-
Set up technical committee on proposed state
Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Awujale of Ijebuland and the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona and Oba Babatunde Ajayi, on Thursday, declared their readiness to work in unity to ensure the actualisation of the creation of the proposed Ijebu State.
The paramount rulers, who stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting on the creation of a new state from the old Ijebu Province out of the present Ogun State, held at the Awujale Palace in Ijebu Ode, unanimously concurred that Ijebu State has long been overdue, vowing that both Remo and Ijebu would work together and rally support for the creation of the proposed state.
The meeting was attended by traditional rulers from both Ijebuland and Remoland, industrialists, politicians, religious leaders, and other relevant stakeholders in Ogun East Senatorial District.
In his remarks, Oba Adetona said the people of Ijebu and Remo are brothers who have been agitating for the creation of Ijebu State, noting that the meeting would provide an avenue for the stakeholders to rub minds and map a way forward on the proposed state.
The Awujale disclosed that efforts had been made in the past to ensure a new state was carved out of the old Ijebu Province, but misunderstanding, fuelled by politics, made the agitation fall through.
While commending the National Assembly for reopening discussions on state creation, Oba Adetona specifically thanked the senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, for the presentation of a well-researched and rich memorandum on the creation of the proposed Ijebu State before the Senate.
The monarch, who lamented that Ijebu Province is the only one out of the old 24 provinces that has not evolved into a state, emphasised that both the Ijebu and Remo people must work in unison and support each other in the quest to actualise their long-term dream of having their own state.
He, however, urged the stakeholders to engage in a no-holds-barred discussion, iron out grey areas, and come out with a firm standpoint on the imperative for the creation of the proposed Ijebu State.
“I am delighted that this meeting is taking place. I strongly believe that this will serve as an avenue for both the Ijebu and Remo to jaw-jaw on how to pursue the creation of Ijebu State. Ijebu and Remo people are one. We started this journey on the agitation for an Ijebu State, but it could not fly due to misunderstanding, fuelled by politics. We, as people, are here now and ready to work together as brothers and jointly work towards the realisation of our dream.
“With this stakeholders’ meeting, I am optimistic that we will get what we desire. I implore everyone not to hesitate to speak his or her mind. Let us iron out the grey areas and present our request from a formidable standpoint.”
“I thank the National Assembly for reawakening the discourse on state creation. I want to also laud Senator Gbenga Daniel for championing the cause on the floor of the Senate, through his well-researched and robust memorandum on the creation of the proposed Ijebu State,” Awujale stated.
The Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, who was represented by the Elepe of Epe, Oba Adewale Osiberu, commended the Awujale for his persistence in the agitation for the creation of Ijebu State.
He, however, declared the readiness of the Remo people to collaborate with their Ijebu counterparts to make the dream of getting Ijebu State a reality.
In his presentation at the meeting, Senator Daniel said it is disheartening to see that Ijebu Province had remained the same years after other contemporary provinces have been made states.
He noted that though it is easier to create states under military rule, he would continue to intensify efforts and rally the support of his colleagues at the Senate to ensure the creation of the proposed state.
Senator Daniel said that Ijebu Province, comprising Ogun East Senatorial District, has everything required for a state to be created, declaring that if created, Ijebu State will not rely on federal government allocation to thrive.
According to him, the province has the required population, human resources, mineral and natural resources, as well as human resources capable of making the proposed state a viable one.
While calling on the stakeholders to have a point of unity in order to achieve this feat, the senator said that Awujale and Akarigbo will constitute a committee to look at areas where there is a need for harmonisation towards the creation of the proposed state.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the stakeholders noted that the proposed Ijebu State will be economically viable, saying that already all the facilities required to sustain the state are in place.
“Such facilities include major industrial estates, like the Flowergate Industrial Estate, the fastest-growing industrial estate in Nigeria, an international airport, with potential for a Deep Sea Port, two international sports stadia in Ijebu Ode, educational institutions, and deposits of tar sands (solid crude oil), amongst other minerals.”
“Sufficient resources, agricultural estates leading to self-sufficiency in food production, and a large population, along with sufficient natural and mineral resources, including large deposits of solid crude oil, will ensure the viability of the state.”
“The meeting subsequently appealed 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 Ijebu Province.
The meeting further appreciates the Alayeluwa His Majesty, Oba S.K. Adetona, Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, and His Royal Majesty, Oba Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo of Remoland, and our royal fathers for their efforts in particular and urges the members of the committee set up to harmonise all areas, if any, and urges the communities to expedite their work, including the required advocacy.” The communique, signed by the Awujale and Akarigbo, read.
A Technical Committee on the proposed Ijebu State, comprising eminent Ijebu and Remo personalities, was earlier unveiled at the meeting.