It is 10 years. So far, so good. Having hit the ground running, the first thing we did was to work on the mindset of our people and the general psyche which was tagged “the long term Poverty – induced anger” -poverty of leadership, poverty of ideas, economic backwardness.
All these were to be faced immediately, hence a 3-day seminar was put together by an NGO on our request and off to the great ancient city of Abeokuta with all the quarters Chiefs, Youth leaders, women leaders, transport workers etc and resources people were sort from indigenes as well.
It was generally regarded as a huge success. The outing to Lagos was hosted by OUS Lagos branch where we visited separately notable ‘fathers’ of Ososa was also regarded a great success.
A strong urge to fast track development in Ososa led us to talk to several individuals and corporate organizations and the response was tremendous Health programme was kicked started with free medical check-ups by our friend and brother Otunba Dr. Kunle Hassan of Eye foundation. Our people benefitted from a long period of this intervention by Gbegande himself and his staff of Alatishe Clinic at Ijebu-Ode.
This was followed by the construction of a modern private house for medical doctors in the premises of the Ososa Health Centre by Oba DR. Alatishe. The health centre immediately became a referred and training centre for student nurses on community attachment. The non-availability of sleeping quarters for nurses and students led Oba Dr. Alatishe to follow the above by building 2 nurses quarter also in the premises of the health centre, free drugs and free mosque nets were the order of the day.
Meeting with traditional birth attendants and traditional health workers were initiated by Oba. Dr Alatishe, where the former was taught the rudiment of health care and how to recognize cases that were beyond their expertise. Alatishe Clinic invariably was relocated to Ososa from Ijebu-Ode to make accessible to our people a standard nursing and medical practice where the ultrasound diagnostic system has been brought closer to our teeming pregnant young women. Needless- to mention how many lives have been saved by this relocation alone, a lot of our people have benefitted from expert consultation on their health, made easily affordable by Kabiyesi. Recently, five free slots of cataract-removal were arranged at Eye foundation.
In the area of Education:- it is a new wave of determination by the young ones to succeed and this can be attributed to the dedication by both parents and teachers. Various competition amongst students, bursary awards even to those that have gained admission to the tertiary institution and a few others like the establishment of Ososa Education Task Force have all been well noted by the people.
WATER
Ososa Water Project established by communal efforts of our forbearers that broke down was revamped with a new industrial pump donated by the State government, the generator repaired, thousands of naira spent. Ososa water board was established by Gbegande, even though a lot still needed to be done.
AGRICULTURE
For even non – indigenes that sought our help in issues of land, fund etc such were given without hesitations. Today, Ososa boasts of one of, if not the largest Cassava processing industry in this part. of the country. Fish farming too has seen largely expansion because we have encouraged the stakeholders. The annual okra harvest and sales have also been under our radar.
HOUSING
Lots and lots of our sons and daughters have come back to put up new structures, while old ones are being renovated. The likes of Saba Oba Ayo Ogunde, Lekan Adenuga, Ayo Onasanya, Chief Shaadeen, Yeye Oba Pelade, Alhaji (Dr) Adebola Adegunwa, Akin Ogungbesan have all contributed in changing the landscape of Ososa. The youths are not left behind, Gbegande himself is into the development of housing Estate at Itanrin and has assisted a number of our sons and daughters to do the same. It is a beehive of activities in this area and one’s heart is very much gladdened.
SOCIO -ECONOMIC PROGRAMMES
Encouragement and promotion of social well being of our people is very paramount to us. Hence we encourage registration of different youth groups, associations of traders, artisans and even the Okada riders. All these groups have been assisted in one way or the other to enhance their activities. Training and mentoring of youths in different fields of entrepreneurship is ongoing and efforts are geared at recognizing talents for onward recommendation to appropriate quarters. Ogunde Living History Museum is a dream come true. The film village will be realised soon IJN. AMEN.
SOCIAL CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Newly constructed and renovated shrine of Obaluwaiye @ Ijoku •An annual Christmas carol competition fully sponsored by Gbegande among churches in and around Ososa. •An annual Egungun dance competition initiated by Gbegande has come to stay. •Annual “Igbe” dance of Oba Alaiyeluwa continues to grow in leaps and bounds. Other prayer warriors, indigenous activities are supported. •Prominent citizens are from time to time rewarded with honorary chieftaincy titles.
SECURITY
Last but not the least; efforts had been made to compliment that of government and other various organization in making the town safe and secure. In traditional ways, no stone is left untouched. Vigilante Security Organization was the brainchild of Gbegande and it is headed by Chief Sunday Odunela ( Gambose). They have also enjoyed support from the Thai farm, the Okusanyas etc. The Nigeria police force under the Odogbolu, Ijebu Ode and recently Ibefun formations have all been patrolling day and night. Kudos to them all.
OUR MISSION
Is to continue to rule without fear or favour, to encourage peace, harmony and love among our people in order to engender faith and believe in the land. To uphold integrity, honesty, decency and more importantly showcase our culture at all times.
