The Yoruba Community Imo State (YCI) has elected new executive officers to lead and guide the community for the next four years. Dr. Ogunyemi Odunayo Julius emerged as the President-General, presiding over all Yoruba-speaking towns and communities in the state. The elections were conducted at Alvan Ikoku University of Education in Owerri, the state capital, on a Sunday that witnessed an enthusiastic turnout of community members.
Dr. Ogunyemi Odunayo Julius, the newly elected President-General, expressed his gratitude and commitment to the Yoruba community in Imo State in his acceptance speech. He called upon all members to uphold unity, peaceful co-existence, harmonious relationships, and love among themselves, as well as with the host community.
“The election is over, and it is time for us all to work for the development and upliftment of our community in Imo State. Let all of us join hands and rally around my administration to forge a united front to take YCI to greater heights,” Dr. Ogunyemi emphasized.
The election was notably keenly contested, reflecting the strong democratic spirit within the Yoruba community. The new executive members who emerged alongside Dr. Ogunyemi Odunayo Julius include Vice President General-1 for Okigwe Zone, Comr. Bello Oladele, Vice President General-2 and Orlu Zone leader Alhaji Ridwan Wahab, Vice President General-3 and Owerri Zonal leader Barr. Muideen Kunle Yusuf, General Secretary Comr. Alatare Sulyman MUSA, and Assistant General Secretary Abraham Folorunso from Orlu zone. Also, Organizing Secretary Sodiq Muheeb Kehinde, Barr. Deji Alabi as Assistant Financial Secretary, State Women Leader Alhaja Anifat Animashaun, and Treasurer State Alhaji Ibrahim Bello.
Further members of the newly elected executive include Mr. Ademiju Oluwaseyi as Financial Secretary, Prince Adekunle Giwa as Publicity Secretary State, Mr. Odumini Adebayo Mukaila as State Youth Leader, Mr. Oguntimeyi Oluwasegun as Zonal Youth Leader for Orlu Zone, and Mr. Ayomide Oluwaseun as Okigwe Zonal Youth Leader. Additionally, Mr. Olalekan Azeez is the Owerri Zonal Youth Leader, Mr. Oladele Tunde serves as Chief Whip State from Orlu Zone, and Mr. Babatunde Olarewaju is the Assistant Chief Whip State. Completing the lineup are Mr. Suliaman Hakeem as Assistant Publicity Secretary State, Mr. Odukoya Olatunji as Assistant Treasurer State, and Mr. Oguntimehin Oluwasegun, who takes on the role of Youth Leader (1) for Orlu Zone, while Mrs. Latifat Ololapo assumes the position of Woman Leader (1) for Orlu Zone.
The newly elected executive officers have a challenging task ahead of them but have expressed their dedication and commitment to the Yoruba community in Imo State. The unity and progress of the YCI are at the forefront of their agenda, as they pledge to work tirelessly to promote the welfare of Yoruba-speaking residents in the state. Jo
In the aftermath of the elections, both the Electoral Committee Chairman, Dr. Isiak Adedokun, and the IEC Secretary, Barr. Yinka Afolabi, lauded the Yoruba community for the successful conduct of the elections. Dr. Adedokun and Barr. Afolabi noted that this was the first time the Yoruba community council had achieved such a united front, and they expressed their confidence that the newly elected executives would perform admirably, meeting and surpassing the community’s expectations.
The Yoruba community in Imo State has spoken through the ballot, and now it’s time for the new leadership to chart a path of progress, unity, and development. As they take up their roles, Dr. Ogunyemi Odunayo Julius and his team are determined to foster harmony within their community and build stronger ties with the host community, working together for a brighter future for Yoruba residents in Imo State. With the trust and expectations of their fellow community members, these newly elected leaders are poised to make a lasting impact during their four-year term.
