Remo, Ijebu yet to agree on modalities for new state -Akarigbo

The Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo, has said that the zone and Ijebu have not forged a common agenda over the creation of the proposed Ijebu State.

He spoke at an occasion to mark the 25th anniversary of his coronation.

Present at the event include the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, amongst several others.

The monarch disclosed that the position of Remo that Ikenne should serve as the capital of the proposed state has not changed.

Ikenne is the hometown of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Sonariwo said the other alternative is for the Remo people to have the right to choose the name of the proposed state expected to be carved out from the present Ogun State, while the capital would be sited at Ijebu – Ode.

The paramount ruler of Remoland vowed that the zone will not shift ground on its position regarding the proposed new state.

He said: “This is an appropriate time and venue to discuss the creation of the so called Ijebu State expected to be carved out from the present Ogun State. I realise that the creation of states and local governments help the development of any area.

“As a result, when I was invited at the initial stage without previous consultation to discuss the issue, I consulted the people present at the spot. It was agreed that I should support the issue with the aim of discussing the details and modalities as to the appropriate name to bear and the location of the new state capital, all in the interest of even development of Remoland.

“I and with the other delegates discovered that we have no common agenda with our would-be partners on the issue. Ever since, we agreed wholeheartedly on the creation of the state if the capital will be sited in Ikenne Remo towards Odogbolu with the name Ijebu State.

“If this is not acceptable to our would-be partners and they want the capital to be in Ijebu-Ode, then the Remo people should be allowed to choose the name of the new state. This is where we stand and we would not shift ground.”

In his address, Osinbajo described the Akarigbo as an “exceptional individual,” and a traditional ruler that has “consistently cultivated noble character.”

He said: “I recall that when Oba Sonariwo first mounted the throne, a dispute was brewing between some indigenes of this town and some settlers from the Northern part of the country. The Oba must be praised for the manner and wisdom displayed in the quick resolution of the dispute. Since then and till this very moment, there has been no further altercation between indigenes and settlers.

“The elders here will recall also that at the time of Oba Sonariwo’s ascension to the throne, there were several incidents of robbery all over the place. But the Oba has decisively dealt with that menace with the establishment of a vigilante corp to protect the entire land.”

Obasanjo, who spoke in a similar vein, lauded Oba Sonariwo for the progress and development of his domain in the last 25 years. He also commended the Akarigbo for bestowing late Awolowo, who hailed from Ikenne with a Posthumous Award.

The Nation