•Oluwo of Ijemo, Chief Oluyinka Kufile and other Chiefs on Monday.
By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
The last has not been heard of the uncompleted and abandoned giant Ogun State City Centre (OSCC) project within the corridor of Abeokuta Central Business District (ACBD) situating opposite the popular Iweiroyin House, Okelewo.
The traditional head of the Ijemo people in Abeokuta township, Ogun State, Chief Oluyinka Kufile, says his people are not part of those that stopped the project but claimed that the place it situates is originally owned by the Ijemo.
The Daily Crucible had earlier reported that the site of the OSCC used to be a part of the old Secretariat of the State government after it was acquired for that purpose by the first civilian Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olabisi Victor Onabanjo, but it later gave way to the massive structure during the twilight of Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s administration.
The project was conceived to accommodate a gigantic shopping mall, a banking facility, hotel, amphitheatre and service apartment. It was also billed to be private sector-driven venture.
The centre was equally expected to host the central station for the Federal Government’s rail project.
Estimated to be the second largest Centre or shopping mall in the country after the type in Alausa area of Lagos when completed, work stopped at the site hours to Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s hand over to the then incoming Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Perhaps, the first and last public function that took place within the abandoned facility was Amosun’s elaborate exit ceremony on May 28, 2019, which among other dignitaries, had the nation’s big names in the Yoruba movie industry in attendance, including the legendary actress Rachel Oniga before she passed on.
The Daily Crucible also reports that while fielding questions from newsmen recently, the State Commissioner for Housing, Jagunmolu Jamiu Omoniyi, disclosed that many things about the project “are shrouded in secrecy” to a degree that the present administration has not been able to ascertain in the last five years.
Omoniyi said that the anti – graft agencies – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), were already looking into it, and even declined further comment on it on the grounds that the EFCC and ICPC’s eyes were on the matter.
Omoniyi said, “Those projects, the anti – graft agencies are looking into it. They are shrouded in so many secrecy that we’re not able to ascertain since we came on board. I know what you are talking about. So, a matter that is with ICPC and EFCC I think I don’t comment on it,” he said.
However, the Oluwo of Ijemo, Chief Oluyinka Kufile, on Monday, July 22, cast light on the abandoned Ogun State City Centre.
Chief Kufile who also doubles as the Aro of Egbaland, said the Ijemo people only asked for their rights in respect to the expanse land on which the uncompleted project rests.
The Egba High Chief and industrialist made this known while fielding questions from newsmen at the Ijemo town hall Abeokuta during a press conference to commence activities marking the 110th anniversary of the Ijemo massacre and celebration of Ijemo history, culture and heritage.
The Oluwo who recalled the series of events such as death of an Ijemo chief in detention, mistrust, discontents, civil unrest, strife, arsons among other factors which culminated in the massacre of scores of Ijemo chiefs and people in Abeokuta and other places on August 8, 1914, addressed the press in company of other chiefs, including Chief Oyewole Oyero, who is the
Chairman, Central Planning Committee of Ijemo Day Celebration August 8 and 9, 2024.
He disclosed that his people have only resorted to using the civilized means – going to court, to ask questions and demand answers about their rights.
The Oluwo said, “The abandoned shopping complex, Ijemo is not the one building it but where it is situated is Ijemo land. When they (the state government) wanted to acquire the place, they acquired it for public interest/purpose only but when it demolished the Secretariat, that was why we asked the question, if you want to do that there are processes. It is either you return it (the land) to the owner or renegotiate with them so that there will be peace. That was how we(Ijemo people) are involved.
“We are never involved in stopping the project, we are not part of it. We have never ever stopped any project in Egbaland. We have never disturbed anybody. What you wanted to say which you have not been able to say is that may be because we have been able to go to court. We don’t want to fight, we are not criminals, our children are not going to carry arms fighting.
“But that does not stop us from asking for our rights. We just asked for our rights without fighting. Let the court resolve it. That is the civilized way of doing things. We are not fighting anybody. We are not fighting the government. We relate with the government. Ijemo sons and daughters are part of the government. So, we can fight ourselves.”
On the Ijemo Day celebration, he disclosed that the occasion will be used to bring free health care services to over 1,000 of their people and empowerment for at least thirty WAEC/NECO candidates for the 2024 – 2025 academic session.
In his address highlighting the ceremony billed to commence in earnest on August 3rd, Chief Oyewole Oyero said “There would be medical outreach involving Health screening with gift of drugs and medication after medical assessment of the participants. This programme is opened to the elderly and the sick of all ages. It will take place at Ijemo Town Hall, Arimokunrin Street, Ijemo, Abeokuta from the hours of 10.00am to 6.00 pm.
Wednesday, 7th August 2024- there would be Woro event where scores of horse riders comprising the sons and daughters of Ijemo will present a beautiful spectacle and showcase dexterity at horsemanship. The Horse riders will assemble at Oluwo’s House at Oke Ijemo, for the traditional homage and blessings from the Oluwo and other senior Chiefs, the star attraction for this year is the procession of the Horse riders on a courtesy visit to the Kabiyesi, Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland and with Royal blessings pronounced on them by the Alake and Paramount Ruler Of Egbaland.
On this same day, there will be a street Carnival and parties all over the streets and compounds of Ijemo Township for the youths to mark the celebration of Ijemo History, Culture and Heritage. The street Carnivals will start from 2.00 pm shall close by 8.00pm.
Thursday, 8th August 2024- The yearly inter-denominational prayer session will take place at Ijemo Town Hall between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm. Just after the inter-denominational service, we will have the Isese Session, where the different Isese indigenous religion adherents and allied groups such as the Egungun, Olomolu, Ode e.t.c. will hold their prayers. This programme will hold between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm.
Friday, 9th August, 2024- There would be Traditional Games- A fun spot and a knowledge-based game- we will arrange the Local Ayo Olopon, draughts, Ludo, Table Tennis among others. This event starts by 10.00 am at Ijemo Town Hall. While the traditional game is on by 2.00pm, there will be an educational Empowerment for not less than thirty WAEC/NECO Candidates for the 2024 – 2025 academic session. The event shall hold at Ile Ogboni, Oke Ijemo, Abeokuta.
Saturday, 10th August 2024 – The grand finale will take place at the venue already secured for the programme. It promises to be grand and colourful on the band stand will be the music Star, the current toast of fuji music lovers, Taye Currency.
“The grand finale will attract across Nigeria, prominent sons and daughters of Ijemo with their friends and well- wishers will gather in the presence of the Chief Host, Oluwo Ijemo/Aro of Egba, Chief Oluyinka Kufile. Kabiyesi. His Royal Majesty, Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo CFR will be the Royal father of the Day.”
According to Chief Oyero, government functionaries, captain of industries, public figures, royal fathers and other eminent personalities are expected to grace the celebration.
