The Alangwa of Agbeyangi in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Aliyu Baba Oladaride, has appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to extend his administration’s development projects beyond urban centres to rural communities, insisting that balanced growth cannot be achieved without equal attention to the grassroots.
The monarch made the appeal on Sunday during a multi-faceted event marking his 35th anniversary on the throne, the public presentation of his autobiography titled “Faith, Leadership and Legacy: My Journey Through Agbeyangi History”, as well as the conferment of chieftaincy titles and posthumous honours for notable indigenes of the community.
The ceremony drew traditional rulers, academics, government officials, religious leaders, and other stakeholders from across Kwara State and beyond.
In his address, Oladaride applauded the AbdulRazaq-led administration for ongoing infrastructural renewal across parts of the state but urged greater focus on rural settlements still facing developmental deficits.
He specifically called for urgent attention to the reconstruction of the Panada–Agbeyangi–Yarun road, noting that such intervention would stimulate economic activities, improve mobility, and enhance access to essential services.
The monarch maintained that meaningful development must include rural areas, adding that communities like Agbeyangi should not be left behind in the state’s transformation agenda.
While acknowledging progress recorded over the years, the 106-year-old traditional ruler said development in the community had slowed due to persistent infrastructure gaps and limited government presence.
He also urged residents of Agbeyangi to revive the culture of communal cooperation and self-help that once defined the community’s growth trajectory, recalling how collective effort in earlier years helped drive local development.
According to him, unity, shared responsibility, and community-driven initiatives were central to Agbeyangi’s past achievements and should be sustained for future progress.
Reflecting on his life and reign, Oladaride expressed gratitude to God for longevity and the opportunity to witness over a century of historical change, describing the occasion as both personal and collective in significance.
He explained that the newly launched autobiography captures his life journey alongside the historical evolution of Agbeyangi, highlighting key milestones, challenges, and community development efforts.
The monarch also used the event to honour past and present figures who contributed to the growth of the community, including late and living leaders whose efforts, he said, helped strengthen Agbeyangi’s standing within the Ilorin Emirate.
Addressing newly installed chiefs, he charged them to see their titles as a call to service rather than privilege, urging them to support development initiatives across education, infrastructure, youth empowerment, and economic growth.
He further called for sustained commitment to strategic community projects, including proposed institutions and agricultural development schemes aimed at improving livelihoods.
In his review of the autobiography, former Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, described the work as a valuable contribution to local history and leadership documentation, praising its blend of personal narrative and community chronicle.
Gambari noted that the book offers insight into traditional leadership, community development, and the socio-political evolution of Agbeyangi, making it relevant for scholars and policymakers.