…..creating new state from Old Ijebu Province long overdue, doable – Daniel
The Senator, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel on Friday called on
the people of Remo and Ijebu to forge a common front and avoid any divisive tendencies that could hinder the creation of a new State from the Old Ijebu Province comprising of Remo and Ijebu divisions from the current Ogun State.
Senator Daniel, a former governor of the State, made the call at a stakeholders meeting held at the palace of Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, where it was agreed that a 14-man Harmonization Committee.
The committee comprises seven members each from Remo and Ijebu zones, is however set to address all concerns and present a generally acceptable position to advance the process of state creation.
The meeting was a follow-up on a similar meeting held at the palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland in December, 2024.
At Friday’s meeting which was attended by dignitaries, royal fathers from across Remoland and a powerful emissary from the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, stakeholders agreed that the creation of a new state from the colonial Ijebu Province was long overdue.
Daniel urged leaders of the zone to avoid needless acrimony which had rendered similar past efforts futile.
He noted that the process of creating a new state under the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution was not a “tea party” but it is “doable” with a concerted and determined effort.
“There have however been some agitation about the naming of the proposed state and the situation of its capital. Many stakeholders in Remo, especially the youths are alleging that the proposal as it stands tends to subsume the history and interests of the Remo people under their Ijebu neighbours.
Daniel said that the easiest path given the controversies trailing the creation of a new State from the old Ijebu Province was for him to have stayed off but he would rather courageously like the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo pursued his conviction and worked tirelessly to see to the dream coming true.
Daniel said, “Our late Sage, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo had his own fair share of experience
while at the crossroads of choosing between what he considered right and doing nothing.
“The path of honour he chose was to follow his convictions without minding the mundane sentiments and criticisms.
“Pa Awolowo, we were told, thought the people of Ikenne drinking from Uren River was unhealthy and he decided to bring pipe borne water to the community but the people, we gathered, refused to drink the tap water because some
people tried to exploit their ignorance to say there were too many chemicals in the water
He said that the free education policy of Chief Awolowo was also misconstrued to be plans to take away the children from helping their parents on the farms.
Daniel said that decades later, “the policy has proven to be the most futuristic development policy ever embarked upon by any political leader or administration, not only in Nigeria, but arguably in the whole of Africa, if not in the entire world having given the people of the South-West the competitive edge in civilization that we have today”.
The Senator said that the government of President Bola Tinubu has also been faced with lots of criticism for taking bold and courageous moves that are pivotal to revamping the economy and put the country in a better shape.
Daniel said that as someone whose father is from Remoland and mother from Ijebuland, he remains a bridge builder towards ensuring that a new State is created from the old Ijebu Province for the shared prosperity of all
In his address at the event, the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi hailed the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona for his doggedness and committed interest towards the creation of the new state.
Oba Ajayi urged people to forget what might have happened in the past saying “There is the need to let bygones be bygones, let us start afresh in an atmosphere of conviviality and brotherhood. We will achieve more together”.
The royal father however suggested for the creation of seven-man committee each for Remo and Ijebu division to work directly with their respective paramount rulers to further brainstorm and iron out the gray areas on the new state creation.
Oba Ajayi said, “the history of Ijebu and Remo is no doubt long and checkered, but I have said it repeatedly that we have so many things in common than what separate us”.
“I would like to acknowledge the contribution and the bold steps of the Awujale Oba Sikiru Adetona in this regard. Infact, I make bold to say that we would not be where we are if not for his efforts, influence and doggedness”.
While acknowledging the efforts of Senator Daniel, who sponsored the bill on the creation of State from the old Ijebu Province, Oba Ajayi appealed to Daniel “to be fair to all
concerned”.
“Our Senator is representing both ljebu and Remo. While it may be difficult to seek for balance, the duty imposed on our Senator is fairness to both parties”.
The Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona represented by the Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, Oba Lawrence Adebajo equally demanded for the unity of both Remo and Ijebu divisions to have a new state created from the old Ijebu Province.
Oba Adetona said “We must do this together, we must agree we are going together to get this vision of a new state realised”.(Vanguard)
