CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN YOUR PEACE IN THE FACE OF CURRENT PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS
– Olofe Urges His Community
The Olofe of Ofe Community in Ogbagi, Akoko Northwest Local Government Area of Ondo State has urged his community, Ofe Akoko, to ensure continued peaceful coexistence with the Ogbagi community, even in the face of insidious provocations from the Owa of Ogbagi Akoko.
Olofe Okunola David (Okunola II) made this statement at an important stakeholders’ meeting of his community, held at his residence on Thursday, 29th August 2024.
According to him, “We are all witnesses to the numerous provocative actions already taken by Kabiyesi, the Owa of Ogbagi, against our community since we applied to the Ajama Chieftaincy Commission of Inquiry for the upgrade of the status of Olofe against his desire. Immediately after our chieftaincy was recommended by the Commission to the Government, Kabiyesi has written numerous frivolous petitions and unnecessary lies against our community to the State Government as well as the AIG Zone 17 office in Akure, leading to the arrest of five Ofe Community leaders. The climax of these provocative actions was the court case orchestrated by the Owa of Ogbagi through the AIG Zone 17 Headquarters, Akure, at the Ogbagi Magistrate Court against five of our leaders, including myself. We are happy that the case was struck out because the judge did not find any criminal action on our part.”
Continuing, he said, “I wish to appeal to all of us in this community to continue to maintain the peace we are known for. We will continuously use both lawful and peaceful means to achieve our objectives, God helping us.”
In the same vein, an Ofe Community leader, Pastor Ola Amuda, emphasized the need for the continued peaceful disposition already highlighted by the Olofe of Ofe. He noted, “The strategy of the Owa of Ogbagi is to provoke us so that we could be tagged as a troublesome community as a basis for criminal blackmail, but we will never behave in that manner.” He further noted, “Let me assure you that our community has the constitutional right to appeal to the government for any consideration. We cannot be silenced by any form of provocative lies.”
The meeting, which was well attended by many indigenes of Ofe community both home and abroad, deliberated on several issues affecting the community and agreed, among other matters, that:
a) While the Ofe community shall continue to maintain social and economic relationships with other communities within and outside the entity known as Ogbagi community, it shall, however, maintain its cultural and traditional institutions and values, which the Owa of Ogbagi has sworn to eradicate.
b) The Ofe community shall continue to pursue its resolve for the development of the community and cherish its traditional chieftaincy institutions and social development.
c) Our community cannot be deterred from lawfully and peacefully seeking social and traditional relevance.
d) The community appreciated the Odu Alashe of Ioso and Odogun of Molepe, who provided Ofe land when it moved to its present location. It has, however, set up committees to work out measures to move back to its original land, about five kilometers from Ogbagi.
e) The Olofe of Ofe (who resides in Lagos) should always find time to visit the community regularly, even though Ofe has many competent leaders. We are tired of these constant intimidations.
f) Ensure that all indigenes maintain peace and obey law and order within and outside the community.