Takete-Ide Centenary: Ododo Donates N35m for Town Hall »

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has donated N35 million towards the completion of the Takete-Ide community town hall as the community celebrates 100 years since its relocation from its original hilltop settlement.

The donation was announced during the grand finale of the Takete-Ide centenary celebration, which brought together traditional rulers, government officials, indigenes and well-wishers from within and outside Nigeria to commemorate a century of the community’s history, resilience and development.

Represented by the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, Governor Ododo commended the people of Takete-Ide for their courage, sacrifices, determination and collective efforts in building the community over the past 100 years.

He also acknowledged the achievements of Takete-Ide indigenes across different professional fields and urged younger generations to sustain the community’s legacy of excellence through meaningful contributions to its development.

The governor said the community’s progress demonstrated the importance of unity, collective responsibility and purposeful leadership, adding that other communities could draw lessons from its development journey.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration between government and communities to accelerate development across Kogi State.

“My administration remains committed to the development of communities across Kogi State through investments in education, healthcare, roads, agriculture, rural infrastructure, security and economic empowerment,” Ododo stated.

On infrastructure, the governor disclosed that the Takete-Ide road was receiving government attention, with engineers already assessing the project for costing.

He also called on traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, women and residents to strengthen cooperation with security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence about suspicious movements and activities through appropriate channels.

Speaking at the event, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications and Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the centenary should serve as an opportunity for the younger generation to build on the achievements of their predecessors.

Fanwo noted that the celebration was not merely about reflecting on the community’s past but also about inspiring a future characterised by greater peace, unity and prosperity.

He urged residents to preserve the values established by their forebears while embracing opportunities that would advance Takete-I over the next century.

Similarly, the National Chairman of the Takete-Ide Progressive Union (TIPU), Bldr. Richard Dare Fiki, described the 100th anniversary of the community’s relocation from the hilltop as a significant milestone.

Fiki said the journey had brought visible development and sustained peace to the community, urging residents to uphold accountability, commitment and collective responsibility in pursuing further development projects.

He also acknowledged the Kogi State Government’s interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and the welfare of civil servants, noting that Takete-Ide was among the communities benefiting from the administration’s efforts.

The multi-day Takete-Ide centenary celebration featured several activities, including a thanksgiving service, a novelty football match, free medical outreach, cultural displays and the unveiling of a community development trust.

Community elders also shared oral histories recounting the experiences of their forebears during the early years of the settlement.

Their accounts highlighted the challenges faced by the founding generation, including slavery, as well as the establishment of the community’s first schools through communal labour and the gradual transformation of Takete-Ide into a modern settlement.

The novelty football match between the Takete-Ide Progressive Union (TIPU) and the Takete-Ide Student Union (TISU) ended 3–1 in favour of TIPU.

Fanwo featured among the scorers, recording two goals through successful penalty kicks.

Free medical tests and treatment were also provided to residents as part of the anniversary activities.

Another major highlight of the grand finale was the presentation of chieftaincy titles to distinguished personalities in recognition of their contributions to the development and progress of Takete-Ide.

The centenary celebration marked 100 years since the community relocated from its hilltop settlement, providing an opportunity for residents to reflect on their history, celebrate their achievements and renew their commitment to future development.