By Jimoh Ahmed
There comes a time in the life of a people when silence becomes betrayal — betrayal of history, of values, of identity, and of generations yet unborn. That time is now for Owo.
Owo, the ancient city of warriors, scholars, kings, and builders — once the pride of Ondo State and a cultural and political heavyweight in Yorubaland — is at a crossroads. The dignity of its past now wrestles with the discomfort of its present. Once vibrant and progressive, today Owo drifts dangerously toward neglect and communal fatigue.
If we do not act, and act decisively, the city may slip further into obscurity. The time has come to fix Owo or forsake it.
The Glory That Was
Owo was once more than just a town — it was an identity. Its name inspired respect and commanded presence across Nigeria and beyond. It boasted some of the finest schools, cultural heritages, and institutions. Its citizens were industry leaders, captains of commerce, and powerful voices in governance and academia.
The city once embodied a spirit of self-worth and innovation. From public service to private enterprise, from education to culture, Owo held its head high. But over time, successive waves of neglect, complacency, and division have eroded that legacy.
---
The Rot Within
Today, Owo suffers not just from infrastructural decay but from a deeper, more troubling affliction — collective apathy.
Our roads are broken. Our health centres are shadows of themselves. Public schools that once produced giants now struggle to provide even the basics. Youths wander the streets idle, many falling into drugs, cultism, and despair. The political class often treats the town as a personal fiefdom, with loyalty trumping competence.
Owo’s communal pulse has grown weak. We organize elaborate funerals and ceremonies, yet neglect basic civic responsibilities. Cultural festivals flourish, but the community spirit that once gave them meaning is vanishing.
And yet, in the midst of this malaise, some patriots have refused to give up on Owo.
Shining Lights in the Darkness
In any fading society, there are always a few who refuse to be swallowed by the fog of decline. In Owo, we must recognize and celebrate those who are changing the narrative through action, not noise.
Dr. Bode Ayorinde, a visionary and one of Owo’s most prominent sons, stands tall among them. Through sheer determination and personal sacrifice, he founded Achievers University, a private institution that has become a major driver of growth in the community.
Today, Achievers University is not only educating a new generation of Nigerians — it is also fast-tracking the socioeconomic transformation of Owo. It has created jobs, expanded housing, improved commerce, and placed Owo on the map as an academic hub. A whole section of the town has witnessed infrastructure expansion because of that one courageous act of vision. Dr. Ayorinde’s contribution is proof that one man’s bold commitment can change a community.
Likewise, Chief Rotimi Ibidapo, fondly known as Bassey, has used his resources and influence to support youth development, sports, and philanthropic causes in Owo and beyond. His consistent presence in community affairs and his quiet support for local initiatives mark him as one of the few committed to ensuring that Owo’s light does not go out.
And of course, we must not ignore the tireless efforts of the Olowo of Owo, Oba (Dr.) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III. Since ascending the throne, His Majesty has initiated a cultural and social revival in the kingdom. One notable effort is the Olowo’s Cup Football Tournament, an annual grassroots sporting event that is reviving youth engagement, fostering peace, and promoting community unity.
These are examples of what is possible when leadership meets love for one’s land. But these individuals cannot do it alone. Their efforts must spark a wider movement.
A Town in Need of Resuscitation
Beyond symbolic gestures, Owo needs intentional and strategic planning. The city must invest in human capital and social infrastructure.
Why can’t Owo boast a model public secondary school again? Why is there no innovation hub for our talented but idle youths? Why have we not restructured our markets for modern commerce? Why do we continue to wait for government officials who only remember us during elections?
This is not just about politicians. It is about all of us — the traders, professionals, religious leaders, artisans, and especially those in the diaspora. Everyone must contribute to fixing Owo.
Where Are the Patriots?
Where are the builders? Not just those who attend meetings, but those who bring ideas, fund projects, and create institutions? Where are the business moguls of Owo with access to resources, yet no single factory or training center in their hometown? Where are our senators and lawmakers whose constituency projects are invisible?
Where are the young professionals who claim to love Owo but have never once donated a book to a library, mentored a student, or sponsored a skills workshop?
Patriotism is not a hashtag. It is work. Real, sacrificial, sometimes thankless work. And Owo needs patriots now more than ever.
The Diaspora Dilemma
To the sons and daughters of Owo in Lagos, Abuja, Europe, and America: your town is bleeding. Stop admiring it from afar while it decays under your watch.
It is time to go beyond December visits and social media nostalgia. The real development Owo needs lies in impact investments, not showmanship. Fund health clinics, endow scholarships, sponsor entrepreneurship training. Rebuild the town you claim to love.
If those abroad won’t come home to help fix it, then they must stop pretending it matters to them.
The Political Question
Owo has produced governors, ministers, special advisers, and senators. Yet, the dividends of these political breakthroughs are difficult to trace.
We must stop clapping for positions that don’t translate to development. Leadership should be evaluated by impact, not titles. We must demand accountability — not after office, but while in office.
Politics must be rooted in service, not self-interest.
The Choice Before Us
Owo is at a crossroads. We either rise or disappear. We either fix it — stone by stone, heart by heart — or accept that our generation stood by while a great town collapsed.
Let us organize town halls that focus on solutions, not ego. Let us revive civic education, promote local content, support the Olowo, celebrate the builders like Dr. Bode Ayorinde and Chief Ibidapo — and produce more like them.
Let our churches and mosques become engines of community development. Let every quarter feel connected to a shared destiny.
Conclusion: The Fire or the Ashes
Owo can become a flame that lights the future or a pile of ashes buried by its past.
The choice is ours.
To fix Owo is to take responsibility. To forsake it is to doom the next generation to bitterness and regret.
So what will it be?
Fix it or forsake it?
Let history remember what we did when Owo cried out for help — and who answered.
Comments
Post a Comment