During a news conference that took place on Wednesday at his office in Oregun-Ikeja, Lagos, Oladimeji, previously a Senior Special Assistant on Publications for the late Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, as well as the Head of Media for Owo Is One Association, reacted to a response issued by Messrs Afolabi Amure, Olanrewaju Kazeem, and Pa Lawrence Ibikun Rogbitan. They criticized him for endorsing Owo as the preferred site for the capital city of the anticipated new state, which contrasted with their own stance.
He utilized the event to reinforce the benefits of Owo compared to Akoko land and provided evidence to dispute their claims.
“My document regarding the proposed establishment of Ose State was carefully researched, extensively investigated, and grounded in facts, addressing historical contexts, political elements, socio-economic factors, cultural heritage, business benefits, and geographic appropriateness.
“Instead of interacting with the core aspects of my reasoning, the three individuals turned to personal insults,” stated Oladimeji, who is the Chairman/CEO of Brainplus Network Limited and was one of the co-publishers of Majesty Weekly Newspaper.
Below is his full presentation of facts at the press briefing.
MUCH ADO ABOUT THE RANTING OF THE PROPOSED OSE STATE CREATION
The recent press statement issued by Messrs. Afolabi Amure, Olanrewaju Kazeem, and Pa Lawrence Ibukun Rogbitan on August 26th, labeling me, Olatunbosun Oladimeji, as a bigot and ethnic hatred converser, is unfounded and malicious.
My paper on the proposed Ose State creation was meticulously researched, thoroughly investigated, and fact-based, covering antecedent history, politics, socio-economics, heritage, business advantages, and geographical suitability.
Instead of engaging with the substance of my arguments, the trio resorted to personal attacks.
A review of their submission to the Sunshine Truth newspaper reveals a lack of factual rebuttals to my points.
It came to my attention weeks ago through the grapevine that the trio had been attempting to respond to the paperwork I presented. They went around to collect information about me with the intention of publishing defamatory content. Despite receiving hints about their plans, I remained unfazed, standing firm on the truth.
Their attempts have been unsuccessful, and they’ve been forced to reveal their identity and intentions through this article.
I’ll address their claims point by point, ensuring transparency thoroughly and factually, so help me God!
Meanwhile, the leadership of Owo/Ose and Akoko have validated my paper as factual and relevant.
As I reflect on the disparaging rejoinder, I’m reminded of the great philosopher, Socrates, who faced a similar ridicule.
When confronted with aggressive personal attacks, he chose not to engage, instead maintaining his composure and dignity. As he aptly put it, “If a donkey had kicked me, would I have taken it to court?” This response underscores the importance of remaining unruffled in the face of provocations.
I advise these distinguished elders to revisit their research and rewrite intelligent, academic paperwork to debunk my claims.
While silence can be a golden answer, sometimes facts need to be proclaimed for the sake of justice and truth.
This is what I’ll pursue in this matter.
Notably, I’ve never met most of these writers, except for Mr. Kazeem, whom I slightly knew.
We served under the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati but never interacted until the first quarter of 2002, when Odoso quarters, Ikare-Akoko won a landmark Supreme Court case. Ironically, the celebration of the judgment turned violent, and my wife’s ancestral home was torched.
*Lack of Research and Articulation*
The points raised in my publication are factual and invalidate the spurious arguments of my detractors. The rejoinder lacks in-depth facts, well-researched analysis, and valid records, suggesting shortcomings on the part of the youngest member, Kazeem. The trio’s attack reveals their inability to conduct thorough research and respond wisely, showcasing their weaknesses.
What an irony!
One would expect them to focus on the valuable contributions of genuine individuals who prepared past papers. Instead, their lack of articulated historical records demonstrates their weak inner strength and poor aggression towards me. I hope this clarifies the matter and puts the record straight.
*The Importance of Mental Health and Articulate Documentation*
Mental health and articulate documentation are crucial for realizing a project like this, which could invite meaningful discussion rather than intimidation. Unfortunately, they overestimated their paperwork and underestimated mine.
*Revisiting the Proposal*
After reading their response on August 26th to my August 9th proposal on the proposed creation of Ose State and its state capital location in Owo, I revisited the nooks and crannies of Ikare-Akoko and the surrounding communities last week. I hereby reaffirm my position that Owo, more than any village in Akoko land and Ikare-Akoko, one of the few urban towns in Akoko land, deserve to be the state capital.
The most annoying thing was that there was no occasion when Owo/Ose traditional rulers, political leaders of thought, politicians, religious patriarchs, business leaders, and elites were ever invited for a discussion on it.
*The Geography and Topography of Ikare-Akoko*
What is the big deal with the Ikare-Akoko nodal location? Do these three leaders know that a state capital city or town doesn’t need to be located in the centre of its state? Examples include Ikeja, Ibadan, Ado-Ekiti, Benin, Asaba, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Jos, and Makurdi, etc.
Secondly, Ikare-Akoko lacks sufficient land to accommodate the status of a city hosting a state capital.
To back this up, in the north of it lies Arigidi-Akoko, with a bridge between the last two houses on both sides of the divide along Oke-Agbe Akoko road on one side, a house to another house as a boundary at Semusemu/Arigidi-Akoko along the Ajowa-Akoko side.
To the east is Ugbe-Akoko, with a house-to-house boundary and no visible gaps, and to the south is Akungba-Akoko, with no single demarcation, yet a house to another house along the Owo road and another end is Ogbagi-Akoko along Ado-Ekiti road, which is about 1/4 km distance. There is no demarcation, open space, empty or vacant land to construct two plots for government offices or agencies.
There is no free land for development in the communities surrounding Ikare-Akoko.
I’m inviting anyone else to tour this town to contest this affirmation and claim.
The strength of these three harassers could be that each community in Akoko land has a different dialect or tongue.
What else?
The Awara river side is also located between the two southern boundaries.
The Ikare part of it, on the western side, which is the road between Ogbagi and Arigidi, is also filled with rocky hills that are not suitable for building settlements or farming.
Looking at it holistically, I believe that having a desire for state creation is not a bad idea and is not a crime, but there is a need for basic facts and deep-rooted thinking that can bring positive points or arguments that are impactful for development if created, which could be considered as genuine factors.
Who in Owo and Ose zones did the Akoko Development Initiative group sit with for meetings on the proposed Ose State creation?
What were the decisions made, and what communique was issued about this state creation matter?
It would be pleasant if all documents, be it in video clips or written papers, relating to this matter could be presented!
*The Strategic Location of Owo*
Owo is conspicuously relevant in Nigeria, the Yoruba race, and Ondo State.
In politics, cultural values, heritage, language, human resources, and historical records, we have edged over Akoko.
Many centuries ago, before the advent of the Portuguese, the Akoko land was subservient(vassal) to Owo. When the white men came, they made Akoko a district in the old Owo division.
Akokos are migrating to Owo and Ose farmsteads, camps, hamlets, villages, and towns for survival and a better environment to live in.
In a nutshell, Akoko needs Owo more than the latter need the former, as it is the Akoko people who often seek security and opportunities to eke a living in Owo and Ose land; they are in daily invading the land.
*The Challenges of Ikare-Akoko as a State Capital*
If Ikare-Akoko were chosen as a state capital, it would require a lot of greater investment and financial funds to make Ikare-Akoko a state capital, given its geography and lack of land space.
Neighbouring and satellite communities like Akungba, Arigidi, Ugbe, Supare, Ogbagi, and Oka would need to be considered in the distribution of government offices and services.
A potential solution for the proposed Ose State creation could involve utilizing a more favourable topography, such as the Awara water works settlement area.
However, its remote location, off-track accessibility, lack of road networks, the size of the available land, and infrastructure, among many other conditions, make it challenging.
A telling litmus test that debunked Akoko’s exaggerated claims of invisible strength and unrealistic economic viability was when the Akokos lobbied for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to be located in Ikare-Akoko. During its tenure, the agency struggled to meet expectations, lost momentum, and had difficulty collecting taxes for the Federal government for over ten years. Ultimately, it was relocated to Owo, where it was housed in a building opposite Ondo State Technical College. In Owo, the agency’s income generation improved significantly due to the presence of numerous private and corporate entities in the area. This outcome highlights the limited economic activity in Akoko land. The general public and the federal government should not be swayed by the loud claims of Akoko’s economic prowess.
The reality is that Akoko land lacks economic viability and stability.
*The Network of Roads Linking Owo*
The trio submission claimed that only two roads link up to Owo, namely, Akure and Oba-Akoko. However, this is inaccurate, incorrect, and invalid. Owo has a network of roads linking it to Ondo State through Akure; another one is from Akure -Ayede Ogbese to Ameyinti to Owo, there’s another road network – to Ekiti State through Emure-Ile-Eporo to Emure-Ise in Ekiti state, and to Edo State through Owo-Ifon-Benin City, and also through Owo – Ipele -Ido-Ani -Idogun – Imeri to Igarra, Edo State. There’s a road leading from Owo through the north senatorial district, and to Lokoja, Kogi and to the FCT, Abuja.
Additionally, there are roads connecting Owo to Edo and Delta States through Ilale-Udashen-Ago Sanusi-Aimogija to Okada; and to Kogi State, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, and Northern Provinces through Owo-Ipele-Ido-Ani-Epinmi-
*The Advantages of Owo township*
Owo’s central location between Lagos and Abuja gives it significant economic, political, business, and accessibility advantages, particularly with its road network linking Western Nigeria to Central and Northern Nigeria, as well as to the Mid-Western, South-Eastern, and South-South zones. Owo’s proximity to the coastal port of Agbabu or Ayetoro in Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State, and its potential to benefit from the proposed railway network make it a more suitable location for development.
Unlike Akoko, which would require substantial government investment to blast rocks and break up hills to establish basic infrastructure, Owo has more favorable topography and infrastructure potential. Notably, past proposed Ose State creation paperwork has not distinctly mentioned Ikare-Akoko as its capital town. In fact, a 2009 proposal by the People of Ondo North Senatorial District suggested either Owo or Ikare-Akoko as the capital city, while a recent paper by Barrister Tolu Babaleye recommended Akungba as the state capital.
Unfortunately, the trio chose to attack me instead of engaging with others within their communities who hold different opinions on the proposed Ose State creation.
*Olatunbosun Oladimeji is a writer, researcher, analyst, social worker and community servant