-- as Ground Breaking Ceremony holds today

- Tope OYEKAN

Iperu Remo, a town in Ikenne Local Government, centrally located in the Remo zone of Ogun State is renown among the comity of towns and communities in the Gateway State.

It is easily accessible to Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta, and Ijebu Ode, through the major old Lagos/Ibadan Road, and old Abeokuta-Siun-Ilisan Road, intersection that passes through the town. This makes it always impossible for travellers and commuters alike not to pass through Iperu, while embarking on journeys to the above-listed destinations.

The town is famous having produced many accomplished sons and daughters who have excelled in their various professional endeavours. 

Indigenes of Iperu, both dead and living have showcased themselves and proved their mettle in diverse callings, namely banking, agriculture, business, law, politics, governance, public administration, arts and culture, international diplomacy, journalism. Names like Oba Abraham OKUPE (Agbonmagbe), Archbishop Solomon GBADEBO, Emmanuel SOYOMBO (Emmason Sawmill), Senator Ade LADEGA, His Royal Highness, Oba Joseph Olutayo OGUNFOWORA (former Alaperu of Iperu), His Royal Highness, Oba Omosanya Abimbola AKINYEMI (former Ebi of Idena), Chief (Mrs.) Esther AMUSAN (Mojibade), Sir Olu AWOTESU, Amb. Segun OLUSOLA, Chief Adebayo SOSAN, Alhaja Saadatu OREMULE (Iya Alawo), Mr. Reuben OYEFESO (Feso  Glass), Navy Commander Tunde GISANRIN, Alade ADESINA, Erelu Olayiwola AINA, Alhaji Kamorudeen KUTI (Fam-Fender), Alhaji Moibi SHITTU, Alhaji Talib OGUNNOIKI (Remonic), Chief Olu ADEYEMI (Alagbala), Pa Emmanuel Adekunle OYEKAN, Pa Emmanuel SONOWO, Chief Olujimi ODUKOYA, Chief Kola SODIPO (Kollynson), Dr. Emmanuel Adesanya ABIODUN, Pa BAMMODU, Chief Solomon OSIBAJO (Obelu), Babatunde OSHILAJA esq., Alhaji Nurudeen SALAU (Iwapele), all of blessed memory.

Among the living we have prominent names like Sir Kesington ADEBUTU (Balogun/Babaoba of Iperu and Odole Oodua); Prof. Adolphus SOMORIN; Olusola IDOWU, SAN;  Rear Admiral OSINOWO; Asoju Oba Kole OLATUNJI; Hon. Dave SALAKO; High Chief Barr. Ifasola Saheed OPEODU (Oluwo of Iperu); High Chief Jide SOSAN (Aro of Iperu);  Chief (Mrs.) Christianah Aderonke SHODIYA (Iyalode of Iperu); Chief (Mrs.) Aderonke IJALE (Olotu Erelu of Iperu), Hon. Dr. Chief Oladipupo ADEBUTU, Dr. Doyin OKUPE, Chief Babajide OYETI; Dr. (Mrs.) Sakirat Oluwatoyin MADEIN (Accountant General of the Federation), Hon. Olusegun OGUNLEYE (Executive Chairman, Ikenne Local Government), and Prince Dapo ABIODUN, CON (Governor of Ogun State).

Iperu is also famous for some of its notable delicacies like the alatadudu (ofada) rice and ebiripo which usually attracts both natives and non-indigenes to the town on a daily basis.

Furthermore, Iperu Remo is renown through some of its annual special religious and cultural celebrations that had over the years attracted droves of people into the town, both from home and in the diaspora. Some of these festivities are the Christmas, Easter, Ileya, Itunu Awe, Ojude Oba, Akesan Day, Egungun, Balufon, Agemo, Isemo.

Today, Thursday, 14th December, 2023, another major milestone will be recorded in the annals of the ancient town, as the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed Mechanical Engineering Technological Advancement Academy is performed.

The project, a brainchild of the Nigerian Institute of Mechanical Engineers is to be sited at the Agbehinsa Community in Iperu Remo.

There is a critical need for the establishment of the academy, described as the beacon for nurturing the next generation of engineers. According to information monitored on the institution's website, the role of Mechanical Engineers in an era where technological advancement shapes the world, is more pivotal than ever; from sustainable energy solutions to cutting-edge robotics, these professionals drive innovations.

However, the complexity of modern engineering demands a specialized forward-thinking approach.

"By establishing this academy, we aim to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills, equipping young engineers with the tasks they need to thrive in a rapidly-evolving industry, the integration of hands-on training, state-of-the-art facilities and mentorship", said the statement.

Founded in December 2002, the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers is the mechanical engineering division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

It is the umbrella body of Nigerian Mechanical Engineers, and is dedicated to promoting the mechanical engineering profession, and its inter-relationship with other branches of engineering, both in Nigeria, and in the diaspora 

The institution is made up of professionals drawn from all fields of mechanical engineering, including Industrial and Production Engineering, Thermo-fluids Power Plants and Energy Studies, Automobile Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Mechanical Design and Manufacturing.

Leading other members to today's ground-breaking ceremony is the President of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Engr. Mrs. Funmi AKINGBAGBOHUN, FNSE, FNImechE, who is the Chief Host.

The Chairman of the Day is the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Tasiu Sa'ad Gidari WUDIL, FNSE.

Special Guest of Honour is the Wife of the Governor and First Lady of Ogun State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Bamidele ABIODUN; while the Executive Chairman, Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Olusegun OGUNLEYE; is the Guest of Honour.

Also on the list of dignitaries are the Balogun and Babaoba of Iperu Akesanland, and the Odole of Ife, Sir Kesington ADEBUTU, who shall serve as the Father of the Day; while Otunba Olakole OLATUNJI (the Asoju Oba of Iperu, and President, Association of Friends), is the Special Guest.

The Alaperu of Iperu, His Royal Highness, Alayeluwa Oba Adeleke Adelekan IDOWU-BASIBO, FIEX, FICMC, (Odoru V), shall lead all the Royal Fathers in Iperu to the occasion.

This includes the Ebi of Idenaland, Oba Lukman Adebambo SALAMI; the Onimeji of Imeji, Oba Kayode OLAYEBO OREMULE-SODA; Alagbehinsa of Agbehinsa, Oba Isiaka Adekanmi OGUNNAIKE; and the Alaregun of Iregun, Oba Abraham Adedoyin OGUNFOWORA.

This project coming to Iperu at this particular period is seen as a big plus, considering other similar developmental strides that has bestrode the town in recent times. These include among others, the Gateway Agro Cargo International Airport, with all its accompaniments, such as the $400m Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone, Air Force Base, Customs Training School, Warehouses, and Aircraft Maintenance Facilities. Also worthy of mention is the housing estate project being undertaken by the Ogun State Ministry of Housing, and is codenamed the Aviation Village. 

It is hoped that with the above investments in Iperu, the fortunes of the town will definitely be transformed positively, as job opportunities are created, value of real estate appreciates, while the socio-economic landscape develops naturally.

Indigenes and residents are therefore urged to be a good host to these investors and guests, while the latter are also required to do the needful, by being a reliable and committed entity in terms of their Corporate Social Responsibilities.

I congratulate the Alaperu of Iperu on this yet another landmark achievement in Iperu, happening during his eventful reign. We can only hope for more, and the best.

I equally congratulate the Alagbehinsa of Agbehinsaland, His Royal Highness, Oba Isiaka Adekanmi OGUNNAIKE (Odumowu I), under whose domain the project is being sited. Feelers has it how helpful he has been to the promoter of the project, ensuring that today's event is a success.

I must also commend the facilitator of the project, Otunba Olakole OLATUNJI (Chairman, IMMAC Group; the Asoju Oba of Iperu; President, Association of Friends; Founding President, Akesan Royal Executive; and Past President, Fountain of Hope International) for donating the land upon which the academy is being sited, in memory of the Late Otunba Joseph Okunola FATUNGASE, father of the incumbent President of NImechE, Engr. Olufunmilade AKINGBAGBOHUN.

God bless Iperu Akesanland,

God bless Ikenne Local Government,

God bless Ogun State,

God bless Nigeria.

Tope OYEKAN, an indigene of Iperu, writes via [email protected]