Odionwere Monday Igbinoba Obasuyi
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
In recent times, the people of Ekole Village in Ovia – North – East Local Government Area of Edo State, have been enmeshed in dispute over a portion of land with some persons who they said were sojourners amongst the natives. They laments the persons who are said to be led by one Osabuohien Falodun now claim to own the area which they have named: ‘Eko – Abetu Village.
Here with our Bureau Chief, Kingsley Abavo in Benin, Ekole people led by Odionwere Monday Igbinoba Obasuyi give account of their history and relationship with the accused persons.
Ekole Village has been in existence for hundred of years autonomously, presided over by several Odionwere (local administrative Head) past, subject to the sovereign authority of the Oba of Benin.
Currently, Odionwere Monday Obasuyi is in charge of affairs in Ekole; bounded by Ogwa; Ofumwengbe by old Benin – Lagos road; Igueosagie formerly known as Ovbigue; and Agava Villages respectively, as neighbours. He assumed office of the administrative head (Odionwere) in 2020; after Sunday Amadasun his predecessor passed on.
Ekole Village wholly an agrarian setting; like other Villages in Benin Kingdom had been accommodating sojourners who came to settle amongst the natives.
For the records; there was nowhere within the environment of Ekole Village ever known as Eko – Abetu, let alone being a Community as falsely been claimed now by Falodun and cohorts.
It was Odionwere Sunday Amadasun who in his magnanimity gave a portion of Ekole’s land to some sojourners to settle; where they now in mischief referred as Eko – Abetu Village.
Odionwere Amadasun had told the settlers to be on guard in that axis on behalf of Ekole Village, against any unforeseen development.
But surprisingly in recent times, the sojourners of yesterday who were graciously granted settlement by Ekole Village, are not only claiming ownership of the land but proclaiming themselves; an autonomous Village.
These settlers were workers of late Chief Gaius Obaseki in his farm; which used to be part of Ekole Village land.
Obaseki acquired the farm land from Ekole Village.
In fulfillment of his Community Social Responsibility (CSR) to Ekole Village in return, he built the only primary school in the locality: ‘G.O Obaseki Memorial Primary School, Ekole.
Hitherto, children from Ekole Village and environ used to trek long distance daily, to attend school in Ekiadolor town.
But for the reason of political convenience, the name of the school was changed by some persons in Government to Ofumwengbe Primary School and now known and regarded as Ofumwengbe Ward, Ovia – North – East Local Government Council Area.
Before the sudden unprovoked uprising of the settlers led by one Osabuohien Falodun we had coexisted peacefully, Odionwere Obasuyi said.
Ever since the uprising began, they have severally attacked Ekole people with violence; even, the secretary of Ekole, Enofe Bakare Omoregie had been kidnapped by unknown gun men and the sum of N5.8m paid as ransom; before he was released after six days in captivity, he lamented.
Flowing from the unfortunate development, using the police for arrest and counter arrest has been the order of the day; with Ekole people now in court, with the settlers he added.
Further on the history of Ekole Village, Odionwere Obasuyi said in the era of colonial head taxation, about six adults of taxable age were paying; and there was nowhere known as Eko – Abetu Village/community.
At that time, Ekole Village was bounded by Isikhukhu Village and not even Ofumwengbe as it is today.
All of these could be verified on the colonial map of the area as it were; no Village known as Eko – Abetu was captured.
Odionwere Obasuyi therefore appealed to the Beinin Monarch HRM Oba Ewuare II, and all other relevant authorities, to intervene before the situation snowballs into anarchy.
Secretary Bakare corroborating the narrative of Odionwere Igbinoba continued:
Those who are now claiming to be people of Eko – Abetu Village are settlers, and once workers to Gaius Obaseki CBE, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom from 1945 to 1956.
Late Obaseki is the father of late Justice Andrew Otutu Obaseki of the Supreme Court of Justice rtd. By extension, he is the grand father of the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Onogheghase Obaseki; and my own mother is part of that family.
According to him, he was also secretary to Gaius Obaseki and Sons Estate for over 20 years. “from all the documents I have seen, they were workers to Gaius Obaseki.
“That place, there is a license under the defunct Midwest and Bendel State given to Obaseki for rubber plantation and even palm plantation.
When the new Federal road was being constructed by Dumez, they were using that same camp: some persons now claim as Eko – Abetu Village.
That place was used as a base for their equipments even Justice Obaseki also gave Dumez authority to build some houses there which still stands till date.
It should be noted that when Dumez was to leave on completion of the construction of the road, they demolished the houses built.
When the information reached Obaseki, he was very angry and ordered that the houses should be rebuilt; which they did.
As I speak, the upstair and little house built by Gaius Obaseki while his son: Justice Andrew Otutu Obaseki was schooling in London, are still standing today.
Anytime Otutu returned home and he came with his father to Ekole, that upstair was the house he was using as his residence. Though, it is in a dilapidated state now, the relics are still there.
Also, it is on record that the Arrowhead of the rebels: Falodun once wrote an undertaking at the police station when they tried obstructing Obaseki’s workers promising never to again repeat the act.
When news reached Obaseki through his manager, the late Gabriel Omogiate Egheobamien that Falodun was claiming ownership of the land (settlement), he was arrested but promised not to indulge in that again. All these undertakings are still there.
The license for the rubber plantation by Government, is still available.
It is also on record that Gaius Obaseki built a primary school for Ekole though he could not finish the process before he died; his son Justice Otutu eventually finished building the school for the people: the Obaseki’s host Community.
Hence the school was named: Gaius Obaseki Memorial School, Ekole. But unfortunately, in 1980, some politically influential persons used their positions to rename it Ofumwengbe Ward.
So, in all Eko – Abetu Village/Community was never in existence in the history of Beinin Kingdom.
We therefore urge members of the public to ignore the fallacious claim of Falodun and group; as they have no bearing.
We want to also appeal to the Beinin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II and all relevant authorities to call Falodun and cohorts to order now before the situation escalates to unpleasant happenings.
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