In a groundbreaking move to promote economic growth in Ibadanland, the Ibadan Welfare Advancement Group (IWA Group), a pioneering Ethno-Economic organization committed to safeguarding and advancing the region’s economy, was officially unveiled on Friday.
Established by a consortium of about sixty notable Ibadan indigenes across five countries and four continents, the IWA Group aims to elevate Ibadan to an Economic City-State status by the year 2040.
Chief Adeyemi Soladoye, the Visioner and Coordinator General of the IWA Group, in his address during the official meeting at Davies Hotel, Ibadan on Friday emphasized the need for a transformative approach towards wealth and community development.
He asserted that true love for one’s village, town, or country requires initiative beyond traditional mindsets of dependency and entitlement. “Feeding on traditional crises and pulling down fellow kinsmen before authorities have become the sole occupations for some of our people,” he stated, calling for a renewed focus on unity and progress.
The IWA Group distinguishes itself from typical socio-cultural clubs by committing to tangible economic development rather than social gatherings. Members’ subscriptions are earmarked for support of various economic initiatives, with the promise of returns with profits to each contributor—“dead or alive.” As Soladoye articulated, “While our subscriptions last, they will strictly serve the further economic development of Ibadanland.”
With a foundation built on a commitment to practicality, the IWA Group has identified fifteen projects aimed at enhancing public enlightenment and establishing a dignifying trade identity for Ibadanland.
The meeting also highlights a pioneering spirit, encouraging members to engage economically rather than socially, through regular economic conferences and dedicated business meeting facilities.
Soladoye urged members to persevere amidst any potential criticism, stating, “If you will be afraid, don’t do it; and if you will do it, don’t be afraid,” reinforcing a resilient mindset for the group’s ambitious goals.
The IWA Group seeks to galvanize collaboration among diverse sectors, including the political, religious, traditional, military, and socio-cultural classes, while also engaging with international communities to drive its agenda for an Ibadan economic renaissance.
Some of the members in their remarks harp on the need for unity and pledged their continuous commitment and loyalty to the socio economy advancement of Ibadanland
