2.0 OPENING PRAYER AND INTRODUCTION OF DIGNITARIES

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1 ROYAL LUNCHEON AND INTERACTIVE SESSION IN REALIZATION OF ONDO CITY VISION 2015 HELD ON SATURDAY, 14TH JULY, 2012 AT THE PALACE OF THE OSEMAWE OF ONDO KINGDOM, HRM, OBA DR. VICTOR ADESIMBO KILADEJO, JILO III 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Theme of the Interaction The Interactive Session was held under the divine guidance of God and distinguished leadership of the Kabiyesi, Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Dr. Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo with the theme: ONDO CITY VISION 2015 which has the objectives to transform Ondo Town into a City by year OPENING PRAYER AND INTRODUCTION OF DIGNITARIES 2.1 Opening Prayer was said by the Provost of St. Stephen s Anglican Cathedral, Oke Aluko, Ondo, Very Revd. Stephen Adeniran Oni. 2.2 The Introduction of Kabiyesi, the Osemawe, High Chiefs, the Asafurin of Igbado and other Chiefs and dignitaries were done by Mr. J. B. Akindutire The High Chiefs, the Ukules, the Elegbes, the Olojas, the Upojis, and the Honourary Chiefs paid obeisance to the Kabiyesi, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom. 2.4 The programme was anchored by Mr. J. B. Akindutire and Mrs Remi Duyile. 3.0 WELCOME Chief Mrs Funke Iluyemi, on behalf of the Kabiyesi, presented a colourful welcome address to the Ondos bringing a lot of traditional norms and culture to spice the assignment. 4.0 SPEECH FROM THE THRONE The Kabiyesi, HRM, Oba Dr. Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, presented the speech from the throne. Below are the highlights: 4.1 Kabiyesi gave an excuse for the unavoidable absence of His Excellency, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Governor of Ondo State, and welcomed Chief Yele Ogundipe, the State Commissioner for Finance for coming to represent him. 4.2 Kabiyesi thanked his High Chiefs, the Olori, religious leaders, community leaders, representatives of Clubs, and other dignitaries for their presence at the ceremony. 4.3 HRM said that the purpose of the Royal Luncheon is to bring the people together and foster unity among the Ekimoguns and that the theme for this year is the Vision 2015.

2 4.4 HRM appreciated the contribution of the members of the Committee for working tirelessly to bring into fruition the objectives fo the Vision. 4.5 Kabiyesi mentioned the laudable projects undertaken to maintain the culture of diligence, hardwork and commitment of the Ondo sons and daughters. 4.6 Kabiyesi said that the Ondo City Vision 2015 is for all Ondos irrespective of social status, gender or political affiliation. 4.7 He said the gathering is to identify what has been done and which areas would need to be improved upon stating that suggestions are welcomed to bring about development in the land. 4.8 The Kabiyesi said we must transform Ondo into a shinning City that others will emulate, stating that this must be our own agenda called ONDO AGENDA. This we must encourage because we are known to be achievers 4.9 Kabiyesi thanked the Executive Governor of Ondo State for the laudable projects he has embarked on within the Kingdom and prayed that God will give him the enablement to complete the good work Kabiyesi then prayed for peaceful and safe return of individuals to their various destinations. 5.0 CHAIRMAN S SPEECH 5.1 Chief C.F.G. Akinwolemiwa, Chairman of Ondo City Vision 2015 presented the journey so far which major template is transforming Ondo Town into a City by year He listed some of the achievements as follows: (i) The Ondo Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture with Chief Olu Akinkugbe as Patron has been registered by the corporate affair commission. (ii.) The possession has been taken of the Ondo Town Hall and the adjoining building for the take off of Ondo Heritage Museum as part of the programme on Cultural Renaissance. (iii) Some areas of the town have been identified for greening under the Green Up Sub- Committee. (iv) Land has been secured and paid for at the Ondo State Housing Corporation for the purpose of building a modern estate before the year Site planning is already in progress.

3 (v) (vi) (vii) An industrial park is being planned with the cooperation of the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The security Sub-Committee is also working assiduously to ensure a safe environment, even for the future. Funding is also being vigorously pursued through the Board of Funding. 6.0 SOURCE OF FUNDING 6.1 A speech was made by Mr. Folageshin Akinnawo. He opened the window to efforts at generating funds. 6.2 That each Ondo son and daughter, in order to realize the Ondo City Vision 2015, should pay a minimum levy of N10,000 (Ten Thousand Naira only) per annum (instalmental payment acceptable). 6.3 That the fund shall be administered by a Board of Trustees and that any contribution shall be made public via the Vision Committee website org within 48 hours of payment. 6.4 Financial contribution to this fund is not by coercion but shall be voluntarily compulsory and every amount collected will be scrupulously accounted for. 6.5 That all modalities needed to be put in place for the collection of fund will kick start immediately. 7.0 REACTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS Ondo sons and daughters in attendance were indeed elated with the direction of the Vision. They reacted and contributed enthusiastically to the Interractive session. These are the highlights: (i) That sons and daughters of Ondo should remember home believing that East or West, home is the best. (ii) That Ondos should deemphasize individualism and focus attention on collective efforts. (iii) That efforts should be made at ensuring Youth empowerment towards the attainment of the Ondo City Vision (iv) That those affiliated with Clubs should use their Clubs as the platform for their donation. (v) That those without Clubs should contribute directly into the Vision account.

4 (vi) That clubs may, as part of their contribution, sponsor or take over projects aimed at achieving the Vision. (vii) That the Vision 2015 Committee should prioritize its action plans without necessarily taking every programme at once, and at the same time should bring in other professionals who have achieved a lot in their various fields into the Committee so that its objectives will be achieved. (viii) That other activities in addition to whatever levy payable could be commercialized. (ix) That investigation should be made into why some Virile and viable industries sited in Ondo in the past had failed and collapsed while a lot of actions should be put in place to guard against such occurrence in a bid to realize the goals and aspirations of the Vision (x) That Ondo Clubs should look into execution of projects that will have direct and positive effect on the Community. 7.2 The representative of The Ekimogun Association, Dallas, Mr. Robert Omoyele talked about their readiness to facilitate the establishment of a sister relationship between Ondo Kingdom and the city of Dallas in U.S. The Chairman of the Committee and Mrs. Remi Duyile (the State Adviser on Diaspora) were requested to liaise and ensure early implementation. 8.0 PRESENTATION BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT 8.1 The Ondo State Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, thanked and congratulated the Kabiyesi for putting in place the Ondo City Vision 2015 and the interactive session. He seized the opportunity of the session to highlight the laudable programme which the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko had put in place in Ondo State in general and Ondo Kingdom in particular. He made an audio visual presentation of some of the physical developmental projects in the Kingdom which he said were in line with the objectives of the Vision These include: 1. Dualization of Roads 2. Upgrading of Ondo Town Stadium 3. Building of Mega Schools 4. Modernization of Obaferere Market 5. Farm at Epe 6. Development of a Medical Excellence corridor along Laje road consisting of:- (i) Mother and Child Hospital

5 (ii) Ultra Modern Trauma Centre (iii) Well equipped Gani Fawehinmi Diagnostic Centre (iv) Medical and Surgical Wards (v) Staff Quarters and (vi) Administrative Block for the entire Complex The presentation was well received and applauded. 8.2 The Honourable Commissioner for Finance in Ondo State, Hon. Chief Yele Ogundipe also congratulated the Kabiyesi for floating the interactive session which had already started to produce meaningful results. He delivered the goodwill message of the Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to the Kabiyesi and the Ondo Community, promising that in a matter of weeks, some additional township roads will be awarded for immediate construction, including other projects in line with the goals and aspirations of the Ondo City Vision He confirmed that His Excellency desires, in his second term, to construct a road from Ondo through Laje to Ajebandele (along Benin Ore expressway). 9.0 ENTERTAINMENT 9.1 The award winning Ondo State Cultural Troupe entertained the guests with their theatrical performance of Ondo songs and dance. 9.2 sumptuous food and drinks were served VOTE OF THANKS The general vote of thanks was proposed by Chief Prof. A. A. Aderoba, the Lotujama of Ondo Kingdom CLOSING PRAYER The closing prayer was said by the Chief Imam of Ondo, Alhaji Bashiru Alimi.