*grants autonomy to Odo Oja Community of Ikere-Ekiti
By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
After years of agitations and struggles, the Ekiti State Government has granted autonomy to Odo Oja Community in Ikere-Ekiti and subsequently recognised its traditional head, the Olukere Ganiyu Obasoyin as an Oba.
This was consequent upon the implementation of the White Paper of the Chieftaincy Review Commission led by Justice Babajide Aladejana which found merit in the application of the Odo Oja Community of Ikere- Ekiti as an autonomous town.
According to a statement on Friday signed by the Executive Secretary of the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Adegboyega Morakinyo, the Odo Oja Community of Ikere- Ekiti submitted a memorandum to the Commission which recommended it as an independent town and Olukere as its Oba.
“The Odo Oja Community of Ikere-Ekiti submitted a memorandum to the Commission including an application for recognition as an autonomous town and its traditional head as an Oba.
“The Commission found merit in the application and further affirmed the eligibility of the Odo Oja Community to be recognized as an autonomous town and its traditional head as Oba.
“In furtherance of the ongoing review of the implementation of the White Paper on the report of the Commission, Government has revisited the recommendation on the application of the Odo Oja Community of Ikere-Ekiti.
“Government accepts the recommendation of the Commission. The Odo Oja Community of Ikere-Ekiti is accordingly granted autonomous status and its traditional head-Olukere is hereby recognised as an Oba.”
However,the territory that Olukere occupies and superintends over, was also given autonomy by the government and is to be named Odo Oja,Ikere-Ekiti.
Ikere is the second largest town in Ekiti State.
Obasoyin, whose predecessors had agitated for similar recognition, but was rebuffed by previous administrations, had always claimed that his progenitors founded Ikere kingdom before the coming of the paramount ruler of the town and the Ogoga of Ikere.
But the present Ogoga, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, insisted that Olukere was a mere Chief priest without any link to royalty.
The recognition by Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration was contained in the report of Justice Jide Aladejana-led Chieftaincy Review Commission set up to look into some contentious traditional issues in Ekiti State.
Meanwhile,Governor Kayode Fayemi represented by his Deputy,Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi in his remark while presenting the instrument of appointment and staff of office enjoined the monarch to ensure peace in his domain and pave way for development to take place.
In his acceptance speech,the Olukere of Odo Oja Ikere-Ekiti,Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin assured the government and the people of the State of his resolve to ensure that peace and tranquility prevail in his community and the went re State.
