By Dozens of women from Odo-Oro Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State staged a peaceful protest on Monday over the alleged destruction of their farmlands by an agricultural firm, Agbeyewa Farms. Marching through the community with placards, the women accused the firm of ruining their primary sources of livelihood, calling the land their ancestral heritage.
Appealing to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and Senator Cyril Fasuyi, the protesters urged urgent intervention. Chief (Mrs) Adebomola Ogunsakin, the Eyelobinrin Ara of Odo-Oro Kingdom, spoke on behalf of the women. “They are destroying what is left of what our forefathers gave to us. They are uprooting the economic trees, destroying whatever was left for us for our forefathers,” she said. “If this inhumanity should continue, what do they want us to survive on?”
The traditional ruler, Onise of Odo-Oro, Oba Babatunde Jemilehin, addressed the protesters at his palace. He emphasized that while the community supports investment for economic growth, forceful takeover of lands without discussion would not be accepted. “My people have spoken and I stand with them and our decision is that, we will not continue to tolerate this injustice and inhumane behaviour from anybody,” Oba Jemilehin stated.
The monarch further questioned the logic behind destroying farmlands in the name of food security. “I am sure this cannot be the intention of the state government because if they want to create food security, they are actually doing the opposite which is food insecurity,” he said.
Responding to the allegations, Mr John Olajide, founder of Agbeyewa Farms, a subsidiary of Cavista Holdings, said the firm’s goal was to promote economic development and food security in the state. “If there are any areas of misunderstanding, it is natural that there will be conflict from time to time. They should sit, talk and share their concerns and any responsible investors will carry the people along to ensure that everybody wins,” Olajide stated.
Olajide stressed that his company’s operations are designed to benefit the people, the community, and the Ekiti State government through employment opportunities and economic growth.
