By CoolNews Correspondent Ado-Ekiti, September 24, 2025
Two prominent Ekiti State communities are mounting sustained pressure on Governor Biodun Oyebanji to fulfill critical infrastructure promises that could reshape their economic fortunes and cultural standing, as residents express growing impatience over delayed project implementations.
The communities of Ise Ekiti in Ise/Orun Local Government Area and Ijesa Isu in Ikole Local Government Area have launched separate but coordinated appeals to the governor, highlighting projects they describe as fundamental to their survival and prosperity in an increasingly competitive economic landscape.
The Olowe Museum Project: A Cultural Renaissance Awaits
The Master Carver’s Legacy
At the heart of Ise Ekiti’s appeal lies the proposed world-class Olowe Museum, designed to immortalize one of Africa’s most celebrated sculptors. Olowe of Ise, who died in 1934, created masterpieces that now grace prestigious museums across America and Europe, making him a global icon of African artistry.
The late sculptor’s works, characterized by intricate wood carvings and innovative architectural elements, have been featured in renowned institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the British Museum in London, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. His artistic legacy represents not just Ekiti State’s cultural heritage, but Nigeria’s contribution to world art.
Community Mobilization and Formal Appeals
The Ten O’s Club of Ise Ekiti, serving as the community’s voice, has submitted a comprehensive letter to Governor Oyebanji through its National Secretary, Patrick Abayomi. The September 18, 2025 correspondence represents months of community deliberations and strategic planning.
“It is of our collective appeal to Your Excellency to please, fulfill the promise made to Ise people on the ultra-modern Museum which will contribute largely to the development of the town, educate the people historically and bring revenue by visitors who shall be visiting on tourism purposes,” Abayomi stated in the carefully crafted appeal.
The community has positioned the museum project as a multi-dimensional investment that would serve educational, economic, and cultural preservation purposes simultaneously. Local leaders estimate that the facility could attract thousands of international tourists annually, generating significant revenue for both the community and the state.
Economic Projections and Tourism Potential
Community leaders have conducted preliminary assessments suggesting that the Olowe Museum could become a major tourist destination, potentially rivaling established cultural sites across West Africa. The project is expected to:
- Create direct employment opportunities for local tour guides, security personnel, and maintenance staff
- Stimulate the growth of hospitality businesses including hotels, restaurants, and craft shops
- Attract international researchers and art historians, boosting academic tourism
- Generate foreign exchange through international visitor spending
- Preserve and promote Yoruba cultural heritage for future generations
The Ten O’s Club emphasized their confidence in the governor’s second tenure, stating: “We strongly believe that the second tenure of the governor will make the completion of the Museum possible.”
Governor’s Initial Commitment
Governor Oyebanji’s 2023 announcement of the museum project generated significant excitement within the community. The governor had outlined plans to collaborate with Ise Ekiti residents and other stakeholders in transforming Olowe’s former residence into an internationally recognized center of attraction.
The proposed facility would feature:
- Exhibition halls showcasing Olowe’s works and artistic evolution
- Interactive displays explaining traditional Yoruba carving techniques
- Educational workshops for aspiring artists and craftsmen
- Research facilities for scholars studying African art history
- Cultural performance spaces for traditional music and dance
- Gift shops featuring locally-produced crafts and souvenirs
Ijesa Isu Road Project: Unlocking Agricultural Potential
The Economic Lifeline Challenge
In Ijesa Isu, located in Ikole Local Government Area, residents face a different but equally pressing infrastructure challenge. The rehabilitation of the Iluomoba–Ijesa Isu–Ikole Road has become a matter of economic survival for this predominantly agricultural community.
Princess Omobolaji Adeniyi, serving as the community’s Regent, has emerged as a vocal advocate for the road project. During a comprehensive media interaction on Wednesday, she detailed the road’s critical importance to the community’s economic activities.
Agricultural Economy Under Strain
Ijesa Isu’s economy revolves around agricultural production, with residents cultivating various crops including yam, cassava, maize, cocoa, and palm produce. However, the deteriorating road conditions have created significant barriers to market access, threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of farming families.
“This is an agrarian community, our farmers need to transport their goods from here to other neighboring towns and transit to and from this community with ease,” Princess Adeniyi explained, highlighting the direct correlation between road infrastructure and economic prosperity.
The current road conditions have resulted in:
- Increased transportation costs reducing farmers’ profit margins
- Post-harvest losses due to delayed transportation to markets
- Limited access to agricultural inputs and modern farming equipment
- Reduced investor interest in establishing agro-processing facilities
- Migration of young people to urban areas seeking better opportunities
- Isolation during rainy seasons when the road becomes impassable
Community Confidence Despite Delays
Despite the prolonged wait for project implementation, Princess Adeniyi expressed unwavering confidence in Governor Oyebanji’s commitment. “I can assure my people that our governor is a talk-and-do governor. He has assured us that he would do something about the road, so we are really hoping that, soon, something will be done in that direction.”
The Regent’s optimism reflects the community’s strategic approach to advocacy, maintaining positive relations with the state government while consistently pressing for project delivery.
Governor Oyebanji’s Infrastructure Legacy
Completed Projects and Achievements
Governor Oyebanji’s administration has established a notable track record in infrastructure development across Ekiti State. Major completed projects include:
The Ekiti Ring Road: A strategic transportation network connecting major towns and improving intra-state mobility.
Key Road Networks:
- Isinbode–Ara–Ikole Road
- Itapa–Ijelu Road
- Ikogosi–Igbara Odo Road
- Ikere–Igbara Odo Road
- Ikere–Ilawe Road
- Ikere–Ise Road
International Partnership and Funding
The administration’s partnership with the World Bank for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project represents a significant achievement in attracting international development funding. This collaboration involves constructing over 132 kilometers of rural roads, demonstrating the government’s commitment to agricultural community development.
The World Bank partnership indicates:
- International confidence in Ekiti State’s project implementation capacity
- Access to technical expertise and global best practices
- Sustainable funding mechanisms for long-term infrastructure development
- Alignment with international development goals and standards
Community Appreciation and Expectations
Acknowledgment of Previous Achievements
Both communities have demonstrated diplomatic maturity by acknowledging the governor’s achievements while maintaining pressure for pending projects. The Ten O’s Club specifically praised Oyebanji’s administration as “tremendous” and appreciated “the construction of the drainage channel across waterways in the town and other projects.”
This balanced approach reflects sophisticated community leadership that understands the importance of maintaining constructive relationships with government while advocating for constituent needs.
Strategic Timing and Political Context
The communities’ appeals come at a strategically significant time, as Governor Oyebanji settles into his second tenure with renewed mandate and presumably expanded political capital. Community leaders appear to be leveraging this honeymoon period to secure commitments for long-delayed projects.
Economic and Social Implications
Broader Development Impact
The successful implementation of both projects could catalyze broader economic development across the affected local government areas. The museum project could establish Ekiti State as a major cultural tourism destination, while the road rehabilitation could unlock agricultural potential and improve rural livelihoods.
State Revenue Generation
Both projects represent potential revenue streams for Ekiti State:
- Museum admission fees and associated tourism spending
- Improved agricultural productivity leading to higher tax revenues
- Job creation reducing unemployment and social services burden
- Attraction of additional investments in related sectors
Cultural Preservation and Identity
The Olowe Museum project carries particular significance for cultural preservation and identity reinforcement among Ekiti people, especially the younger generation increasingly disconnected from traditional arts and crafts.
Looking Forward: Expectations and Timelines
Community Patience and Persistence
While both communities maintain optimistic outlooks, there are subtle indications of growing impatience with project delays. The formal letters and media statements represent escalated advocacy efforts suggesting that informal approaches may have yielded limited results.
Government Response Anticipated
The detailed and public nature of these appeals suggests that communities expect concrete responses from the state government, including specific timelines for project commencement and completion.
As Governor Oyebanji’s second tenure unfolds, the fulfillment of these promises will likely serve as key indicators of his administration’s commitment to grassroots development and community empowerment. The success or failure of these projects may well define his legacy and influence future political calculations in both affected communities.
The coming months will reveal whether the governor’s “talk-and-do” reputation, as described by Princess Adeniyi, will translate into tangible infrastructure development that transforms the lives of ordinary Ekiti citizens waiting patiently for their promised projects to become reality.
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