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PRINCE BIYI POROYE: A Proven Leader, Ready to Transform Oil-rich Communities of Ondo State
By Kikelomo Isijola
The atmosphere will be one of renewed hope and high expectations as Prince Biyi Olaleye Poroye will today be formally inaugurated as Executive Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), by the state governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
The ceremony signals a new phase in the Commission’s mission to bring development and equity to the oil-producing communities of Ondo State.
Hailing from Mahin in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Prince Poroye is no stranger to the realities of the people he now represents. But beyond his roots lies a wealth of experience in public service, political organisation, youth mentorship, and community development that sets him apart as one of the most prepared individuals to ever take the helm at OSOPADEC.
Prince Biyi Poroye has built a name as a grassroots politician, mobiliser, and voice for the marginalized, particularly in the riverine regions of the state. His political journey is marked not by noise, but by consistency, loyalty to progressive ideals, and delivery of measurable outcomes.
As a former Special Adviser on Political Matters, Poroye demonstrated remarkable tact in bridging government and communities, especially during politically tense periods. He was instrumental in stabilising youth relations across volatile communities and pushing for appointments and policies that favoured the Southern Senatorial District.
As a renowned Political Strategist, he has played key roles in political campaigns across multiple election cycles in Ondo State. His understanding of the grassroots and ability to galvanize support has made him a go-to figure in political circles.
Over the years, Poroye has initiated and supported skills acquisition programmes, education scholarships, and empowerment schemes, particularly for young people in Ilaje, Ese-Odo, and beyond. Many young professionals and artisans trace their emergence to his personal intervention or recommendation.
During communal conflicts in the past, especially those involving leadership tussles and inter-village disputes, Prince Poroye has often served as an unofficial mediator, restoring peace through engagement with elders, youth leaders, and traditional institutions.
Long before his appointment, Poroye was known to be vocal on issues of environmental degradation, oil spillage, and the marginalisation of oil-producing communities. He has authored position papers and spoken on platforms calling for better federal presence and resource allocation to Ilaje and Ese-Odo.
With his formal assumption of office at OSOPADEC, the expectations are significant: There is a desperate need for access roads, healthcare facilities, potable water systems, and coastal protection projects across oil-producing areas.
Prince Poroye is expected to expand OSOPADEC’s scholarship and bursary programme, while also investing in technical education, ICT, and entrepreneurship training.
From fishing to boat building, from aquatic farming to eco-tourism, he is expected to unlock the dormant economic strengths of the coastal belt through public-private partnerships.
It is also within his mandate to work with federal agencies and oil companies to address environmental degradation caused by years of oil exploration.
Perhaps more than anything else, Poroye must restore faith in the Commission by making it a tool for direct community impact, not just a bureaucratic institution.
Few leaders come into OSOPADEC with as much practical exposure, emotional connection, and developmental passion as Prince Biyi Poroye. His blend of political acumen, administrative competence, and social empathy makes him a strong fit for the assignment at hand.
He is not just occupying the office, he understands its weight. Already, since his nomination, he has held informal consultations with youth leaders, traditional rulers, and development experts to shape a community-driven roadmap for his tenure.
Stakeholders, especially from Ilaje and Ese odo communities, believe he will not only speak for them, but act, decisively, in their interest.
As he steps into office, Prince Poroye carries the aspirations of a long-neglected people, a region rich in resources but poor in infrastructure. The opportunity before him is great, but so is the trust placed in him.
For a man with his record of service and commitment to his people, the belief is not just that he can deliver, but that he will.
And if his past is anything to go by, the oil-producing communities of Ondo State may well be on the brink of meaningful, people-driven progress.
Hon. Kikelomo Isijola writes from Akure
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