The people of Eniosa Community in Ibadan have unveiled and launched Chief Nathaniel Olabiyi Idowu Day to immortalise the great philanthropist who singlehandedly transformed the community to attract both the elites and investors.
The programme started with healthwalk from N. O. Idowu Secondary School, Olorunda Abaa to N. O. Idowu IDC Primary School, Eniosa with a lot of fun coming from talking drummers.
The main event commenced with the Secretary of Eniosa Baale-in-Council, Pa Ishola Akinyele narrating the history of Eniosa from inception, while Chief Kunmi Idowu spoke on the autobiography of his late brother, Chief Nathaniel Idowu. The unveiling of Chief N. O. Idowu Day was performed by Chief Wole Idowu, who also declared it as annual event that will be coming up in February.
The programme also included a visit to N.O Idowu Community Health Center, Quarters Road, Eniosa. The resident medical practitioner attached to the Clinic, Dr. Dotun Alejo welcomed and received the entourage and discussed with them, the successes recorded by the clinic, the challenges of the clinic and appealed for more support for the clinic to keep flying the legacy of the great late visionary leader, Chief N. O. Idowu who constructed and donated the clinic for the use of the people within the community.
Speaking at the programme, the Chairman Lagelu West LCDA, Olorunda Abaa, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo commended both the Landlords Association and Residents of Eniosa for supporting their leader who considered it important to bring up a remembrance program tagged; “N.O Idowu Day” 12 years after the exit of Chief Idowu.
He said, “this is a great programme and I really appreciate the contributions of everyone in this community and specially commend the president for considering this project a worthwhile cause. I want to assure the organizers and the whole of Eniosa Community that subsequent ones will be jointly sponsored by Lagelu and Akinyele Local Government Councils, in collaboration with illustrious sons and daughters of Ibadan, while Eniosa will remain as the venue of this annual event. Let me also add that within the next two weeks all the bad portions of Eniosa road will be repaired,” Latinwo promised.
Also present at the programme is Mr. Timothy Olufemi Oyasodun, Secretary LCDA Olorunda who also testified to the immeasurable contributions of the late Icon, Chief Nathaniel Olabiyi Idowu, especially in making education accessible to the downtrodden and underprivileged in Nigeria, Oyo State in particular.
Meanwhile, Venerable Sunday Adepoju, the Vicar of Anglican Church commended the initiator of the program and supported the program by donating N50,000 to promote education of the less privileged.
In his appreciation and remarks, the initiator of the project, who also is the President of the Eniosa Landlord, Landlady and Residents Association, Pastor Adetayo Musa Adeoye, commended all the participants, in particular the Chairman Lagelu West LCDA and other Council members, including Mr Abass Aleshinloye, Councillor representing Eniosa Ward 3, the family of the late Chief N. O. Idowu and all invited dignitaries.
He said, “the purpose of the programme is to appreciate the contributions of our late father, role model, an outstanding sports philanthropist, a great ambassador, a devoted Christian and a man whose record of achievements in all areas of his life was free of corruption, who singlehandedly changed the history of Eniosa Town and its environs. A leader whose impacts on education, health, economy, social development, sports and religion in Oyo State and Nigeria by extension remain outstanding 12 years after his death.
The president also commended the governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde on the various developmental projects his administration is executing, which he said include the bridge at Jerusalem, along Arulogun/Igbo Oloyin road. He further appealed to the state governor to help construct good road from Elepe junction, off Arulogun to Eniosa and link up with Olorunda Abaa Eniosa to relief the people of the community of stress and agony they face daily to get to their places of work.
