general meeting of December 2023 passed the resolution to embrace article 24 so that the Union can revert to December for election.
Exactly three years ago, I was elected the president of this noble organization with others. Our resolve was to use the organization as a tool for Ikaram development. Thus, as a candidate, and with my years of participation in the organization, my campaign was based on building a solid structure for the Union. My conviction was that if Ikaram must be developed, and IPU must play a vantage role in it, then it must be established as an institution of repute with agenda.
As we hit the ground running, my stewardship will record a few experiences that I had together with innumerable trips which have carried me to every corner of our country, into homes, both lowly and luxurious, and even to the offices of our revered sons and daughters of the town. I also embarked on some trips to a few branches of IPU, and I could say unequivocally that my experiences have been rich. From them, I have distilled principles and policies in which I firmly believe, for they represent the meaning of my life’s work. They are the products of much sweat and sorrow. No matter what you do, you will meet people who are smiling but filled with rage, looking for that moment that you will make mistakes and they will capitalize on them.
Perhaps, in them, there is something of value. With my unwavering faith and commitment to building a community, I am not perturbed. So, as this administration draws to a close, with an extra six months to wrap up the great work we started in the history of IPU, I am well convinced that we will have a legacy to pass on to generation yet unborn. I have repeatedly stated that IPU is not a testing ground for me in terms of service and leading an organization, except that it is a local organization that ties one to one’s birth.
It is very difficult to be right all the time without considering the long-lasting relationship that was built on history. In this vein, permit me to say that three years ago, when this administration came on board, we were elected by nine (9) branches of IPU. Today, we can boast of almost 20 branches, including IPU-Europe, amongst others that are playing pivotal roles in the development of Ikaram.
We also have several branches that will be coming on board, possibly before this year is over. I am glad to place on record that Ikaram people, under the umbrella of IPU, now congregate in Sango Ota, Arigidi Akoko, AAUA-first collegiate unit, Ondo, Ore/Ile Oluji. We’re also working tirelessly to make sure IPU would be established in Okeagbe and Canada as the case may be.
Nonetheless, in all these efforts to establish a system that works, we were faced with a couple of daunting challenges that slow us down. However, it should be made clear to anyone that IPU can never be an organization where anyone anywhere can begin to actualize the millennium goals of the United nation. The era of the millennium is gone, and Nigeria happened to Ikaram. If the IPU of the 2005-2015 (the millennium era) is the way we have an IPU of today, with much awareness and patriotism, I don’t think the late Agagu would have politicized the program. Ju gbogbo re lo, ki a sa maa dupe. Whatever Ikaram got from that program is still here for us to use for different programs.
I can not begin to list several innovations that we have brought into the Union in three years, especially after post COVID-19 and Nigeria peculiar insecurity, which was across the nation. IPU had done her best to fortify the security challenges in Ikaram by the cooperation of all Ikaram indigenes to secure our land against bandits. We instituted the Image Award, whose sole aim was for honor, gratitude, and appreciation for our sons and daughters who have put the town on the global map. We are so happy to champion the honor done to Justice Adejumo, OON, and Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, CON, after their meritorious years of service to the nation. The Image Award has united us in several ways by identifying the prestigious accomplishment of our sons and daughters in their various fields of expertise and careers.
At this juncture, it is a statement of fact that our works in three years could span over years, but everyone should also know that the foundation we attempt to lay can not be solidified in three years of service unless anyone wants to embrace rhetoric over true service. Let us always remember that our visionary, brave, and patriotic ancestors came from different places to settle under rocks for safety and beside streams for livelihood. It was their ultimate sacrifices to let go of what they cherished most for themselves that made them to come together and embraced freedom, liberty, and comfort to build a community that gave us a town that we now know today as Ikaram
Our assignment today is to remember the values of what was handed over to us that made us who we are and improve on them. They’re not perfect then, just as we’re not perfect today, but they knew that love would thrive in the place of hate, light will always overshadow darkness and lies can never comprehend the truth no matter how long it exists. These are what we lack today, and they are the basic yardsticks of ancient development. They would remain the same today.
So, let us build in love. Don’t wait until someone’s candle is out before you bring out your own candle. Light your candle so that we can all strengthen the intensity of the light in our community. When we build in love, it is positive and helpful. It is more beneficial than hate. Our aim must be to create a world of fellowship and justice where our enemies must be forgiven, and the wrongs of our fathers can not be held against them. Once again, happy imuna day
/sgd/
Chief (Dr) Odomode Adeyemi Ololade Ibiobamimo Opemipo LaCrown
President, IPU National
