Ayere Day 2026: Asiwaju Prince Olatunji Olusoji Reaffirms Commitment to Education, Healthcare, Social Welfare
….Advocates Strategic Alliances for Kogi West Governorship
Emmanuel Kehinde,ILlorin
The Asiwaju of Ayere Kingdom, Asiwaju Prince Dr. Olatunji Olusoji, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the welfare and socioeconomic advancement of his people, pledging sustained interventions in education, healthcare, humanitarian services and social welfare programmes aimed at improving living conditions across Ayere Kingdom and beyond.
The distinguished entrepreneur, philanthropist and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Grosvenor Global Services Limited made the declaration during the 2026 Ayere Day celebration, held in Ayere, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Speaking at the colourful cultural gathering, which attracted traditional rulers, political leaders, community stakeholders and well-wishers, Prince Olusoji described the annual celebration as an important occasion for strengthening communal unity, preserving cultural heritage and renewing collective commitment to grassroots development.
He emphasised that his passion for philanthropy and community advancement remained deeply rooted in his desire to create meaningful opportunities for the people, particularly vulnerable groups, students, young people and families requiring socioeconomic assistance.
According to him, meaningful development requires collective responsibility, as no government, irrespective of its resources or intentions, can single-handedly address every challenge confronting society.
He therefore encouraged successful individuals, corporate organisations and other public-spirited citizens to complement government initiatives through strategic investments in human capital development, healthcare accessibility, educational advancement and social protection.
Prince Olusoji explained that his humanitarian interventions were designed to support the development efforts of the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, particularly in areas directly affecting the welfare of ordinary citizens.
He maintained that sustainable community transformation could only be achieved through purposeful collaboration between government institutions, private-sector stakeholders, traditional authorities and development-conscious individuals.
Turning to the political future of Kogi State, the Asiwaju of Ayere Kingdom called for greater political sophistication, unity and strategic engagement among the people of Kogi West Senatorial District in their longstanding aspiration to produce a governor of the state.
He acknowledged the sustained agitation by the Okun people for the governorship position, describing their demand for political inclusion and equitable representation as legitimate and deserving of serious consideration.
However, he cautioned that achieving such an ambition would require more than regional solidarity, emotional appeals or political declarations.
According to him, Kogi West must develop a coherent political strategy anchored on consultation, consensus-building and constructive alliances with stakeholders from Kogi East and Kogi Central Senatorial Districts.
“But we need to come up with a good strategy and build alliances with our brothers from Kogi East and Central Senatorial Districts,” he declared.
Prince Olusoji stressed that the political future of Kogi West would depend significantly on its ability to build bridges across ethnic and senatorial boundaries while presenting a compelling, inclusive and development-oriented vision for the entire state.
He noted that effective political engagement, mutual understanding and sustained cooperation among the three senatorial districts would strengthen the prospects of achieving a broadly acceptable governorship arrangement.
His position underscored the importance of dialogue and political inclusiveness in addressing longstanding questions surrounding power distribution and equitable participation in Kogi State’s leadership.
On partisan politics, the prominent APC stakeholder expressed confidence in the electoral strength of the ruling All Progressives Congress, predicting a landslide victory for the party in the 2027 general elections.
He also reiterated his support for the administration of Governor Ododo, maintaining that constructive partnerships between government and private individuals would accelerate development and improve the quality of life across communities.
Beyond his political observations, Prince Olusoji used the occasion to renew his personal commitment to the people of Ayere Kingdom, assuring them that their educational aspirations, healthcare needs and general well-being would continue to occupy a central place in his humanitarian engagements.
He emphasised that empowering people through education, promoting access to essential healthcare services and providing support for vulnerable households were critical foundations for building a prosperous and resilient society.
The Asiwaju further called on sons and daughters of Ayere, particularly those who have distinguished themselves in business, public service and professional careers, to remain connected to their ancestral roots and contribute meaningfully to the kingdom’s development.
The annual Ayere Day celebration serves as a rallying point for indigenes at home and in the diaspora, offering opportunities to showcase the kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, strengthen social bonds and deliberate on initiatives capable of advancing community development.
For Prince Olusoji, the 2026 celebration represented more than a cultural reunion; it provided another platform to articulate his vision of a community where education creates opportunities, healthcare protects lives, philanthropy restores hope and collective responsibility drives sustainable progress.
His message ultimately reinforced two defining priorities: an enduring commitment to improving the welfare of his people and a call for strategic political cooperation capable of strengthening Kogi West’s voice in the broader governance of Kogi State.
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