Ogun community wants inclusion into approved oil exploration list

By Christopher Oji

The Ode-Omi community, Ogun State, has petitioned the House of Representatives, seeking official recognition as the rightful owner of Eba Island, a location recently approved for crude oil exploration.

In the petition copied to Sen. Gbenga Daniel, who represents Ogun East and Hon. Adegbesan, who represents Ogun waterside local government,the community wants urgent attention to their demand .

The petition, submitted by Oba Folailu Adekunle Hassan and the people of Ode-Omi through their legal representatives, urged the National Assembly to affirm that Eba Island, also known as Eba Ebute Olokun, falls within the jurisdiction of Ogun State’s Waterside LG.

The move followed a motion by Joseph Adegbesan, which prompted an ongoing investigation into the ownership and territorial status of the Island. The issue gained urgency after President Bola Tinubu approved crude oil exploration activities in the area, triggering competing claims from neighboring communities.

In the petition, the Ode-Omi Kingdom insists that Eba Island has, “from time immemorial,” been under its control, citing ancestral settlements, traditional authority, and administrative history as evidence.

The kingdom argued that several ruling houses from Ode-Omi have long-standing roots on the Island and that past and present traditional rulers exercised authority over the area, including appointing local chiefs. The petition also referenced a 2017 report by the Ijebu Traditional Council, which allegedly affirmed the authority of the Lenuwa of Ode-Omi over Eba settlements, including the disputed island.

According to the petitioners, colonial records, scholarly research and government recognitions, such as those tied to the Olokola Free Trade Zone—further support their claim.

However, the claim is being challenged by the Atijere Community in Ondo State’s Ilaje LG, whose traditional leadership has asserted host community status over the island.

The Ode-Omi petition dismisses this as “false and misleading,” arguing that the claim lacks historical, legal, and geographical backing.

The petitioners are asking the House to declare Eba Island part of Ode-Omi Kingdom, recognize the Lenuwa as the prescribed traditional authority and direct all relevant agencies to treat Ode-Omi as the host community for oil operations.

They warned that failure to resolve the dispute in line with historical and legal evidence could lead to avoidable conflict, stressing that the matter is a “test of respect for history and adherence to law.

“Ogun state Government recognised Ode-Omi as host community in the Olokola Free Trade Zone project (OKFTZ) situated along the coastal area which also covers Eba Ebute Olokun (aka Eba island) and Ode-Omi only shares boundary with Irokun Community along that coastal line in Ogun Waterside LG and Ibeju-Lekki,Lagos State. Ode-Omi also shares a boundary with Imakun Omi, Ogun Waterside LG,Ogun state,along the Alape River about seven miles to Eba Ebute Olokun (aka Eba Island).

“The Ogun state government during the tenure of Gbenga Daniel,requested that the then Awujale of Ijebu Ode, late Alayeluwa oba (DR.) S. K. Adetona constitutes a panel on the development at Ode Omi and the role of late Oba Adenuga Okuniyi, Lenuwa of Ode-Omi (as he then was) which was held on September 1, 2009, at the Heritage Hall, Aafin, Ijebu Ode, with a report confirming Ode-Omi as the host community for the Olokola Free Trade Zone project (OKFTZ).

“Survey plan of Ebute Olokun, Okuniyi, Ojafoyewa family land at Ebute Olokun Village, Ogun Waterside LG, Ogun state with plan NO. JOO/06/22/2000 prepared by Jonas Okeke Registered Surveyor is the substantive survey plan of Eba Ebute Olokun popularly known as Eba Island.

“This constitutes modern administrative acknowledgment of ownership,” the petition aptly captured.

The House Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) and Special Duties are expected to review the petition as part of the broader investigation.