{
  "id": 9381716,
  "title": "Ondo Community Connect Interventions To Cover 203 State Electoral Wards",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/ondo-community-connect-interventions-to-cover-203-state-electoral",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T17:07:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/23/ondo-community-connect-interventions-to-cover-203-state-electoral-wards/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ondo Community Connect (OCC), an initiative aimed at supporting the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, will cover all 203 political wards in Ondo State, according to the State Coordinator Iretidola Ojekhoa. Disclosed during an interview, OCC's grassroots interventions are designed to allow communities to identify their own needs and present them directly, rather than imposing predetermined projects.\n\nInitially, OCC focused on communities around Akure, but it has since expanded to cover the 203 wards across the state's 18 local government areas. The initiative conducts physical assessments after community registration to identify pressing needs. Prioritization is achieved through a matrix based on impact, urgency, cost-effectiveness, and the speed of improving quality of life. This approach ensures representation for women, youths, and people from various age groups.\n\nFor instance, in Ayede, residents prioritized the excavation of a blocked waterway due to regular flooding. In Ireakari, a solar streetlight intervention was chosen over other needs like road grading and drainage. Other interventions have included solar streetlights in Aaye, Ibuji, Kajola, Apatakpiti, Oke-Ogba, and Ijigba, and road rehabilitation in Akure South.\n\nBeyond physical infrastructure, OCC also focuses on skills development. Beneficiaries trained in shoemaking and leatherwork have received production contracts to craft school bags, sandals, and high-visibility jackets for OCC personnel. This initiative is inspired by Kogi Connect but differs in sponsorship, as OCC is supported by Tunji-Ojo.\n\nOjekhoa revealed plans to double the assessment rate within the next 12 months, reach more unreached communities, and accelerate delivery through partnerships. The program also aims to produce a community feedback documentary to capture residents' experiences. By year-end, OCC intends to assess at least 40 additional communities and complete interventions in those visited under Batch B before starting Batch C.\n\nSustainability is another priority for OCC, with an emphasis on community ownership to prevent the \"Oliver Twist\" effect of repeated requests straining resources and delaying assistance to waiting communities. Currently, 800 communities are registered, and OCC is expanding its assessment and intervention activities across Ondo State with the long-term goal of covering all 203 wards.",
  "summary": "Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja Ondo Community Connect (OCC), an initiative for community prioritised projects in support of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has promised to cover the entire 203",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}