Protect us from Kidnapping, killings in Ekiti Border Towns- Ologotun to Oyebanji

Adebayo Adenrele



A prominent traditional ruler and Ologotun of Ogotun -Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Adesanmi, has called on Governor Biodun Oyebanji to protect Ekiti Communities sharing borders with neighbouring states from cases of Kidnapping and killing.

The monarch spoke in Ogotun Ekiti during his coronation ceremony, advising the Governor to take proactive measures to secure and develop the border towns across the state for safety and economic prosperity.

Oba Adesanmi lamented that most of the Ekiti communities sharing borders with neighbouring states are being beclouded with recurrent cases of kidnapping and killings, while also groaning under the burden of bad roads and lack of other public utilities.

Oba Adesanmi thereby pleaded with Oyebanji to secure the town, which shares border with Ikeji and Owena in Osun State, to boost agriculture, where the town has a comparative advantage, to turn around the fortunes of his subjects.

Speaking about his rancour-free ascendancy onto the throne, after the demise of the late Oba Samuel Oyebade, Oba Adesanmi, said; “Let me thank the Ekiti State Government under Governor Kayode Fayemi and his Deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi for ratifying my selection as the 32nd Ologotun.

“I now call on Governor Oyebanji to beam the searchlight of security and development on my community. We share boundaries with Owena and Ikeji-Ile in Osun State. Unfortunately, the roads linking us with these communities are in terrible conditions. The road linking us to Ipole Iloro is impassable as we speak, likewise the one to Ikogosi.

“The road linking us to Ikeji Ile was last rehabilitated under the PTF days. It is in a bad shape now. The one to Owena is begging for5 attention. We have large expanse of lands and farm settlements along the corridor, but deplorable roads will not allow us harness the resources. Ogotun has 24 villages, farm settlements and camps.

“I want the government of Ekiti State to revisit these road projects and rehabilitate them to boost our contributions to production of more food and other cash crops produce forcashier state to attain food security status.”

The monarch posited that Ogotun has a rich history in Yoruba land that needs to be protected and elevated, rather than being debased.

He assured that he would neither betray the confidence reposed in him nor desecrate the sacred position.

“Ogotun is one of the prominent towns in Yoruba land. Apart from being among the 16 foremost traditional rulers in Ekiti called Pelupelu, Ologotun also holds an eminent position among Yoruba Obas.

“I refer us to the magisterial history of the Yorubas by Samuel Johnson, where Ologotun was listed as one of the prominent traditional rulers in Yoruba land. So, history is our guide. History is what you can’t change. We are going to maintain the position of Ologotun in the Local Government, in the State and Yoruba land”, he said.

Oba Adesanmi added that his ancestor, Oba Ademeso Atewogboye 1, administered the town with civility, wisdom, charismatism and fear of God, while also promising to preserve
these principles that have become why his dynasty is being revered and taken as a pacesetter.

At the coronation, prominent Nigerians were conferred with chieftaincy titles, adding the town has a lot of lofty and remarkable potentials in agriculture that can add values to Ekiti if harnessed.

Among them were: Senator Biodun Olujimi, A House of Representatives member, Hon Yemi Adaramodu, a veteran journalist, Mr. Femi Ige, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr Tunde Ogunsakin, an APC Chief, Demola Popoola, among others.