Ayetoro has always been more than just a town on the coast. From its founding in 1947, the “Happy City” was built on the principles of faith, equality, and unity. For decades, these values made Ayetoro a model community admired across Nigeria and beyond. But in recent years, the rising sea and economic hardship have tested that unity like never before. Homes have been washed away, businesses destroyed, and even our ancestral palace stands under threat.
Yet in the face of these storms, the spirit of Ayetoro has not drowned. In fact, something remarkable is happening: the power of unity is back.
Coming Together Again
For too long, the challenges felt overwhelming. Many feared that the younger generation would give up hope and drift away. But instead, the opposite has begun. The people of Aiyetoro are gathering again, just as their parents and grandparents once did in the 1950s and 60s.
Neighbours are pooling resources, churches are raising collections, and families are volunteering their labour to build defences against the sea. Together, they are reclaiming the tradition of working hand in hand—without waiting for outside help to arrive first.ge as part of your organisation’s strategy. Of course, we threw some sites we built at Cogapp into the mix too.
New Projects, Old Spirit
The most visible sign of this reborn unity is the community-led effort to protect the palace and Broad Street. Men and women have collected sand, salvaged old concrete, and raised funds for cement. Side by side, young people and elders are building a wave breaker—4 feet high, 100 feet long—that will shield their heritage from the raging Atlantic.
But the wave breaker is more than a wall of stone and sand. It is a wall of hope. It is proof that the people of Ayetoro still believe in each other.
His Royal Majesty, the Oba Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi JP. of Aiyetoro, captured the spirit best when he said:
“Our strength has never been in wealth or in waiting for governments. Our strength is in unity. Once again, we are showing that when Ayetoro comes together, no tide can sweep us away.”
The Ogeloyinbo of Ayetoro community
A Call to All Sons and Daughters
This rebirth of unity is not limited to those living on the coast today. Across Nigeria and in the diaspora, indigenes of Ayetoro are being called upon to stand with their people. Every bag of cement donated, every naira contributed, every voice raised in solidarity strengthens the wall of protection—not only for buildings, but for the spirit of the town itself.
The Legacy Continues
The storms may come, but Ayetoro has weathered storms before. What makes this community extraordinary is not just its history, but its ability to rise again—together. With unity, the people of Ayetoro will not only protect their heritage but also show the world once more what is possible when faith, courage, and love bind a people together.
The power of unity is back. And with it, Ayetoro’s hope shines brighter than ever.
