The President of Ikale World Congress Mr. Samuel Ademola has expressed the gratitude of IWC to the members of ‘Ikale Citizens Club of Minnesota’(ICC) a chapter of IWC, for their concern and result-oriented focus toward the development of Ikaleland. The President was speaking when he and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tunji Ogunmola visited Minneapolis, Minnesota to attend the ICC meeting recently. The President expressed gratitude to members of ICC for the Electric generator that the Chapter donated and installed at the General Hospital Okitipupa. During the meeting on Sunday, November 6, 2011, the President explained the vision of IWC and he reiterated the need for harmonization of efforts in our giving back to Ikaleland. He therefore called for unity of purpose among all Ikale in the Diaspora as we strive to energize development at home. He said the present executive will work to make IWC a role model to all in Ikaleland and that it behooves us to show the light by way of meaningful projects that will have positive impact on all our people. Mr. Ademola also shared with the Ikale people of Minnesota the IWC projects including empowering Ikale youth for self improvement and education, Scholarship program that is currently ongoing and Health Awareness fair to educate people on ways to prevent communicable and preventable diseases.
The president called on all Ikale men and women in North America to step up with ideas that they could pass on to IWC for use to benefit our people at home. “IWC is not an individual’s project, it is our project”, the President asserted. He praised the Minnesota chapter for their family styled relationship, unity, harmony, coherence and result-oriented focus. “We heard of the good things that Minnesota represents from a distance, and today we feel it and we see it”. While he sought the support and feedback from ICC at all times, Mr. Ademola promised to keep Minnesota abreast of all projects and developments at IWC. He implored every Ikale man and woman to emulate Minnesota and rally round with contributions to the development of Ikaleland. During the president’s visit, he also hinted of his interest in having the Minnesota ICC to host the 2012 IWC convention.
In her reply, the President of ICC Mrs. Moji Olafeso thanked the President and IWC for his visit and pledged the support of all Ikale in Minnesota to the vision of IWC. While the chapter has heard a lot about IWC, the members have felt alienated from the activities of the organization until now that the President and Publicity Secretary visited. On the request for Minnesota to host the IWC Convention in the summer of 2012, Mrs. Olafeso stated that ICC will deliberate on the request and that the ICC decision will be communicated to IWC shortly. Also speaking, Dr. Tunde Akinde, Mr. Olumide Omoranmilowo, Mr. Kunle Kuewumi, Mr. Martin Ayelomi, Mr. Akin Babington and Mr. Charles Chiefredo all expressed cooperation and support for IWC and satisfaction for the visit. They agreed that the development of Ikaleland is of paramount importance at this time. Dr. Akinde advocated for a strong bond among all Ikale in North America as in doing so can we guarantee a successful transfer of positive cultural heritage and development to the coming generations. Members of ICC present at the meeting included: Mrs. Moji Olafeso, Mr. Akin Babington, Mr. Kunle Kuewumi, Dr. Tunde Akinde, Mr. Martin Ayelomi, Mr. Olumide Omoranmilowo, Mr. Charles Chiefredo, Mrs. Morenike Akinde, Mr. Stanley Olajide, Mrs. Christiana Sheba, Mr. Obafemi Adetimehin, Mrs. Omoranmilowo, Mrs. Ibiyemi Kuewumi, Mrs. Obi Chiefredo and Mr. Raphael Omodunmiju.
