The women of Odo-Oro Ekiti in the Ikole local government of Ekiti State have peacefully protested against an agriculture firm’s alleged destruction of their farmlands.
The protesting women took to the streets in their numbers and marched around the community early Monday morning to express their displeasure at the development.
The aggrieved women, who displayed placards with different inscriptions, accused the Agbeyewa Farms of destroying their sources of livelihood, which they described as the heritage their forefathers bequeathed to them.
Therefore, they appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, and other leaders to prevail on the agribusiness to stop destroying their farmlands, which are the only source they depend on to feed and sustain themselves and their families.
The Eyelobinrin Ara of Odooro kingdom, Chief (Mrs) Adebomola Ogunsakin, who spoke on behalf of the protesting women, said that economic trees like cocoa and palm trees, among others, were being destroyed on their farmlands.
Ogunsakin said, “They destroy what is left of what our forefathers gave us. They are uprooting the economic trees, destroying whatever was left for us by our forefathers. If this inhumanity should continue, what do they want us to survive on?”
The Onise of Odo-Oro, Oba Babatunde Jemilehin, while addressing the protesters at his palace to register their grievances, said the community would not allow the forceful takeover of their lands by groups or companies without necessary discussions.
The traditional ruler, who noted that the community is not against any form of investment for economic growth, denied insinuations that the protest was organised to tarnish the company’s image.
Oba Jemilehin said, “I do not understand this kind of investment, which is poised to destroy people’s livelihoods and ancestral heritage. The state government cannot be intending this because if they want to create food security, they are doing the opposite, which is food insecurity.
“I am surprised that these people are still audaciously carrying out the destruction of my people’s farmlands despite our daily cries to the government to save us from these heartless people called Agbeyewa.
Reacting to the allegations, the founder of Agbeyewa Farms, a subsidiary of Cavista Holdings, Mr John Olajide, said he is only interested in changing the economic narratives of the state through his investment in employment opportunities and achieving food security.
Olajide said, “The history might be the issue because some people who claimed to be investors have come here to take advantage of communities in the past. So, we understand some of the anxiety and fears some communities have. Still, when you have genuine investors that are well-known and referenced by the government, it is essential that the community partners with them.
“If there are any areas of misunderstanding, it is natural that there will be conflict occasionally. They should sit, talk, and share their concerns, and any responsible investors will carry the investors along to ensure everybody wins.
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