Major stakeholders from the old Ijebu Province have resolved to set a harmonisation committee to settle differences as they push on in their quest to realise the creation of a state of their own among states of the Nigerian federation.
This decision was reached at a consultative meeting on Friday at the palace of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi.
The committee comprises seven members each from Remo and Ijebu zones.
The meeting is a follow-up on a similar meeting held a t 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.
In his remarks at the event, the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Otunba Gbenga 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.
Recall that in December, a Bill for the creation of a new state from old Ijebu Pronvince sponsored by Senator Daniel, passed first reading, effectively kick-starting the state creation process.
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.
The creation of the harmonisation committee is however set to address all concerns and present a generally acceptable position to advance the process of state creation.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
