By Ganiyu Folabi Salahuddeen
Earlier this morning, as I customarily do before my morning prayers, I reflected on the previous day while mapping out plans for the new one, Boxing Day, as we all know it.
In the course of scheduling my engagements for the day, a sudden and unsettling realization struck me. I was momentarily taken aback to discover that an engagement I had consistently sustained on this very day for nearly a decade would not be taking place this year. The reality dawned on me with the heaviness of losing a dearly beloved.
Without much ado, and upon the conclusion of what I would call a Pre-Boxing Day Assessment, I observed my Fajr prayers and earnestly supplicated for the restoration of peace, tranquility, and harmony in our land.
“Is all well with AGF?” one or two readers might ask. My response is simple: yes, all is well with me. However, I carry a burden to share – and alongside it, an assurance of hope.
Shortly before my election, and even after being elected in 2019 as the Representative of the people of Omupo State Constituency, I made it a point of duty and responsibility not only to attend the annual Ebamiyo Day celebration held every 26th of December, but also to actively contribute to its success.
This had become a cherished ritual for nearly a decade, one that firmly earned me the status of a true Ebamiyo homeboy.
As earlier stated, while planning for Boxing Day (26th of December), the painful reality that Ebamiyo Day would not hold this year set the tone for the day. The excitement, joy, and camaraderie that had characterized my Boxing Day for years were conspicuously absent.
We have all been deprived of this collective joy, not for any reason other than the prevailing security challenges confronting our land.
Young men and women, the elderly, and even our traditional rulers now live with an unsettling fear of the unknown. This was never our reality until recently, when criminal elements encroached upon our communities.
Nevertheless, we thank Almighty Allah for His protection and mercies. Encouragingly, the administration of His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has taken decisive steps to confront these challenges head-on.
We have already recorded notable successes in the fight against these criminal elements, and I can confidently assure our people that normalcy will soon return to our land.
As further reassurance, it is public knowledge that on Monday, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq presented a budget of over ₦644 billion to the Kwara State House of Assembly.
It is heartening to note that the security of lives and property occupies a central place in the 2026 budget. This reinforces our collective hope that insecurity will soon become a thing of the past.
Ebamiyo symbolizes unity of purpose, strength of character, and a shared determination for excellence. From Ibare to Balogun, Alasoro to Mosudo, Idiapa to Yaru, and Oroki, one defining trait stands out across these communities and indeed the entire Ifelodun Local Government Area — resilience. A resilience that triumphs over adversity and defeats all foes.
I must commend the national leadership of Ebamiyo, under the stewardship of Alhaji O. O. Yusuf, for his adept leadership and unwavering commitment to the growth and development of Ebamiyo. It is also reassuring to state that the improvement of road networks across Ebamiyo inter alia will soon be realized.
Banditry can only seek to disrupt us temporarily and make us appear vulnerable. Our response must be to restrategize, remain calm, pray, and continue to support the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in delivering on its mandate to serve the people.
Ebamiyo Day will continue to live on. The 2025 edition has merely been postponed to pave the way for a grander 2026 celebration, and may the Almighty preserve our lives to witness it.
Ebamiyo will rise again!
Ifelodun will rise again!!
Kwara is marching forward.
Ganiyu Folabi Salahuddeen is a lawyer and a lawmaker at the Kwara State House of Assembly.