BUNULAND; Neglected Treasure and Abandoned Jewel:By Olalekan Ayenigba


With over forty towns and villages, Bunuland in Kabba/Bunu LGA Kogi State is a story of contradictions in view of the suffering of its people amidst so much endowment that is not attributed to the indiscretion of its people. Graciously situated in an area of flatlands among undulating uplands and valleys, the story of Bunuland is rather pathetic.

Five days of crisscrossing Bunuland revealed a criminal neglect on the part of government in all tiers that has left the people in perpetual despondency.

Potentially, this section of Kogi state can easily feed four to five States in the country not only because of the abundance of land but the fertility of its soil.
From Taki to Tata, Akutupa to Aiyede, Odo-ape to Okebukun, its a chronicle of lack of development and interacting with the people from Royalty to the common man, it's a collective expression of suffering and a feeling of neglect of a people and area capable of turning the fortunes of the state around for good in terms of its potential in agriculture, forestry and mineral resources.

Basic infrastructure signifying government presence is not available and in areas seen it has fallen into a state of disrepair due to years of neglect.
From the cottage hospital and dam in Akutupa that have seen better times presently in deplorable condition to the plethora of water boreholes (manual and motorized) that occupy just space without water, it is a long tale of lack of basic infrastructure in Bunuland.

The abominable condition of the road network in
Bunuland is a recurrent factor and the bane of
development in Bunuland.
This has diminished the accessibility of the area to its people and non indigenes alike.
It's an established fact in some areas in Bunuland,
80% of Bunu car owners can't take their vehicles to their communities all year round.

Several pre colonial bridges and culverts have been subdued by nature and time which have negatively impacted not only on agriculture
but commerce.
In some communities, people are cut off
completely for up to three months during the raining season. Difficulty in moving farm produce to markets have dampened the zeal for enhanced agricultural productivity.
Those who still manage to farm are lowly rewarded in terms of produce prices by the few who brave the hazardous terrain to buy from farmers.

For any government interested in diversification,
Bunuland must be genuinely considered for infrastructural development that will open up the area in a manner that all-year accessibility will become possible.

The abundant endowment of this area can then be
extensively explored and exploited for enhanced IGR and improved living for the people.

Bunuland is conducive for large scale cultivation of grains and root crops apart from citrus farming.
When accessibility is ensured, private investors will definitely take advantage of the opportunities presented and commercial farming will blossom for development.

There are huge deposits of solid minerals in Bunuland that is marginally been exploited by illegal miners but if necessary infrastructure is put in place, government can maximally benefit from the activities of corporate entities engaged in mining activities.

In all the visited towns and villages in Bunuland, it's lamentation galore from traditional rulers, Chiefs, women and the youth expressed in the sad phrase, “ we are suffering” with a pathetic feeling of alienation in a state and country they are supposedly part of.

My traumatic experience while visiting all the
communities in Bunuland really revealed a hard
working, peace loving and hospitable people whose only demand is to be provided basic infrastructure that will better their lot.

The deplorable and perilous situation of the roads in Bunuland have created a conducive environment for insecurity particularly kidnapping.

Sadly apart from Ihale in Kiri axis with an abandoned police outpost, there is no presence of any of the security agencies in Bunuland.

In terms of health facilities, Bunuland is not spared the inadequacy of primary health centres, Cottage and General Hospitals. This, when added to the bad roads makes medical emergencies result in avoidable and preventable fatalities.
A situation where communities are completely cut off from the other part of the state due to absence of culverts and collapsed bridges in the 21st century is rather unfortunate.

For a people not recorded to be against any
government, Bunuland deserves concerted development to unlock its potentials and endowments for the benefit of the people and the state.


Cc: seun , lalasticlala

Where is Dino Melaye, the clown of the Senate? Instead of buying expensive cars and collecting chieftaincy titles, why can't he assist in attracting companies, investors, commercial firms into this area, by working with the state Ministry of Trade & Commerce to create opportunities for new investment? Isn't he supposed to be liaising with the Ministry of Works to provide infrastructure and capital projects for his people? Why can't he liaise with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to set up agric projects that would benefit from the fertile soil in that area?

The guy thinks that by acting as a court jester in Abuja, he will move ahead in his quest to put millions in his pocket. Instead of setting up fish farms, small-scale agro-processing projects etc., that would benefit the people, he was dashing them indomie. Fake human being.

Where is Duro Meseko?