₦airaland Forum

Ogun State Government Refutes Ondo’s Claim Over Eba Island, Warns Against Communal Crisis

The Ogun State Government has firmly dismissed claims by its Ondo State counterpart regarding the ownership of Eba Island, where an oil well is currently under investigation. It emphasized that the island falls within Ogun State’s jurisdiction and cautioned against any attempt to stir communal tensions between the Ijebu and Ilaje peoples, who have historically coexisted peacefully.

The controversy arose after Allen Sowore, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Strategic Communication, issued a statement asserting that Oke-Agor-Isekun, where an abandoned oil well was discovered, belongs to Ondo State and not Ogun State.

In response, Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Energy, Mr. Jide Onakoya, described Ondo’s claim as misleading and contrary to established historical, traditional, and legal evidence. It labeled the assertion as an affront to the Awujale of Ijebu Land and the Ijebu Traditional Council, reiterating that historical records and documented evidence confirm that the disputed area is within Ogun State.

Onakoya clarified that boundary delineations between local and state governments are based on markers recognized by the National Boundary Commission. A thorough examination of relevant maps affirms that Eba Island lies within Ogun Waterside in Ogun State.

Quoting a document from the Palace of Makun-Omi, the statement asserted:
“…. It is INDISPUTABLE that the oil well currently under investigation is located in Eba Island, which falls within Ogun Waterside in Ogun State."

Furthermore, Ogun State condemned Ondo’s claim over Irokun, a community in Ogun Waterside, calling it a reckless attempt to incite conflict. It emphasized that Irokun has been an Ijebu settlement since the colonial era, transitioning through the Western Region to Ogun State. The geographical boundary declarations along the Bight of Benin confirm Irokun and Araromi Seaside as part of Ogun State, with the Onirokun of Irokun being a recognized member of the Ijebu Traditional Council.

Addressing the origins of the misinformation, the Ogun State Government pointed to Oba Samuel Edema, the Molokun of Atijere in Ondo State, as a key instigator. It revealed that in October 2024, Oba Edema contacted Oba Kazeem Adesina Salami, the Osobia of Makun-Omi, seeking permission for a business venture in Eba Island, located in Ogun Waterside. However, the Osobia of Makun-Omi, acting lawfully, declined the request and promptly reported the matter to the Governor of Ogun State, who escalated it to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and security agencies.

Following this, officials from the NNPC and law enforcement agencies visited the area to conduct due diligence. Ogun State asserted that Ondo’s reaction to this legitimate action resulted in a misleading communiqué from the Ilaje Traditional Council, further escalating tensions.

The government condemned attempts at territorial expansion and the misuse of colonial-era documents to justify claims that contradict Nigeria’s constitutional framework. It cited Colonial Government Gazette No. 660, dated April 29, 1950, which clearly defined the boundary between the Ijebu and Ondo provinces, overriding earlier documents such as Government Notices No. 69 of 1919 and No. 114 of 1920. The Gazette, signed by Acting Chief Secretary to the Colonial Government, H.F. Marshall, solidifies Ogun State’s ownership of the disputed territory.

Ogun State reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and urged stakeholders to respect legal boundaries to avoid unnecessary conflict.

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Ogun State should be allowed to claim sovereignty over Eba Island, PROVIDED THAT Ondo State is allowed to claim Amala Island and Iyan Island respectively. Concurrently the Isi Ewu Stew Swamp can be left as the property of indigenous Izon people who already own far too many oil wells.

I make this proposal in my capacity as a Professor Emeritus of Orgasmic Studies currently tenured with the Molete Institute of Tautology (MIT).

Both of you should show us your map which included that part in your territory .

Hope there won't be any controversy about the abandoned oil field at Semo land

Marcus07:
Ogun State Government Refutes Ondo’s Claim Over Eba Island, Warns Against Communal Crisis

The Ogun State Government has firmly dismissed claims by its Ondo State counterpart regarding the ownership of Eba Island, where an oil well is currently under investigation. It emphasized that the island falls within Ogun State’s jurisdiction and cautioned against any attempt to stir communal tensions between the Ijebu and Ilaje peoples, who have historically coexisted peacefully.

The controversy arose after Allen Sowore, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Strategic Communication, issued a statement asserting that Oke-Agor-Isekun, where an abandoned oil well was discovered, belongs to Ondo State and not Ogun State.

In response, Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Energy, Mr. Jide Onakoya, described Ondo’s claim as misleading and contrary to established historical, traditional, and legal evidence. It labeled the assertion as an affront to the Awujale of Ijebu Land and the Ijebu Traditional Council, reiterating that historical records and documented evidence confirm that the disputed area is within Ogun State.

Onakoya clarified that boundary delineations between local and state governments are based on markers recognized by the National Boundary Commission. A thorough examination of relevant maps affirms that Eba Island lies within Ogun Waterside in Ogun State.

Quoting a document from the Palace of Makun-Omi, the statement asserted:
“…. It is INDISPUTABLE that the oil well currently under investigation is located in Eba Island, which falls within Ogun Waterside in Ogun State."

Furthermore, Ogun State condemned Ondo’s claim over Irokun, a community in Ogun Waterside, calling it a reckless attempt to incite conflict. It emphasized that Irokun has been an Ijebu settlement since the colonial era, transitioning through the Western Region to Ogun State. The geographical boundary declarations along the Bight of Benin confirm Irokun and Araromi Seaside as part of Ogun State, with the Onirokun of Irokun being a recognized member of the Ijebu Traditional Council.

Addressing the origins of the misinformation, the Ogun State Government pointed to Oba Samuel Edema, the Molokun of Atijere in Ondo State, as a key instigator. It revealed that in October 2024, Oba Edema contacted Oba Kazeem Adesina Salami, the Osobia of Makun-Omi, seeking permission for a business venture in Eba Island, located in Ogun Waterside. However, the Osobia of Makun-Omi, acting lawfully, declined the request and promptly reported the matter to the Governor of Ogun State, who escalated it to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and security agencies.

Following this, officials from the NNPC and law enforcement agencies visited the area to conduct due diligence. Ogun State asserted that Ondo’s reaction to this legitimate action resulted in a misleading communiqué from the Ilaje Traditional Council, further escalating tensions.

The government condemned attempts at territorial expansion and the misuse of colonial-era documents to justify claims that contradict Nigeria’s constitutional framework. It cited Colonial Government Gazette No. 660, dated April 29, 1950, which clearly defined the boundary between the Ijebu and Ondo provinces, overriding earlier documents such as Government Notices No. 69 of 1919 and No. 114 of 1920. The Gazette, signed by Acting Chief Secretary to the Colonial Government, H.F. Marshall, solidifies Ogun State’s ownership of the disputed territory.

Ogun State reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and urged stakeholders to respect legal boundaries to avoid unnecessary conflict.

Potential clashes must be avoided here so the quick clarification is apt. The communities in Ondo and Ekiti States border areas are obviously close to one another.

There's already a Federal Gazette showing who owns what land and that must be respected. The Eba Island might have a couple of oil wells but are they of commercial quantity to create such attempts at encroachment? Both Ondo and Ogun States are within the Bitumen Belt which has the SECOND largest Bitumen reserve worldwide (more than the entire crude oil reserve that Nigeria currency has), and both States have crude oil in some onshore and offshore locations, so, they mustn't allow any Eba Island ownership tussle to trigger crises between their Ijebu and Ilaje cousins. Period

NNPC Set To Begins Oil Exploration In Ogun State

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fstLo5eedxU?si=eYazQnGbsepgaA0I
Channels Television 1 Jun 2024

Both aiyedatiwa and Dapo Abiodun are useless. But Dapo is more useless

seunowa:
Both aiyedatiwa and Dapo Abiodun are useless. But Dapo is more useless

@SeunOwa,

Why did you use such "apocalyptic" adjectives about both men?

The first, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has a background in international business and the latter, Governor 'Dapo Abiodun is a wealthy oil and gas mogul. You sound a bit apocalyptic... like there's no hope in the medium-term to long-term for Ondo and Ogun States in terms of development from these men despite the natural and material resources available in both states.

Ondo residents hit by bitumen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iO1shrowDs?si=w4J8dYSWW1ZJ44er
WikkiTimes Hausa 18 Oct 2022

Ondo Bitumen: Host Communities Sentised Ahead Of Exploration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mfr156a2Qg?si=MuG3YOY5pcQYPISp
TVC News Nigeria 31 Aug 2020