Summit unveils roadmap for regional integration, sustainable growth
By Ayodele Popoola
The Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi (Odundun II), has called for greater unity among Akure-speaking communities, backing the establishment of a central coordinating body to drive peace, development and regional integration across the area.
The monarch made the call at the opening of the 2026 Akure-Speaking Communities Development Summit held at the Dome International Event Centre, Akure.
The three-day summit, themed “Building a Smart, Integrated and Prosperous Development Corridor,” brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, academics, professionals, development partners, youth groups and members of the diaspora from Akure North, Akure South and Ifedore Local Government Areas to fashion a common development blueprint for the Akure-speaking corridor.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Oba Aladelusi described the summit as a watershed in the history of the Akure-speaking people, saying it provided an opportunity for communities sharing the same language, culture and history to reunite and pursue collective development.
He said his emergence as the 47th Deji of Akure, after three unsuccessful attempts, was divinely ordained and expressed gratitude to God for witnessing what he described as a renewed commitment to unity among the people.
According to him, the summit has rekindled hopes that the various communities would overcome their differences and attain greater heights through collaboration.
The monarch commended the commitment of sons and daughters from communities including Oba-Ile, Ala, Iju, Ita-Ogbolu, Ogbese, Alayere, Ilu-Abo, Igoba, Ilado, Imafon, Osi, Isinigbo, Abo Asakin, Eleyowo, Ijare, Igbara-Oke, Ilara, Isarun, Ero, Ibuji, Mariwo, Irese, Aaye and Ibule towards building a stronger Akure-speaking region.
He noted that residents and members of the diaspora were working to rebuild broken relationships, revive old alliances and strengthen ties among the communities.
“We are at the threshold of achieving our dream of unity as people bound by the same language, culture and traditions. No challenge is insurmountable, and we will continue to resolve our differences as brothers,” the monarch said.
Oba Aladelusi also declared his support for the establishment of an Akure-Speaking Communities Central Body, describing the initiative as long overdue.
He explained that the proposed body would not replace existing community development associations but would serve as an umbrella platform to coordinate development efforts and strengthen collaboration across the communities.
The royal father appreciated traditional rulers across Akure North, Akure South and Ifedore for their support and urged them to continue working together to sustain peace and accelerate development.
Earlier in his welcome address, Air chairman summit’s planning committee, Commodore Adewale
Ogunmodede (retd.)described the summit as a historic platform designed to reshape the future of the Akure-speaking communities through collaboration rather than isolated efforts.
He said despite their shared heritage, resilience and strong cultural identity, the communities could no longer afford to work in silos if they hoped to achieve sustainable development.
According to him, the summit was conceived to bring together traditional rulers, government officials, scholars, development experts, the private sector, youths and members of the diaspora to develop practical solutions to common developmental challenges.
He commended community organisations, including ODI, IPU and ACDF, for laying the foundation for the initiative, describing the summit as a continuation of efforts to foster unity and development.
Explaining the summit’s theme, Ogunmodede said building a smart development corridor required embracing innovation, technology and modern governance while equipping young people with skills for the future.
He added that integration would involve strengthening historical, economic and infrastructural ties among the communities, while prosperity should translate into inclusive growth that benefits every household.
He also appreciated Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for endorsing the summit as a state-supported development initiative and thanked the Deji of Akure, traditional rulers and members of the organising committee for their support.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled, “Akure-Speaking Communities at a Crossroads: Heritage, Development Realities and Pathways to a Shared Future,” Dr. Adeniyi Ijogun, Founder and Managing Partner of Billing Cost Associates, said the shared history, language and cultural heritage of the Akure-speaking communities should form the foundation for sustainable development and regional integration.
He noted that the communities had historically flourished through cooperation in governance, commerce, security, education and cultural exchange, stressing that reviving those values remained essential to addressing contemporary challenges.
Ijogun identified rapid urbanisation, inadequate infrastructure, unemployment, rural underdevelopment, insecurity, environmental degradation, agricultural decline, governance fragmentation and the gradual erosion of indigenous language and culture as major challenges confronting the region.
He observed that although Akure had experienced significant growth as the Ondo State capital, many neighbouring communities continued to suffer from inadequate infrastructure and limited public investment.
The keynote speaker proposed the establishment of a permanent Akure-Speaking Community Development Council to coordinate regional planning and also recommended a “One Kingdom, One Business” initiative to promote community-owned enterprises.
Other recommendations included integrated regional infrastructure planning, heritage and cultural tourism development, investment in youth leadership and entrepreneurship, agricultural value-chain development, a coordinated regional security framework, preservation of indigenous languages, mobilisation of the diaspora for development, creation of a digital heritage archive, and stronger transparency and accountability mechanisms.
He concluded that the future of the Akure-speaking communities depended on transforming their shared heritage into practical programmes capable of driving economic growth, social development and regional prosperity through sustained cooperation and coordinated planning.
In his remarks, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, reiterated that Akure-speaking communities must unite under a common vision to drive sustainable development and change negative perceptions about the area.
He urged traditional rulers, chiefs and other stakeholders to speak with one voice, stressing that collective progress should take precedence over personal political ambitions.
According to him, Akure must look beyond its status as a state capital and focus on attracting meaningful development and investment.
“It is not about who becomes governor or senator. Those positions are temporary. What matters most is building a strong voice for Akure so that we can attract development and create opportunities for our people,” he said.
He added that the community must move beyond being known only as a state capital by positioning itself as a model of sustainable growth and prosperity.
One of the panelists, Former Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), stressed that unity among Akure South, Akure North and Ifedore Local Government Areas is essential for achieving political leadership and sustainable development.
He said the three councils should first strengthen their internal cooperation before seeking broader regional collaboration, noting that together they account for about 20 per cent of the state’s registered voters.
Jegede also advocated deliberate policies to spread development beyond Akure city by prioritising Akure North and Ifedore for new government housing estates and other infrastructure projects. According to him, such a move would ease congestion in the state capital, promote balanced development and ensure fairness across the Akure-speaking communities.