Ibadan-Iwo land dispute: Olubadan declares River Oba as boundary
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, has declared the Oba River as the boundary between the city of Ibadan and Iwo town.
The paramount ruler made this declaration during an emergency meeting of Obas, Mogajis, and Baales from the boundary areas of Ibadan and Iwo, held on Friday at the committee room of the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan.
Speaking through the Ekerin Olubadan, His Royal Majesty Oba Hamidu Ajibade Salaudeen, the Olubadan stated that the boundary between Ibadan in Oyo State and Iwo in Osun State has been the Oba River from time immemorial.
“I seriously warn land expansionists, land grabbers, and other trespassers to leave forcefully acquired Ibadan land without further delay in their own interest,” Olubadan warned.
“The established fact that Ibadan people are lovers of peaceful co-existence and are therefore accommodating should not be taken for granted or misinterpreted as cowardice. Yiyo Ekun bí t’ójó kò (The fierceness of a tiger is not diminished by rain),” he added.
Olubadan appealed to the Obas, Mogajis, and Baales in the affected areas to protect their territorial integrity and ensure that the ownership of land belonging to Ibadan is not compromised.
He urged traditional title holders in the Ibadan–Iwo boundary areas to give maximum support in reclaiming land that was forcefully and fraudulently taken over.
Present at the meeting were the Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief (Senator) Sarafadeen Abiodun Ali, alongside other Obas, Mogajis, and Baales.
