AN illustrious son of Ikenne-Remo, Major General Olaseni Shoboiki (retd), has said that the town has lost its pride of place, over the long crisis surrounding the Alakenne Chieftaincy tussle.
He urged indigenes of Ikenne to embrace peace and chart a new beginning that would place the town on the map of development as being promoted by the Ikenne Development Association (IDA).
Shoboiki said this in his address as the chairman of the grand finale of the 41st Annual Ereke Day Celebration, held at the Obafemi Awolowo Square, on Saturday.
The celebration had in attendance the co-chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN), Plc, Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, foremost industrialist, Dr Babatunde Onafowokan, PA. Emmanuel Osibona, the chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Mr Rotimi Akinsanya, the Iyaloja General of Remoland, Chief (Mrs) Mercy Owolana.
Others in attendance were the Alakenne of Ikenne Remo, Oba Adeyinka Onakade, the Oludotun of Idotun-Ikenne, Oba Odunayo Solarin, the Aminisan of Oko Sagamu, Oba Mufutau Sanni, the President of Ikenne Peoples Forum, Otunba Adeleke Adesina among others.
Shoboiki in his address titled “Let’s us start a new beginning”, noted that the history of Ikenne community had continued to replete because of the crisis surrounding the Alakenne’s stool.
He explained that the community which had produced and continued to produce great Nigerians in all areas of human endeavours, had not been speaking the same language because the crisis had polarized the community.
Shoboiki said, “Why will chieftaincy issue polarize us for 43 years? Why can’t we give and take? Only God chooses a king and once it is done, that is all. We must not allow the rift to take our pride of place in Remoland.
“We are resourceful and spiritual people. Why can’t we forgive ourselves and move forward. Why should we stand on an issue for 43 years. We must embrace the spirit of forgiveness and peace.
“What have we gained all over these years of chieftaincy crisis? Ikenne is known all over the world. Why should we remain divided? We must start a new beginning of give and take. A new beginning of friendship. We cannot afford to remain stagnant.
“Ikenne community is not speaking the same language because we are polarized and cooperation becomes difficult. Lack of strong ties is denying us mutual trust. That is the only reason why a 43 years old crisis is still raging.
“We need to put the past behind us. We need to move forward by solving this chieftaincy crisis. “Let’s start a new beginning”. We have become a laughing stock among our contemporaries in Remo.”
He commended the IDA for nurturing and coordinating all developmental activities of the community, admonishing all sons and daughters of the town to contribute enthusiastically to the Civic Center project embarked on by the association.
The IDA president, Chief Olusola Odumosu, corroborated Shoboiki, on the need to allow peace to reign on matters concerning Alakenne’s stool.
He said that the Association in its magnanimity had decided to convert the Ikenne town hall into Alakenne’s Palace.
Odumosu charged Oba Onakade not to relent on his peace moves in ensuring that the crisis it’s put at rest in the overall interest of the town.
He appreciated all sons and daughters of the town who had contributed immensely to the development of the town.
The President said, “We have come a long way in this issue of Alakenne stool. All controversies surrounding this stool should be put aside. We should obey the court order over this matter. For us in the IDA, we are for peace and that is why we are calling on all indigenes to embrace the spirit of brotherliness.”
On the issue of relocation of Obafemi Awolowo College of Basic Medical Science from Ikenne to Sagamu, Odumosu, said the Association had decided to take the authority of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye to court.
Talking on the town’s security issue, the President said plans had been concluded towards the establishment of Ikenne Security Council and there shall be an establishment of Security Trust Fund to assist the Council in the discharge of its duties.