by Biola Jaiyesimi
CHICAGO -The Isiwo Descendants Incorporation, Chicago (IDI) is in need of $2 million to build a community center in Chicago and assist their hometown of Ijebu-Isiwo with facilities for the take-off of a 20-bed health community center and maternity wards, IDI spokesman Gani Bisiriyu told The Chicago Inquirer recently. “We have so many projects which we planning to execute. This includes a health center in Ijebu-Isiwo courtesy of the Nigerian federal government. We are planning a community center here in Chicago. Our goal initially is to raise $2 million to execute those projects. We are raising funds at all times,” he said. A visit by the Monarch of Ijebu-Isiwo, Oba Adedoyin Sikiru Salisu Fibigbade is creating frenzy among the over 40 descendant of Isiwo town in Chicago to be part of the projects in Nigeria and Chicago. The Oba’s visit enabled members to know the priority areas. “We know that the health center would help those in the community and its environs as soon as the center becomes operational. That is our first priority,” Bisiriyu explained. IDI is determined to assist the town in all areas that would accelerate the immediate take-off of the center especially as regard uninterrupted electricity, access road and running portable water. “We are thinking of procuring a generator and liaising with the NEPA (National Electric Power Authority) so electricity willbe available all year round,” he explained. Since monarch visit, the fund raised has increased as lukewarm members are now showing interest and shipping in their pledges and contributions. “It dawned on them that this is the right thing to do when they see Oba Adedoyin. We have a lot of programs. We want to make sure that as soon as we complete the first phase of the hospital project, we quickly move to the next one,” he said. Bisiriyu explained that the planned community center in Chicago would serve not just the Ijebu-Isiwo descendants but the entire Nigerian population as a whole. “The center will serve as a place to rest and interact for our children. We want to have a place where new arrivals could stay for a while and others in need for whatever reasons,” he said. The Kabiyesi, he said had enlightened them on many areas we can help. We see his visit as a clarion call and we cannot turn it down. We are trying to give back to the community. Just like the Kabiyesi accepted the call to serve the community, we are here to complement his efforts,” he explained. “As we all know, the local government is not functioning well at these time. Their functions go back to the community We are having projects for schools and access to the schools. The 20 beds health center and maternity wards. The drug is not the issue but the facility that will get the project going and that is why the Kabiyesi is here. We don’t want to lose the opportunity,” he emphasized. He also explained that IDI is in relationship with the Yoruba People Congress (YPC) on how to move the race forward and contribute positively to the development of Yoruba people in the Diaspora.
