The Ekiti State Government, has presented state awards to the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi and Onigede of Igede Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru, for laying solid foundation and demonstrating unflinching commitments for easy resolution of the land bedlam between the two towns.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, on Monday, presented the exemplary leadership awards in Ado Ekiti, after the signing of the report of the resolution reached on a land dispute between Ilawe and Igede Ekiti, at her office in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.
The Deputy Governor, in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, applauded the monarchs for showing great understanding and exemplary leadership qualities, saying it has always been herculean to resolve land tussles between communities, which makes their case more exhilarating and rewarding.
Mrs Afuye stated that the matter began during the Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration and was inherited by Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s government, thereby signaling that the continuity supported by Ekiti electorate was gaining grounds and dispensing dividends to the citizens.
Mrs Afuye described the spirit of “give and take” demonstrated by the two communities, particularly the royal fathers and land owners, as a pacesetting action that will guide the present and future of resolution of land matters in the state.
She also saluted the government’s experts that partook in the demarcation process for their perseverance and transparency in the face of conflict and fierce disagreements among stakeholders during the crisis period.
“This is the second time we will be presenting these kind of awards to our royal fathers to appreciate them for their leadership and commitment to peace. We had earlier honoured the Elepe and Olosan in Moba Local Government Area for showing similar commitment to peace on land issue.
“Let me congratulate the two royal fathers for this wonderful achievement, which occurred during your reigns. I pray the mutual understanding between the two towns will continue to wax stronger.
“I advise the youth of the two communities to maintain the government pillars and beacons already emplaced on the boundary lines, so that there won’t be any land dispute along that axis in the nearest future”.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Abayomi Opeyemi, appreciated the two monarchs for cooperating with government’s officials, who spearheaded the troubleshooting demarcation, leading to frictionless resolution of the lingering land bedlam.
The highly ecstatic Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti and former Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ajibade Alabi, said the resolution was a signal that the current administration places high premium value on peace and stability in all the communities.
Oba Alabi appreciated the Deputy Governor and other staff that undertook the peaceful demarcation for being honest, open and painstaking, appealing to land owners along their boundaries not to tamper with obvious natural demarcations provided by nature in the area.
“All of us in Ekiti are one. All these boundaries are artificial , we are one people created by God and with unique cultural affinity. I want to say that this unique resolution should be extended in settling Ado/Ilawe boundary dispute at Odo community, so that all of us can live together peacefully”.
The Onigede of Igede Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru, expressed surprise at the transparency and honesty displayed by government while mediating in the matter.
Oba Aladesuru posited that it was the transparency exhibited by experts, coupled with the commitments of the stakeholders, that actually lubricated all existing frictions that pacified the stakeholders to shift grounds.
“Let me specially thank Governor Oyebanji for showing great impartiality in this matter. I know that this matter had been resolved permanently. We can now relate on our farms freely and without fear. Whoever wants to resurrect it, we can now jointly shame such individual, because we are all for peace”, the monarch stated.
Present at the parley are: the Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Hon. Gbenga Oluwatuyi, House of Assembly member representing Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency 1, Hon Femi Akindele, representative of Ekiti Southwest Local Government, Surveyor General of Ekiti State, Surveyor Adebayo Faleto, Executive Secretary of Boundary Commission, Surveyor Olalekan Olajide, traditional chiefs, stakeholders, youth, among others.