Olamide Idowu, President of Ekiti Parapo UK, stated that the organization faces a brighter future by embracing technological innovation and modernization.

Idowu, who led a team to digitalize the organization’s registration and management processes, continues to advocate for strategic reforms that would enhance collaboration, improve financial sustainability, and better equip the union to fulfill its social responsibilities to both Ekiti people in the UK and in Ekiti State.

At the organization’s January 2025 general meeting, Idowu presented data showing that the current financial contributions from members are insufficient to meet the associations needs, creating a gap in fulfilling its social responsibilities. He highlighted that Ekiti Parapo UK, with over 10,000 members, has the potential to raise 3 pounds per month or 36 pounds annually from each member, which could significantly enhance the union’s capacity to support its community.

Idowu pointed out that over 60 percent of Ekiti Parapo UKs members are over 50 years old and likely have at least two adult children who could contribute to the associations financial growth. With this demographic, he believes the organization could raise over 70,000 pounds annually from 2000 members in the UK. 

The current annual fee of 110 pounds is not working due to its inaffordability for most members and especially new members, many of whom are just settling down and in need of support of our organisation in the UK. In addition, Ekiti Parapo UK has not clearly evidenced the benefits of being a member of the organization, which are so many.

While some long-standing members agree with Idowu’s proposal, they have expressed concerns about its practicality and the potential challenges in implementing such a change. A few suggested running the 110 and 36 pounds annual contribution options concurrently, but Idowu argued that it would be challenging to create a fair system for members based on their ability to pay.

Idowu also announced the ongoing restructuring of Ekiti Parapo UK, which includes the creation of branches across the UK. He emphasized that every member could easily afford to contribute 3 pounds per month to the central body, while individual branches could establish their own contribution policies by way of bylaws. 

Drawing a comparison to Mark Zuckerberg, the owner of Facebook, who was born around the same time Ekiti Parapo UK was founded and is now one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, Idowu pointed out that while Zuckerberg’s success stems from technological adaptation, Ekiti Parapo UK is struggling to meet its social obligations and impact the lives of its members across the UK.

Idowu believes that achieving the union’s goals requires collective action and can not remain a distant dream. He reminded members that the future is uncertain, but the present provides an opportunity to act. He urged members to support the restructuring and transformation of Ekiti Parapo UK, as the organization now has the potential to create a lasting legacy if the momentum built over the past two years is effectively leveraged.

Echoing the words of Frantz Fanon, Idowu stressed that each generation must discover and fulfill its mission. He warned that failure to implement the necessary changes would have serious consequences: young people would disengage from the organization, those in need would suffer, active members would lose interest, and Ekiti Parapo UK could slowly fade into obscurity.

Idowu recalled his swearing-in speech in August 2022, stating, "Anything I say or promise, I will do. Judge me by what I said to you. It is not just me that is on trial now, but all of us. One thing I want to tell you is that Ekiti Parapo will have no reverse gear anymore."