ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRMAN CENTRAL PLANNING COMMITTEE, CHIEF ANTHONY OYEWOLE OYERO, LEMO IJEMO AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE HELD ON 22/7/2024 AT IJEMO TOWN HALL TO COMMENCE THE ACTIVITIES TO MARK THE 110TH COMMEMORATION OF THE IJEMO MASSACRE AND THE CELEBRATION OF IJEMO HISTORY, CULTURE AND HERITAGE
PROTOCOLS

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this Press Conference intended to brief the gentlemen of the press and the members of the fourth realm, on the upcoming events planned towards the commemoration of the Ijemo Massacre of 8th August, 1914. This year events is tagged: Ijemo: the Celebration of History, Culture and Heritage.

History is replete with the phenomenon of massacre across the world. The people of Ijemo have had their own share.

Our progenitors suffered a bloodbath, extermination, annihilation, decimation and depopulation in the course of the massacre of August 8, 1914, which sad and unfortunate event stemmed from number of factors, remote and immediate, arising from the lack of trust and the suspicion between the then ruling Egba Oligarchy, the over-zealous Colonial officials, on one hand and the townships’ Chiefs and the people in general; signs of discontent were building up in the minds of the people and these manifested in a number of incidents within the polity.

The people of Ijemo and other Egba Groups were not happy with the way the colonial government was being run through the instrument of dual mandate otherwise called the Indirect Rule, particularly the disruptions in the social order, the impositions of alien obligations, the pressures on the Egba United Government headed by the Alake with his Council to do the bidding of the colonial government.

The immediate cause was the arrest, detention and subsequent death of Chief Sobiye Ponlade, an Ijemo Chieftain, who occupied the position of Ajede of Ijemo (the head of the Hunters), Ponlade was Baale in his Village and a prominent leader around the axis of Ajura (now within Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area).

Ponlade was an activist of some sort; he led the opposition against the draconian measures adopted by the Colonial Government to compel forced labour. This led to his arrest, detention and eventual death in the hands of the British oppressors. The British colonial officials could not stand Chief Ponlade’s opposition and activism against the meddlesomeness of the colonial government in the affairs of the Egba United Government. Ponlade in his own way and being uneducated was fighting for the Egbas, against the colonialists who were eroding the influence and powers of the Egba traditional authorities represented by the Alake. He was a hero of Egba nationalism. Chief Ponlade has to be so perceived for history to be fair to him. Ponlade the Ajede Ijemo enjoyed the populist appeal, he was a charismatic and effective Community Leader. May his soul continue to rest in peace.

The civil unrest broke out, the then rapidly developing Abeokuta Township became embroiled in civil strife with the civil unrest and the masses in open protest and the Ogboni groups were not left out with other townships in alignment with the Ijemo people and their leadership. The Egba United Government had its greatest challenge at hand. The Ijemos believed that Ponlade was not treated fairly, he was not given a fair hearing. The principle of natural justice, nemo judex in causa sua was utterly breached in the handling of the case of Chief Ponlade. The Egba United Government with limited experience at managing social unrest of such magnitude did all to avert the crisis but to no avail, the ill-fated result was the Ijemo Massacre which saw the grueling killing of many Ijemo people and their Leader, Oluwo Arinmokunrin and several households razed down in the inferno caused by arsonists who set dwelling houses on fire and people in their hundreds lost their homes. The Ijemo people retreated to their outpost or satellite villages to live there. Much was the suspicion of the Ijemos for the Egba Leadership for many years. Now it is gratifying that Ijemo has renewed its alliance and cooperation with the Egba Nation.

With the benefit of hindsight, the loss of the Independence of the Egbas, with the British unilateral withdrawal of recognition for the Egba United Government was a political plan which had been formed only awaiting the right opportunity for its execution. The General civil unrest which culminated in the aftermath of the Ijemo Massacre provided the excuse that kick-started the complete Amalgamation of Nigeria. A writer said modern-day Nigeria was formed on the blood of the Ijemo people who were massacred on August 8, 1914.
The loss of Egba Independence is a monumental loss for all of us. No need to trade blames. The Egbas must move towards peace and progress with the united mandate towards the development of all sections with justice assured to all and the history well preserved for better tomorrow. The Ijemo community enjoins all Egba townships and sections, their sons and daughters to recognize the supreme sacrifice of the Ijemo heroes and heroines on the Black Day of the Ijemo Massacre; the magnanimity, generosity and the unique role played by the Ijemo people as indigenous community who played host to the great founders of present day Abeokuta, capital City of Ogun State, Nigeria.
We recognize Itoko which is another Indigenous community in Abeokuta for their brotherhood and loyalty in the time past and even now.

The Ijemos and the Itokos had a significant pact at Orarun at the bottom of the great natural protector of the Egbas, our dear Olumo Rock.
We are grateful for the pacific and developmental role of the Kabiyesi, Alayeluwa Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR, the Alake and paramount Ruler of Egbaland since he ascended the throne of his forefathers. Kabiyesi, has promoted peace and unity between the Ijemo and the rest of the Egba townships for which we openly affirm and so also, is the special cordiality that has been engendered. Ijemo will strife to maintain this rapport for posterity, for Ijemo has outgrown the fears, seclusion, and suspicion of the past.
On this occasion, we must state for the records the significant role being played by Chief Oluyinka Kufile, the Oluwo Ijemo, who is the Aro Egba. He has demonstrated strong commitment to unify and defend his people; serving as the catalyst for projecting the corporate interest and all-round development of the Ijemo people with the framework towards positioning Ijemo community at the fore-front among the comity of the 143 Egba Townships. Your grateful people proffer their gratitude.

The Ijemo has a rich tradition. They are deeply spiritual. The people of Ijemo eschew injustice. They are strong believers in the existence of the Supreme Being. The Ijemos cherish the values of hard-work, good outward and inner character. They are trustworthy, honest, resilient, strong, focused and determined people. Wherever, they found themselves, they strive to excel.

A special mention must be made of the synergy between the Oluwo Ijemo and the Apena, Chief Ajisafe Salami. Apena Ijemo has forged an uncommon bond and understanding with the Oluwo for the good of our people. The strength of any Egba township can be visualized from the stand-point of the kind of relationship existing between the Oluwo and the Apena for it is in their unifying symbolism in conjunction with the other Iwarefa Chiefs and the Sectional leaders, Olori Parakoyi, Jaguna, Balogun, Olori Erelu working systemically and in complementarity can peace, progress and development of the township be achieved. We say in our unity, we are strong.

In celebrating our history, Culture and Heritage, the Organising Committee has lined up various events to celebrate the 110th Commemoration of the Ijemo Massacre. They are as follows:
Monday 22ND July 2024 – Press Conference.
Saturday, 3rd August, 20124 -There would be medical outreach involving Health screening with gift of drugs and medication after medical assessment of the participants. This programme is opened to the elderly and the sick of all ages. It will take place at Ijemo Town Hall, Arimokunrin Street, Ijemo, Abeokuta from the hours of 10.00am to 6.00 pm.

Wednesday, 7th August 2024- there would be Woro event where scores of horse riders comprising the sons and daughters of Ijemo will present a beautiful spectacle and showcase dexterity at horsemanship.

The Horse riders will assemble at Oluwo’s House at Oke Ijemo, for the traditional homage and blessings from the Oluwo and other senior Chiefs, the star attraction for this year is the procession of the Horse riders on a courtesy visit to the Kabiyesi, Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland and with Royal blessings pronounced on them by the Alake and Paramount Ruler Of Egbaland.

On this same day, there will be a street Carnival and parties all over the streets and compounds of Ijemo Township for the youths to mark the celebration of Ijemo History, Culture and Heritage. The street Carnivals will start from 2.00 pm shall close by 8.00pm.

Thursday, 8th August 2024- The yearly inter-denominational prayer session will take place at Ijemo Town Hall between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm. Just after the inter-denominational service, we will have the Isese Session, where the different Isese indigenous religion adherents and allied groups such as the Egungun, Olomolu, Ode e.t.c. will hold their prayers. This programme will hold between 1.00 pm and 4.00 pm.
Friday, 9th August, 2024- There would be Traditional Games- A fun spot and a knowledge-based game- we will arrange the Local Ayo Olopon, draughts, Ludo, Table Tennis among others. This event starts by 10.00 am at Ijemo Town Hall. While the traditional game is on by 2.00pm, there will be an educational Empowerment for not less than thirty WAEC/NECO Candidates for the 2024 – 2025 academic session. The event shall hold at Ile Ogboni, Oke Ijemo, Abeokuta.

Saturday, 10th August 2024 - The grand finale will take place at the venue already secured for the programme. It promises to be grand and colourful on the band stand will be the music Star, the current toast of fuji music lovers, Taye Currency.

The grand finale will attract across Nigeria, prominent sons and daughters of Ijemo with their friends and well- wishers will gather in the presence of the Chief Host, Oluwo Ijemo/Aro of Egba, Chief Oluyinka Kufile. Kabiyesi. His Royal Majesty, Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo CFR will be the Royal father of the Day.

It is expected that Government Functionaries, Captain of Industries, Public figures, Royal fathers and other VIPs will be in attendance.

A major highlight of the special event marking the grand finale is the presentation of awards to few eminently deserving personalities who had contributed to the development of Ijemo community in the course of their trajectories as public officials, community leaders and business and industrial leaders.

Gentlemen of the press, on behalf of the members of the Committee of the Ijemo Day Celebration 2024, I want to thank you most sincerely for your attention and I seek your usual support and co-operation for the programmes as enunciated.

Thank you for listening.

E-signed:

Chief Anthony Oyewole Oyero
Lemo Ijemo
Chairman, Central Planning Committee Ijemo Day Celebration 2024