The Ondo Community Connect (OCC) initiative has announced plans to extend its community-prioritized projects to all 203 political wards in Ondo State. This move is part of the initiative's effort to support the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in his community-focused activities. According to Iretidola Ojekhoa, the state Coordinator of OCC, the initiative seeks to give communities a direct channel to present their needs, rather than imposing predetermined projects on them.
The OCC initiative was initially concentrated on communities around Akure but has now expanded its mandate to cover the 203 wards in the state's 18 local government areas. Ojekhoa emphasized that the programme's core mandate is to touch all 203 wards, ensuring that no part of the state is left behind. To achieve this, OCC conducts physical assessments after communities register, allowing residents to identify their most pressing needs.
The programme applies a priority matrix based on impact, urgency, cost-effectiveness, and the speed at which a project can improve quality of life. This approach ensures that women, youths, and people from different age groups have a say in determining priorities, while other needs remain on the programme's roadmap. For instance, residents of Ayede in Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area, identified the excavation of a blocked waterway as their most urgent need due to frequent flooding in nearby homes.
Similarly, residents of Ireakari Community in Ilara-Mokin presented several needs, including road grading, drainage, a borehole, and solar streetlights, but selected solar lighting as their priority. Ojekhoa reported that poles and foundation materials had been supplied, with installation underway. Other communities, such as Aaye, Ibuji, Kajola, Apatakpiti, Oke-Ogba, and Ijigba, have also received solar streetlight interventions.
The programme has also supported public institutions, including Positive FM in Akure, where it provided a 22kVA solar inverter system with 32 solar panels. Additionally, the National Identity Management Commission office in Akure received support from OCC. Beyond physical infrastructure, Ojekhoa said OCC had introduced skills development as part of its intervention strategy.
Beneficiaries trained in shoemaking and leatherwork later received production contracts from the initiative to make school bags, sandals, and high-visibility jackets for field personnel. According to Ojekhoa, the model was inspired partly by Kogi Connect, although the Ondo initiative differs in its sponsorship, with OCC supported by Tunji-Ojo. The programme reflects the minister's community-focused activities before his appointment to the Federal Executive Council.
With the expansion plans in place, OCC is set to make a significant impact in Ondo State. The initiative's focus on community-prioritized projects and skills development is expected to improve the quality of life for residents in the state. Key to this effort is the engagement of communities in the decision-making process, ensuring that their most pressing needs are addressed.
Key points
- The Ondo Community Connect initiative aims to cover all 203 wards in Ondo State with grassroots interventions.
- The programme applies a priority matrix to determine project priorities based on impact, urgency, cost-effectiveness, and speed of implementation.
- OCC has introduced skills development as part of its intervention strategy, including training in shoemaking and leatherwork.
