Ogbomoso First Group rounds off 2025 with end-of-year celebration, reaffirms commitment to development
pannigeriannews
3 min read
The Ogbomoso First Community Initiative (O’First Group), on Wednesday, held its end-of-year celebration, marking the close of a productive year filled with impactful socio-cultural and development interventions across Ogbomosoland.
The event, which attracted community leaders, professionals and representatives of sister organisations, was graced by the newly installed Asiwaju of Ogbomosoland, Asiwaju Prof. Adesola Olatunde Adepoju; Asipa of Ogbomosoland, Sir (Barr.) Olusegun Adekunle; chiefs, elders and members of the organisation.
Delivering the presidential welcome address, the President of the Ogbomoso First Community Initiative, Arc. Sakiru Soara, represented by the Vice President, Engr. Tunde Ige, described the gathering as a celebration of unity, progress and shared commitment to the advancement of Ogbomoso.
He said the organisation remained resolute in its founding ideals of development advocacy, drug abuse awareness, education and social cohesion.
According to him, the group has continued to play an active role in supporting the 25-Year Development Programme unveiled earlier in the year by the Soun of Ogbomosoland, describing the agenda as a bold and comprehensive roadmap for transforming Ogbomoso into a model city of prosperity.
He stressed that O’First Group fully aligns with the long-term vision and sees itself as a strategic partner in its actualisation, adding that members of the organisation actively participated in committees and initiatives arising from the development plan throughout 2025.
Highlighting key achievements, the President disclosed that the group supported the education sector through the distribution of over 28,000 free exercise books to pupils in public primary schools across Ogbomoso, branded in honour of Kabiyesi, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye.
He further noted that the organisation established a multi-million-naira Behavioural Rehabilitation Centre in Ogbomoso as part of its anti-drug abuse campaign.
The centre focuses on research, rehabilitation, empowerment of recovering addicts and family counselling, and has received commendation from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following strategic partnerships.
Other interventions highlighted include free medical outreach programmes in rural communities, vocational and skills-acquisition training for unemployed youths, environmental sanitation drives, public lectures on drug abuse, and support for indigent students through scholarships and learning materials.
He added that the group is at the verge of partnering with the Federal Polytechnic Ayede on skills acquisition initiatives.
The President emphasised that unity remains the bedrock of the organisation’s success, noting that its programmes cut across age, profession, religion and political affiliation, thereby strengthening peace, dialogue and social harmony within Ogbomosoland.
In his remarks, former President of the organisation, Otunba Bayo Babatunde, said the group was founded on the principle of encouraging Ogbomoso sons and daughters to maintain strong ties with their homeland. He disclosed that members were encouraged to have residences in Ogbomoso and return home regularly to contribute meaningfully to its growth.
Otunba Babatunde commended the incumbent leadership and past executives for sustaining empowerment programmes, medical outreaches and other developmental efforts aimed at improving the welfare of the people.
Also speaking, the immediate past President and Asipa of Ogbomosoland, Sir (Barr.) Olusegun Adekunle, expressed optimism that Ogbomoso communities would continue to witness unprecedented progress under the reign of Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, with the sustained support of O’First Group.
The Vice President of the organisation, Engr. Tunde Ige, who spoke on behalf of the President, reiterated the group’s resolve to deepen collaboration with traditional institutions, government agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders to ensure inclusive development and lasting peace.
The President, in a special appreciation, thanked the Soun of Ogbomosoland for his visionary leadership and for honouring the organisation through the installation of Sir (Barr.) Olusegun Adekunle as the Asipa of Ogbomosoland, describing the gesture as a source of pride and renewed motivation for members.
The organisation promised expanded interventions in drug education, primary healthcare support and youth digital skills development in line with the 25-year development agenda.
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