The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ikoyi Ile

  • Ikoyi Ile needs an Oba

    Ikoyi Ile needs an Oba

    • By Adewuyi Adegbite Adegbite

    Sir: Ikoyi Ile is an ancient kingdom in Yorubaland. It is the headquarters of the Oriire Local Government, Oyo State. In the ancient times, the kingdom played significant role in Yoruba history as one of the defenders of the vast Yorubaland right from Ile Ife. It was the capital of one of the four provinces of the old Oyo Empire. Onikoyi, the Oba of the kingdom was one of the classical Obas in Oyo State with original beaded crown. The ancient kingdom has been without an Oba in the last five years due to the demise Oba Yekini Ayinla Oladipo 11. 

    As the largest local government in Oyo and an area harbouring majority of herdsmen in Oyo State, the role the Onikoyi in maintaining cordial relationship among various ethnic groups and foreigners in the local government cannot be overemphasized. Besides, Ikoyi Ile is the home of about 16 Ikoyi towns spread across Yorubaland and the Republic of Benin and there is a social cultural relationship among all Ikoyis hence the yearly gathering in Ikoyi Ile in form of Eso Day. This gathering fosters unity and understanding among Ikoyis worldwide.

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    Since the demise of Oba Yekini Ayinla, the meeting has been put on hold. Not only this, absence of an Onikoyi has stifled the development that could have been witnessed in the town. Also, being the chairman of Oriire Local Government Traditional Council, the meeting of the council has not been held as it supposed to be. Issues affecting the local government traditional institution that are usually settled at Ikoyi have equally been put on hold.

    From the information gathered at Ikoyi, the traditional kingmakers responsible for the appointment of an Onikoyi has sat and appointed an Oba among the princes of the ancient kingdom and forwarded the name of the king to the Oyo State government for approval. Since the submission has been done, everyone is looking up to the governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde to approve the name so as to give the ancient kingdom an Oba.

    Makinde is reputed to be a lover of tradition and since assuming office, there has been smooth succession process in most of the vacant thrones in Oyo State as exemplified in the rancour-free succession in Ogbomoso, Ibadan, Eruwa and other towns. Onikoyi throne is highly significant than to leave it without an Oba this long.

    I appeal to Engineer Seyi Makinde to expedite action in filling the vacant stool of Ikoyi Ile as he had done for other towns. What is sauce for goose is also sauce for gander.

    •Adewuyi Adegbite Adegbite,

     ayekooto05@gmail.com

  • Investigate cases of land grabbing, assault of land owners in Ikoyi Ile – SPANCI tells IGP

    Investigate cases of land grabbing, assault of land owners in Ikoyi Ile – SPANCI tells IGP

    A human rights group, Save the Poor and Needy Charity Initiative (SPANCI), has tasked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate cases of land grabbing and assault of land owners in Ikoyi Ile in Oriire local government area in Oyo state.

    The group made the appeal in a petition signed by its president, Comrade Yemi Ezekiel Bello, and addressed to the IGP.

    Bello, in the petition made available to journalists on Sunday, May 12, said that the group has the consent of Adeniji Joel, Elijah Oyeleye, and the people of Ogunere, Temidire, Egbejoda, and other neighbouring villages to write the petition to the IGP.

    He alleged that the people of the villages were being attacked by thugs bearing guns and other dangerous weapons.

    The group claimed that the suspect had forcefully entered, seized lands in the villages, and damaged the economy crops, and plants of the people of the villages.

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    The group in the petition copied the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Oyo State, DPP Oyo State Ministry of Justice, Commissioner of Police, AIG Zone 11, Area Commander Owode Area Command Ogbomoso, and DPO Ikoyi Ile police division.

    The group further said that many villages have been wrongfully arrested, calling on the IGP to intervene in the matter.

    The petition read: “We have the consent of Mr. Adeniji Joel, Elijah Oyeleye, and the people of the above-mentioned village hereinafter referred to as our clients, who are about five or six villages namely Ogunere, Temidire, Egbejoda, and others to write this letter so that their rights might be protected.

    “Our clients told us and we investigated the matter and found their allegation to be true and correct that a serial land grabber uses thugs with guns and other dangerous weapons to attack them and forcefully entered, seized their lands, maliciously damaged their economy crops, and plants and sold their land. They alleged that many times the accused would send his thugs to invade their farmland and assault people claiming that he was the owner of the land.

    “They alleged that despite all his criminal activities and his boys for years, Ikoyi-Ile police division and Owode Area Commander’s men have always protected him to have his ways and have not prosecuted him or his thugs but rather will manipulate the case in a way to obstruct, prevent, pervert and defeat the cause of justice but rather turn the case against them and rather try to implicate them in favour of the Elemo’s.

    “The recent one is the case of Ogunere people which was reported to us when he sent his thugs to invade Ogunere villagers’ farmland and assaulted the farmers and seized their cutlasses, hoes, and other equipment used for farming which was confirmed to us by Ikoyi Ile police DCO.”