Mark pledges support for Ijebu State

BY DAUD OLATUNJI
ABEOKUTA—The Senate President, Senator David Mark Sunday pledged his support for the actualisation of Ijebu-State. If it becomes a reality it will be carved out of Ogun State.
Mark who  stated this while speaking at  this year annual 2012  Ojude-Oba festival held at Ijebu-Ode Ogun State said that one of the ways to achieve rapid development in the country  is when more states were created.
The Senate President who was reacting to the plea of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona on the need for Ijebu State, said he had received various delegations from agitators of state creation, saying that  one of the highest delegations was from Ijebuland.
He said: “I support the creation of Ijebu State, the National Assembly must work to actualise it, we know that it is through it that government can move closer to the people, and I pledged that when next I shall be coming here, the dream would have been actualised.”
The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who spoke at the occasion highlighted  the significance of  Ojude Oba,which he said represented  the rich culture, dynamic tradition and accommodating spirits of Ijebu people.
He said: “This is because history tells us that the festival started with an Islamic cleric, alongside members of his family, paying a courtesy call on the Awujale as a way of showing appreciation to the traditional ruler for allowing Islam to grow peacefully in Ijebu Ode.
“Ojude Oba is one of the best advertisements for our culture in Ogun State and is a prominent feature in the national cultural calendar. That is why it is annually witnessed by people, from all walks of life, across the country and beyond”.
Earlier, the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. claimed  that Ijebuland had been the most marginalised province since the existence of the country.
He said “it is the only province that existed since 1975 that is yet to be converted to a state, while other provinces had been divided into two or more states”
Awujale however said the alleged injustice would  be corrected  if Ijebu State is created.
Present were; deputy governor of the State, Mr.Segun Adesegun, Senators Olorunimbe Mamora, Gbenga Kaka, and Gbenga Obadara.
Also in attendance were the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.