The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oyo monarch

  • Oyo monarch, community leaders, youths protest mines exploration without compensation

    Oyo monarch, community leaders, youths protest mines exploration without compensation

    Youths and community leaders of Itasa, in Iwajowa Local Government Area, Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State have protested alleged exploration of its natural resources by a mining company, Architype Industries Nigeria Limited.

    They said the company failed to fulfill due process of agreeing to a Community Development document of adequate compensation and rehabilitation of the environment.

    The youths and leaders in their hundreds staged the protest around the community and headed to the palace of their king, the Onitile of Itasa, Oba Michael Sijuola Oyediran.

    The Managing Partner of ABOPE Chambers, Ibadan, Femi Aborisade who is the counsel to Itasa Community, Itasa Community Development Association and His Royal Highness (HRH),  Oba Oyediran, Micheal Sijuola Ajibi, between 2022 and 2025 written letters to Architype Industries Nigeria Limited.

    The letters pointed out some of the infractions the company have continued to commit, which included  failure to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment [EIA] before commencement of mining operations as stipulated under Section 131 of the Mining  Act; non-submission of a valid Community Development Agreement [CDA], among others.

    Protesting amid tight security, the youths and leaders sang solidarity and songs and carried placards bearing various inscriptions. 

    The Community Development Leader of Itasaland, Alhaji Odedele Banji, accused the mining company of undue exploitation.    

     Banji said: ‘’We are protesting because this man has been working in our land over the past 25 years without any particular project to his credit. There is no project to point to. We have written   the CDA but he did not sign it.We wrote a letter to him to stop working on our land.  

    “As I am speaking now, they are still working on that site. He has not done what the community expects from him. There is no community representation on the mining site. The company is just doing things the way it likes. That makes all the youths and people in the town annoyed and they are saying they don’t want him again. 

    Read Also: I didn’t order arrest of reporter, says monarch

    “He should either leave our town or sign the CDA. Ajibade must leave our land. He is doing illegal mining. The Mining Act says mining companies should liaise with the host community, and have the CDA but  all these things are not there. We have written to all the security men in this local government. We have written to the Ministry of Solid Minerals in Ibadan and Abuja.

    ‘’Government should intervene so that the host community can  enjoy what it is supposed to enjoy. He can’t continue to exploit our resources for profit making without doing the right thing for the host community. Engr. Ajibade should follow the rules and regulations and the Mining Act’’.

    The Youth Leader of the community, Mr. Muritala Busari, said:  ‘’The company has been working in our land for the past 25 years, but no solid CDA between the company and the community. 

    “Since then, he was just exploring and exploiting our resources. There is nothing to point to as a project done for the community. Any time we raised an issue on the benefits that are supposed to accrue to the community, the man  would be begging. We don’t want any kick-back.

    “Let him do the right thing for the community as enshrined in the law of the country. We have given him the CDA to sign but declined to do so. They don’t  want to do any  kangaroo agreement. Let him do the right thing. The community has given him a stop-work letter, yet he continues mining activities. No step has been taken so far. That is why we are staging this peaceful protest. We don’t want him again’’.

    Vice chairman of  Itile Community Development, Itasa, Abiodun Oyetunji Jacob said: ‘’We are fighting for our rights’’.

    Speaking with journalists after receiving the protesters, the Onitile of Itasa, Oba Michael Oyediran, said: ‘’I am in support of the protest. Ajibade has been working here for the past 25 years, nothing tangible he has done for the community. We have urged him to do the right things but all to no avail. As a result of that, the youths and community members said they would stage a peaceful protest, I asked them to go ahead but they must not do it on the mining site to avoid disaster.  

    “Ajibade has not done the right thing for the community and this has retarded our development. Some towns which are not as big as ours and don’t have the kind of resources we have here are benefiting a lot from their natural endowment. Why is our own different? The government should come to our aid and impress upon him to do the right things for the community so that we experience development. If he cannot do it, he should leave our community’’.

    But owner of Achitype Industries  Limited Engr. Adeniran Ajibade, said hes ready to return to the negotiation table with the community.

    He said: ‘’I am not an illegal miner. I am duly licensed by the Federal Government to do what I am doing.  I have held meetings with youths, the monarch and chiefs before.

    “They should just let us continue with our negotiation. I am ready for a review of the terms of the agreement. We are willing to review the existing CDA under the supervision of the Mine Environment Compliance (MEC) Department of the Federal Ministry of Mining and Solid, and relevant agencies’’.

  • Oyo monarch begs Makinde’s over witheld entitlements, recognition

    Oyo monarch begs Makinde’s over witheld entitlements, recognition

    The Aresaadu of Iresaadu in Surulere local government area of Oyo state, Oba Abraham Olafimihan Adeyeye has sought intervention of governor Seyi Makinde over alleged injustice meted on him by a particular government ministry in the state.

    He lamented that despite approval of his appointment and presentation of instrument of office by the governor in May 24, 2019, as the Aresaadu of Iresaadu, yet, the ministry still refuse to recognised him as the monarch of the town, and also denied him of his entitlements.

    Speaking with newsmen in Ibadan, Barr. Stephen Raji, who is the lawyer to the monarch, urged Governor Makinde to as a matter of urgency constitute a committe to look into the matter before it get out of hands.

    He said the implication of the injustice if allowed to materialised will give rise to chaos and unrest in the community.

    He said the governor should step in and investigate the matter and ensure justice prevail, adding that the monarch should be fully recognised and compensated with his arrears accordingly.

    He called on Makinde to use his office as the governor of the state to resolve the matter, saying the governor has not only made rule of law and fairness his goal but also uphold it.

    He said: “Recent events in Iresaadu, Oyo State, have highlighted a disturbing issue that threatens the very fabric of justice and peace in the state.

    “Despite the governor’s untiring efforts to uphold the rule of law and fairness in governance, matters of the traditional institution inclusive, it has become evident that certain individuals are working to subvert the noble efforts of the governor.

    Read Also: Cocoa farmers, firm, settle differences in Ondo

    “HRM Oba Abrahan Olafimiban Adeyeye Oyerinde’s appointment was approved by the State Government on May 24, 2019 as the Aresaadu of Iresaadu, after compliance with due process in the selection process.

    “However, it has come to light that a senior official’s surreptitious roles have unduly interfered with the necessary recognition being accorded the Oba and payment of his entitlements.

    “Initially, it was thought that the crisis brewed because of the transition of government from one party to another, but the governor has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that partisanship doesn’t influence his decisions on matters of public interest.

    “In several letters, including the ones dated 4th May 2020 and 7 May 2021, Oba Abraham Olafimihan Adeyeye Oyerinde raised serious concerns about the unjust withholding of recognition and payment of his entitlements despite multiple court judgments delivered in his favour.

    “Many of these letters were not allowed to get to the table of the governor and the only one that got the attention of Governor Makinde promptly treated with a clear directive that the issue be promptly investigated.

    “This directive has not been carried out till date. Also, the Honourable Attoney General and Commissioner of Justice has issued three legal advice recommending the immediate payment of the entitlements of the Aresaadu of Iresaadu and according him recognition as an Oba, yet there has been no compliance from the Ministry.”

  • Illegal mining: Oyo monarch, two high chiefs, two firms under investigation, says govt

    Illegal mining: Oyo monarch, two high chiefs, two firms under investigation, says govt

    At least one traditional ruler, two Baales (community heads) and two mining companies are under investigation in relation to their involvement in illegal mining in parts of Oyo State.

    Although, the names and identities of those involved in the ongoing investigation could not be confirmed at press time, it was gathered that the recently suspended Onido of Ido,

    Oba Gbolagade Babalola, remains one of those under investigation.

    Read Also: Oyo govt suspends traditional ruler over illegal mining

    The Director General, Oyo State Mineral Development Agency (OYSMDA), Abiodun Oni, made this known at the weekend after conducting an on-the-spot assessment visit to the controversial illegal mining site at Odo Ogun village in Ido Local Government, Ibadan.

    He said the outcome of the ongoing investigation would determine if the government would either prosecute or let the suspected individuals go.

    Oni urged village heads, hunters, farmers and other residents to report suspicious mining in their localities to the government through the agency.