Full Press Statement Released by Esa-Oke Renewal Initiative (ERI)
PROTOCOLS
The Regent, High Chief Abimbola Olamiju, Ogboni of Esa-Oke
Owa Omiran-Council
President, Esa-Oke Council of Elders
Chairman, Esa-Oke Central Union
Coordinator, Esa-Oke Youth Forum
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
This Press Statement is necessitated by the present trend of events, the divisive reactions and inflammatory declarations threatening the peace and development of our dear community, Esa-Oke. To continue to keep silent in the face of flagrant vituperations and outright lies against Esa-Oke Renewal Initiative (ERI) will be interpreted as consent and acquiescence. We would be particularly responding to insinuations, cyber bullying and outright blackmailing of individuals and ERI as a group.
Introduction and background
For purpose of clarifications and statement of facts, it will be necessary to put on record the vision and objectives of ERI. It will also be imperative to highlight the challenges and achievements of the Group in its 15 years of activities in Esa-Oke. ERI was founded in May 2011. The group was incorporated by CAC as socio-cultural Association. What distinguished ERI from any other socio-cultural associations in the town is that ERI is a non-political, non-profit organization but special purpose patriotic group of elites irrespective of their social or economic status. They are sold out for all round development of Esa-Oke community. Its aim is to fill the gap as advocates and mediators on behalf of the community leveraging on its abundance of intellectual, human and material resources. ERI motto remains, “TO SPEND AND BE SPENT FOR ESA-OKE”.
Objectives
The objectives as provided in its Constitution include, among others are:
- To promote the general uplifting of Esa-Oke community
- To develop a detailed roadmap for sustainable development of Esa-Oke Town
- To encourage all actions geared toward networking the Esa-Oke elites in all works of life both at home and in the diaspora
- To help develop a work plan to improve on the existing social and physical infrastructure
- To assist in stakeholders engagements with a view to emancipating Esa-Oke people from shackles of poverty and ignorance.
Achievements of ERI
Esa-Oke Renewal Initiative has been active in the pursuit of its development agenda for the past 15 years. Among its modest achievements are:
- Hosting the inaugural Esa-Oke Consultative Assembly in February 25, 2012 in OSCOTECH Auditorium which attracted large number of distinguished sons and daughters of Esa-Oke to interact and chat a path on the Development Plan of the Town. The Consultative Assembly adopted a 13-Point Agenda for moving the Town forward.
- Regular engagement of the OSCOTECH management with a view to identifying and supporting the College;
- Partnered and supported the Owa Omiran in Council and Esa-Oke Council of Elders to reform the Esa-Oke Central Union with the inauguration of Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Akogun Adegoke Abiodun 2018;
- Collaborated with other stakeholders to prepare and submit a Memorandum for creation of Obokun East Local Government Headquarters in Esa-Oke;
- Supported the Esa-Oke Council of Elders in the provision of logistics to National Population activities in Esa-Oke;
- Sponsored the litigation against the trespassers on Esa-Oke land in Ido Ajegunle;
- Submitted a letter of petition to Osun State Government on the ecological and environment degradation in Esa-Oke which yielded result in the construction of Ogburuu culvert along Okemesi Road;
- Donated a fairly used Golf Car and new Tiger Motorcycle to Esa-Oke Divisional Police Station to support security and safety of lives and properties in the town;
- Renovation and re-roofing of the Esa-Oke Grammar School Library for conducive learning for students of the school
- Partnered with a foreign NGO to donate books and e-library to Esa-Oke Grammar School in support of education;
- Supported indigent students in the public secondary schools in the payment of their WAEC Exams Fees upon the sudden withdrawal of Osun State Government from payment of WAEC fees;
- Intervention and engagement of stakeholders for restoration of Polaris Bank Branch to Esa-Oke;
- ERI mediated in the recurring disputes between OSCOTECH and some land-holding families in respect of compensation for acquisition by Osun State Government;
- Contributed and coordinated the distribution of palliative to the vulnerable indigenes during and after the COVID 19 Pandemic in 2021 and 2024;
- Partnered with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development through Osun State Government to prepare Esa-Oke Physical Development Plan for the community;
- Collaborated with the Esa-Oke Council of Elders in its initiative to resolve disputes between Owa Omiran in Council and Quarter Heads to resolve disputes;
- Engaged in regular voters education and enlightenment campaigns during election cycles to promote peace among the politicians and electorates;
- Played active role in leading and collaboration with other stakeholders (Owa Omiran in Council, ECE and the Youths) during the protest against the relocation of some courses from Esa-Oke to Ibokun;
- Sponsored over Fifteen Million Naira for the OSCOTECH Light UP Project in partnership with Cedrus Group Africa in 2024;
- Collaborated with other stakeholders (especially ECE and ECU) to resist the illegal land grabbing in Ido Ajegunle (Isalu land) through active participation and providing leadership in the preparation of Memorandum, donation and support to the community legal team;
- Mentoring and supporting the youths in the areas of capacity development and education.
ESA-OKE RENEWAL INITIATIVE AND SELECTION OF NEW OWA OMIRAN FOR THE COMMUNITY
Prior to the demise of our late Owa Omiran, Oba Adeyemi Akanbi Adediran, ERI was constantly working with stakeholders on the development of the community. The group constantly interfaced between the Owa Omiran in Council and provided support to the leadership for peace and progress. It is also on record that the leadership of the group visited our late Kabiyesi to wish him quick recovery. Subsequent events after the death and burial of the Oba were not within the jurisdiction of the ERI.
Our attention has however been drawn to various social media posts and voice notes dragging ERI into the selection process. Some of our brothers and sisters have also been fabricating falsehood to destroy the members and out rightly set the group against individuals or a section of the community. Press and social media statements carrying threats and intimidations have been issued to rubbish the group.
While we believe in the constitutionally guaranteed rights of association and freedom of expression and speech, such rights should not be exercise without minding the rights of others. It is on this note that the leadership considered it necessary to set the record straight without joining issues with anyone, who may be ignorant of the facts on the subject matter. The following are our response in respect of the on-going process of selecting a new Owa Omiran for Esa-Oke:
- It is a fact that Esa-Oke has four Ruling Houses from one of which a new Oba will emerge;
- It is a fact that each of the Ruling Houses presents candidates whenever it is their turn;
- It is fact that it is the turn of the Anaye/Gogodudu Ruling House to present candidate/candidates for selection, which has been fulfilled
- It is a fact that it is the responsibility of the Regent to oversee the process of selecting the new Oba in collaboration with other stakeholders as provided by the statutes and custom/tradition governing the process
- It is a fact that, as at the time of preparing this document, the process has commenced and still in progress.
Why ERI?
ERI like any groups, associations or societies in the town have no role in the selection of the next Oba. Howbeit, members of the group spread across the four quarters of the town, from the ruling houses and other families. It is not a secret that two of ERI members (Wumi Adeniyi and Rogba Ola) are members of the Esa-Oke Renewal Initiative. Suffice to also mention that other contestants also belong to different societies and Clubs in Esa-Oke. Even then, members of any society or Club are absolutely free to have sympathy for candidates of their choice without intimidation or threat.
Whose Ass have ERI Taken?
Recent sponsored attack on a group like ERI should be something of concern to the elders and all well meaning Esa-Oke indigenes. Coming from our youths who have been partners in progress in the development of Esa-Oke is more than meeting the eyes. The pervasive silence of the elders is of more concern since no member of the ERI has been indicted or found to be working against the interest of our community at large. Persecuting the leadership of ERI on matters of selection of Owa Omiran simply because candidate(s) expressed their interest in occupying the throne of their fathers should be condemned by all lovers of our Town. When did ERI become king makers? Many of us have nothing to loose for not coming or investing in Esa-Oke. We are purely driven by patriotism and love for our community.
On behalf of myself and the peace loving members of Esa-Oke Renewal Initiative, we wish to condemn the actions of the individuals, particularly those who called out ERI members during the protest in the Town’s Square and the sponsors who instigated the premeditated protest.
We are not unmindful of our goals, objectives and responsibilities to Esa-Oke people especially in the areas of working for peace, unity and progress. Hence, our members commitment to spend and be spent for Esa-Oke. We also belief that Esa-Oke is not a personal or family property of any individual or group of persons. It is a collective heritage of all the free born indigenes of the town. Forcing the elites of town into exiles (as presently observed) is nothing but bad omen.
I dare to ask, “Behold here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or whose have received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? And I will restore it to you, Esa-Oke”
We therefore call on the leaders and people of Esa-Oke, the Youths and there supporters to prevail on themselves and their wards to stop bitter bikering and strife against ERI and its members henceforth.
Let the persecution and intimidation stop please.
I still have the strong belief that Esa-Oke light will shine again and darkness will not cover our community.
God bless Esa-Oke.
Ayo Adediran
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Esa-Oke Renewal Initiative