The monarch of Aiyetoro-Budo in Ado Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Adewunmi Adeniji Odutala has given a scorecard of his performance as he clocks 3 years on the throne.
In an interview with WITHIN NIGERIA, the monarch while announcing activities lined up for his 3rd coronation anniversary which began with installation of chiefs on Monday May 16, 2022, thanked God for sparing his life. He also spoke on other issues. EXCERPTS:
How do you feel being 3years on the throne?
First, I give God the glory over my life, my family and my kingdom as a whole. I feel so happy. This is a time of joy because it has not been an easy journey from my days as Baale to my promotion as king. We couldn’t celebrate the 1st and 2nd year because of some tussles.
Over the years,among us that were coronated, five had died, so I give God the glory for keeping me and for his undying love over me and Aiyetoro-Budo kingdom.
What are the challenges you faced over the years?
God has been faithful to me. When you have the support of your people,you’re loved by your own people, honestly I’ll say there are no challenges so to say. The challenges around here are the normal challenges that every community face, but talking about natural challenges I’ll say I’m one of the luckiest kings around. I enjoy the support of my people so well,all the communities around me cooperate with me, my chiefs and all the inhabitants of the town. Everyone wants to be associated with me, I’ll say it’s God grace.
Honestly, it’s beyond my thinking and reasoning. God has really blessed me with the gift of men.
Achievements so far?
There are lots of things lacking in Aiyetoro-Budo before I got to the throne.
Our road was so bad that I needed to do regular fixing. We can’t wait for government that’s why government put kings in communities to assist, we also need to partner the government.There was no market before, but we have earmarked 2 acres of land for it and we’ve started the construction.
There was no police presence in this community, we got a place and built it to certain level and handed it to the Nigeria Police.
I donated a building to So Safe(local security network in Ogun State)so they have their full division.
Now we have the NSDC full division here and with the help of God and the Community Development Council, we have a mini clinic in Aiyetoro-Budo today; these are things God has helped us to achieve this short period. Currently,we are also doing free medical check-up for people in the community.
What are your hopes and aspirations for the next couple of years for the community and for your throne?
I’m thinking big. I want to put the name of my community Aiyetoro-Budo on the world map . I want the world to know about my community. That’s why we’re trying to build the youth,engage them in lots of activities,trainings. I sponsor so many of them personally because I have a foundation named after my late mother that God is using me to sponsor so many youths by going school, to learn trade and hand work.
I know in the next ten years all these youths would not be useless and some of them would come back and remember where they started from, so these are the people God would use to put this community on the global stage. So, my vision for Aiyetoro-Budo is for it to be one of the greatest communities during my own time; so when you mention Aiyetoro, the first town that would come to your mind is Aiyetoro-Budo town. So, we’re trying,we’re not relenting,we’re doing everything possible.That’s why I’m working so hard that the entire community benefit from the grace.
What’s your view on the deplorable condition of the Aiyetoro/Lafenwa/ Itele-Ota road?
We’ll keep appealing,there are lots of things to be done by the government. The government should allow private partnership. Government cannot do it alone,the road is giving us issues,I don’t want to talk about it again because it is so embarrassing.
I appeal to the state government to come to our rescue, Aiyetoro to Ota is just a stone throw but we need to go through Lagos.
There are lots of opportunities the government can tap from this place if the road is fixed. Please help us fix this road.
How do you react to aspirants who bought nomination forms for N100m ?
It is quite embarrassing. I prefer not to say anything about it because Nigerians are seeing things for themselves. If ASUU can be on strike and our children are not going to school and all these people have this kind of money,it’s a slap on our face. I prefer to just keep quiet.What business are they doing to get such amount of money?
What are your expectations in the next general elections?
I have no expectations. Let me just face my community. We would keep praying for Nigeria and talk to people to get their Permanent Voters’ Card. We need to start from somewhere, we can’t continue like this.
Lastly, I want to appreciate the entire community for giving me the needed support,it’s overwhelming.
Let’s not give up on Nigeria,it would work someday.