Ijesa monarchs parley on development agenda

A maiden stakeholders’ meeting of all traditional rulers in Ijesaland has unanimously resolved to rally all Ijesa indigenes, both at home and in the Diaspora with the objective of harnessing collective resources to enhance the socio-economic and physical development of the area.

The monarchs, under the umbrella of Council of Traditional Rulers from Ijesa north and south, met at the palace of Adimula of Ifewara, His Royal Majesty Oba Hezekiah Adeniyi Owolola in Atakunmosa East local council.The focus of the meeting was how to foster a common front to tackle various challenges confronting the area, including environmental degradation, youth unemployment, drug addiction among youths, emergence of slums, influx of outsiders displacing traditional and local market traders, pollution of traditional values, robbery, kidnapping, and advance fee fraudsters.

The facilitator of the meeting and Asiwaju of Ilesa, Chief Yinka Fasuyi, said the meeting aimed at promoting unity, peace and
development of Ijesaland.

In a keynote address delivered at the gathering, Fasuyi noted the urgent need for rulers in the area to close ranks and work together on how to promote the development agenda fashioned out to solve various social and economic challenges, particularly environmental degradation occasioned by activities if illegal miners spread across councils in the zone.

He observed that the large turn out of monarchs at the meeting was an indication of royal fathers’ determination to move Ijesaland Project to a higher pedestal.He said: “With this large and impressive turnout of our royal majesties, I am more than convinced that a bold statement is being made and written today, which would go a long way in cementing our collective and traditional bond that has always distinguished Ijesa anywhere in the world, both at home and in the Diaspora as a unique, focused, industrious and distinguished people.”

He explained that the development of the area would be enhanced if indigenes worked together to tackle threats posed by geographical, political, social and cultural environments.“But with commonly defined goal and purpose from our diversity, we would not only be more capable and fortified as a people, but more importantly, also set the pace in leadership, socio-economic advancement, power and influence, security and environmental protection.”

Calling on all indigenes to bury their individual differences and pursue a common goal under the umbrella of Ijesas, he noted that the conceptualisation of Yinka Fasuyi Foundation two years ago was conceived to achieve the meeting.He urged the rulers to look inward by applying true-tested indigenous and traditional approach in proffering solutions to the challenges.Some of the monarchs who spoke at the meeting expressed optimism that issues raised at the parley would bring rapid growth and development that would transform Ijesaland.