Stakeholders Pledge Commitment Towards Creation of Ijebu State

James Sowole in Abeokuta

With the bill for the creation of Ijebu State scaled through the First Reading at the Senate, stakeholders of the proposed state from the current Ogun State have expressed their resolve to do all within their powers including sacrifices to realise their aim.

The bill was sponsored by the Senator Representing Ogun East in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

The stakeholders said it was only old Ijebu Province out of the 19 divisions created by the colonial masters that was yet to transform to a state while some have metamorphosed to two or even three states.

They expressed their positions at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Awujale Palace, Ijebu Ode, to deliberate on the desirability of the new state from the old Ijebu Province.

The meeting, which was attended by major stakeholders including traditional rulers, leaders of thought and others from Remo and Ijebu zones, further noted that sorne of the old provinces have been subdivided into rnany state citing Sokoto Province, which they said had metamorphosed into three states.

They also said that new states have been created from Old Oyo Province that had given birth to Oyo and Osun states.

In the communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the two traditional rulers and paramount rulers of the two zones, the stakeholders resolved to unite for creation of the new state.

Justifying the call for the creation of the new state, the Stakeholders said all that are needed to sustain the proposed state, are present in the old province being occupied by Ijebu and Remo people.

The communique said, “The meeting also concluded that the said ljebu State is economically viable and already have all the necessary 

facilities that can sustain the state. 

“Such facilities include rmajor industrial estates, like Industrial Estate, which is the fastest growing industrial estates in Nigeria, an international airport and the area has potential for a Deep Sea Port, two International Sports Stadia in ljebu Ode and educational institutions, and deposits of Tar Sands (solid crude oil), amongst other mineral

“The proposed state also has sufficient resources like agricultural estates that can guarantee self-sufficiency in food

production and a large population; sufficient natural and mineral including large deposits of limestone and bitumen.

“The meeting subsequently appealed 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 appreciates the Alayeluwa His Majesty, Oba Sikiru Adetona Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland and Oba Adewale Ajayi the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland and other Royal fathers for their efforts in particular.”

The stakeholders also set up a technical committee comprising prominent sons and daughters of Remo and Ijebu area, which made the old Ijebu Province.

The committee was mandated to mobilise resources and expedite their works including required advocacy.

The meeting commended Otunba Gbenga Daniel for his efforts to realise the creation of the new state.