Rev. Niyi Adebayo has issued a passionate "open letter" to the elites and influential indigenes of Ogbomoso, calling for a shift from symbolic presence to active economic investment in their home city. Drawing a biblical parallel to the "Nobles of Tekoa" from the Book of Nehemiah—who famously refused to assist in rebuilding their city walls—Rev. Adebayo lamented that many of the city’s wealthiest sons and daughters build magnificent residential villas in Ogbomoso while establishing their commercial empires elsewhere. In the report, Adebayo noted that while Ogbomoso is Nigeria’s second-largest city by landmass and the second most populous in Oyo State, it remains underserved by state and federal infrastructure. He attributed this stagnation to a lack of local investment, noting that less than 35% of the city’s elites currently identify with its commercial needs. "The commerce of a city is supposed to be built by her sons and daughters," Adebayo stated. "Some cities are called commercial towns today because their people built facilities of economic value." The cleric expressed concern over the disparity in educational and economic opportunities compared to neighboring cities. He pointed out that Oyo town hosts approximately five higher institutions, providing massive employment and stimulating local trade—a level of patronage Ogbomoso is yet to match despite its potential. The letter outlined a three-pronged approach for the city`s "emancipation": * Encouraging elites to float businesses locally rather than just building non-commercial residential houses. * Urging the political class to attract government agencies, NGOs, and structured grants to support struggling local entrepreneurs who currently rely on high-interest loans. * Calling on those without direct capital to use their influence to "woo" foreign and local investors to the city. Adebayo did not spare those living at home, warning against a "parasitic attitude" and a "sense of entitlement" that often ruins businesses owned by family members. He emphasized that for Ogbomoso to prosper, the local community must create a conducive and supportive atmosphere for these investments to thrive. "You will print your names in gold and keep your love in our hearts," the letter concluded, praying for a new era of all-round development for the ancient city.
