“Your efforts have not only prevented bitterness and conflict, but have also laid the foundation for sustainable development in your communities as well as in our state. Today, we recognise and celebrate your unwavering commitments to peace and peaceful coexistence”
By John Odunayo
It is thumbs up for two Ekiti traditional rulers in Moba Local Government area – the Olosan of Osan Ekiti, Oba Tajudeen Jimoh and Elepe of Epe Ekiti, Oba Michael Atolagbe as they.used internal mechanisms to peacefully resolved the boundary dispute that could have torn the two neighbouring communities apart.
Excited by the gesture of the two monarchs and their subjects, the Ekiti State Government presented Awards of Exemplary Leadership to the two traditional rulers at a modest event at the Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti recently.
The event was the official presentation of report of Permanent Boundary Demarcation between Osan and Epe Ekiti communities.
The two communities, had in letter written in January 2024, and jointly signed by a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University Prof. Ayan Adeleke and a serving EKSU DVC, Prof. Williams Adebayo, informed the government about their readiness to resolve their boundary crisis using internal mechanism.
An elated Chairman of Traditional Council in Moba Local Government and the Oore of Otun Ekiti, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, hailed the decision of the two monarchs which culminated in the resolution of the boundary dispute.
The Oore said, “This will further elevate unity and promote brotherhood among the towns in the council.
Speaking at the brief awards presentation ceremony, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said the spirit of “sportsmanship” as well as “give and take” exhibited by the monarchs and elite from the two communities, were commendable, thus attracted the honours to serve as examples to other towns locked in land squabbles that there is nothing to profit in violence.
Afuye said that the honours presented by government to the traditional rulers, was in recognition of their sterling qualities and display of the spirit of sacrifice in the resolution of the dispute.
The deputy governor, according to a statement by his media aide, Victor Ogunje, lauded the traditional rulers, members of the committee, elite from the towns and others, who participated in the resolution of the land tussle, saying history would continue to be kind to them.
Afuye, who expressed the Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s readiness to partner the traditional institution to further advance development, said that the governor would not backtrack in his mission to make all Ekiti towns bereft of bloody boundary dispute that could impede progress.
She said, “As the custodians of tradition and culture and the values of omoluabi, our traditional rulers have demonstrated that leadership is not merely about authority, but about service to humanity. Peaceful resolution of disputes places selfless service over personal wants and needs. Our Kabiyesis had demonstrated this.
“Your efforts have not only prevented bitterness and conflict, but have also laid the foundation for sustainable development in your communities as well as in our state. Today, we recognise and celebrate your unwavering commitments to peace and peaceful coexistence.
“I want to place on record and appreciate the role played by the chairmen of the committee: Prof Ayan Adeleke and Prof Williams Adebayo from Osan and Epe respectively, for taking the lead in the resolution of this crisis.
“As we present these awards to our royal fathers from Epe and Osan Ekiti, let them serve as reminders of the power of unity, cooperation, dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences. I believe this would inspire traditional rulers from other towns to follow your footsteps and contribute to the peace and progress of our beloved state”, she stated.
The Elepe of Epe Ekiti, Oba Michael Atolagbe, who described the government’s position as timely and heartwarming, applauded the state government for the honour and for being favourably disposed to the proposal pushed forward by the communities to settle their differences between themselves.
Oba Atolagbe said, “I am happy about this honour and particularly that the two communities showed readiness to live together peacefully. The history we are making today will serve as a shining light to other towns that we have nothing to gain in fighting or killing ourselves over land dispute”.
Also, the Olosan of Osan Ekiti, Oba Tajudeen Jimoh, who hailed the government’s step, said the mutual understanding between the two contiguous communities would help in stabilising the local government and fasttrack development across board.
Oba Jimoh said, “I am happy today that we are making history and it happens under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji. Let me emphasize that no sacrifice is too great to be made for the sake of peace.
“I appreciate the members of the committee and the state government who allowed this peace building initiative proposed by the two communities”, the monarch said.
The Chairmen of the Committee set up by the towns to resolve the matter , Professors Adeleke and Adebayo, applauded the government for allowing them to mediate in the prolonged crisis that ushered in this era of peace and unity.
