Abodi of Ikale, other Royal fathers inspect Okitipupa, condemn arson.

– Steve Ovirih.

 

Ikale Royal fathers have condemned the high rate of brigandage visited on public facilities and government establishment across Okitipupa by hoodlums late last week.

Leading the pack of the distinguished Ikale Obas, the Abodi of Ikale Land, HRM, Oba George Babatunde Faduyile said the wanton destruction was uncalled for and the hoodlums have failed all human test of civility and common sense, adding that their gesture has betrayed their animal instinct as well as their inability to yield to self control. Oba Faduyile made this known at the Okitipupa Local Government Secretariat when he and the other Royal fathers were conducted round the charred remains of the once imposing and resplendent local government Secretariat by the Executive Chairman of the Council, Hon. Igbekele Akinrinwa.

It was observed that all the government utility vehicles parked in the Secretariat were burnt beyond repairs while the four students’ shuttle busses have also been rased.

His Royal Majesty Oba George Babatunde Faduyile said the essence of the visit was to commiserate with the Jegun of Idepe Okitipupa, HRM. Oba Michael Obatuga Adetoye and the Orungberume of Igbodigo, HRH. Oba Ayeku as public facilities in their domain were rased by the hoodlums. Oba Faduyile noted that the hoodlums in their palpable and pathetic ignorance had laid the local government Secretariat and the High Court bare , stressing that even if the facilities are rehabilitated, how about the very important documents that had been burnt to ashes? ” It is unfortunate that these youths have failed to realise that public property do not belong to a particular Government official, rather public facilities belong to all of us as collective members of the public. What we have seen here today is pathetic, unfortunate, extremely unbecoming of youths in this century to go all out to commit an arson of this huge proportion. These hoodlums have visited an abnormal rage on legacy that cost money and took time to put together and this unfortunate gesture is highly condemnable,” Abodi of Ikale, Oba Faduyile noted .

 

In his own opinion while speaking with thepolity.net, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Obatuga Adetoye , the Jegun of Idepe Okitipupa said it beggars belief that normal human being can destroy government property with such reckless abandon. He said the arson is totally unacceptable and it’s a gesture that is strange to Ikale culture. ” No reasonable youths of this land can indulge in this wild orgy of violence.”

Asked if the arson was caused by some youths who were sponsored and if it had political undertone, Oba Adetoye said it’s only Government investigation that can prove that. ” This is not the first time election was held in this town and we managed the process of the last election peacefully and successfully. So, I see no reason why anybody, any body with conscience will want to hide under the EndSARS Protest to commit this huge crime,” the Jegun of Idepe reacted.

All the other facilities of government and private property burnt in the town among which were: the Divisional Police Office and the Okitipupa Area Command, Nigerian Correctional Center, the NAMA building, Vehicle Inspection Office ( VIO), Inland Revenue and Pension Offices, the Private residence of Engr. Ife Oyedele and the Ondo State High Court were visited by the Royal fathers.

The Royal fathers on the visit were The Abodi of Ikale Land, Oba George Babatunde Faduyile, The Jegun of Idepe Okitipupa, Oba Michael Obatuga Adetoye, The Halu of Ode Aye, Oba Williams Akinmusayo Akinlade, and The Majuwa of Ilutitun, Oba Earnest Idepefo.

Others are The Orungberume of Igbodigo, Oba Aiyeku and The Oniju of Iju Odo, Oba Festus Olumoyegun.