Posted by By Abiodun Onasuye on
The call for the creation of Ijebu State is getting more support everyday. The latest call came from the Balogun-Ode of Ijebuland, Alhaji (Balogun) Olalekan Gafar in a chat with P.M.News.
The call for the creation of Ijebu State is getting more support everyday. The latest call came from the Balogun-Ode of Ijebuland, Alhaji (Balogun) Olalekan Gafar in a chat with P.M.News.
Alhaji Gafar debunked the rumour that Ijebu was not ripe to be given a state, saying, 'the federal government is cheating us because they know we are not troublemakers like some areas in the country who believe in causing trouble to press home their demands."
He admitted that with the current crop of people at both the House of Representatives and the Senate, he strongly believes that the aspiration for the creation of Ijebu State was realistic.
'Of all the provinces in the country during the period of the colonial era, it is only Ijebu that has not been given a state and all that is needed are already on ground as Ijebu is blessed with both human and natural resources," he stated.
He eulogised the fatherly role of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetuna (Ogbagba II), because the monarch was not leaving any stone unturned in his quest to actualise the demand.
Gafar called on all well-to-do sons and daughters of Ijebu, irrespective of their political differences to support the monarch and others who are doing everything within their power to make it become reality.
On the issue of youth empowerment, Alhaji Gafar appealed to well meaning Ijebu to create jobs in the town and employ youths so as to curb the menace of armed robbery in the area. The Babalaje of Oba Adetona (Oke-Aje) market in Ijebu-Ode said, 'If all the wealthy men and women in Ijebuland can come home and establish companies and employ at least 10 people each, the rate of armed robbery will be reduced to the barest minimum.