By Dayo Johnson Akure

Concerned Youths in Okitipupa council area of Ondo state, have appealed to governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and traditional rulers to intervene in the ongoing land dispute involving Okitipupa local government and a philanthropist Dr. Tony Aduro.

Recall that the conflict revolves around a parcel of land at Plot LH 114, Oke-Oyinbo Road, in Okitipupa town, headquarters of Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State.

Protests had erupted in Okitipupa local government area as members of the Hausa community rallied against an alleged eviction orchestrated by Dr. Tony Aduro, the CEO of Aduro Farms.

In response to the protests by members of the Hausa community, Hon. Andrew Ogunsakin, the Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government, accused Aduro of unlawfully seizing the said land and providing false information to the police, which warranted his visit to Abuja to honour a police invitation.

However, in a statement issued by his counsel, Brikani Mbeh, Dr. Aduro, refuted these claims.

Aduro said, “I am not a land grabber. I legally purchased this land from the original allottee, who was allocated the land by the Presidential Committee on Sale and Lease of Federal Government Properties.

However, in a swift reaction to the development in the council area, the youths in a statement signed by Mr Akinduro Bayo, President, and Ogunduyilemi Sunday, Secretary, called for the intervention of governor and the traditional rulers in the area in the imbroglio.

They acknowledged the sensitive nature of the situation, and emphasised the need for peace and calm.

According to them “As such, we, the Concerned Youths of Ikale in Okitipupa Local Government, advocate for peace and calm during this sensitive period,” the statement reads.

They asserted that it is in the best interests of both parties to “embrace patience and await the court’s decision.”

“We wish to assert, without reservation, that the Ikale people are not ungrateful. Dr. Aduro is our benefactor, and we must not intimidate or discourage him.

” They highlighted Dr. Aduro’s significant contributions to the local community, which include creating job opportunities through his Aduro Farm, which has employed hundreds of local youths who struggle to find work despite their qualifications.

Also, they praised Aduro for his philanthropic contributions, including the donation of multi-million naira printers and laptop computers to Okitipupa Local Government Secretariat to enhance operational efficiency, a donation that was received by Chairman Ogunsakin in June 2025.

The youths also noted that Aduro has constructed a building for the Nigeria Immigration Office in Okitipupa, which is set to be handed over to the government soon, along with other initiatives such as drilling boreholes in various communities and establishing an ultra-modern community library, science laboratory, and computer lab to support local education.

According to them ” such a dedicated individual should be supported and collaborated with. Aduro is a businessman, not a politician.”

They expressed concern why the government would not collaborate with a philanthropist who has demonstrated such commitment to the community.

The youths therefore called on the governor and traditional rulers in the town to facilitate a peaceful resolution in the interest of development of the area.

According to them “Resolving this matter amicably is essential, as it is widely understood that two families cannot emerge from a court judgment and remain friends.

They appealed to the council leadership and the governor to act with urgency.

The youths expressed hope that their message would resonate with the local leadership to foster unity and progress in the community.