Osun Traditional rulers want Oduduwa State created, submit memo to Confab
By Salimot Raji
Traditional rulers from Osun State have through a memo demanded for the inclusion of Oduduwa State in the list of states to be created as agreed by delegates at the ongoing National Conference in Abuja.
In the memo, addressed to the leadership of the conference, the traditional rulers and others were of the opinion that, it would amount to injustice if states are created in the country without acceding to their demand.
They stated that, “It is gratifying to note that the national conference has announced the creation of additional 18 states for the country two of which are announced for the South-West out of the intended three.
“The two announced are New Oyo and Ijebu States. It is disheartening to note that the proposed Oduduwa State is yet to be listed despite the fact that it is on the memorandum submitted by the National Association of State Movement and Oduduwa State Movement to the confab.
“It is pertinent to recall here that the request for state recreation from the old Oyo state in 1983 included among others, Oduduwa and Osun States.
“While the then proposed Osun state included Ede, Ejigbo, ife lodun, Ila, Irepordun,Osogbo, Iwo and Ododo Orin areas, the then proposed Oduduwa Sate had Atamumosa, Ayedaade, Ife Central, Ife North, ife South, Irewole, Isokan, Oriade and Obokun.
“Unfortunately, the debates on state creation at the National Assembly were brought to an abrupt end by the military intervention.”
The agitators stated in the memo that they submitted a memorandum in both 1995 and 1996 on same demand.
The traditional rulers that signed the latest memo are; the Owa Omiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran; Oljudo of Ido-Osun, Oba Aderemi Adedapo; Alagbon Agbonbiti, Ona Iteade Adewuyi; Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Adedokun Adefoke and Laroka Wanikin, Oba Kole Ojutalayo.
Leaders of thought who signed the memo included a former Minister for Water Resources, Alhaji Bashir Awoyorebo; President, Ife o shistunde Development Board, Prof. Mushed Opeloye and Prince Gbenga Omiwole.
