The Are-Ekiti Progressives Union has appealed to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to rehabilitate and reconstruct the Are-Iworoko-Afao-Igbemo Road to stimulate economic activities and ease movement in the community and neighbouring towns.
The union also called for the timely completion of the ongoing Are-Oye-Ekiti Road project, saying improved road infrastructure would open up the area to greater economic opportunities.
The President of the union, Prof. Michael Oke, made the appeal in Ado Ekiti on Thursday during a press conference to unveil activities for the 2026 Are-Ekiti Day celebration, scheduled for November 21, and the community’s development plans.
Oke, who is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, commended the governor for ongoing projects in the area but said other strategic roads required urgent attention.
He said, “”We thank Governor Oyebanji for the development projects going on in our area, including the Are – Oye Road under construction. We appeal for work to be sped up on the Are – Oye Road in view of its benefit to our community.
“We also appreciate the governor for his promise on the road linking Iworoko through Are to Afao and Igbemo. The Are-Iworoko-Afao-Igbemo Road is in bad condition, and we want the governor to assist us in rehabilitating or, preferably, reconstructing it. It is a major road that connects several communities.
“The road, if properly reconstructed, will ease movement, stimulate economic activities and complement other infrastructure projects in the area. We believe the governor is a listening leader who will consider our appeal.”
Oke said the 2026 Are-Ekiti Day celebration would showcase the community’s cultural heritage and provide an opportunity for indigenes at home and abroad to discuss its development.
He said the union planned to launch a N500m resource centre project during the celebration and called on indigenes, friends of the community and other stakeholders to support the initiative.
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“We believe Are-Ekiti is old enough to have a resource centre of its own. That is why we have decided to come together to launch a N500m resource centre project during the celebration. We expect our sons and daughters, both at home and abroad, as well as friends of the community, to support this initiative through their contributions,” he said.
The week-long celebration will feature cultural displays, traditional performances, a football competition, a beauty pageant and other activities.
Oke said the Alare of Are-Ekiti, Oba Boluwade Adebiyi, would confer chieftaincy titles on some prominent indigenes and other personalities.
Among the recipients are a former Chief of Staff, Chief Ladi Anisulowo, who will be installed as Asiwaju of Are-Ekiti, while Oke will receive the title of Otunba Atunluse of Are-Ekiti.
He listed expected guests at the event to include President Bola Tinubu, former Ekiti State governors Niyi Adebayo and Segun Oni, Governor Oyebanji, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, Senator Iyiola Omisore and Dr Bamiduro Dada.
The union’s Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, described Are-Ekiti as a community with a record of academic excellence and a growing number of accomplished professionals.
He said indigenes had also contributed to improving basic infrastructure, including the grading of internal roads and the installation of solar-powered streetlights.
Dipe commended an APU patron, Dr Tunji Olowolafe, for his contributions to educational development in the community.
