Illegal miners from the North are threat to peace in Ijesa land—Oba Agunsoye

Recently, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Owa Obokun of Ijesa Land, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran; the Elegboro of Ijebu-jesa, Oba Moses Agunsoye and other traditional rulers met with the Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, at what was called security stakeholders meeting. Pressing security issues, especially on the landscape of Ife/Ijesa zone were discussed with specific concern over the infiltration of the area by illegal miners. TUNDE BUSARI speaks with Oba Agunsoye. Excerpts

 

Did you expect the security stakeholders meeting held last Tuesday?

Many did not know that the meeting was the second within a month. The first one was held in Osogbo. So, I cannot say I did not expect it because security issue is a serious matter in any part of the world. Without security, there is no peace and without peace there won’t be any development. Any government who knows its onions cannot afford to treat security issue with levity. So the meeting was evidence of the government’s concern about the security of the state, and it is a welcome development.

 

How can you describe the conduct and outcome of the meeting?

It was a successful meeting, going by the number of attendance and quality of participation by stakeholders. The Governor was in attendance with security chiefs. The head of vigilance group in person of Alhaji Ya Salam and other were also in attendance. The head of Hausa community was also present. We listened to different presentations, especially the governor’s strong words and warning to those participating in mining. The governor even brought a consultant newly commissioned to handle the activities of the miners. The woman impressed me with her fluency in Hausa Language. She showed her understanding of that sector.She has met with the miners and the Hausa community. Government will now know the quality and quantity of raw gold from here before being exported.  I was also impressed by the secretary of the miners association. He is an Hausa man, speaking Yoruba fluently. I later learnt he is son of the Seriki Hausa in Ile-Ife.

 

If there is a miners association, then there should not be problem in regulating operations of the miners. Specifically, what did the secretary tell the meeting?

He spoke on efforts the association had made in preventing infiltration of the mining areas by illegal people. He talked on biometric device for the registered workers. He also revealed that the closure of Zamfara mining site created a problem for the Ijesa site as the people from Zamfara migrated down south.

 

I learnt the Owa Obokun, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran even indicted a traditional ruler for his alleged role in encouraging illegal miners. Can you shed more light on this?

There is nothing to shed light on because he did not say it behind the curtain. Everybody including the Ooni was listening to him. He made his statement in order to proffer solution to security issue that brought us to the meeting. He was frank.The activities of miners have caused a great havoc to the land in the affected area. The depth of degradation is destructive to agriculture. Farmers can no longer plant cocoa, cola, yam and other farm products. The miners dig out clay and clay becomes top soil which is not good for farming. Nothing can grow on top soil. The land owners who give out their lands to the miners have sacrificed the future of their children. Another fear now is that the deprived children may start their own demand for resource control as being witnessed in the oil-producing South-south region. The earlier the better for the land owners who give out land on stipend paid them by the miners.

 

I also learnt that your axis is becoming notorious for kidnappings. What is happening?

It is unfortunate that the hitherto peaceful area is being turned to kidnappers’ zone. Iwaraja to Efon Alaaye; Esa-Odo, Esa Oke and boundary communities are the affected places where the kidnappers operate. You can see that the secretary of Ijesa North Council of Traditional Rulers, the Olura of Ira Ikeji just called me about another meeting of the council. We have to do something urgently about the situation. It is becoming clear now that those illegal miners are behind the kidnapping cases.

How did you arrive at that link between kidnappers and illegal miners?

It was found out that the illegal miners are too many in the bush. And when they have no job to do because they have outnumbered the quantity of jobs available, they shift their attention to something else as a means of survival. Their desperation to survive at all cost makes crime their alternative.

 

I saw a group of Muslims trooping into the palace on my way here. Do you host Ramadan Lecture even as a Christian?

Your observation is right. They are Muslims coming all the way from Ibadan for the annual Ramadan Lecture hosted here in the palace but sponsored by the Yeye Isamore of Ijebu-Jesa, Alhaja Fausat Akangbe. Alhaja Akangbe is an illustrious daughter of Ijebu-jesa who is based in Ibadan from where she brings her friends and associates for the Ramadan Lecture. She is a role model to womenfolk with her contribution to the development of the town. Regarding my being a Christian hosting Ramadan Lecture, I am the royal father to everybody, irrespective of religion. On account of this, I can host any religious programme here in the palace because the palace is home to all. More importantly, what they do is lecture, recitation of Holy Quran and prayer for me and the town.

 

Does it mean you always look forward to every Ramadan season?

You can say that again.  There is no doubting that fact. I always look forward to Ramadan to host these people here. Religion should not divide us. In my opinion, it should rather unite us, irrespective of our different places of worship. I appreciate Alhaja Akangbe for her consistency on this programme since I became the Elegboro. I am calling on other daughters and sons of Ijebu-jesa to emulate her. Giving back to your hometown is a rewarding venture. I hope you say Timsed on your way here. That is another contribution of another son of the town in person of the Asiwaju of Ijebu-jesa, Chief Rotimi Obeisun. I was on Timsed Fm 94.1for about two hours discussing and talking about development of the town. Historically, Ijebu-jesa development is built on communal effort. The Ijebu-jesa Grammar School, the 40-bed General Hospital, the palace are all from the sweat of the indigenes. I am using this opportunity to call on our people to join us in our collective efforts to take the town to higher pedestal. I am happy to inform you that the umbrella body of all associations known as Ijebu-jesa Union Conference is having a new President in person of Engineer Gbenga Abudeore who has shown readiness to unify all indigenous groups to further develop the town. This conference was founded in 1934. Development of the town is to its credit. But I have to thank the government for the Technical College just completed here. It is multi-billion naira project to enhance vocational training for the young and old.

 

You once told me about your proposed visitations to your sons and daughters living outside Ijebu-jesa. How far with that plan?

Incidentally, I started the visit few days ago on Sunday in Osogbo.

 

Why did it take this long to start?

When adequate planning is involved, there is nothing like a late start. What is most crucial is meeting the objective. My experience in public service as a technocrat taught me the significance of planning before execution. I took my time on the drawing board before we finally embarked upon the journey to Osogbo. And if you were there, you would understand what I mean, in terms of attendance and reception. About 30 of us including my chiefs left here for Osogbo and had a memorable experience with our hosts who showed happiness in receiving us. I can say that we have started well; we have recorded success in Osogbo now. What it means is that we should hope for better outings in other towns we are visiting. I think Ilorin is the next place and Ibadan will follow. I have made it a point of duty to take myself to my children in their different stations. Traditional rulers should not sit permanently in the palace and wait till their subjects come. We should look after them with visits to boost their morale and further strengthen their sense of patriotism. This is not taking anything away from our status as their royal father. I felt satisfied in the midst of my children in Osogbo last Sunday. The hall which we used was owned by a prominent son of the town, retired Colonel Ogunseemi. At the end of the visit, everybody was happy as we returned home.