06/01/2026
*FIRST BANK, ÒKEHÒ—REOPENED AT LAST!*
_A Triumph of Faith, Persistence, and Collective Resolve_
It was with profound joy and deep reassurance that we received the long-awaited news, announced during the Annual General Meeting of Ẹgbẹ́ Ọmọ Ìbílẹ̀ Òkehò on June 3, that First Bank, Òkehò, would finally reopen. The reopening, we were told, would commence with skeletal services before a gradual return to full operations. For a people who have endured years of inconvenience, hardship, and economic dislocation, this announcement marked the end of a painful chapter and the dawn of renewed hope.
First Bank, Òkehò, was not merely a banking hall; it was the financial heartbeat of a vast region. For many years, it faithfully served towns, villages, and settlements across Kajola, Itesiwaju, and Iwajowa Local Government Areas, and even beyond.
Communities from Ìgbàngàn, Tápà, and Ayétẹ̀ in Ìbàràpá consistently chose First Bank, Òkehò, over nearer alternatives, a testament to its accessibility, reliability, and centrality to regional commerce.
Then came July 29, 2020 — a dark and unforgettable day. Armed robbers launched a brutal attack, killing a police officer, vandalising the bank and the police station, and throwing the entire town into chaos. The deafening rattle of AK-47 rifles shattered the peace, as residents fled in terror, scrambling for safety. It was a moment etched permanently into our collective memory.
Yet, in the midst of that terror, courage rose. Our local security operatives — armed only with dane guns, resolve, and indigenous tactical knowledge — stood their ground. Four of the robbers were neutralised; two others were gravely injured. Two vehicles used by the criminals were seized. More importantly, the stolen money was recovered, and the bank officials were promptly invited to reclaim it.
Tragically, a careless utterance in Yoruba—“ẹ jẹ́ k’áwọn boys k’ówó ò” (“let the boys take the money”) — sparked an uncontrollable mob reaction. That single moment of recklessness opened the door for miscreants to re-loot the recovered funds, compounding an already devastating situation.
That, plainly and truthfully, is what happened.
The aftermath was harsh. With the closure of the bank, our people were plunged into years of avoidable suffering. Simple financial transactions now required an 18-mile journey to Ìṣẹ́yìn, the nearest banking hub. Residents from Ìjìó, Ayégun, and many other distant settlements had no choice but to endure long, costly, and exhausting trips. The hardship cut across Kajola, Itesiwaju, and Iwajowa, and extended even to Ayétẹ̀, Tápà, and Ìgbàngàn, for whom Òkehò had always been the most convenient option. Only then did we fully grasp the value of having a bank within reach.
Determined efforts to reverse this loss soon began. Foremost among these was the relentless intervention of Kabiyesi, the Ońjo of Òkehò, HRM Ọba Rafiu Oṣùọlálé Mustapha (Adéìítán II), whose commitment never wavered. Through his chiefs — Baálẹ̀ Bodè, Chief Gbẹ́nga Ìrókò, and Baọ̀gán Chief Dáramọ́lá Oláwóore — he carried the voice of Òkehò to First Bank’s headquarters in Marina, Lagos.
Civil society rose in unison. Ẹgbẹ́ Ọmọ Ìbílẹ̀ Òkehò, under the leadership of Alhaji Azeez Lakanla, alongside the Òkehò Development Association (ODA), made persistent representations. Distinguished individuals, including Dr. Kasali Alarape Salawu (now Chairman of Ẹgbẹ́ Ọmọ Ìbílẹ̀ Òkehò), rallied other concerned indigenes to the cause.
Special mention must be made of Mr. Moyo Ajékìgbe, former Managing Director of First Bank and the man who originally facilitated the establishment of the Òkehò branch. He did not watch from the sidelines. Long before now, he laboured quietly but firmly to ensure the bank’s return.
When Àpérò Ọmọ Òkehò was inaugurated, the issue of First Bank was already burning in our hearts, though the path forward was unclear. Àpérò provided the platform. Reopening the bank was adopted as a core objective. Providentially, during a visit to Barr. John Fárìntọ́ to present a congratulatory letter to Governor Seyi Makinde on his second-term victory, the discussion naturally turned to First Bank. Barr. Farinto advised that the Governor be formally approached to direct Local Governments that once banked with First Bank, Òkehò, to return their accounts.
That conversation revealed the central obstacle: the withdrawal of key accounts had undermined the bank’s viability. Around the same period, Governor Isiaka Adélékè of Osun State had instructed First Bank to reopen branches affected by similar robberies in towns such as Ẹdẹ and Ìkìrun — a powerful precedent.
Present at that crucial meeting with Barr. Farinto were myself, Pst. Favour Adéwọyin (National President, Àpérò), Comrade Sunday Atunwa (National Secretary), Chief Mrs. Yẹ́misí Ísinmiọlá Olówóyọ, Mr. Adémọ́lá Azeez, and Mrs. Serifat Taiwò. Mr. Robert Adéníjì, then Kajola LG campaign manager for Governor Makinde, facilitated our access to Barr. Farinto. Also from Òk
