Meeting with Central Council Of Ibadan Indigenes Committee, Nov. 14th, 2011

Meeting with Representatives of Target Schools

Friday November 26h, 2011
IDU (USA) Computer Learning Center
IDU (USA) Supplementary Math and English Tutoring Program

I met with representatives of Senior (SSS) and Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) whose locations are at proximal distance to the Ibadan House, which will house the IDU-USA Computer Learning Center.  In attendance are:
1.    Alhaji M.O. Raji        Ikolaba Grammar School, Agodi
2.    Mr. T.A Bamigboje   Anglican Commercial Grammar School, Orita Mefa
3.    Mrs. N. Iweala        Oba Akinbiyi High School II, Oremeji
4.    Mr. O.I. Olatunji      Oba Akinbiyi High School I, Mokola Hill
5.    Absent            Ikolaba High School, Agodi GRA (Mr. Adeyemi, Principal)
6.    Nurudeen Akinade Asiwaju    CCII Representative
In my opening statement, I introduced myself and presented a brief description of the project. I added that this project is going to be fully funded by grants from corporations worldwide and donations from IDU-USA members, and that the successful implementation of the project is highly dependent upon their full participation.  I expressed the generosity of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes for allocating a space for us at the Ibadan House, and their sincere interests in improving the lives of the children in Ibadan. 
Alhaji Raji, the Asst. Principal of Ikolaba Grammar School expressed his gratitude for what IDU is planning to do, and pledged full cooperation.  He said that his school has 10 computers on its campus, but will still like to participate in this project.  He however, asked if part of their project could be located on their campus to reduce the need to transport the children to the Ibadan House.  Same question was posed by Mr. Bamigboje of Anglican Commercial School, whose campus has a 14-computer lab.  I told them that I would get back with them after discussing the strategy of using their on-site computer labs with the IDU Project Committee. 
Mrs. Iweala of Oba Akinbiyi High School II, expressed concern over the fact that we have primarily targeted SSS’s for this project, adding that her school is a Junior Secondary School, and so is Ikolaba High School at Agodi.  I told her that the Project Committee will look into that, and we should be able to extend our pilot program to JSS students as well.  She also requested that we consider providing the students with books for the subjects being taught to be used as a reference.  While this was not taken in consideration during the project planning, I believe it is a valid request and it should be included in the grant request.  Mrs Iweala finally urged the organization to consider extending our services to elementary schools, adding that their jobs at the JSS is tedious because the primary school kids were not prepared for their secondary education, thus giving them (the secondary school teachers) additional responsibilities of teaching the basics before proceeding to secondary education courses.  She also added that we should consider an In-Service Training for teachers, as many teachers still use old techniques of teaching and are very much behind in technology education.
In closing, I thank them for meeting with me, and I promised to keep in touch during the project planning and implementation.  I told them that the project is planned to take off in Fall of 2012.

Mr.Fatai Oyejobi, Houston,TX.

Meeting with Oyo State Governor Senator. Isiaka Ajimobi

The IDU delegates met with the State Governor on November 16, 2011 at his State Cabinet Room at the State Secretariat.  Introduction began with members of IDU and other state officials. Chief Bayo Oyero, the Chairman of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) presented the IDU-USA and Great Britain members  and expressed his gratitude to the governor for his warm welcome of Ibadans in Diaspora.

In response,  Dr.Gabriel  Isioye thanked the governor for welcoming us, and gave a synopsis of IDU-USA membership, indicating that one of its former member by the name of Mr. Kola Ajadi is a senior adviser to the governor.  He added that the IDU members were there to seek support from the government to restore the old glory of the City of Ibadan as a pace-setter. One of the areas of needs, he emphasized, has been the city sanitation problem which has been the root of public health issues.  He further added the need to rebuild the infrastructure to encourage state-wide investment from home and abroad, and asked the government what IDU can do to assist.

Dr. Isioye then presented Prince.Bimbo Onibokun of the Center for African Settlement Studies and Development, who submitted a proposal on the need to bring all stakeholders together in re-building the city infrastructure.  Prince.Bimbo Onibokun expressed that the Ibadan problem is a national problem, and the citizens have to be involved to resolve the problem.  He challenged the governor to call for a forum  in which solutions and implementation strategies could be discussed and ratified by all before funding is sought.

Dr.Gabriel Isioye also urged the governor to attend the  next IDU convention October 19th and 20th, 2012 in Dallas, Texas as it would be an opportunity for the Governor to reach the indigenes of Ibadan and to garner support for needed changes in the State. He informed the audience of the ongoing fundraising activities for the recent flooding incident in Ibadan; the fundraising exercise is being conducted in association with the Ibadan Descendants in the United Kingdom under IbadanAid.
He also expressed his concern over the Oyo State government website, there  is nothing on the website how can investors be reached when the website is not a source of information.

The Governor thanked Chief Bayo Oyero, attendees and members of the Press in presence.  The further thanked IDU for its commitment, and acknowledged Ibadan as the intellectual and political capital of the country, owning “first” in everything, e.g. education, technology, and infrastructure.  He however, expressed regret that Ibadan has not kept up with its values due to mediocrity.  He emphasized that Ibadan needs transformation, restoration, and repositioning. He is happy that IDU members came this week as the previous week’s visit could not have been favorable for our visit because he was being declared as having dual citizenship of Nigeria and USA.  Persons of such criteria are not eligible to hold public office according to Nigerian Constitution.   He reminded us that though we enjoy all the benefits of living in developed countries, “home is home,” and we should remember that Oyo State is in need of everything, and it poses a challenge to all of us.  He challenged citizens of other cities in Oyo State to do the same that IDU has embarked upon – that is, showing interests in their localities and intent to help.   He emphasized the areas of need: health and agriculture for example, and technology in particular.  He then urged IDU to bring to the State what they have and promised to work with us on projects that would make the Oyo State another example of a progressive state.  He then thanked us for the visit and our “huge deposit in my emotional bank account.”

After the general meeting, the Governor met us again in a close-door session where individuals have the opportunity to talk further about various issues already discussed in general meeting.  The delegates were feted at Premier Hotel from where everyone dispersed.
A tour was organized for us to see the devastation of the flood area.  An audio visual report of the visit was made accordingly, and shall be posted on IDU website later.