FEATURE: A Town That Never Stopped Giving — Ife Odan’s Long Wait for Governor Adeleke’s Attention

 By Victor Olubiye

Nestled in the heart of Osun State’s western region lies Ife Odan — a town once known for its robust agricultural contribution, now left in the shadows of neglect. For over ten years, the town has watched its roads deteriorate, its healthcare weaken, and its schools fade, all while continuing to feed the state through unrelenting farming efforts. The resilience of Ife Odan is undeniable, but its patience is wearing thin.

The people of Ife Odan believed change had finally arrived in 2022, when they threw their political weight behind Senator Ademola Adeleke’s gubernatorial bid. It wasn’t about party loyalty; it was a vote anchored in hope — a belief that Adeleke’s message of “people-first governance” would bring long-awaited development to their doorstep. But nearly three years into his administration, the town is still waiting.

From cassava to maize, yam to leafy vegetables, Ife Odan’s fertile lands continue to supply Osun State’s markets despite minimal government support. Farmers work the land without modern tools or financial assistance, navigating pothole-ridden roads and inaccessible markets. While the agricultural output remains strong, the infrastructural support has been almost non-existent.

During the reign of two successive All Progressives Congress (APC) administrations, Ife Odan became a symbol of rural abandonment. Promises were made, but little was done. Feeder roads remained untarred, schools underfunded, and healthcare services stretched beyond capacity. The silence was as loud as the neglect was deep.

Now, under Governor Adeleke’s leadership, the town had hoped for a turnaround. But despite his achievements in other regions, the people of Ife Odan are beginning to feel forgotten once again.

“This isn’t a cry for handouts,” say residents. “It’s a call for fairness.”

Beyond its farms, Ife Odan is teeming with untapped youth potential. Young people in the town are eager to thrive in agribusiness, tech, and education. But without digital connectivity, stable electricity, or skill-building programs, their aspirations remain grounded. They see youth empowerment happening elsewhere and wonder when it will reach them.

The call to action is simple: Governor Adeleke must remember those who stood by him. A single visit, a town hall meeting, a concrete plan for Ife Odan’s inclusion in the state’s development agenda — these are not grand demands, but practical steps to rebuild trust and ignite progress.

Reviving agricultural extension services, constructing basic infrastructure, and investing in local enterprises could serve as catalysts for rural transformation — not just for Ife Odan, but for the entire Osun West zone. Such moves would also curb rural-urban migration and create sustainable job opportunities where they’re needed most.

The people of Ife Odan remain optimistic. They’ve seen what Adeleke’s government has done in other communities and believe that he has the political will — and the heart — to act. They ask only that their loyalty not be taken for granted.

Governor Adeleke’s administration has a chance to leave a legacy beyond campaign rallies and political symbolism. If Ife Odan is remembered and invested in, it could mark a turning point in Osun’s rural development story — one where every community, no matter how remote, finally gets its due.

The clock is ticking, and Ife Odan is still watching, still waiting — still hopeful.