Esa-Oke, the country home of a renowned late politician, Chief Bola Ige in Osun State was on Monday engulfed in pockets of protests by angry youths of the town who trooped out in scores to register their grievances over an alleged approval of a new satellite campus of the state College of Technology, Esa-Oke at Ibokun, a few kilometers to the town.
The protests which were held at different locations of the town, attracted the presence of leaders, elders, market women, youths, NURTW members, Okada riders, including some masquerades amongst others.
Armed with placards with different inscriptions that read: “We condemn in totality an approval of a new satellite campus of the state College of Technology, Esa-Oke at Ibokun”, ” We condemn the move of Prince Diran Odeyemi to relocate the school campus to another town”, vowing to resist the move with the last drop of their blood.
Meanwhile, the Oba-in- Council, Owa-Omiran Palace , Esa-Oke, in a letter dated 13th February and addressed to the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, a copy of which was obtained by our reporter, alleged that the institution’s governing council board chairman is the cause of the problem, saying,his continuous stay on the governing council as chairman was a threat to the peace and continuous co-existence between the two towns of Esa-Oke and Ibokun.
The community, in the letter signed by Oba Adeyemi A. Adediran, Atipa Owaji II, the Owa Omiran of Esa-Okeland; High Chief Abimbola K. Olamiji, Ogboni of Esa-Oke; High Chief James Ajewole,A salu of Esa-Oke; High Chief Olatunde Esan, Odogun of Esa-Oke; Mr. Akinwumi Onifade, Secretary, Council of Elders Esa-Oke; Professor Abiodun Oni, member, Esa-Oke Renewal Initiative; Rev’d Fr. Michael Ige, CAN Chairman; Chief Imam Yinusa Bamgboye, Muslim Community and Fakunle Oladapo, Youth Leader, Esa-Oke, copied to the Secretary to the State Government Governor’s Office, Osogbo and Commissioner for Education Ministry, they vowed to ensure the institution remained in their town.
The community, however, called for Prince Diran Odeyemi’s removal and charged the governor to ensure that Esa-Oke community was represented on the governing council.
The letter stressed, “This is essential to ensure that our interest is protected at all times. The problem we have at hand is that there is no Ea-Oke indigene as a representative of the community on the Governing Council of the OSCOTECH. We expect your quick, positive action on this matter.”
It will be recalled that Governor Ademola Adeleke denied rumours and insinuations that his administration had approved a new satellite campus of the state College of Technology, Esa-Oke at Ibokun.
In a statement by the spokesperson to the state governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the report of a new satellite campus at Ibokun was described as untrue.
“I am directed to confirm to the good people of Esa Oke that no such approval was given by Mr Governor. The status quo ante remains.
“At no point in time has the Governor approved such a plan. The public should regard the report as the handiwork of mischief makers and failed attempt to disrupt the peace of that growing academic community”.
The governor, however, called on the youths and elders of Esa-Oke to maintain the peace and avoid incitement to violence.
