Ikale World Congress President, Dayo Ayebo , royal fathers inspect renovation works at Okitipupa Magistrate court.
– Steve Ovirih.
On the 20th October , 2020, the ill wind of Endsars protest that had seized Lagos and some other parts of the country by the jugular blew over to Okitipupa in Ondo South Senatorial District. The EndSars protest had been the reaction of Nigerian youths to the perceived misdemenor of the members of the special crack unit of the Police detailed to trail and expose robbery and sundry criminal activities called ‘ Special Anti Robbery Squad ‘ SARS ‘.
The protest which ordinarily was meant to be peaceful was hijacked by hoodlums and vandals who rather than protest peacefully swung into an orgy of maniacal violence and followed it up like some youths under demonic influence went from one public facility to another in Okitipupa and its environ , burning and virtually looting these public facilities.
By the time their arson inclined protest ended, the Headquarters of Okitipupa Local Government Council, The Area Command in Okitipupa and the Divisional Police Office, the Okitipupa Correctional Center, the Okitipupa Judicial Division which has both the High Courts and Magistrate courts 1 and 2, the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (OIRS) office at Oke – Oyibo and other cogent public concerns in the town including the free shuttle buses had all been burnt beyond any iota of usefullness .
In their bid to mitigate the challenges of litigants from the Okitipupa Judicial Division who already had no courts , members of Ikale World Congress ( IWC) brainstormed in their sessions overseas and came up with the idea of helping to renovate a section of the court complex burnt beyond recognition by the EndSars protesters.
According to the President of Ikale World Congress, Chief Dayo Ayebo who flew in from The United States of America, to inspect the ongoing renovation works at the Magistrate Courts 1 and 2, Okitipupa, he said after members of IWC had contributed fund towards the renovation of the court building, work started January 9th, 2022 and within the space of two months , the renovation had reached a commendable stage.
He said the essence of the inspection is to know where work had gotten to and what work is left for the renovation to reach completion.
While addressing newsmen, Chief Ayebo thanked profusely all the members of Ikale World Congress for their contribution towards the court renovation , stressing that without the pooling of resources by members , the project would not have been near completion as it is . ” My special appreciation goes to members of Ikale World Congress who are very passionate about their homestead. Members contributed immensely towards this project and this gesture obviously reiterate the concern for development of Ikaleland by sons and daughters of Ikale in The Disapora.
As you can see the renovation had reached advanced stage ; we give glory to God for this and I shall return to tell members of IWC how far work has gone on the court renovation.
Let me stress that before long , the courts in Okitipupa will be wearing new look again courtesy of IWC, ” Chief Dayo Ayebo Ayebo assured.
While speaking on behalf of Ikale Royal Fathers in the course of the inspection, The Rebuja of Osooro, His Royal Majesty, Oba Gbadebo Bajowa thanked members of IWC for their noble role in restoring the court to its old glory through the renovation exercise, noting that as they have not forgotten their homestead, so shall God Almighty always remember them for good in their respective lands of sojourn overseas.
Oba Gbadebo Bajowa said Ikale Royal Fathers condemn the act of brigandage , youthful exuberance , hooliganism and vandalism that resulted in the burning of the courts and other places the youths touched during the EndSars protest.
” Burning of government facilities and public places can only underdevelop Ikaleland and it will be counter productive for our youths to be destroying legacies meant for development of Ikale Nation.
We the royal fathers thank IWC for coming to the rescue of Ikales in this regard and we want to state categorically that we condemn the burning of thia court building. No matter the level of the youths agitation , it should not get to the level of arson and we insist that there must not be a repeat of the ugly trend in our land never again, ” the Paramount ruler of Osooro Kingdom stressed.
Among the royal fathers who accompanied IWC President, Dayo Ayebo to the inspect the renovated project are HRM Oba Gbadebo Bajowa, The Rebuja of Osooro, HRM Oba Michael Obatuga Adetoye, the Jegun of Idepe Okitipupa, HRM Oba Earnest Idepefo, The Majuwa of Ilutitun , HRH Oba Festus Olumoyegun, The Oniju of Iju-Odo and HRH Oba Akintelure Olorunsola,The Odogbo of Omi.
