History of FIDUO

The original idea of an association of Ikun-Ekiti indigenes living in the United States and Canada was conceived in 1987 at the inaugural meeting held on May 3, 1987 at Dr. Samuel Olukayode Omotunde’s residence in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Present at the meeting were: Mr. Joseph Olukayode Ajayi, Mr. Bosede Adeoye, Mr. Ayanlola Kolawole, and Dr. Samuel Olukayode Omotunde. Following its inception, the association, within the limits of its financial resources, strived to contribute its own quotas toward the development of our homeland, as well as the welfare of its members. In early 90s however, the activities of the association waned down considerably due to several challenges that confronted some of its members. In late 1995, some attempts were made to resuscitate and unify the association.

In July 1996, a new idea to radically transform the association to a global one was conceived at a joint consultative meeting between Mr. Daniel O. Ogunrinde, Mr. Michael Dada, and Dr. Gabriel S. Bomide, during the visit of Mr. Ogunrinde to the United States. The primary goal was to create a forum to bring together all Ikun-Ekiti indigenes and families resident overseas, with a view to achieving greater sense of unity, cooperation, inclusiveness and economic empowerment for the development of our fatherland in particular, and the members in general. The new concept of a global association was subsequently discussed at the now defunct “Federation of Ikun-Ekiti Descendants Union, U.S. and Canada Branch,” as well as with other interested individuals in the United Kingdom and Belgium. Following preliminary consultations at the various levels, the concept was unanimously adopted in principle.

It is significant to note that, even prior to its formal establishment; the new global initiative accomplished a landmark victory in the unification of Ikun-Ekiti in 1996, following a protracted political instability that nearly brought the community to the verge of destruction. This unprecedented achievement provided the impetus to accelerate the formalization of the proposed global association.

In March 1997, a committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Dr. Gabriel S. Bomide, to formulate a comprehensive and coherent agenda for implementing said initiative at the earliest possible time. Following four months of intensive deliberations, the Implementation Committee submitted its report, which included the constitution of the Association. The report was adopted in August. The election of the Executive Council was successfully conducted in September and by December 1997 majority of the elected officers had successfully executed their respective oaths of office for a three-year term.