IGBO-ORA TWINS FESTIVAL: IPU PRESIDENT URGES INDIGENES TO INVEST IN HOMETOWN AS LG CHAIRMAN PROMISES ELECTRICITY RESTORATION IN A COUPLE OF MONTH…. IPU President seeks Makinde’s support for Twins Radio, OYSCATECH university status, better roads and UNESCO recognition

The President of the Igbo-Ora Progress Union (IPU), Pastor Alex Oladeji (JP), has urged sons and daughters of Igbo-Ora at home and in the diaspora to invest in the development of their hometown, while the Chairman of Ibarapa Central Local Government, Hon. Sola Adeleke, has assured residents that electricity will be restored to the area in a couple of months.

The two leaders made the remarks during the 2026 World Twins Festival held on Saturday at Methodist Grammar School, Sagan-Un, Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, where traditional rulers, tourists, members of the Twins Assembly and indigenes gathered to celebrate the town’s unique multiple-birth heritage and cultural identity.

IPU PRESIDENT: “COME HOME AND BUILD IGBO-ORA”

Addressing the gathering, Pastor Oladeji challenged indigenes who have invested in mansions and businesses in other cities to replicate such investments in Igbo-Ora, stressing that the town needs greater development to accommodate the growing number of local and international visitors expected to attend the festival in the coming years.

He described the festival as more than an annual celebration, saying it provides an opportunity to promote Igbo-Ora’s cultural heritage, attract investment, expand tourism and unlock economic opportunities for the community.

“The world is waiting for Igbo-Ora to receive them in their thousands. Are we ready to receive them?” he asked.

The IPU president encouraged indigenes to establish businesses, support local entrepreneurs, create employment opportunities for young people and help others advance in education and business.

He also highlighted the town’s agricultural potential, citing its fertile land and proximity to Ogun and Lagos states as advantages for large-scale production and agro-processing.

According to him, crops such as cassava, maize, melon and cashew could support a stronger local economy if indigenes and investors take advantage of the opportunities available.

“Remember the motto of IPU: Love, Unity and Progress. We are the first partners in the development of the town,” he said, assuring prospective investors that “Igbo-Ora is open for business.”

FIVE KEY REQUESTS TO GOVERNOR MAKINDE

Pastor Oladeji appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for his administration’s efforts in infrastructure, security, education and workers’ welfare. He, however, appealed for additional government intervention to address challenges affecting Igbo-Ora and the wider Ibarapa area.

His five major requests were:

1. Twins Radio and cultural development: He called for the fulfilment of the governor’s reported promise to establish a Twins Radio station, urging that it be actualised before the 2027 festival. He said the station would serve as an international platform for cultural exchange, tourism, agriculture and investment.

2. Electricity, security, healthcare and education: He appealed for the restoration of electricity, stronger security arrangements, well-equipped and adequately staffed health centres, and improved schools, particularly in farming communities.

3. Upgrade of the College of Agriculture and Technology: The IPU president appealed for the elevation of the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-Ora, to full university status, saying the move would benefit the community and the state.

4. Road rehabilitation: He urged the state government to extend its road rehabilitation programme to Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North, describing the condition of several intra-town and inter-town roads in the area as a major concern.

5. UNESCO recognition: He sought Governor Makinde’s support in securing UNESCO recognition for the World Twins Festival, arguing that international recognition could further promote Igbo-Ora’s cultural heritage and tourism potential.

Pastor Oladeji reaffirmed the community’s commitment to peace and lawfulness, expressing confidence in the state government’s capacity to respond to the requests.

He also thanked God for the successful staging of the 2026 festival despite security challenges in parts of Nigeria, describing the event as the first edition since the rebirth of IPU in December 2025.

ELECTRICITY TO RETURN TO IGBO-ORA IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS — ADELEKE

In a major development for residents, the Chairman of Ibarapa Central Local Government, Hon. Sola Adeleke, announced that approval had been secured for the rehabilitation of electrical lines from Eruwa to Idere.

He assured residents that electricity would be fully restored to the local government area in a couple of months.

The announcement addressed one of the pressing concerns raised during the IPU president’s speech and offered hope to households, businesses and other electricity-dependent activities across the area.

Adeleke also reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to the continued growth and sustainability of the World Twins Festival.

He said the administration’s vision extended beyond establishing Igbo-Ora as the world capital of twins to developing it into a destination for culture, tourism, hospitality, research, investment and enterprise.

The planned rehabilitation of the electricity infrastructure is expected to be an important step towards supporting economic activities and improving living conditions in the area, although the restoration timeline will depend on the implementation of the approved work.

OLU OF IGBO-ORA PRAISES STAKEHOLDERS

The Olu of Igbo-Ora, Oba Dr. Jimoh Titiloye, expressed appreciation to the Oyo State Government, the Alaafin of Oyo, represented by his queen, Ayaba Ibiwunmi Owoade, traditional rulers, tourists, the Twins Assembly and all sons and daughters of Igbo-Ora for supporting the festival.

He said the annual event continues to project Igbo-Ora’s distinctive identity, rich cultural heritage and immense potential to the world.

Representing the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, Ayaba Ibiwunmi Owoade described Igbo-Ora as a second home of the Alaafin.

She congratulated the twins and people of Igbo-Ora, describing multiple births as a divine blessing from God.

ROYAL FATHERS, POLITICAL & CULTURAL LEADERS GRACE FESTIVAL

The festival attracted prominent traditional rulers from across Oyo State and beyond, including the Soun of Ogbomosho, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III; the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola; the Alajaawa of Ajaawa; the Elero of Ilero; the Asigangan of Igangan; and the Onidere of Idere, alongside other royal fathers.

Political leaders at the occasion include the Speaker,Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy, Hon. Ademola Ojo, Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosin, Hon. Dr Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, representing Ibarapa Central and North Federal Constituency, Hon. Dhikrullah Olajide Odidiomo and several political functionaries.

Their presence underscored the importance of traditional institutions and cultural cooperation in sustaining the festival and promoting the region’s heritage.

IGBO-ORA’S FUTURE BEYOND TWINS FESTIVAL

The 2026 World Twins Festival highlighted both the global attention Igbo-Ora attracts because of its multiple-birth heritage and the development challenges that must be addressed to turn that recognition into lasting economic benefits.

While the IPU president called on indigenes to take greater responsibility for hometown development and appealed to the state government for strategic interventions, the local government chairman’s electricity restoration assurance emerged as one of the key announcements of the event.

Pastor Oladeji urged visitors to explore the town’s culture and investment opportunities, stressing that Igbo-Ora’s future would depend on how effectively its people harness the international attention generated by the festival.

“Long live Igbo-Ora, long live Ibarapaland, long live Oyo State, long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he declared.