We won’t cede our land for ranching— Yoruba leaders

…As S-West govs, monarchs boycott Yoruba summit

By Ola Ajayi & Deola Badru

Prominent Yoruba leaders, including the Aare-Ona-Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, yesterday, vowed not to cede any land in the South- West for cattle ranching.

This was part of a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting to discuss security and economy of the South-West region which held at the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan, yesterday.

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This came as five out of the six South-West governors failed to attend the meeting. Only Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State arrived at the meeting at exactly 1:25 pm.

Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN of Ondo failed to show up at the meeting.

But Aare Adams, who defended the governors for being absent, said they had taken giant strides in checking insecurity.

Monarchs absent

Also, most traditional rulers in the zone, except the Owa-Ajero of Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, were absent.

Though the moderator of the programme didn’t mention any name, he said several kings were invited to the programme.

Except for Oba Adewole, other prominent monarchs such as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Eniitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi were not in attendance.

Roll call

Notable personalities at the meeting included the Aare-Ona-Kakanfo of Yorubaland Aare Gani Adams; Araba Awo of Osogbo, Chief Yemi Elebuibon; Secretary-General of Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, Dr. Kunle Olajide; former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala was represented by Mr. Wale Ohu, Otunba Deji Osibogun, Chairman, Space FM; Publisher of Alaroye, Mr. Alao Adedayo; the Owa Ajero of Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, the Akinyele of Akinyele, Oba Odeniran Oluyemi and others.

Associations present at the meeting were Afenifere, YCE,…