Posted by The PM News on
This year's Ojude-Oba festival may have come and gone, but the memory would continue to linger as the agitation for the creation of Ijebu state has intensified.
This year's Ojude-Oba festival may have come and gone, but the memory would continue to linger as the agitation for the creation of Ijebu state has intensified.
From the oldest Regberegbe group, of which the Awujale himself is a member, Mafowoku age group, which is headed by the Olu of Odosenlu-Alaro, Oba S. A. O. Sule, to the youngest age group, the Arobayo, who are youths born between 1967 - 1970, the agitation was centred on the much expected Ijebu State.
Speaking with Gateway Titbits, the Giwa Bobakeye Akile Ijebu, Otunba Biodun Onanuga, said: 'If the government creates states now, Ijebu state must surely be there as all arrangements have been concluded and our representatives are working round the clock to see that the state is created.
Queen of Waka music and a member of the Bobagunte Obinrin age group, Alhaja Salawa Abeni, said :'This is our expectation and I believe the Awujale is doing everything possible to actualize the dream. I heard that all necessary things have been done, and by the grace of God, Ijebu state will be created before the next Ojude-Oba festival.'
Speaking in the same vein, former Commissioner for Finance in Ogun state, Otunba Olalekan Bello, said: 'Nothing will stop it from becoming a reality. Of all the provinces in the country, it is only Ijebu that has not been given a state, and I can assure that this time around, all hands are on deck and Ijebu state will soon become a reality. We have done our homework and the rest lies with the government to effect the creation.'
Also speaking on the creation of the state, a former member of the National Assembly, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, said: 'It is unfortunate. During my time in the House, I compiled all the papers, sent the bills, but some of our people then in the House refused to sign it because of where we cited the capital, which is Ijebu-Ode. During the colonial era, Ijebu-Ode used to be the capital of the then Ijebu Province so why would some people now say Ijebu-Ode should not be the capital? Thank God, that one has been laid to rest. In a short while, we shall achieve the feat.