Osun Govt Vows To Stop Unrest In Border Communities
Osun State Government has assured residents of Ifon-Osun, Ilobu, and Erin-Osun that it is working to ensure a lasting solution to the boundary disputes between the three communities.
The three communities have, over the years, clashed over land matters, with the last deadly clash between Ifon and Ilobu claiming scores of lives.
Speaking on Sunday at the palace of Olufon during the celebration of ‘Olaojo Royal Family’ day, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the state government would soon end the boundary rift between the communities.
Alimi, who said the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, was consulting widely on the issue, however, urged residents of the communities to allow for peace to reign.
He said, “I want you all to know that without peace, we are not going to achieve anything. We should all see ourselves as one. We are brothers and killing or fighting ourselves should not be the solution to our problems.
“The state government is working hard to put an end to this issue and I can assure you that we will come to a conclusion very soon.
“We want peace in Osun and the government would not allow anyone to cause unrest in our communities. This message is for the three communities and I am hopeful that we will come together to resolve our differences.”
Speaking on the event, Alimi said,”Today’s event showed that the people are with the monarch including those who contested the throne with him. I want to urge our Kabiesi to bring everyone together in moving this town forward.”
Speaking earlier, the Araba of Osogboland, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, said Nigerians don’t appreciate their culture like the foreigners.
He said, “My message for the people of Ifon is for them to wake up and revive their culture. They do not really know the importance of what they have here. In Brazil today, there are millions of people who are worshippers of ‘Obatala’.”
Speaking on behalf of the Olaojo Royal family, Prince Jide Akinyooye said the event was to showcase the significant contributions of the past and present monarchs of Ifon-Osun.
Akinyooye urged the state government to fulfill its promise and find a lasting solution to the boundary disputes, assuring that Ifon people are ready to abide by the decision of the government.
“I want to appeal to our government to make sure that this time around, a lasting solution is proffered to the issue. We are peace loving-people in Ifon and we are ready to abide by whatever the government says.”
