Following the much talked about proposed bill by the Lagos State House Assembly to merge some divisions in the state, among which is plan to merge Kosofe local government with Ikorodu division, the people of Kosofe under the umbrella of Awori Indigenous Forum have kicked against the move by registering its displeasure over it. The forum 12th February 2021 held a press conference where they expressed their displeasure as well as their resolution about the issue.
Part of their resolution was that Kosofe local government should remain in Ikeja division. It was also stated that Kosofe and Somolu could form a division. They also made it known that their representatives at the legislative chambers not living up to expectation among others.
Below is the comprehensive release made available from the press conference.
BEING THE PRESS CONFERENCE BY KOSOFE AWORI INDIGENOUS FORUM AGAINST THE PROPOSE BILL OF DIVISIONAL MERGER, PARTICULARLY, THE PLAN TO MERGE KOSOFE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITH IKORODU DIVISION BY LAGOS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLE (L.A.H.A) HELD ON 12 FEB, 2021.
GENTLEMEN OF THE PRESS!
INTRODUCTION.
This press conference is against the bedrock of the information that was brought to our notice, that the Lagos State House of Assembly is planning to introduce a bill, to merge Kosofe and Somolu LGA which fall within Ikeja Division with Ikorodu Division without the consent of the indigenes, the stakeholders and the dwellers of the two divisions.
This attitude of members of Lagos State house of Assembly on this matter as perceived by us is tantamount to lack of knowledge of History, Culture and Predispositions of people of Lagos State. It is indeed, anti-cultural, anti-tradition, satanic in nature and only lead to cause nothing but inter-indigenous conflict among the Divisions.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Lagos State divisions (IBILES) were created in May 1968 by Virtue of Administrative Division (Establishment) Edit No.3, 1968. The purpose of which is for administrative convenience, by bringing people of the same *culture and traditional background* together to form a Division. Hence, the people of Kosofe who are mainly Awori’s were brought together alongside with other Awori communities such as, Agege, Egan, Isolo, Iba, Ikotun, Idimu, Isheri, Igando and the likes to form Ikeja Division.
The people of Kosofe and Somolu was part of Old Ikeja District council during the colonial period. While Somolu which kosofe was part was caved out in the old Ikeja LGA and Kosofe was also caved out in Somolu LGA we are together historically, traditionally and Culturally and Administratively.
CULTURAL BACKGROUND
There is no doubt that the Awori’s and the Ijebu’s have different cultural and religious background.
DIALECTICALLY: The Indigenous language of the people of Kosofe and Somolu is Awori and the Ikorodus speak Ijebu. Before the conversion and adoption of the Awori’s to Islam and Christianity , the practiced Traditional Religions. They worshipped deities among which are : Egungun, Oro, Osugbo, Oluweri/Ota, Ita/Olode/Baba nta, Ogun, Osun, Gelede, Elekuru etc.
Amongst all this, the Egungun is the most common. The Awori worship of Egungun is unprecedented in Yoruba land. It’s their major festival irrespective of whether you are a Christian or Muslim.
Egungun is not allowed at the entrance or in the palace of some Obas in Ikorodu. But, this is abnormal in any Awori Town or village. The Major point of call by the Egungun in Awori land is the palace of the Oba, the Baale and the High chiefs. What a cultural difference between the Awori’s and Ikorodus?
- Wile we acknowledge the constitutional right of *Lagos State House of Assembly (L.A.H.A)* to make and amend law, we submit that such power must be exercised judiciously inline with people’s want and desires, not for undisclosed political games. The urgency with which the Bill was introduced and the 1st and 2nd reading passed the same day proved that there is more to it than meets the eye. It should also be noted that members were recalled from recess for this purpose.
- We do not have quarrels with the Ikorodu Division people neither do we have with Ijebus. We have been living alongside each other for almost a century. As a matter of fact, the Ijebus in Kosofe and Somolu are our tenants on Kosofe and Somolu soil. The Awori’s have always and will always produce the Traditional Heads (Oba’s and Baales) in these two Local Governments.
We the Awori’s own the land in these two LGA’s and the southern part of Ikorodu such as Offin, Ibeshe, Majidun-Awori, Ijede, Ebute-iga, Itowolo to mention a few.
- We vehemently oppose this because of past experience and the hardship unleashed on our people through such merger, for example, the Awori’s of Itowolo, Majidun-Awori and other areas are not recognised as indigene or native of Ikorodu and have been denied recognition during screening at LASU, LASPOTECH and the present ongoing National I.D Card Registration.
OUR RESOLUTION
1: we demand that we remain in the ikeja division with our kith and kin Aworis.
2: if for ADMINISTRATIVE convenience, the sponsors of the bill are sincere, there is nothing wrong in having up to ten devision in Lagos state.
Kosofe and somolu should form a division, anything contrary to this will mean:
1: that our Representatives are not representing us well in the house.
2: this is a ploy to subjugate and weaken the Aworis in Lagos by splitting them and merging them with areas where they will be minorities. The intimidation and marginalisation of our people in these areas will be of the highest order in the land.
This will have resolved to vehemently resist.
We want to discourage the sponsors of the bill, that the hon speaker Lagos state house of assembly and other members of the house to jettison this bill because it’s is dead before arrival . This is the collective decision of all the traditional rulers and every stakeholders in kosofe and somolu LGA.
Long- live Lagos State
Long-live Ikeja Division
Long-live Somolu
Long-live Kosofe.
Thank you gentle man of the press.
E-signed
Chief Akintola Kamorudeen Balogun
President Awori Indigenous Forum, Kosofe land.
