By Gbenga Olarinoye

THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi yesterday commissioned seven coastal buses worth N56m to ease inter-state transportation for the people of Ile-Ife and its environs. This came as the traditional ruler also announced free medical treatment for the people of the ancient town. Oba Ogunwusi, while commissioning the made-in-Nigeria buses at his palace at Enuwa Square in Ile-Ife, urged Nigerians to patronise locally made products.

He stressed that the present economic downturn battling Nigeria would be reduced should the citizens of the country started patronising products and goods produced locally. The monarch said he decided to partner with Olofin Micro Finance Bank, Ile-Ife to purchase the vehicles in order to bring about economic growth of Ile-Ife and also ease transportation into and outside Ife town.

He urged the people of the town to make good use of the free healthcare care services saying that development cannot thrive in a town that dwells in health challenges. Speaking, the Managing Director of Olofin Micro Finance Bank, Mr. Toyin Olufolahan disclosed that the buses cost N8m each. He said the bank decided to partner with the monarch in his bid to bring about economic transformation in Ile-Ife. Olufolahan said the coastal buses would be assessed by cooperative societies and they would pay within two years.