By Muslimat Itopa
The 2025 Takete-Ide Day celebration held at the UBE School Field, Takete-Ide, Mopamuro Local Government Area, was a vibrant display of culture, unity, and grassroots development.
The annual event brought together indigenes at home and in the diaspora to celebrate their heritage and renew their commitment to the progress of their community.
Speaking at the event, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication and also Chairman Central Planing Committee Chief Kingsley Fanwo, expressed deep pride and emotional connection to the community.
“Those who are very familiar with me know how proud I am of Takete-Ide. I was brought up here; I had almost all my life here,” Fanwo said. “What you have seen here today is the coming together of determined people to celebrate our culture and to contribute resources for another development project.”
He lauded the community’s collective effort and praised the ongoing remodeling of the community’s only secondary school under the administration of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The Commissioner also praised Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his unwavering commitment to community development and inclusivity, noting that the state government’s people-centered policies have continued to inspire local action across the 21 Local Government Areas.
Fanwo expressed deep appreciation to the dignitaries and guests who graced the occasion including the Deputy Governor, Elder Joel Salifu, Commissioner’s, Local Government Chairmen, Director General Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation Princess Nana Hawua Yussuf and Managing Director Graphic Newspaper Comrade YJ Itopa Among others.
In his address, the President of the Takete-Ide Development Association, Prince Richard Dare Fiki, reflected on the progress achieved under his leadership, describing the event as the fourth celebration since assuming office.
“For over 20 years, we have shouldered our electricity challenges by ourselves,” he said. “Last year, Takete-Ide was still in darkness, but through our collective effort and the formation of the Takete-Ide Project Committee, we were able to reconnect our community to the national grid.”
Prince Fiki also appealed to the state government to partner with the community in agriculture and to prioritize the construction of the Takete-Ide road, which he said has been a longstanding concern.
He extended appreciation to Hon. Abiodun Faleke for his consistent and generous support, noting that his interventions have been transformative, especially in the completion of the community’s state-of-the-art civic center.
A community member, Mr Dolapo Temitope, described the celebration as a unifying force.
“The significance of this program is that it brings our people together, strengthens our pride in our cultural heritage, and gives us joy to see such a large turnout this year,” he said.
She commended the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, expressing optimism about his leadership.
“We are very hopeful that this gKingsleyovernment will continue to perform excellently. Our schools have been renovated, and our students now receive stipends monthly. We are proud to be part of this progress,” he added.
This year’s celebration featured cultural displays, traditional music, awards, and Two hundred million naira fundraising for new community projects a testament to Takete-Ide’s enduring spirit of self-help and unity in development.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings