By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has declared that Oba River is the boundary between the city of Ibadan and Iwo town.
The paramount ruler made the declaration at an emergency meeting of Obas, Mogajis and Baales on the boundary areas of Ibadan and Iwo which took place at the committee room at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan.
The monarch warned those who he described as land expansionists, land grabbers and other trespassers to leave forcefully acquired Ibadan land without further delay in their own interests.
Speaking through the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, the Olubadan said the boundary between Ibadan in Oyo State and Iwo in Osun State had been the Oba River from time immemorial.
Olubadan said, “I seriously warn land expansionists, land grabbers and other trespassers to leave forcefully acquired Ibadan land without further delay in their own interests.
“The established fact that Ibadan people are lovers of peaceful co -existence and therefore accommodating should not be taken for granted or misinterpreted as cowardice, Yiyo ekun bi t’ojo ko”.
Olubadan urged the Obas, Mogajis and Baales in the affected areas to protect their territorial integrity and ensure the ownership of land belonging to Ibadan is not compromised.
The monarch stated categorically that trespassers should be prepared to face the music.
He enjoined traditional title holders in Ibadan – Iwo boundary areas to give maximum support to the Olubadan of Ibadanland as well as the Oyo State Government to ensure that the land forcefully and fraudulently taken over is reclaimed.
Present at the meeting were Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Sarafadeen Ali, Obas, Mogajis and Baales among others.
