On the left is High Chief Edwards Omotoso, and on the right is High Chief Adeyemi Omojadegbe, Bajimo of Esa Oke and Chairman, BOT of Esa Oke central Union (ECU).
The recently invigorated Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Esa-Oke Central Union (ECU), last weekend convened an inaugural joint meeting with the Esa Oke Central Union (ECU) leadership. The joint meeting discussed their terms of engagement, and other issues related to the way forward for enhancing the overall progress of the Esa-Oke Kingdom.
The joint meeting was anchored by the newly appointed BOT Chairman, High Chief Adeyemi Akanni Omojadegbe, who is the Bajimo of Esa-Oke, and the ECU Chairman, Otunba Yinusa Aremu Bamigboye.
A special keynote address was delivered to the meeting by the Balogun of Esa-Oke Kingdom, High Chief Dr. Edward Omotoso.
Once again, Balogun Omotoso strongly emphasized the need for all associations, societies, groups, entities and individuals at home in the town, in Nigeria and elsewhere in the Diaspora, to work together to bring sustainable peace, progress and development to the town of Esa-Oke.
He particularly implored both the Board of Trustees and the ECU Executive Committee (EXCO), as well as the Council of Elders and the Esa Oke Renewal Initiative (ERI) to work closely together as that would ensure lasting sustainable peace, progress and development in the town.
Balogun Omotoso congratulated the ECU for the success of the 2024 and 2025 Esa-Oke Day celebrations and thanked those who contributed to the Esa-Oke Development Fund. He urged ECU and BOT to ensure that the funds were exclusively unitized for their intended developmental purposes.
He said he was “aware of efforts to define and clarify the duties and responsibilities of the BOT vis a vis the ECU administration”.
He however cautioned that, while that was important, the officials of BOT and ECU must not totally resort to formal rules all the time, but allow informal and cordial interactions to influence their relationship in the interest of harmony and progress in the community.
Expressing delight for the invitation to address the meeting, he implored both the ECU’s Trustees and the EXCO come together to bring peace and progress to the community.
On his part, the BOT Chairman, Chief Adeyemi Omojadegbe welcomed Balogun Omotoso to the meeting.
He praised the presence of the Balogun, saying it would energize the groups to work even harder.
Speaking on the need to bring Chief Omotoso into the meeting, despite the fact that he was not a member of either the ECU Executives or its BOT, Otunba Akin Adaramola, explained that there was a need to interact with dignitaries of Chief Omotoso’s calibre to boost the morale of the BOT members and of the ECU EXCO members.
He stated further that this is needed more particularly now that the BOT has a new chairman, after the demise of its first chairman, Mr Ayo Ade Faseyi of blessed memory.
Otunba Adaramola added that the relationships between the BOT and ECU EXCO were not that of Master and servant, but a relationship that guides, directs and advises when and where necessary.
He assured the ECU EXCO that “the BOT will assist to finish some of your difficult and challenging jobs when and where necessary”.
“Our mission is to lessen your loads when they are too heavy to carry; we will always have your back” he said.
Chief Omojadegbe concurred. He expressed happiness at his being considered for the exalted position of the ECU BOT’s chairman.
He promised to work with all his might to bring development to the community.
The Chairman added that he sees the “appointment as a challenge, and ” l pray that God will help me in discharging my duties”.
ECU Chairman Bamigboye also welcomed everyone to the meeting and expressed very positive views about future ECU/BOT relationships.
The meeting addressed a number of Esa-Oke community related matters, and agreed to continue their consideration at future sessions.
Also participating at the meeting were the other BOT members. Professor Abiodun Oni (Secretary), Professor Siji Olamiju, Otunba Akin Adaramola and Dr (Mrs) Kehinde ljitona, newly re-elected Deputy Rector of the Osun State College of Science and Technology (OSCOTECH).
The ECU EXCO was represented by the Chairman, Otunba Yinusa Bamgboye, Pastor Gbenga Aregbesola and Evangelist Ayo Owolabi, Vice Chairmen; the Secretary, Dr Olujimi Dada-Odudu, the Treasurer, Mrs Omolola Agunbiade, Financial Secretary, Mr. Diti Awodiran, and the Auditor, Elder Paul Fadairo.