……Reveals Plans to produce next Governor.
……As Youth Minister attends, hails Akure Summit.
Akure-speaking communities 2026 Summit has commenced on Wednesday in the Ondo State capital, to fashion out unity and developmental agenda, tagged; “Akure-Speaking Communities’ Development Summit 2026.”
The three day Summit is holding at the Dome International Event Centre, which traditional rulers, political, community, religious and opinion leaders were in attendance during the opening ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, the Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, declared that the summit had reinforced his belief in the future greatness of Akure-speaking communities.
Oba Aladetoyinbo, disclosed plans for the establishment of an Akure-speaking communities Central body, describing it as long overdue, while clarifying that it would not subsume existing community associations but strengthen the umbrella structure.
The monarch dismissed narratives suggesting sharp division among communities in the Akure speaking areas.
According to him, Akure-speaking people are pushing for peaceful coexistence towards building a progressive, united, and larger community.
Deji said, “there is now a consensus among us that our unity is non-negotiable. I am emboldened today to say that with the gathering of today, we are at the threshold of achieving our dream of unity as people bound by the same language, culture, and traditions. I am of the opinion that no challenges are insurmountable. We will disagree to agree as a brother that we used to be.”
The monarch announced plans to withdraw all pending chieftaincy cases involving traditional rulers across Akure-speaking communities as part of efforts to foster reconciliation, strengthen unity and advance the political interests of the area.
He said all affected traditional rulers would meet to resolve outstanding issues, while agreements reached would be transmitted to the various courts to form the basis for judgments terminating the cases.
Speaking on the need for unity, the monarch said reconciliation among Akure-speaking communities would not only promote peace and development but also strengthen their political relevance in the state.
According to him, the combined voting strength of Akure South, Akure North and Ifedore Local Government Areas is sufficient to produce the next governor of Ondo State if the people remain united and pursue a common agenda.
He said the next governor could emerge from any of the three local government areas, stressing that unity, rather than division, would determine the political future of the Akure-speaking people.
The Deji commended traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders and members of the summit planning committee, led by Air Commodore Adewale Ogunmodede (Rtd.), for their commitment to promoting reconciliation and charting a new course for the future of the Akure-speaking people.
On his part, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the summit, Air Commodore Adewale Ogunmodede (Rtd.), emphasised that no town, institution, or leader could build the future alone, describing the gathering as a reminder that development is a shared responsibility.
Ogunmodede harped on the efforts of community groups, stressing that working together beats acting alone and that effective structures must be crafted to overcome developmental challenges.
“As we begin this journey, I warmly and respectfully encourage you all to engage wholeheartedly. Share your ideas. Ask difficult questions. Offer solutions. Challenge assumptions. Build partnerships.
“This summit belongs to all of us, and its success depends on our collective energy. We are renewing our path with destiny, that is, reshaping the future of our Akure-speaking communities for the better.
“Our youths cannot be employed by speeches but by strategies for productive development. This is what this Summit is all about. This Summit is designed to help us explore these pillars in depth,” he stated.
Also speaking at the summit, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who described the summit as apt, stated that “it’s important to us because a lot of people have said a lot of things about Akure, so we are trying to change the view of things.
“We want to have a unique house. We want to have a formed, organic reform that all the Kabiesi, all the chiefs, and everybody want to speak in one language. It doesn’t matter whoever it is.
“Somebody must make a sacrifice for something to come up. So we are making the sacrifice. The most important thing is to have a strong voice, so that we can grow,” the Minister said.
The gathering attracted participants from communities, in Akure South; Ifedore and Akure North local government areas.
