The Chairman of Abeokuta South Local government, Hon Omolaja Majekodunmi has called on residents of Igbore, a town in Abeokuta South Local government area of Ogun State to imbibe the virtue of peace and unity in the community in order to achieve accelerated within their area.
Hon. Majekodunmi said any community that embrace peace will continue to enjoy dividends of democracy calling on them to embrace dialogue in the resolution of disputes.
Hon. Majekodunmi who spoke at the official reopening of the traditional house of Igbore, Abeokuta, shut about a year ago following a Chieftaincy crisis that rocked the town, called on the traditional title holders and indigenes of Igbore to shun all vices within the community.
Hon. Majekodunmi who spoke while performing the reopening of the Ile Ogboni Igbore on Saturday, in the presence of all the sons and daughters of Igbore, a town in Abeokuta South Local Government area of Ogun State, Hon Majekodunmi called for sustainable of peace and harmony among the people.
Represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon.Mustapha Kodaolu Olajide, the Chairman said with peace , there will always be development saying that the peaceful coexitentence among the Chiefs and all indigenes of tje town is a panacea to attract development to the town.
While thanking the Professor Afolabi Soyode led Peace, Harmony and Reconciliation Committee for the efforts made in ensuring return of peace to the Town, he said the roles played by committee shows that the elders in tje community are very important in dispute resolution.
He urged all groups including traditional title holders, the Ogbonis, the Baloguns and other Chiefs in the town to work together in harmony and shun all moves to cause enmity among the people.
It could be recalled that about a year ago the Oluwo Igbore, Chief Anthony Oliyide, and some Ogboni Chiefs had attempted to install some individuals as Chiefs in the town contrary to a court order, a move that made another group of Chiefs to sack Chief Oliyide as the Oluwo.
Following the skirmish that arose from the crisis, Security agencies and the Chairman of Abeokuta South Local government, ordered for the shut of the traditional house of Igbore.
Worried by the crisis, the Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo then set up a Peace, Harmony and Reconciliation Committee, headed by a former Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Professor Afolabi Soyode
The committee which has eminent Igborę sons and daughters including Chief Joju Fadairo, Chief Dipo Akingbade, Ven.Dr.Kunle Obadina, Chief (Mrs) Ajoke Sowemimo, Alhaja Nasfat Folarin and Chief Olasheni Ogunyemi as secretary then swung into action and placate all warring factions, the results which led to the unsealing of the Ogboni House by the Chairman of Abeokuta South Local government.
Speaking to Newsmen, Chief Soyode thanked the Chiefs and entire indigenes of Igbore for allowing the work of the committee to be successful, urging them to always seek for peace at all times
He said “We are happy today that the crisis that was rocking the Igbore township has been settled and that’s why we are here today to open the Ile Ogboni that was shut about a year ago following the return of peace to the town.
He said the problem started because there was deviation from tradition, the people failed to follow the norms, culture and traditional system of settling disputes among the people, and when this happened, there is bound to be misunderstanding and crisis among the people.
He urged all the groups in the town to maintain the peace that was achieved and work for the progress of the town.
During the program, all the traditional Chiefs in the town were present including some illustrious sons and daughters of Igbore who include, Oluwo Igbore , Chief Anthony Oliyide, Jaguna Igbore, Sakosin Egba, Chief Imran Taiwo, Chief Tajudeen Lemboye, Balogun Igbore, Boroji Egba and Alhaji Chief Shuaibu Aro, the Jagunmolu Aje Igbore, Jagunmolu Aje Egba.
