Awujale, Akarigbo, Daniel Rally Supports For Ijebu State Creation

The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona on Thursday called for a united front in the renewed resolve to realise the long held dream of creation of Ijebu State.

Oba Adetona lamented that it was unfortunate that of all about 20 Provinces created in 1923, only Ijebu Province is yet to get State creation and that past efforts were sacrificed on the altar of disunity.

The Paramount Ruler however said that with the introduction of the bill for the creation of Ijebu State by the Senator representing Ogun East, Sen Gbenga Daniel, both the people of Ijebu and Remoland must close ranks and ensure that the opportunity is not lost again this time.

Oba Adetona made this call on Thursday during the Ijebu State creation stakeholders meeting held at his Palace .

The meeting had in attendance traditional rulers from both Ijebu and Remo land. The Elepe of Epe, Sagamu, HRH Oba Adewale Osiberu, represented the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Adewale Babatunde Ajayi at the meeting

Other dignitaries in attendance were the former governor of the State and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, former deputy governors of the State, Senator Gbenga Kaka and Chief Mrs Yetunde Onanuga; Senator Lekan Mustapha, immediate past Senator representing Ogun East, Hon Adesegun Adekoya, immediate past Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, members of Ogun State House of Assembly, religious leaders among others.

Oba Adetona emphasised that both Ijebu and Remo people are offsprings of the same mother and must therefore not allow any outside force to hinder them from achieving their common goals

He said; “Ijebu and Remo people are one, but we recognise that when politics comes into play, sometimes people forget the bond that binds us together and turn blind eyes as if we are enemies.”

“However, we are grateful that so far we have unity of purpose and desire on the creation of a new State of old Ijebu Province.”

“I must equally add that, though the Akarigbo is not here but he has sent a formidable delegation of traditional rulers from Remoland and the Elepe of Epe is standing in for him. The Akarigbo is aware of this meeting, we planned it together”

“We thank the National Assembly that has made possible the first and second reading of the Bill on the creation of Ijebu State. By this, we have been nudged to be more resolved on our responsibilities to ensure the realization of Ijebu State.”

The Royal father spoke about the economic viability of the proposed Ijebu State saying that “Everything that is required for us to have a viable new State of old Ijebu Province from population, to economic, human and material resources are available as God-given”.

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Awujale said that, fortunately, the proposed State already has an International Airport situated between Ilisan and Iperu Remo in Ikenne Local Government, adding that the new Ijebu State would be starting on a very strong footing whenever the dream comes alive

He said; “I therefore appeal to our people that what binds us together is more than what divides us. No matter what, we must strive to stay together and embrace this opportunity that the present Federal government is giving us with gratitude”.

Awujale thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support as well as Senator Daniel and other sons and daughters of both Ijebu and Remoland who are committing their time and resources to the actualisation of the new Ijebu State.

Speaking at the gathering, Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi represented by the Elepe of Epe, Sagamu, Oba Adewale Osiberu also called for unity of purpose to ensure that the opportunity of having a new State carved out of the Old Ijebu Province is not wasted again this time around.

Oba Ajayi said that all the people of Remo have pledged to support every initiative and effort towards the creation of the new State.

The Senator representing Ogun East, Daniel in his presentation at the meeting explained that he proposed the the bill for the creation of Ijebu State based on his research on past documents. Senator Daniel said that, “there have always been discussions on creation of Ijebu State or Ijebu Remo State out of the Old Ijebu Province.

“The point of disagreement has always been the name to call the new state and where the state capital will be but we cannot continue to cheat ourselves on things like this that we can work out among ourselves”.

The former governor disclosed that out of about 24 old provinces, it is only the old Ijebu Province that has not gotten a state whereas others like Kano, Sokoto, Ibadan among others have gotten one or two States created out of these old provinces.

Daniel said that the economic viability of the proposed Ijebu State is not in doubt given its abundant human, natural resources and economic endowment calling on the people of Ijebu and Remo land to strengthen their bond and unity towards achieving the dream of the state creation.

The Elepe of Epe, Sagamu and the the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Kayode Adefuwape later read the communique issued at the end of the stakeholders engagement

The communique partly reads “The meeting deliberated on the desirability of creating a new state out of the old ljebu Province.”

“This province being the only one from all the old 19 provinces created during the colonial era that have not been created as an autonomous state.”

“The meeting further noted that some of these old provinces have been sub-divided into many states for example from Sokoto province, 3 states have been created. Similarly, from Old Oyo Province have emerged Oyo State, and Osun States, etc.

“The meeting also concluded that the said ljebu province is economically viable and already have all the infrastructural facilities that can sustain the state. ”

“Such include major industrial estates, like the Flowergate Industrial Estate, the fastest growing industrial estates in Nigeria, An international Airport, with potential for a Deep Sea Port 2 International Sports Stadia in ljebu Ode and Sagamu.

“Sufficient educational institutions, and sufficient natural minerals including large deposits of Tar Sands (solid crude oil), amongst other mineral resources, agricultural estates leading to self-sufficiency in food production and a large population.”

“The meeting subsequently appeal to all concerned members of the National and State Assemblies and other Stakeholders to rally support for the creation of this new state from the old ljebu Province”.

“The meeting further appreciates the efforts of Alayeluwa His Royal Majesties, Oba Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland and His Royal Majesty, Oba Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo of Remoland and our Royal fathers for their efforts in particular and urge the members of the Committees set up to harmonize all grey areas if any and urge the committees to expedite their works including required advocacy, mobilization of resources and groundwork necessary to achieve the objective.”

* NUJ Ogun East Independent Chapel