Someone “reported” me to Kọ́kọ́rọ́ Alátẹ…😀
Agidigbo 88.7FM then called me for an interview.🎤🎧
Wọ́n fẹ́ mọ̀ nípa ọ̀rọ̀ Ààfin Olubadan tuntun, Ìwúyè àti ìkópa àwọn ọmọ Ibadan lọ́kùnrin àti lóbìnrin nílùú America lábẹ́ ìsàkóso Ibadan Descendants’ Union 🙆🏻♂️🥴
Wọ́n ní Olóyè, ẹ súnmọ́ mic🎤, ẹ ṣàlàyé fún wa o.
Gbogbo ọmọ Nigeria ń gbọ́ yín 👂🏼🎤🎧
Ẹ gbé ẹnu sí mic 🎤 🎙️
… said a lot on the New Palace and Coronation already, now I can talk about Ibadan Descendants’ Union, USA…
IDU’s Giant Strides in Development Efforts for Ibadan…🎙️
To fulfill the purpose of its establishment, Ibadan Descendants’ Union, USA, has been living up to expectations in the three core areas of Education, Health and Social Development. Both the National Secretariat and the local chapters are executing developmental projects in Ibadan collectively and individually. This year alone, apart from what we have been able to do to touch lives of our people at home, we have executed some important projects.
Under IDU Empowerment Scheme, through the collaboration of the National Secretariat and the Dallas Chapter, we have given funds to numerous beneficiaries. Under the Phase One arrangement, a total of 22 Beneficiaries (two people from each of the eleven local governments) was empowered with ₦50,000 each. Under Phase Two, a total of 56 Beneficiaries got ₦50,000 per person. Under Phase Three of the empowerment scheme, 60 Beneficiaries received ₦50,000 each. The New York Chapter has also planned an empowerment program for 60 beneficiaries which is coming up on Saturday, 20th July, 2024 at Ibadan House.
Under our community project scheme funded by the Dallas Chapter, a number of 22 solar-powered boreholes were earmarked to be sunk in different communities across Ibadan. For the first phase, 12 solar-powered boreholes have been completed and commissioned on the 15th June, 2024. The second phase of the project will be completed before the end of 2024 when 10 solar-powered boreholes will be commissioned.
Under the IDU Skills Acquisition Program being funded by the National Secretariat, there are a number of Ibadan youths currently undergoing various skill acquisition trainings on shoemaking, tailoring for men and women and graphics designing. They are already in their sixth month on the trainings and will be graduating soon. As customary with us, we are not giving them fish, we are teaching them how to fish and we are going to provide equipments they will need to practise what they have learnt and earn good living from them.
The Houston Chapter of IDU recently made a visitation to Agodi Correctional Service office and donated electronic gadgets to the library and sewing machines and other items. Also, the New Jersey Chapter is currently renovating two blocks of classrooms at Progressive Primary School, Alaadorin and it’s due to be completed by the end of July this year. Renovation of another two blocks of classrooms at Islamic Primary School, Moniya, is in the pipeline. The groundwork for the project has been completed and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the project is expected to be completed by the end of August or early September of 2024.
In September this year, we are holding our Biennial Convention in Houston Texas. The major highlight of the Convention is the launching of Ibadan House which is the major project being embarked on by the current National Executive in collaboration with the chapters’ executives.
Members of IDU in the US are deploying their resources to help develop Ibadan in terms of physical projects and human capital developments. It is a way of giving back to our native origin. It is therefore essential for other Ibadan natives in the US to join the local chapters of IDU where they are based so that they can contribute their quota to the development of the city of birth.
Oloye Abiola Iyiola
National President
Ibadan Descendants’ Union, USA
