Adeleke recreating, expanding Iwo central business districts – spokesperson

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reaffirmed his commitment to recreating and expanding Iwo’s central business districts as part of a broader strategy to stimulate economic growth in the ancient town.

The governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, stated this on Monday while receiving the new leadership of the Federation of Iwo, Ayedire Olaoluwa Students Union (FILSU) at his country home in Iwo.

Rasheed described the Iwo Central Business District as the economic heart of the town, linking Akaso, Post Office, Jankara and Palace junctions, and said the ongoing integrated dualisation of the Odo Ori–Post Office road was central to the governor’s development vision.

“What is happening to Iwo in the infrastructure sector is unprecedented. This goes beyond road dualisation; it is not a mere beautification exercise. It is a deliberate re-engineering of the heartland of Iwo,” Rasheed said.

He explained that the state government was recreating and expanding what he described as a “triangular economy” stretching from the main roundabout to the palace and Junction Osogbo.

“In the 1990s, during the tenure of our father figure, Chief Adedeji Gbadegesin, as chairman of Iwo Local Government, some youth leaders and I presented a Central Business District development plan to him on his first day in office. He did his best at the time. Today, Governor Adeleke has expanded that concept and is delivering multiple central business districts to the people of Iwo,” he added.

Rasheed said the governor had also transformed Odo Ori Market with an improved road network, describing it as a model South-West market. According to him, the current administration has constructed over 20 kilometres of roads in Iwo alone.

“Iwo has never had it so good. An Ede man has proved beyond doubt that he is a true friend of Iwo. From decades of neglect under so-called progressive groups, Iwo is today realising its dreams,” he said.

He urged Iwo indigenes to support continuity in state leadership, warning against any move that could lead to abandoned projects.

“We want the dualisation to reach Adeke Junction with a flyover bridge. We need a flyover at Odo Ori and the dualisation of Olupoona Junction to Kara Market. This administration has the capacity to deliver,” Rasheed stated.

Addressing the student leaders, he called on them to strengthen what he described as pro-development forces in the town.

“As student leaders, you have a duty to rise and support the ongoing transformation of Iwo. This is a pan-Iwo agenda that requires collective support,” he said.

Earlier, the FILSU President, Ibrahim Adijat Morayo, expressed appreciation to Governor Adeleke for what she described as massive infrastructural upgrades in Iwo, calling them a “game changer” for the town.

The first female president of the union said Iwo was witnessing rapid development not seen in the past.

“Our town is changing for the better and wearing a new look as a senatorial headquarters. We acknowledge the governor’s deep love for Iwoland and believe he has even greater plans ahead,” she said.

Morayo added that during a recent meeting with the governor in Osogbo, he assured her that “you have not seen anything yet.”

She pledged that FILSU would mobilise its members ahead of the August polls in support of continuity.

“We are doing this for the sake of our town, which was neglected for so long by previous administrations,” she said.

The FILSU president was accompanied by the Vice President, Tijani Marzook Ayofe; Social Director, Ishola Olaitan Adejoke; General Secretary, Sulaiman Hamzat Olaide; and former Sports Director, Bello Hammed Ayankunmi.