Arisekola Turns Oje Into Carnival of Community Development, Shares School Materials, Promises Mosque in Three Months

It was a day of community development, youth engagement and an overwhelming show of grassroots enthusiasm on Saturday as Chief ‘Bowale Oluwole Arisekola, Mogaji of the Ajenigieye family of Oje, Ibadan, commissioned a motorised borehole at Temidire, Oje, before proceeding to commission a block of public toilets and turn the sod for a new mosque at the Ajenigieye family compound.

Arisekola’s arrival at Temidire was greeted by a mammoth crowd comprising market men and women, youths and other grassroots stakeholders, whose enthusiastic reception gave the community project commissioning an atmosphere reminiscent of a political rally.

From Temidire, the community leader moved to the Ajenigieye family compound, where he commissioned the public toilet facility and pledged to complete the proposed mosque within three months, drawing attention to his continued engagement with residents through community-focused interventions.

The day’s programme also featured an extensive interaction with youths, men and women under the auspices of the Oluwole Arisekola Foundation (OAF) and his movement, with discussions centred on community welfare, youth development, peaceful coexistence and the responsibilities of residents towards their neighbourhood.

Although Arisekola had earlier clarified that the gathering was not a political affair, the enthusiasm displayed by beneficiaries and stakeholders from Ibadan North, where Oje is located, gave the occasion a strong political undertone, as supporters expressed their appreciation for the interventions and encouraged continued grassroots engagement.

Beyond the infrastructure projects, the engagement provided an opportunity for Arisekola to distribute back-to-school materials, including textbooks and mathematical sets, alongside cash donations to support beneficiaries.

The donations were also supported by the Chairman of Harmony Garden and Estate Development Limited, Hon. Saheed Mosadoluwa, popularly known as Ibile, and Hon. Umar Farouk Arisekola-Alao, the APC candidate for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, who joined Arisekola in extending assistance to members of the community.

Speaking during the engagement, Arisekola admonished residents to maintain peaceful conduct at all times, particularly before, during and after the 2027 general elections. He stressed the importance of unity, tolerance and responsible behaviour in sustaining peace within the community, reiterating his earlier position that Ibadan should be placed above party loyalty.

He also pledged to sustain his interventions aimed at improving the lives of the people, assuring residents that his commitment to community development and grassroots engagement would remain a priority.

The distribution of educational materials formed part of the day's outreach, as beneficiaries received textbooks and mathematical sets to support their children's education and prepare them for the new academic session.

Ibile Chooses Capacity Building Over Cash Donations

One of the major highlights of the engagement was Mosadoluwa's pledge to prioritise capacity building for youths in Oje rather than limit empowerment to immediate cash donations.

Addressing members of the Oje Youth Forum, the Harmony Garden chairman promised to procure factory equipment during his next trip to China alongside Arisekola, with the aim of creating productive opportunities for young people in the community.

According to him, the proposed intervention would enable the youths to engage in productive activities, earn a living and contribute towards supporting elderly members of their community.

Mosadoluwa's proposal introduced a practical dimension to the engagement, emphasising the need to equip young people with the tools and opportunities required to become self-reliant rather than depend solely on financial handouts.

He also urged the youths to maintain good conduct, protect the interests of their community and remain supportive of Arisekola, whom he described as someone who had consistently contributed to the welfare of the people without demanding anything in return.

Mosadoluwa encouraged residents to continue praying for the Mogaji and supporting his community development efforts, while urging young people to demonstrate responsibility and commitment to the progress of Oje.

Ojetola Commends Arisekola's Philanthropy
In his remarks, Balogun Gafar Ojetola described Arisekola's philanthropic interventions as exemplary and inspiring, noting that his efforts to support residents and provide essential amenities deserved encouragement.

Ojetola urged the people of Oje, particularly beneficiaries of the initiatives, to reciprocate the gesture through prayers, support and encouragement for Arisekola to continue his interventions.

He stressed that the community could demonstrate appreciation by wishing the Mogaji long life and continued strength to sustain his contributions to the welfare of residents.

The event also attracted Princess Adijat Ajesubomi Adetunji, daughter of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji; Dr. Saheed Adetunbi Ige, alongside other community leaders and stakeholders.

With the commissioning of the borehole and public toilets, the promise to deliver the mosque within three months, educational support and proposed youth-focused industrial intervention, Saturday's activities brought together infrastructure provision, philanthropy and conversations about sustainable community development.

For the youths, the proposed factory equipment could offer a pathway towards productive engagement, while residents will be looking forward to the completion of the mosque and the continued maintenance of the newly commissioned facilities.