History of the Struggle for the Return of Electricity Supply to Imesi After 13 Years of Blackout When His Royal Majesty Oba Festus Olatunji Olatunde, Olaibiyemi II, ascended the throne of his forefathers in June 2020, the entire Imesi community, alongside other Gbonyin towns, had endured an unbroken 13-year blackout. From the outset of his reign, Kabiyesi made the restoration of electricity one of his foremost developmental priorities.
Formation of the Imesi Electricity Committee
In pursuit of this goal, Kabiyesi inaugurated the Imesi Electricity Committee, ably chaired by Chief Rawa. The committee immediately embarked on remedial measures to revive community lighting and boost morale. Through the collective contributions of sons and daughters of Imesi both at home and in the diaspora, the committee procured a 27 KV diesel generator to power streetlights across major roads in the town.
By December 2021, Imesi’s major streets once again glowed with light for about three hours daily — a symbolic and emotional milestone after years of darkness. When the cost of diesel fuel became prohibitive by late 2023, the committee, under Kabiyesi’s guidance, began a transition from diesel to solar-powered lamps, ensuring sustainability of community lighting.
Advocacy at the State Level
Beyond community efforts, the Onimesi took the campaign to higher levels of government. On behalf of all the Obas of Gbonyin/Ayekire Local Government, Kabiyesi vigorously canvassed at multiple budget intervention forums organized by the Ekiti State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, requesting that electricity restoration across the ten affected communities be given priority attention.
In response, His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), and his team of responsive commissioners approved and executed the reactivation of the 33 KV transmission line from Aduloju–Ijan to Egbe Dam. The project’s completion in October 2023 brought immense joy and relief to Imesi and neighbouring communities.
Challenges with BEDC and the Prepaid Metering Initiative
Despite this major success, the irregular and unstable supply that followed has been largely attributed to technical deficiencies and poor work ethics among BEDC officials. The community faced persistent issues of estimated billing and unreliable connection.
To address this, the government selected Imesi as one of five pilot communities for the switch from bulk metering to individual prepaid metering. Unfortunately, only about 50 households could initially afford the cost of a prepaid meter at ₦90,000 per unit. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring community of Aisegba, elites intervened by bankrolling 600 prepaid meters, later recovered through installmental payments by residents — a model now admired across the region.
The Students’ Union and the Final Push
In a new and promising phase, the Federation of Imesi Students’ Union, under the leadership of Comrade Emmanuel Oloruntoba, has stepped forward to coordinate community engagement and replicate the Aisegba model. The Union is working closely with the Electricity Committee to mobilize affluent indigenes toward mass metering and consistent power restoration.
A Future of Renewed Hope
Barring further administrative lapses or uncooperative conduct from BEDC, Imesi appears firmly on the path toward regular and stable electricity supply. This journey — spanning community resilience, traditional leadership, state collaboration, and youth initiative — remains a shining example of how unity and vision can restore light after years of darkness.
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The Palace of Onimesi of Imesi Ekiti

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