Olaniyan boosts Oko community with solar boreholes, 100 street lights, canvasses support for APC Ahead of 2027
Olaniyan boosts Oko community with solar boreholes, 100 street lights, canvasses support for APC Ahead of 2027
The ancient town of Oko in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State witnessed a major boost to its social infrastructure on Sunday as two solar-powered boreholes and 100 solar-powered street lights were commissioned for the benefit of residents.
The projects were facilitated by Omo-oba Adedamola Olaniyan of the Oranmiyan Dynasty as part of efforts aimed at improving access to potable water, enhancing public safety and promoting community development in the historic town.
The commissioning ceremony attracted a large gathering of traditional leaders, political stakeholders, youth groups, community leaders and residents, who described the interventions as timely and impactful. The event also provided a platform for renewed calls for unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during the ceremony, Olaniyan said the projects were inspired by his desire to give back to the community that nurtured him, stressing that his commitment to development was driven by a sense of responsibility rather than political ambition.
According to him, the welfare of the people remains his foremost priority, adding that providing essential infrastructure is one of the most meaningful ways of contributing to the progress of society.
"Today is about giving back to the community that raised me, my greatest desire is to see Oko develop and our people enjoy basic amenities. The future belongs to God, but for now, my focus is service to humanity and the progress of our community," he said.
Olaniyan, however, used the occasion to appeal to residents of Oyo Central Senatorial District and the Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency to rally behind the candidates of the APC in the 2027 elections.
He expressed confidence in the governorship ticket of Senator Sharafadeen Alli and his running mate, Hon. Adedeji Adesoji Michael, popularly known as Iba Agba, describing them as capable of sustaining development across Oyo State.
He also canvassed support for Hon. Segun Odebunmi, popularly known as Bunvic, for the Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency seat, saying the lawmaker's experience and legislative track record placed him ahead of other contenders.
Representing Hon. Odebunmi at the event, Prince Adesina Adedokun Aremo-Oranmiyan of Okoland commended Olaniyan for translating his love for the community into tangible developmental projects.
He noted that the installation of the solar-powered boreholes and street lights would improve the quality of life of residents while addressing long-standing challenges associated with access to clean water and insecurity arising from poor lighting.
"Omo-oba Adedamola Olaniyan has distinguished himself as a proud and worthy son of Oko. Rather than making promises, he has chosen to make meaningful investments in the welfare of his people. These projects will have lasting impacts on the lives of residents, and they deserve our appreciation," he said.
Prince Adedokun further stated that the interventions reflected the developmental ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda, urging residents to support APC candidates in the forthcoming elections to attract more dividends of democracy to the area.
Among dignitaries present at the event were Prince Adepoju Amos Akinade, Mr. Moses Olushadow, the National General Secretary of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), Comrade Olayinka Tiamiyu, alongside several political leaders, community stakeholders and well-wishers.
Many residents who spoke after the commissioning described the projects as a significant milestone in the development of Oko, expressing optimism that the provision of clean water and solar-powered street lighting would improve public health, strengthen security and stimulate socio-economic activities within the ancient community.
The projects add to growing calls by community leaders for increased investment in grassroots infrastructure, with residents expressing hope that similar interventions would be replicated across other communities in Surulere Local Government Area.
