Elders, Leaders say crisis over in the ancient town
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday, received six newly installed Baales (traditional heads) of Itele, in Ado-odo-Ota local government of Ogun.
The six out of the seven Baales (Igas) in the ancient that came on a thank you visit to the former President include those from Ilekemo, Ipotobo, Ijana, Isunba, Iliwo and Olugbode.
The seventh Iga, Ilegbede could not produce their Baale, as it was gathered there there was still controversy on the choice of candidate.
Obasanjo while addressing the gathering at the Oke-Ona Hall, Green Legacy Resort of the OOPL, Abeokuta, expressed satisfaction on the peaceful resolution of the age-long crisis at Itele.
He also thanked his team of representatives, led by Chief Abraham Idowu Akanle for been “good ambassadors that achieved the much- needed peace at Itele.
“I want to thank you all for heeding the call for peace. That is how it should be. We are like ocean, sometimes, it flow this, other time, it flow another way. But, somehow we shall come together. Should we still refuse to come together when such time comes?
“Therefore, from today, no more litigations. We must move forward as brothers and sisters at Itele.”
He explained that but for his very tight schedule, “I would have loved to be with you all day, but, I has a flight to catch in hours time. But, my brother will take over. Once again, I want to thank you for this cherished peace, that God has made possible at Itele,” he said.
Elders and leaders, who spoke one after another commended Obasanjo for initiating the peace move, lamenting similar efforts in the past, had met brick wall.
“This is historic. We are very much satisfied that at last, the war is over at Itele. We want to thank him (Obasanjo) for this feat. Today, I want to say that I am happy this history is happening before I die,” Chief Yahya Oyewole (Baba Odan) submitted.
Elder Samuel Olatunji Asorobi, who claimed that over N500m had been lost as a result of various litigations that have been carried out against one another in the last 40 years, said the story “is however over different today, courtesy Baba Obasanjo. We can never forget this,” the elated Itele leader said.
Akanle further urged the new Baales to work as a team to acheive collective result in the new drive to develop Itele.
“With the new boundary map of each of the branch, no one should go into another branch. If this happens, the other Baales must rise to give justice on the matter. You are independent of each other, but, collectively you must work together to acheive the new drive to develop Itele again”.
Akanle also used the opportunity to appeal to all aggrieve parties “to sheath your swords in the interest of peace. We have had enough at Itele. It is time to move forward and we shall not regret doing this today. I am also happy that some of us are also back to the house,” he said.
The new Baales include, Chief Adelaja F. Fasina for Iliwo, Chief Monsuru Olayinka Balogun (Ilekemo), Chief Owotolu Kazeem (Ijana), Chief Fatai Akapo (Isunba), Chief Rasheed Ajasa (Ipotobo) and Chief Lateef Rufai (Olugbode).
