Historical Community Faces Modern Challenges

Songbe, an autonomous community with a rich history in Osun State, finds itself struggling with severe infrastructure deficits despite its administrative importance. The town, which oversees several villages in Ejigbo South Local Development Authority, recently made its plight public through a press conference organized by the Forum of Civil Society Organisations for Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria.

Political and Infrastructure Crisis

Glorious Akpan, leader of the civil society group, revealed that nine out of sixteen villages under Songbe’s authority have severed ties with the community. More alarmingly, residents highlighted the absence of basic amenities that most modern communities take for granted.

Critical Needs Identified

The community’s most pressing needs include:

• Motorable roads (the only existing road was built during military rule)
• Functional healthcare facilities with adequate staff and supplies
• Renovation of the only secondary school with collapsed buildings
• More teachers for the understaffed school system

Community Leaders Speak Out

Taiwo Ojetokun, Chairman of the Songbe Community Development Association, painted a grim picture: “Our agricultural produce often goes to waste because of impassable roads. The maternity center lacks both amenities and staff, and our school buildings are either collapsing or already in ruins.”

Ojetokun emphasized that the primary healthcare center was last renovated in 2020 during the Oyetola administration, but currently operates without essential drugs and personnel to serve the growing population.

Government Response

Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, responded by advising the community to submit a formal request detailing their needs. “We will investigate the drug supply issue immediately as there’s supposed to be an autopilot system for all health centers,” Alimi stated.

The commissioner promised that once official documentation is received, the government would prioritize the most urgent needs while addressing others progressively.

Call to Action

As Songbe residents await government intervention, their situation highlights the challenges faced by many autonomous communities in Nigeria that contribute significantly to state economies yet remain underserved in terms of basic infrastructure and social amenities.

For more details on this developing story, visit the original report.