From Darkness to Light: IMỌLẸ Project Illuminates Erunwon with Skills, Solar Street Lights

 

There are moments in the life of a community when development ceases to be a campaign slogan or a ceremonial speech and becomes something people can see, touch and experience. Those moments often leave lasting impressions because they answer society's needs more loudly than words ever could.

Such a moment is gradually unfolding in Erunwon, an ancient Ijebu community where darkness that once defined many of its roads after sunset is steadily giving way to light, hope and renewed confidence.

For years, when dusk settled over Erunwon and neighbouring communities, life slowed almost to a halt. Traders hurriedly packed their wares before darkness engulfed the streets. Parents became anxious whenever children stayed out late.

 Commercial motorcyclists navigated poorly lit roads with caution, while pedestrians quickened their pace to reach home. The absence of adequate street lighting created opportunities for hoodlums who often exploited the cover of darkness to perpetrate criminal activities.

Today, however, that familiar story is steadily changing. Across strategic locations in Erunwon, extending through Idele, Alemafo and Ogidi, towering solar-powered street lights now stand as visible symbols of transformation. Engineers continue erecting poles, mounting solar panels and installing lighting systems that many residents believe will redefine security, mobility and economic activities within the community.

The ongoing installation forms part of the IMỌLẸ Project, an initiative of the Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation in partnership with Infrastructure Management Express Limited (IME), designed not only to illuminate communities but also to empower people through practical technical education.

While the IMỌLẸ Project is presently transforming many parts of Erunwon through the installation of public solar-powered street lights, residents were quick to acknowledge that the community has, over the years, benefited from similar interventions by other well-meaning individuals and public office holders. Among those recognised are the Eleruwon of Erunwon, Oba (Barrister) Odubela, whose developmental efforts have enhanced infrastructure within the community; Hon. Femi Ogunbanwo, whose solar streetlight intervention as the representative of Ijebu Central Federal Constituency benefited parts of Ijebu North East, including Erunwon and its wards; and Hon. Seun Adesanya, whose constituency solar streetlight project has equally illuminated several wards and communities across Erunwon-Ijebu.

However, residents stressed that the IMỌLẸ Project represents a unique intervention because it combines physical infrastructure with human capital development. Beyond installing solar-powered street lights, the project is equipping community members with practical renewable energy skills that will enable them to install, maintain and sustain such infrastructure long after the current installations are completed.

In appreciation of the remarkable work already undertaken by the Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation and IME, residents of the Abere Oje and Itungberi quarters have appealed to the organisers and the IMỌLẸ Project Coordinator to consider their communities in subsequent phases of the project.

They acknowledged that while several major roads and different parts of Erunwon have benefited from previous solar streetlight interventions by various stakeholders, as well as the ongoing IMỌLẸ installations, some underserved areas still require attention.

According to the residents, extending the IMỌLẸ Project to Abere Oje and Itungberi would ensure that every part of Erunwon enjoys improved security, safer night-time movement and enhanced socio-economic activities. They noted that the project's community-centred approach makes it an ideal platform for ensuring that no neighbourhood is left behind.

While the installation of the solar-powered street lights is already progressing, preparations are equally in top gear for the IMỌLẸ Project Skills Development and Community Training Programme, scheduled to hold on July 2 and 3, 2026, at the Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation Centre, Erunwon.

The forthcoming two-day programme will train 20 selected community members, with deliberate priority given to female participants, in solar street lighting installation and maintenance.

Participants will receive classroom instruction alongside practical field exposure covering solar energy fundamentals, system design, component identification, assembly, wiring, installation, preventive maintenance, fault diagnosis, troubleshooting, safety procedures, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and basic record-keeping.

According to the organisers, the objective is to empower community members with employable technical skills capable of creating sustainable livelihoods while strengthening local capacity to maintain renewable energy infrastructure.

Even before the first participant takes a seat inside the classroom, the project has already begun teaching a practical lesson—that meaningful development begins with visible action.

During a visit by Street Voice to several installation sites, this reporter observed an atmosphere filled with curiosity and admiration.

Children watched attentively as engineers mounted the solar panels. Traders stepped away briefly from their businesses to witness the work. Commercial motorcyclists slowed to observe the installations, while elderly residents gathered in clusters discussing what many described as one of the most impactful community interventions witnessed in recent years.

Among those present was Mr. Mebude Obafemi, Chief Executive Officer of Today RadioTV Online Station, located along the Itungberi Estate axis of Erunwon.

Speaking while interacting with project engineers and site officers supervising the installations, he described the initiative as both timely and commendable, especially at a period when security has become one of the nation's greatest concerns.

According to him, the Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation and Infrastructure Management Express Limited deserve recognition for investing significantly not only in the forthcoming community empowerment programme but also in providing solar-powered street lighting that directly addresses the security needs of residents.

"What impresses me most is that they are not merely talking about development; they are demonstrating it. Everyone can see the installations taking place physically. These lights are not meant for a privileged few but for the entire community. At a time when security has become a major concern across the country, this initiative deserves every commendation."

He further noted that while many organisations organise conferences and make promises, the IMỌLẸ Project distinguishes itself by translating ideas into practical projects that everyone can see and benefit from.

Standing beside one of the newly installed poles at the Abere Oje area of Erunwon, Mama Adekoya could hardly conceal her excitement as she watched the ongoing installation.

She commended the Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation, Infrastructure Management Express Limited (IME) and the Ogunbanjo children for what she described as a thoughtful intervention that has already brought hope and renewed confidence to many parts of Erunwon through the IMỌLẸ Project.

While acknowledging that several quarters across Erunwon are already benefiting from the ongoing installation, alongside previous solar-powered streetlight interventions facilitated over the years by other stakeholders—including the developmental efforts of the Eleruwon of Erunwon, Oba (Barrister) Odubela, the solar streetlight projects executed by Hon. Femi Ogunbanwo that benefited Erunwon and other wards in Ijebu North East, and the constituency intervention of Hon. Seun Adesanya, which has equally illuminated several wards and communities—she passionately appealed to the IMỌLẸ Project Coordinator and the Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation to remember Abere Oje Quarter in the subsequent phase of the project.

According to her, although the community appreciates every intervention already executed across Erunwon, Abere Oje still requires additional public solar-powered streetlights to improve security and make movement safer after sunset.

"We sincerely appreciate the Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation, IME and the Ogunbanjo children for remembering Erunwon through this wonderful IMỌLẸ Project. We also appreciate Kabiyesi, Oba (Barrister) Odubela, Hon. Femi Ogunbanwo, Hon. Seun Adesanya and every other stakeholder who has contributed to lighting up different parts of our community over the years. Our humble appeal is that the IMỌLẸ Project Coordinator should kindly remember Abere Oje in the next phase of this laudable initiative. We believe every quarter deserves to benefit so that no part of Erunwon will be left behind. When every neighbourhood is illuminated, the entire community becomes safer, businesses thrive and everyone shares in the dividends of development."

Her appeal echoed the sentiments of several residents, who expressed confidence that the community-centred philosophy of the IMỌLẸ Project would ensure that underserved areas such as Abere Oje and Itungberi are considered in future phases, thereby complementing previous interventions and ensuring that every quarter of Erunwon enjoys the benefits of improved security, safer movement and sustainable community development.

Similarly, Mr. Azeez, a wedding technician whose workshop is located close to the Ijebu North East Local Government Secretariat Annex, said the project would improve both security and commerce.

"Good lighting changes many things. Customers feel safer staying out later, businesses can operate with greater confidence and hoodlums will have fewer places to hide under the cover of darkness. This project belongs to everybody, not just a selected few."

The Oloritun of Itungberi, Chief Ajayi, also applauded the initiative, describing it as a worthy continuation of the enduring philanthropic legacy of the late Chief Chris Ogunbanjo.

According to Chief Ajayi, the Ogunbanjo children have demonstrated through their actions that they remain committed to sustaining the values of generosity, compassion and community development for which their late father was widely respected.

"The children have shown that they are determined to continue the good legacy of their late father. By investing in the empowerment, welfare and security of our people, they have honoured his memory in a meaningful way. We are proud of what they are doing and pray that God will continue to strengthen and prosper them."

Chief Ajayi further observed that the ongoing initiative complements developmental strides previously championed by the Eleruwon of Erunwon, alongside other interventions by public office holders and development partners, illustrating how collaboration among traditional institutions, philanthropic organisations and elected representatives can accelerate sustainable community development.

As technicians continue their work and anticipation builds for the July skills development programme, optimism continues to spread across Erunwon, Odopotu, Alemafo and Ogidi.

For many residents, the IMỌLẸ Project has already become more than a renewable energy initiative. It is a practical demonstration that genuine leadership is measured not by speeches, ceremonies or publicity, but by projects that solve real problems, build local capacity and improve the quality of life of ordinary people.

Before the classroom doors officially open, the community has already received its first lesson—that true empowerment begins with opportunity, that security is strengthened through thoughtful investment, and that the brightest light is the one shared by an entire community.

By combining an upcoming skills acquisition programme with the ongoing installation of public solar-powered street lights, the Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation and Infrastructure Management Express Limited (IME) have demonstrated that development is most meaningful when it empowers people while improving the places they call home.

For the people of Erunwon and its neighbouring communities, the IMỌLẸ Project is not merely illuminating streets—it is illuminating possibilities, restoring confidence and leaving behind a legacy of service that many believe will shine for generations to come.

Report by Femi Mebude for Ijebu Today, Street Voice Sub: Igboro Lawa

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