The Paramount ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II has been urged to look into the Orisa of Odo-Ijesa chieftaincy title.
Oba Gabriel is also entreated to allow the legal system to make a ruling.
It will be recalled that members of Owa-In-Council (Agba Ijesa) led by the the Oba Odo of Ilesa, High Chief Busuyi Badamosi had affirmed Olusesan Ilori as the authentic Oorisa of Odo Ijesa at a town hall meeting and introduced him to the mining company.
Aro of Odo-Ijesa, Chief Sunday Ajewole; Odofin of Odo-Ijesa, Chief Babatunji Fowowe; youth leader Olalekan Bamidele and Iyaloja of Odo-Ijesa, Chief Mrs Ebun Awe made the call at a news conference in Ilesa, on Tuesday.
Chief Aro of Odo, Chief Sunday Ajewole, claimed that the “settlement committee” abruptly revoked his title and that of the Sajuku (Chief Abiodun Omotosho) who attended the meeting called by the Committee in Ilesa to represent the community, without following the proper procedures or the approval of the supreme ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II.
The community elders stated that one Ilori Olusesan Ilori has been parading himself as Orisa of Odo Ijesa.
According to them, Ilori has promoted himself from Waseye, an honorary title holder, to Saloro and later to Oorisa, the second in command to the Looja of Odo without the approval of the king makers.
Also speaking, the Olori Awo of Odo-Ijesa, Chief Gabriel Olateju accused the panel’s members of bias.
The objective of the Agba Ijesa was to ensure that justice reigned supreme in this case, but, according to chief Olateju, it was obstructed by the panel members’ personal interest in the earnings coming from the mining firm, Segilola, operating in the town.
The duo claimed that high Chief Olugbenga Ogunniyi from the Jakuta family was duly installed as the Orisa by the king makers having satisfied all the necessary requirements
In his submission, the embattled Oorisa, High chief Olugbenga Ọguniyi said he has already filed a law suit before an Ilesa High court after his installation, seeking a court injunction to restrain chief Olusesan Ilóri from parading himself as Orisa.
High chief Oguniyi noted that the community had brought the issue before the Owa Obokun because they had faith in the venerable paramount ruler to administer justice fairly, but they were taken aback by the dramatic turn of events that the reconciliation committee orchestrated, leaving them all disappointed.
He affirmed that the Oorisa title is mainly for the Jakuta family, stressing that efforts to install outsiders in the past always spells doom for social and economic activities of the community, the reason the king maker disposed chief Ilori and sought for the heir of the Jakuta to occupy the position.
Oorisa Ọgunniyi hinted that he ensured that he secured Court’s ruling in favor of his installment before he consented to the offer of the king makers who had already dispatched chief Ilori.
“The following are my achievements as The Orisa of Odo-ljesa Land within the last Ten (10) months of my leadership.
1. I facilitated the building of market for the economic emancipation of our people.
2. Continuous repairing of roads from Odo – yesa to llerin to make them motor able powered by (Segilola Resources operating Limited).
3. Construction of a borehole for the provision ot clean portable water powered by (Segilola Resources operating Limited).
4. Provision of scholarships for students in secondary School and tertiary institutions powered by (Segilola Resources operating Limited).
5. Various empowerment programs for woman and youth. 20 refrigerator and 10 food grading machines for women, as well as cash donations for youths by (Segilola Resources operating Limited).
6. The reconstruction of Odo-ljesa school football pitch. by (Segilola Resources operating Limited).
7. Community and I renovated the old and dilapidated maternity to be part of the newly built market powered by (High Chief Olugbenga Oguniyi Jakuta).
8. Community and l organized the celebration of Odo-ljesa day that was long forgotten powered by (High Chief Olugbenga Oguniyi Jakuta).
9. We built Public toilets and bath rooms, store and security office were built for the convenience of our people, thereby promoting a clean and hygienic community that is free of open defecation powered by (High Chief Olugbenga Oguniyi Jakuta).
10. I facilitated the ongoing process of rewriting a favorable and workable agreement between the community and Segilola Resources Operating Limited powered by (High Chief Olugbenga Oguniyi Jakuta).
11. The current peace and harmony been enjoyed in the community was as a result of my leadership”
The embattled Oorisa restated his respect for the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland as his father and pleaded with the paramount ruler to probe activities of the settlement committee which he alleged is suspicious because of their purported interest in Segilola and not the chieftaincy matter.
Other members of the community suggested that the reconciliation committee should hand off the case since it is already In the state High Court Ilesa.
