Program Analyst
January 28, 2025
Ifon- Ilobu- Erin Osun Dispute Committee Holds First Meeting, Reiterates Governor’s Directive
PRESS RELEASE
OSOGBO – 27/1/2025 – osunstate.gov.ng
The dispute resolution committee on the Ifon-Ilobu-Erin Osun crisis has held the first meeting with a charge to the newly inaugurated committee members to be objective, impartial and godly while resolving the age long communal disputes between the three towns .
The meeting was held after the official inauguration by Governor Ademola Adeleke who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi. The Deputy Governor who also represented the Governor at the first committee meeting urged the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun,Larooye II, led committee to be above board.
A press statement made available to newsmen by the Secretary of the 100 Member Crisis Resolution Committee, who is also the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Femi Ogundun, said Governor Adeleke was represented at the inauguration by the State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi.
Governor Adeleke during the committee meeting reiterated the highest level of objectivity from the carefully chosen members, which he told the public, was completely devoid of any political sentiment but based on proven integrity and competence of the people so chosen to serve.
Ogundun quoted Governor Adeleke as saying ” this is an assignment you must carry out with fairness, objectivity and Godliness in resolving the age long communal stampedes which, for many years, has remained unresolved.
” While I want you to know that it is important to create awareness that boundary is a mere geographical expression that should not lead to enmity, you must also know that it is imperative to urgently nurture peace in the affected communities with a view to permanently ending the toxic seeds of animosity sown over the years”, the Governor told the Committee.
While enjoining the committee to be fair in discharging its assignments, Governor Adeleke also implored the warring communities to cooperate with the members of the committee while carrying out their assigned mandates and terms of reference.
Responding on behalf of the Committee, its Chairman and Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye II through the Co- Chair of the Committee, Justice Moshud Adekunle Adeigbe (Rtd) promised that they would discharge their duties in line with the provision of the law.
While thanking Governor Adeleke for the confidence reposed in the committee to carry out the assignment, the Ataoja further expressed commitment that the team would deliver satisfactory results by ensuring that all assignments commenced by them are concluded within the time limit assigned.
The eight point terms of reference of the Committee as rolled out by Governor Adeleke at the ceremony are looking at the remote and immediate cause(s) of the dispute; determining , delimiting and marking the exact boundaries among the three communities; signing a truce with a view to nipping the dispute in the mud and taking appropriate decisions that will enable the Government achieve permanent peace.
Others are making visits to the disputed and other relevant areas that will enable the committee to determine the areas; making sittings of the committee open to ensure transparency; taking expedite actions on its assignments and giving two weeks from the date of inauguration under which to report their findings to the State Government .
In the meantime, in line with its resolve to make the sittings of the Committee open, Mr Femi Ogundun equally announced in the press statement that members of the public are free to submit their memoranda on the lingering crisis with a view to making their input known to the Committee.
“Such memoranda should be submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mondays through Fridays of the two weeks mandate allocated to the Committee to carry out the assignment”, the committee secretary noted.
E Signed
Femi Ogundun,
Secretary of the Committee
&
Permanent Secretary ,
Ministry of Local Government and
Chieftaincy Affairs
