By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona called for a united front, among the people of Ijebu and Remo land, in the renewed efforts to realise the long held dream of creation of Ijebu State.

Oba Adetona, who made the call on Thursday at a stakeholders meeting on the creation of Ijebu State, held at his Palace in Ijebu Ode, lamented that it was unfortunate that of all about 26 Provinces created in 1923, it’s the only Ijebu Province that is yet to be created a State, saying that past efforts were thwarted by disunity.

Oba Adetona, however said that with the fresh introduction of the bill for the creation of Ijebu State by the Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, both the people of Ijebu and Remoland must close ranks and ensure that the opportunity is not lost again this time.

The meeting had in attendance traditional rulers from both Ijebu and Remo land, where the Elepe of Epe, Sagamu, Oba Adewale Osiberu, reprepresented the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Adewale Babatunde Ajayi.

Other dignitaries in attendance were the former governor of the State and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, former deputy overnors of the State, Senator Gbenga Kaka and Chief Mrs Yetunde Onanuga; Sen Lekan Mustapha, immediate past Senator representing Ogun East, Hon Adesegun Adekoya, immediate past Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, members of Ogun State House of Assembly, religious leaders among others

Oba Adetona emphasised that both Ijebu and Remo people are offsprings of the same mother, stressing that they must not allow any external force to derail them from achieving this common goal.

“We are grateful that so far, we have unity of purpose and desire on the creation of a new State of old Ijebu Province.

“I must equally add that, though the Akarigbo is not here, but he has sent a formidable delegation of traditional rulers from Remoland, led by the Elepe of Epe, Oba Adewale Osiberu. The Akarigbo is aware of this meeting, we planned it together”

“We thank the National Assembly that has made possible the first reading of the bill on the creation of the proposed Ijebu State. By this, we have been nudged to be more resolved on our responsibilities to ensure the realization of Ijebu State”.

The traditional ruler spoke about the economic viability of the proposed Ijebu State, saying that “everything that is required for us to have a viable State from the old Ijebu Province from population, to economic, human and material resources are available as God-given”.

Awujale said that, fortunately, the proposed State already has an International Airport situated between Ilisan and Iperu Remo in Ikenne Local Government, adding that the new Ijebu State would be starting on a very strong footing whenever the dream comes alive.

He said “I therefore appeal to our people that what binds us together is more than what divides us. No matter what, we must strive to stay together and embrace this opportunity that the present federal government is giving us with gratitude”.

Awujale thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support as well as Senator Daniel and other sons and daughters of both Ijebu and Remoland who are committing their time and resources to the actualisation of the new Ijebu State.

Speaking at the gathering, Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi represented by the Elepe of Epe, Sagamu, Oba Adewale Osiberu also called for unity of purpose to ensure that the opportunity of having a new State carved out of the Old Ijebu Province is not wasted.

Oba Ajayi said that all the people of Remo have pledged to support every initiative and effort towards the creation of the new State.

On his part, the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Daniel in his presentation at the meeting, explained that he proposed the the bill for the creation of Ijebu State based on his research on the viability of the proposed state.

Sen Daniel said, “there have always been discussions on creation of Ijebu State or Ijebu Remo State out of the Old Ijebu Province. The point of disagreement has always been the name to call the new State and where the state capital will be, but we cannot continue to cheat ourselves on things like this that we can work out among ourselves”.

The former governor disclosed that out of about 24 old provinces, it is only the old Ijebu Province that has not gotten a state whereas others like Kano, Sokoto, Ibadan among others have gotten one or two States created out of these old provinces.

Daniel said that the economic viability of the proposed Ijebu State is not in doubt given its abundant human, natural resources and economic endowment, calling on the people of Ijebu and Remo land to strengthen their bond and unity towards achieving the dream of the state creation.

The Elepe of Epe, Sagamu and the the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Kayode Adefuwape later read the communique, jointly signed by Oba Adetona and Oba Ajayi, which appealed to all concerned members of the National and State Assembly and other stakeholders support all efforts on the creation of this new state from the old ljebu Province”.

The communique partly reads “The meeting deliberated on the desirability of creating a new state out of the old ljebu Province.

“This province being the only one from all the old 19 provinces created during the colonial era that have not been created as an autonomous state.

“The meeting further noted that some of these old provinces have been sub-divided into many states for example from Sokoto province, 3 states have been created. Similarly, from Old Oyo Province have emerged Oyo State, and Osun States, etc etc

“The meeting also concluded that the said ljebu province is economically viable and already have all the infrastructural facilities that can sustain the state.

“Such include major industrial estates, like the Flowergate Industial Estate, the fastest growing industrial estates in Nigeria, An international Airport, with potential for a Deep Sea Port 2 International Sports Stadia in ljebu Ode and Sagamu.

“Sufficient educational institutions, and sufficient natural minerals including large deposits of Tar Sands (solid crude oil), amongst other mineral resources, agricultural estates leading to self-sufficiency in food production and a large population.

“The meeting subsequently appeal to all concerned members of the National and State Assemblies and other Stakeholders to rally support for the creation of this new state from the old ljebu Province”.

“The meeting further appreciated the efforts of Oba Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland and Oba Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo of Remoland and our royal fathers for their efforts in particular and urge the members of the Committees set up to harmonize all grey areas if any and urge the committees to expedite their works including required advocacy, mobilization of resources and groundwork necessary to achieve the objective”.