Alake@80: Olumo Progressive Association, New York/New Jersey, Inc., USA, Partners with Egba Heritage Foundation - Donate Water Borehole At Centenary Hall, Ake

Reading time 6 minutes

Read Time:4 Minute, 0 Second

As part of the efforts to alleviate the challenging situation surround the availability of water at the Centenary Hall, Ake, the Olumo Progressive Association, New York/New Jersey, Inc., USA, in administrative partnership with Egba Heritage Foundation (EHF), donated a water borehole to the Centenary Hall, in Ake community, Abeokuta, Ogun State. This was done to mark the 80th birthday celebration of the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, HRM Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR (Okukenu IV).

The water borehole project was commissioned by the Alake of Egbaland, HRM Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR (Okukenu IV), on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at the Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Representing the President of the Olumo Progressive Association, New York/New Jersey, Inc., USA (T.O.P.A), Chief Ayoola Soetan, was Oba Adebulu, Onigbedu of Gbedu in Ewekoro Local Government Area, who is a founding member of the association in America. Also present at this august occasion, and representing Egba Heritage Foundation (E.H.F) was, High Chief Akanni Israel Akinwale, Baagbimo of Egba, who is a founding member of the Foundation.

During the commissioning, Alake called on all indigenes of Egbaland, home and abroad, to emulate the good works of the Olumo Progressive Association, New York/New Jersey, Inc., USA and Egba Heritage Foundation. He stated that Egba Heritage Foundation has completed many developmental projects in a short period of time, which have had positive effects on the indigenes and community at large. Adding to that, Kabiyesi, Alake of Egbaland noted that the Foundation has many more developmental projects to execute in Egba.

Similarly, the water borehole Project Manager, Mr. Bola Oladeinde, corroborated Kabiyesi Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo’s statement, saying that the lack of water in the Centenary Hall had been a major challenge faced by the people who work in, and use, the Centenary Hall.

The community is grateful to the Olumo Progressive Association, New York New Jersey, Inc., USA, and Egba Heritage Foundation for their partnership for solving this water problem.

Expressing his happiness, Alake, maintained that he was proud to be the Grand Patron of Egba Heritage Foundation. He called on the indigenes, both at home and in the diaspora, to support the developmental works going on in Egba.

“I want to let you know that I appreciate your support and your positive impact, so far, through the works you have done to further develop Egba. I must tell you that I am proud of you all. This is an alert to all Egba sons and daughters, at home and in the diaspora, to emulate the good work of the Egba Heritage Foundation and the Olumo Progressive Association, New York/New Jersey, Inc., USA.” Alake further stated that “the positive hand of the Foundation has been felt in Egba.” He prayed that they will continue to be progressive in everything they do.

High Chief Akanni Israel Akinwale, Baagbimo of Egba, informed everyone present at the event that “we still have many projects that the Foundation will execute, among which are: building a library, a hotel, and a museum. He encouraged that all Egba indigenes should join the Egba Heritage Foundation, to support more developmental projects in the community.

Other projects on hand, to be completed by Egba Heritage Foundation, include: the Ijemo Rock Beautification Project, Ogun River Walk Project, Orile Planning and Development Project, Building a Five-Star Hotel, and the Four Information Centers Project, to name a few.

Egba Heritage Foundation was founded in 2017 by Chief Zents Kunle Sowunmi, and formally launched in Abeokuta on February 26, 2022. The aim of the Foundation is to preserve and promote the development and cultural heritage of Egba, through the completion of community projects and infrastructures that will increase the footfall to Egba, and Abeokuta as a whole. It has its Board of Trustees, both in Abeokuta and the USA. His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR (Okukenu IV), the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, is the Grand Patron, while the Alayeluwa, Oba (Dr.) Adedapo Tejuoso, CON (Karunwi III), Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, and Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, Olowu of Owu, are Patrons of this Foundation.

Egba Heritage Foundation is fully committed to working with other organizations who are willing to partner with them, and work towards moving Egba forward, even as they continue to showcase its rich heritage and culture. We are calling on the indigenes at home to become members, by picking up membership forms at the office, which is in the Centenary Hall, and joining our Foundation. Other ways to join the Foundation, especially for people in the diaspora, is to go to www.egbaheritage.com and download a copy of the membership form. For more information and inquiries about the Egba Heritage Foundation, please send an email to egbahf@gmail.com.