Osun state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Monday inaugurated an enlarged one-hundred-member land crises resolution committee on the Ifon, Ilobu and Erin-Osun boundary crises, with a two-week mandate to the committee to carry out its findings and submit a report.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi who made the remark during the programme held at the state secretariat, Abere, however, charged committee members to deploy their wealth of experiences to bear on the critical assignment, bearing in mind that peace is essential in any society for social harmony, security, and economic stability.
According to him, “Peace has always been among humanity’s highest values. For some, peace is supreme. It is believed that peace is not just the absence of conflicts; it is about actively working together and understanding one another.
“Osun State government is deeply concerned about the incessant disputes over land among the communities of Ifon, llobu, and Erin-Osun, and considering the likelihood of the crises spreading to other communities, decided to initiate a process that will guarantee lasting peace in the affected communities, knowing fully well that growth and development will always be elusive in any society where peace fails to reign.
“It is, therefore, imperative to urgently nurture peace in the affected communities with a view to permanently exhuming the toxic seeds of animosity sown over the years, as well as the need to transform differences into dialogue, not enmity. No doubt, it is through reasoned discourse that the fabric of peace can be woven, which will, in turn, propel the prosperity of the state.
“Mr . Governor has, therefore, constituted an enlarged land crisis resolution committee on Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin – Osun boundary crisis, with the affected communities having twenty-five representatives each, while the State Government will also be represented by twenty – five members.
“The Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye II, and a retired judge of the Osun State judiciary and Chairman, Osun State Boundary Commission, Justice Moshood Adekunle Adeigbe, will serve as the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the committee respectively.
“Four other revered traditional rulers, as well as other individuals chosen by the government, will serve as members of the committee.”
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