05/12/2023
*EUYM REBIRTH; MOVING EUYM FROM THE OLD ORDER*
The Epetedo United Youth Movement, EUYM, for 28 years has remained an instrument of Unity amongst the people of Epetedo Community, particularly the Youths.
In its first two decades, it has shined and lived up to an expected grade point that should be earned by a community based organization. It started as a common voice of the oppressed which sought to do justice in areas of power sharing and political permutations. Then, pressed further to speak via a platform called Harmony Group which served as voice for Epetedo People during the ugly Military Junta. It promptly transformed into a Community Based Organization which promotes cultural values, bringing the youths together to identify common grounds for a brighter rewarding future.
And on inception, it had then Comrade John-Paul, now Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP John-Paul Ikheagbe Echatah at the forefront. It was Babatunde Bamgbala who took over from him, until it saw Alhaji Qudus Mobolaji Abari who redefined activities of the Movement.
Not withstanding the power succession, The Community had it's first Epetedo Day Carnival and not the known Fanty Carnival which has become an all comers affair across the state today. It was AbdulSalam Babatunde Ope who led the ceremonial affair as the pioneer Captain supported by Hakeem Mustapha as his Assistant. It was though, a tough battle before mediators could reach truce and thereby pioneered Epetedo Day Carnival.
Subsequently, the community has paraded Men of high calibre as Ceremonial Heads with the Administrative angle handled by discipline and highly cerebral personalities. After Qudus Abari, EUYM has produced AbdulRasheed Aro-Lambo, Galeeb Olusegun Jawando, Late Nurudeen Ajadi, Ajibade Taiwo and recently, Olasunkanmi Ope whose Caretaker Committee redefined EUYM and returned it to winning ways as witnessed under successive leaders before public outcry called for reforms.
The Abari Administration focused more on the aims and objectives of the movement. It succeeded in changing the name of Hope High School to Epetedo High School, it fought criminality within the area through a united front called Epetedo United Forum, EUF, then birthed the Epetedo Computer Centre which was designed to train young lads in Computer knowledge. The administration also saw more than 3 ladies picked from Annual Beauty Pageants to compete at Other Stages and subsequently got rewarded to seek Greener Pastures abroad.
The Jawando Administration focused more on rebuilding the Old Band Group called Kakaki. Kakaki was designed to equally train young ones in Band Set operations. This was pioneered and led by the late Femi Emmanuel, (Scorppy). The Segun Jawando Administration also pioneered emergence of Young lads as Captain and Assistant. An awesome move which produced Captain Oteshade Eshinlokun and Assistant Captain Tosin Siffre.
The Reforms brought by Olasunkanmi Ope led Caretaker Committee included the inauguration of a Board of Trustees (B.O.T) for the Movement with Alhaji Qudus Abari as Pioneer Chairman and Permanent Member. Others are; All Past Presidents with the reigning General Secretary of the Movement as BOT Secretary. It went further to establish the Elders Council which will comprise of the Life Patron, Patrons, Matron and Installed Chiefs. This will make the Executives and the Movement generally to know who and where to turn to when the land is dry. Abolition of OMIDAN smuggled into the movements activities under previous administration was also a major focal point of Olasunkanmi Ope Presidency. Ope maintained that Omidan has not being part of conventions of the movement. The Caretaker Committee went ahead to restructure the *"Movement"*, empowering the General Secretary to fully take charge of the Secretariat as it was during the Era of Galeeb Jawando who arguably remains the most celebrated General Secretary of EUYM. Asides this, it pictured that the organization is a Youth Organization and as such shall henceforth be led by a Youthful President who will no longer be older than 35-45 as at the time of mounting leadership of the movement. The reform however produced the current President, Hon. Temitope Olajide who is a complete Youthful President.
The Caretaker Committee went further to reshape and resize the Epetedo Tutor Governing Committee, empowering the First Vice President as automatic Chairman of the Committee. The Committee now has more responsibility in the area of organising *MENTORSHIP SESSIONS* to enable eminent Sons and Daughters of Epetedo Community have their days at the Annual Holiday Free Coaching Programme, to enable them mentor and train the students in diverse vocational skills, with interested ones furthering their training afterwards. All expenses to be funded by the movement.
The Caretaker Committee moved further to avert scenarios witnessed in 1995, 1998, 1999, to mention a few in which battle for captainship led to crises in circumstances that produced Omo Baba, Okla, Tip-Top amongst others.
When faced with picking Captain for the 2022 Epetedo Day Carnival, and all hope seems dim, it tasked the Stakeholders to settle the mystery which eventually led to emergence of a TWIN CAPTAIN to celebrate the 160 Years Anniversary of Epetedo Existence. The joker has undoubtedly been praised having produced one of the Best Carnival Parades in a record time.
Epetedo Rebirth became a slogan as the need to return EUYM into its leading ways became inevitable.
As a democrat and Peace Champion, Olasunkanmi Ope championed, against all odds, the emergence of a very young and vibrant leader in order to reshape the movement.
Today, Comrade Temitope Olajide is not only blazing the trail, he is breaking barriers and performing wonders.
We urge us all to unite and rally round the new Exco to enable them deliver fully on the mandate of repositioning the movement.
Olasunkanmi Ope, Anipr, Acicn
AlumnusRTI
