Dear Honourable,
I go by Aristotle words which says, “For though we love both the truth and our friends, piety requires us to honor the truth first”. Hence, I chose to be frank once again on our collective business, which is ÒkèÒgùn. Without mincing words, it’s convenient to say you have performed below expectations; far below your predecessors with same measure of duration while they were in the green chamber.
On the 13th of February 2024, a total stranger to the land in the person of Hon. Oluwole Oke, the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State sought to present a bill at the floor of the house seeking the creation of Oke-Ogun state with Iseyin as a Capital. Eight months later, nothing was heard of the Bill and you neither lend your voice to raise a new Bill nor support the existing one. This is a gross betrayal of the trust reposed in you by the electorates of our dear Constituency.
Recall I highlighted the significance of this state creation from the present Oyo State in my article dated 13th February 2024, where I analysed states with less populations and landmass to Oyo State, but have more Local Government Areas than the latter. For emphasis, out of the southwestern states, Oyo, Ogun and Osun with 28,454km2, 16,762km2 and 9,251km2 landmass respectively were loaded compared to others of Lagos, Ekiti and Ondo with lesser landmass and less LGA allocation. Interestingly, Lagos is just 3,345km2 area with 20 LGA, Ekiti is 6,353km2 with 16 LGA and Ondo 15,500km2 area with 16 LGA. The unfair distribution can not just be over emphasized; hence, justifying the creation of ÒkèÒgùn state from the present Oyo State.
By every standard, if it were to be in a saner clime with the presence of an active Representative, no other region of Oyo State can lay claim to be eligible for a new state capital safe ÒkèÒgùn. Beyond all sentiments, ÒkèÒgùn represents about 47.57% of the total landmass of Oyo State; meaning that, it only requires a double size of Oke Ogun to make a current Oyo State. Sadly, this only has 10 local government with her 13,537km2 landmass and huge population. It’s worthy of note that Oke Ogun is 2.79times bigger than Anambra, 2.45times bigger than Imo, 1.89 times bigger than Enugu, 1.22times bigger than Rivers and 4.05times bigger than Lagos states respectively.
By geographical zoning, Ibadan has 11 Local Government, followed by ÒkèÒgùn with 10 Local Government Area and Ogbomoso, Oyo and Ibarapa with 5, 4 and 3 Local Government areas respectively. So, if we are adequately represented in the green chamber, Hon. Akeem Skimeh (may God continue to bless him for his activeness and love for his people) will have shelved his bill to support ÒkèÒgùn which undoubtedly, the next to Ibadan in terms of Local Government area allocation and the biggest in terms of landmass.
Let’s talk about natural resources deposits, no other region in Oyo State has an inch of the natural resources and precious stones the nature has blessed ÒkèÒgùn with; amongst which are gold, marble, kaolin, granite, iron-ore, tantalite, talc, beryl etc.
Honourable, kindly note that even with all these resources of ours, you are putting us at a great disadvantage position by your loud silence in the House of Representatives. I doubt if you had moved or support any motion, or even sponsored a bill since your assumption of office; I stand to be corrected. Kindly seek help if any and we would be glad to help you in the interest of our common business, ÒkèÒgùn.
Dear Rep, we need you to collaborate with Hon. Oluwole Oke on his Bill seeking for the creation of ÒkèÒgùn State having Iseyin as Capital City. Points to substantiate your bill position are not far fetched and can always be confirmed by anyone who cares to know. Below are some salient points you can leverage upon :
- Gate way: Iseyin is unarguably the gate way to the rest of Oke Ogun towns and villages. It was such strategically positioned by the Almighty Himself. This is important technicality to be considered for this course. Other towns can be linked through Iseyin; just like any other part of the state can be linked through Ibadan in the present Oyo State.
- Power and Water Generation/Distribution: The Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin is a huge source of Power/water Generation and distribution to other towns in the proposed states and beyond. Apart from power and water security, this will attract investors and shall in no meagre measure boost the economy of the proposed state.
- Tourism: Iyake hanging lake in Iseyin Local government is a great site to behold for tourists. It’s important to state that the Federal and State governments are already eyeing this gift of nature for conversion into tourist attraction centre. Having Iseyin as the Capital State will have this properly harnessed.
- Economy: Iseyin is known for the great art of Aso Oke and the land receives visitors on daily bases to learn and transact business. This said; Aso Oke International Market in Iseyin is a great one to lure investors to the new proposed state and shall be a major source of Economy booster.
- Food Security: The rich soil of the land coupled with the existence of Ikere dam will help farmers to engage in farming activities all year round produce.
- Serene Environment: Residents of the town enjoy homely treatment in the Iseyin community, the reason why visitors who come for research at Raji Oke-Esa Library and Ebedi Residency find it difficult to leave the town after their assignments. These and many others are enough reasons why the Capital is best cited in Iseyin as anticipated by Hon. Oluwole.
Finally, bear in mind that the people close to you are doing you more harm than good by not telling you the truth about your performance, part of which I had explained above. You may want to use enemies to put you on your toes if friends will only tell you what you want to hear. I wish you the best of term in office as the good people of Iseyin/Iwajowa/Kajola/Itesiwaju Federal Constituency anticipate your actions on the bill above amongst others.
Rest assured of our best regards.
E-Signed:
Babajide Oniyo, MNIQS, RQS,
President, Council of Iseyin Youths Organizations, CIYO.
Cc:
Alhaji Abayomi Oshine Oyedeji
Rasaq Fadiran
Aseyin of Iseyin Adeyeri III
Mubasiru Azeez
