*“Our Land Is Not Negotiable”: Ilaje Traditional Rulers, Stakeholders, Affirm Eba Island as Part of Ondo State, Not Ogun*
Ilaje traditional rulers and stakeholders have reaffirmed that Eba Island belongs to Ondo State and not Ogun State, declaring that their land is not open for negotiation.
In a press release issued in Igbokoda, the leaders insisted that the island remains an integral part of Ilaje land in Ondo State. The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the Ilaje Chieftaincy Committee, Oba Segun Williams Akinyomi, the Amapetu of Mahin Land, and the Committee’s Secretary, Oba Femi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbaro Kingdom.
The statement, which was read on behalf of the traditional rulers by the committee’s secretary, stressed that “our land is not negotiable,” while affirming that Eba Island remains part of Ondo State.
Read the full press release below:
PRESS BRIEFING BY THE ILAJE TRADITIONAL RULERS AND STAKEHOLDERS
The attention of the llaje Traditional Rulers and critical stakeholders has been
drawn to recent assertions from the Traditional Rulers in Ogun Waterside claiming
that Eba Island, where oil has reportedly been discovered, belongs to Ogun State
and the Ijebu axis.
We wish to state clearly, firmly, and without ambiguity that the llaje Obas
vehemently reject these claims. Such assertions are historically inaccurate and
disregard well-documented administrative, traditional, and geographical facts that
have defined the boundary and ownership of these communities for well over a
century.
Historical and Documentary Evidence
Available historical records clearly establish that the pre-colonial boundary
between Mahin Kingdom in llaje and Ijebu has always been the meeting point of
the red and white sand at Efire/Ofara River, a landmark that remains physically
identifiable on the ground to this day.
Other compelling evidence supporting our position is the presence of officially
recognized electoral polling units situated within the Eba Island Forest Reserve and
its surrounding settlements.
Notably, these include Lugboroko Polling Unit 24 and Basa Polling Unit 21, both of
which fall under Mahin Ward IV in llaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The recognition and operation of these polling units within the Nigerian electoral
system further reinforce the long-established administrative and political
jurisdiction of llaje Local Government over these communities.
Several historical developments further confirm the long-standing administrative
and traditional affiliation of Atijere, Eba Island, and surrounding communities with
the llaje people:
– 1895 – Mahin District under Lagos Colony: When Mahin District was incorporated into the Lagos Colony in 1895, Atijere and its surrounding communities formed part of the district.
– 1906 Administrative Adjustment: When Mahin District was transferred to Abeokuta Province in 1906, Atijere and its environs remained part of the district.
– 1914/1915 – Ondo Province: With the creation of Ondo Province in 1914/1915, Mahin District was incorporated into the province and temporarily administered from ljebu-Ode pending the establishment of its own administrative office. Throughout this period, Atijere and its surrounding communities remained within Mahin District.
– 1937 – Creation of Atijere Native Court: The establishment of the Atijere Native Court in 1937 placed Eba Island and several towns and villages under its jurisdiction, further reinforcing its administrative linkage to llaje territory.
– 1955 – llaje District Council: When Atijere was designated the headquarters of the llaje District Council in 1955, Eba Island and its environs were directly under Atijere’s authority.
– Creation of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Administrative Structure: When the llaje/Ese-Odo administrative arrangement was established, both Atijere and Eba Island remained integral parts of the llaje area.
– Creation of llaje Local Government: With the establishment of llaje Local Government, Atijere and Eba Island have continued to remain within its jurisdiction up to the present day.
Traditional Authority and Customary Control
Beyond administrative records, traditional authority has consistently affirmed
llaje ownership. For generations, the Amapetu of Mahin, the paramount ruler
of the Mahin District, has been responsible for the installation of Baales and, in more recent times, Obas in Atijere and Ago-Alaja/Balogun, exercising
unquestioned traditional authority over these communities.
Position on Territorial Claims
In light of these overwhelming historical, administrative, and traditional facts,
neither Ogun State nor the Ijebu axis can legitimately lay claim to Atijere, Eba
Island, or any of the llaje communities in question.
The Ilaje Obas and key stakeholders therefore reaffirm in the strongest
possible terms that the following llaje communities and villages must not
under any circumstance be included in any proposed Ijebu State or subjected
to claims outside llaje land:
-Atijere/Eba Island
– Agos Betiegbofo
– Badore
– Bale Sanni
– Liyewu I & II
– Eba
– Igboedun
– Irokun
– Agbala-Obi
– Obinenyin
-Araromi
– Olosumeta
– Itebu Manuwa/Elero
– and other surrounding llaje settlements.-
Finally, we reiterate that the only historically recognized and acceptable
boundary between Mahin District in llaje and Ijebu remains the point where
the red and white soil meet at Efire/Ofara River, extending approximately six
miles west of Atijere, stretching southwards to the Atlantic Ocean and
northwards inland.
This boundary has been acknowledged historically and remains the legitimate
geographical demarcation.
The llaje Obas and stakeholders urge all concerned parties to respect historical
facts, established boundaries, and the traditional authority that has governed
these territories for generations. We remain committed to peace, unity, and
lawful resolution of issues, but we will firmly defend the territorial integrity
and heritage of the llaje people.
We wish to further state that the llaje people welcome the exploration and
development of the oil wells in the Eba area and remain committed to
supporting all lawful exploration and economic activities that will promote
development and prosperity for our people, the state, and the nation at large.
However, we must make it unequivocally clear that while we support
legitimate exploration efforts, the llaje people will not tolerate any
expansionist agenda or attempt to annex any part of llaje land under any guise
whatsoever. Our territorial integrity and ancestral heritage are non-
negotiable, and we remain resolute in defending them, regardless of the
circumstances.
We hereby request for urgent high level intervention by the national boundary
commission, NNPC, NUPRC, NAVAL, ARMY and other Security Heads as well as
the National Assembly for onsite visitation to involve both representatives of
Atijere/Makun Omi Communities & Ondo/Ogun State.
Thank you.
Signed:
His Imperial Majesty
Oba Williams S. Akinyomi
The Amapetu/Prescribe Authority of Mahin Land
Chairman, Ilaje Chieftaincy Committee
His Royal Majesty
Oba Femi Ogbaro Jp
The Odoka of Ogbaro Kingdom
Secretary, Ilaje Chieftaincy Committee
