16/08/2026
ITA-OSHIN ROUNDABOUT WEARS A NEW LOOK AS ABEOKUTA -NIGERIA IBARA STAKE LEADS 2026 ALL WEST AFRICA SERVICE PROJECT.
The Ita-Oshin Roundabout, one of the major gateways welcoming visitors into the ancient city of Abeokuta from the old Lagos Road axis, wore a remarkable new look on Saturday, 15 August 2026, as more than 328 members and partners of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Abeokuta–Nigeria Ibara Stake, gathered for the annual All West Africa Service Project.
For about three hours, the Saints, joined by community leaders, opinion leaders, government representatives, environmental officials, market representatives and other partners, transformed the usually busy roundabout through a coordinated exercise of environmental sanitation and beautification.
The project involved the clearing of overgrown grasses, cleaning of the surroundings, painting of kerbs and parking of the oval gutters, giving the roundabout a cleaner, brighter and more welcoming appearance.
Beyond the physical transformation, however, the exercise once again demonstrated the Church's commitment to community service and its belief that faith should be translated into practical acts of love, responsibility and service to humanity.
A Community United in Service
The atmosphere at Ita-Oshin was one of enthusiasm and cooperation as Church members and community stakeholders worked side by side.
The initiative brought together members from various units within the Abeokuta–Nigeria Ibara Stake, including bishops, branch presidents, priesthood leaders, members of the Relief Society, youth and other auxiliaries. Their presence demonstrated that service is not restricted to a particular age group or leadership position but is a responsibility shared by all.
The participation of government agencies and community representatives also added a significant dimension to the project. The partnership showed that maintaining a clean and healthy environment requires cooperation among religious organizations, government institutions, community leaders, businesses and ordinary residents.
At the conclusion of the exercise, the difference was unmistakable. The once-overgrown and less attractive sections of the roundabout had been cleared, the gutters received attention and the painted kerbs gave the entrance to Abeokuta a more appealing appearance.
It was a practical demonstration of what collective action can achieve within a few hours.
Bishop Christopher Choice Obasuyi: Service Begins With the Community.
Bishop Christopher Choice Obasuyi of Lafenwa Ward spoke about the mobilisation of Church members for the project.
According to him, his bishopric played an important role in encouraging members to participate, and he expressed happiness at the willingness of the Saints to leave their homes and comfort zones to contribute their time and energy to the community.
He noted that the joy displayed by the members was matched by the positive response of the surrounding community.
Bishop Obasuyi emphasised that residents themselves must complement the efforts of government by taking responsibility for the cleanliness and health of their immediate surroundings.
He also used the occasion to invite members of the community to learn more about the Church and its teachings by accepting invitations to worship with the Saints.
For him, the service project was not merely an exercise in environmental sanitation but an opportunity to demonstrate through action the values that the Church teaches.
President Bamidele Olumuyiwa Fagbemi: Living the Gospel Through Service.
The Stake President, President Bamidele Olumuyiwa Fagbemi, described the project as an opportunity for the Saints to give back to society and make a tangible contribution to the communities in which they live.
He explained that members were encouraged to devote a three-hour block of their time to community service.
According to President Fagbemi, there is something deeply meaningful about serving others in the manner exemplified by the Saviour, Jesus Christ.
He explained that the Church had invited various stakeholders, including Okada unions, market associations and government agencies, to partner with the Saints in giving Ita-Oshin a befitting appearance.
He stressed that the project reflected one of the fundamental principles of the gospel: that believers must not merely preach their faith but live it.
“We practise what we preach by living and acting the gospel,” he emphasised, urging members of the Church to love God and their fellow human beings through service.
President Fagbemi charged the Saints to go into society and become the best representatives of the values they profess, reminding them that Christianity must be visible not only in places of worship but also in the way people contribute positively to their communities.
OGWAMA Commends the Initiative
Representatives of the Ogun Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) also participated in the exercise.
The delegation included Mr Adebayo Oluwaseun Michael, Mr Ibrahim Ikmat, Mrs Oladipo Rose and Mr Oladele Opeyemi.
Mr Adebayo Oluwaseun Michael expressed happiness that a religious organisation had chosen to work alongside environmental authorities in maintaining the cleanliness of the city.
He observed that the ideals of the Church and those of environmental management converged on the need for a clean and healthy environment.
He stressed that cleanliness should be embraced by everyone, noting that even the God whom people worship does not delight in an untidy environment.
He therefore called on government and relevant stakeholders to support the continued maintenance of the Ita-Oshin Roundabout, particularly because of its strategic importance as a major point of entry into Abeokuta.
His colleague, Mr Oladele Opeyemi, expressed concern about the persistent problem of indiscriminate refuse disposal.
He appealed to residents to desist from dumping waste at unauthorised locations and urged Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators to improve their responsiveness in collecting refuse and transporting it to designated disposal facilities, including the Saje dumpsite.
He also emphasised the need for sustained public enlightenment, saying that environmental cleanliness must remain a continuous conversation within the community.
Ministry of Environment: More Organisations Should Embrace the Initiative
Representing the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, Mr Olatunde Lukmon O. expressed satisfaction with the Church's initiative.
He commended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for taking the initiative to beautify such an important roundabout and welcomed similar gestures from other churches and organisations.
He also condemned indiscriminate refuse disposal, stressing the importance of responsible environmental behaviour by residents.
Mr Lukmon assured the Church that the Ministry would continue to support initiatives that contribute to environmental cleanliness and beautification.
His remarks reinforced the importance of partnerships between government institutions and faith-based organisations in tackling environmental challenges.
Stake Patriarch Calls for Greater Preparedness
The Stake Patriarch, Brother Mustapha, described service as an important doctrine that members of the Church must continue to embrace.
He encouraged the Saints to see service as a responsibility both to themselves and to the wider society.
However, he called for improvements in the organisation of future service projects, particularly with regard to the availability of working materials and timing.
He suggested that consideration could be given to moving the project to an 8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. window, observing that the 7:00 a.m. commencement time could be too early for some participants.
His observations were aimed at making future exercises even more effective and inclusive.
President John James Manga: Cleanliness Begins With Us.
The President of Olomore Branch, President John James Manga, described the exercise as a joyful opportunity for Church members to leave their comfort zones and contribute to the wellbeing of society.
He explained that announcements concerning the service project had been made for some time in order to create awareness and prepare members for participation.
He expressed particular appreciation to the Elders Quorum President, Brother Sobowale, for helping to transport members to the venue, a gesture which contributed significantly to the impressive turnout from the unit.
President Manga emphasised that cleanliness must begin with individuals.
He warned against littering, allowing bushes to grow unchecked around homes and other unhygienic practices.
He noted that some preventable diseases are associated with poor sanitation and urged members of the public to take environmental hygiene seriously.
An Inactive Member Finds a Path Back
One of the more touching moments of the project came from Brother Obaishakin Olaposin, an inactive member from Ope Oluwa Ward.
He explained that he had not been aware of the project beforehand. However, after seeing his brethren working at the roundabout, he felt compelled to join them.
The experience, he said, renewed his desire to return to active participation in the Church.
His story provided a powerful reminder that service can sometimes accomplish what words alone cannot. A simple act of collective service became an opportunity for fellowship, reconnection and spiritual renewal.
Bishop Williams Olatunji: An Ensign to the People.
Bishop Williams Olatunji of Obada Ward spoke about the deeper meaning and symbolism of the annual service project.
Drawing from the scriptures, he reminded the Saints that serving fellow human beings is also a form of serving God.
He described the project as a self-help initiative capable of contributing significantly to the prevention of diseases and the promotion of healthier communities.
Bishop Olatunji challenged the Saints to become an ensign to the people, demonstrating through their conduct the values represented by the inscription on their yellow service vests: “Mormon Helping Hands.”
The message was simple but profound: the Church's identity must be reflected in practical acts of compassion, responsibility and service.
Community Observer Praises the Church
An opinion leader from the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Mr Oyedele Olajide, who grew up in the Ita-Oshin area, expressed surprise and admiration at the scale of the Church's intervention.
Having known the area from his childhood, he said the sight of members of another Christian organisation dedicating their time and energy to improving the community was commendable.
He encouraged other churches and organisations to borrow a leaf from the initiative and contribute meaningfully to the development and beautification of their communities.
His comments demonstrated the ecumenical value of the project: service can build bridges beyond denominational boundaries.
Community Leadership Promises Follow-Up.
The Acting Bale of Ope Oluwa, Chief Seyi Akindele, expressed the community's happiness over the work undertaken by the Church.
He acknowledged the importance of the roundabout and the positive impact of the intervention.
Chief Akindele promised to engage other traditional leaders and chiefs within the community to explore ways of sustaining the beauty achieved through the project.
He specifically mentioned the need to address indiscriminate refuse dumping around the roundabout.
He was accompanied by Mrs Olusanya Olutayo, the Iya Loja of the market women, and Mr Lukman Sowemimo.
Their presence underscored the community's recognition that the responsibility for maintaining the roundabout must not rest solely on the Church or government.
A Call for Corporate and Government Partnership.
While the 2026 service project successfully transformed Ita-Oshin Roundabout, one important question remains: Who will maintain the beauty after the Saints have left?
This question was central to the concerns expressed by several stakeholders.
The Church has demonstrated what can be achieved through voluntary service. Government agencies have provided support. Community leaders have expressed their willingness to participate. But sustaining the result will require a more permanent arrangement.
The Ita-Oshin Roundabout is not simply a local piece of land. It is one of the first visual impressions visitors receive when entering Abeokuta through the old Lagos Road axis.
It therefore deserves a structured maintenance programme.
Government agencies, corporate organisations, market associations, transport unions, community development associations and other private-sector stakeholders could explore a sustainable partnership for maintaining the roundabout.
Corporate organisations could also adopt the roundabout under a structured environmental corporate social responsibility programme, while community leaders could strengthen monitoring against indiscriminate dumping.
The responsibility should be shared.
More Than Cleaning: A Lesson in Citizenship.
The significance of the project goes beyond clearing grass and painting kerbs.
It teaches a larger lesson about citizenship.
A clean city is not created by government alone. A beautiful city is not maintained by environmental agencies alone. A healthy environment cannot be achieved when residents continue to litter streets and dump refuse indiscriminately.
Citizens have a responsibility.
Religious institutions have a responsibility.
Traditional institutions have a responsibility.
Government has a responsibility.
Businesses have a responsibility.
The Ita-Oshin project brought these responsibilities together in one location.
For three hours, people from different backgrounds worked with a common objective. There were no denominational barriers, political divisions or social distinctions. There was simply work to be done and people willing to do it.
The Gospel in Action.
For the Abeokuta–Nigeria Ibara Stake, the All West Africa Service Project is an expression of the gospel in action.
The project provided the Saints with an opportunity to demonstrate love not merely through words but through their hands, their time and their physical presence.
It also demonstrated that religious faith can make a visible contribution to the development of society.
The yellow vests worn by the volunteers became more than clothing. They became symbols of a commitment to help, serve and improve the lives of others.
The participation of more than 328 people further demonstrated the capacity of the Stake to mobilise its members around a common cause.
A New Look, A New Responsibility.
As the final volunteers departed from Ita-Oshin Roundabout after hours of labour, the physical transformation was evident.
The grasses had been cleared.
The gutters had received attention.
The kerbs had been painted.
The surroundings looked cleaner.
The gateway into Abeokuta had received a fresh appearance.
But the true success of the project will ultimately be measured by what happens next.
Will residents keep the area clean?
Will refuse dumping stop?
Will government agencies maintain the facility?
Will corporate organisations step forward?
Will community leaders enforce responsible environmental practices?
Will other religious organisations and civic groups take up similar initiatives?
These are the questions that should follow the successful 2026 intervention.
The Saints of the Abeokuta–Nigeria Ibara Stake have shown that three hours of collective service can make a visible difference.
Now, the challenge belongs to everyone.
The Ita-Oshin Roundabout has received a new look. What it needs now is a new culture of maintenance.
The 2026 All West Africa Service Project therefore stands not only as a successful day of community sanitation but as a clarion call for shared responsibility, corporate partnership, government commitment and responsible citizenship.
If the beauty created on Saturday, 15 August 2026, is preserved, the project will have achieved something far greater than cleaning a roundabout: it will have helped to cultivate a culture in which citizens understand that the appearance, health and dignity of their city are ultimately a collective responsibility.
Service has been rendered. The baton of maintenance now belongs to the community.
REPORTS BY THE MEDIA TEAM.
