From Wole Balogun, Ado-Ekiti
Elemure of Emure-Ekiti, Oba Emmanual Adebayo, former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, has made an urgent appeal to both governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State and Rotimi Aderedolu of Ondo State to resolve a lingering boundary dispute between his community and Akoko in Ondo State. He alleged a 12-kilometer of land belonging to Emure, is currently being used by Akoko for farming. Boundary disputes have been lingering between the two communities for some years past.
The monarch made the appeal during the 24th edition of the Emure Unity Day. The town used the event to raise N150 million funds for developmental projects.
Dignitaries who graced the ocassion included Alayemore of Efon Alaaye, Oba Emmanuel Adesanya Aladedejare; Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adu Alagbado and Chairman, Ekiti Council of Obas, and Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michela Ademolaju.
The people, who identified themselves through various groups such as the Egbe Omo Emure, Ado branch, Emure National Council, Progressive Youth Forum, Emure Youth group, and Emure Social Club, as well as the Hausa, Urhobo, Igbo and Ebira communities took turn to pay homage to the monarch dancing and singing cultural songs.
President of Emure-Ekiti Council, Micheal Oladunni, who revealed that the celebration provides opportunity for the community to review past activities of the year regarding culture, traditions, values and development, said the event brings indigenes together with a view to channel plans geared towards further improvements:
“We appreciate the state government under the leadership of Ayodele Fayose for the dualization of our township roads and the erection of street lights. We appeal for more government efforts. We have made adequate plans to build a befitting civic centre for the community. It is hoped that work will be accelerated as we get funds for it.”
Chairman of the committee for the event, Williams Adewumi Adebayo, said: “I want to use this medium to appeal to all sons and daughters of Emure-Ekiti not to forget the town in their distant places. We need to participate actively in the politics of our society both at the state and federal level. We should stop the scrambling at the local government levels. Enough of blackmailing and pull-him down syndrome.”
Oba Adebayo took stock of recent developments in the community: “We are grateful to Governor Ayodele Fayose for the dualization of the township road and the street light which have given a facelift to the community thereby boosting economic and social activities of our people.
“Agriculture is now thriving very well in the land as majority of our youths have returned to it. We implore the government to support them in this regard. Registration for National Identity Card is also going on in the community at the palace. Construction of work on water project through the European Union is almost at its completion stage.”
The monarch advised his people to take the forthcoming Census in 2018 very serious as many developmental benefits are attached to it. He implored the governments of Ekiti and Ondo to urgently resolve the boundary dispute.
Chief Samuel Olukayode Ogundeji, former Deputy Controller General of Prisons, said: “I am very happy on a day like this as. Everyone is coming together to collaborate development of the town. I congratulate my people and urge them to continue to support the monarch. The government is trying for us but we want them to do more.”
Elder Adebimpe Ogunleye Samuel, Chairman of Egbe Omo Emure, Ado-Ekiti branch, said: “We are very happy to celebrate this year’s Emure Day Unity with our people and Kabiyesi. We have always been supporting this programme on yearly basis. We have also been supporting our youth and empowering them for greater heights. My advice for the Elemure is that he should continue his generosity and accommodating spirit which endeared the people to him.
“This year’s edition has been more successful than the previous years. We have our friends from other tribes such as the Hausa community in Emure, the Urhrobo and Igbo community also featured to make the event more elaborate. For our indigenes at home and abroad, we urge them not to forget the need to urgently come home and develop the town.”
Adviser to the Federation of Ekiti State students Union, (FESU) and the leader of Progressive Youth Forum, South-West, Nigeria, Olofin Ayodele Samuel, said: “Our membership cuts across the 36 states of the federation. At our forum, we recognise the fact that youths have to take up leadership roles as they have strength and energy to do such. So, the forum is bringing the youths together and training them to become responsible leaders. I derive joy in seeing the youths around me. And with God helping me, we have been reaching out to those in need of help.
“Our youths must be allowed to participate actively in our political process. Enough of promising our youths jobs and failing to fulfil those promises after getting the votes. My advice to our monarch is that he should ensure that there is a cordial relationship between the elders and youths of this town. He should also ensure that the political class are encouraged to develop the town.”
Osunbiyi Olaajide, Iya Osun Emure and Ekiti who led traditionalists in Ekiti to the event urged the traditional ruler to continue to support traditional institutions and their custodians.
Mr. Olubayode Okeya said: “I am pleased with a day like this as. It has always been bringing our people together and we are joining hands to develop this community. Home remains the best, north, south, west and East.
“Our governor, Ayo Fayose has transformed Emure the town now. It looks far better than it was three years ago. We now have a dualised road and good streetlights and some other infrastructural projects.”
Secretary of Egbe Omo Emure Antional Council, Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Yomi Adanikin, said: “It is an umbrella body for all Emure indigenes. We treat issues that relate to the progress of the town and individuals. We always celebrate Emure Unity Day every first Saturday in December to ensure that all our sons and daughters home and abroad reunite and donate generously to develop the town and this has been successful.”
Awards in recognition of contributions to the development of the town were given to Oladunni, Chief Ayo Famojuro, alias Ewenla, and Patrick Oladele, a don.