Tapa Day 2020 was an epoch-making event, as some selected sons and daughters received Merit Awards in recognition of their outstanding support for community development activities. The event took place at C & S Basic School, Tapa in Ibarapa North Local Govt of Oyo State.
The Chairman of the program, Prince Bolanle Ojelere, in his welcome address, expressed his appreciation to God while also welcoming the invited guests to the event. In his words, “It is appropriate to restate here, for the benefit of our guests, the objective of Tapa Day celebration. Apart from raising funds to promote the developmental projects as well as improve the standard of living of our people, this annual carnival was also carefully designed to sustain the love, unity, and existing understanding among our people.”
Dr. Samuel Ogundiran, the Governing Council Chairman of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa, who was also one of the awardees, received the award with joy. While responding to an interview, he appreciated the Kabiyesi and TPU excos for the award. ” What we are doing for the community is for developmental purpose as my immediate community is my priority. I was born and brought up here. This makes it a binding force to contribute our quotas to this town and I will continue to do as God puts in my heart.” He said.
Another awardee and respected philanthropist in the community, Mr. Olojeede Mukaila, while speaking with the pressman, said, “I’m delighted for the award. In fact, I didn’t know the program will be elaborate like this but I still thank God and the community for the honor bestowed on me. I’m just doing my own for the community not knowing that people are watching me. Our people are doing well in their chosen careers.
The longstanding reluctance of coming home out of fear is getting reduced drastically. We are working on infrastructural development for the community, particularly the palace of our King as well as the New Hall. Our community is no more a desert but a town that we can be proud of. We must encourage ourselves to develop our community together. Our problem here is scarcity but I believe we will soon get there.”
The Provost of Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Ibadan, Mr. Ayansiji Ganiu, upon receiving his award, express my happiness. “I dedicate the award to God Almighty. I appreciate the Kabiyesi for the honor. Our target is to pay back to our community and we are doing what we capable of doing. We must work together as a team to bring development to our community because “ile labo simi oko,” which translates to “There is no place like home.”
The CEO, Iyanuoluwa Bread, Pastor Salawu Oluwole, admonished Tapa indigenes to come home and establish business where people can earn their living. “I’m paying salary to not less than 20 employees in my company. Although there are challenges but we can always come together to tackle the problems.” On a final note, he appreciated the good people of Ibarapa for patronizing him.