DO NOT SELL THE LAND, RETIRED GENERAL OLANREWAJU TELLS OLOTO OF OTO
By KEMI KASUMU
“I write as a Prince of Lagos, as one who treasures the blood and the bond of our ancestors who protected our heritage with vigor and defiance against the colonial power from usurping our lands which define who we are.”
Former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd), has advised the Oloto of Oto Awori Land, Oba Muh’ Bashir Abisoye Odesanya, Arokunsha II, against the selling of land in his community to the detrimental of his people.
He said, “I have a lot of respect for our traditional rulers as the custodian of our culture, tradition and values. But I am beginning to wonder if some of our traditional rulers are actually protecting the Lagosian heritage. The case at hand here is the reported sale of Otumara land at Costain to an Igbo developer by the present Oloto of Oto Oba Muh’ Bashir Abisoye Odesanya, Arokunsha 11.
“Over 6,000 square meters of prime lagoon front of expansive family estate has been hastily disposed off without regard to our norms, indifferent to our heritage and the long term impact of displacement and ethnic cleansing this insidious action may inflict on generations yet unborn. I don’t want to believe this potential sacrilege.
“I write as a Prince of Lagos, as one who treasures the blood and the bond of our ancestors who protected our heritage with vigor and defiance against the colonial power from usurping our lands which define who we are.
“If the late Oluwa of Lagos had succumbed to the British over-reach in their attempt to usurp our traditional land holding system in 1862 after the illegal cession of Lagos, will the Oloto have anything to sell now ? Why is it that some of our traditional rulers easily forget the sweat , the painstaking challenges, the sufferings that our ancestors confronted in our earliest beginnings in the struggle to protect our identity ?
“I have not forgotten. We have not forgotten.
“As one who has reached the highest height of power in this country as a member of the former Provisional Ruling Council, as a former GOC, former Communications Minister and effectively number 3 in command, I believe I can come out firmly that I understand this country far better than the Oloto and I appreciate the importance of protecting what belongs to us.
“We cannot fritter our hard earned cultural identity on the platter of temporary monetary gains. On behalf of all Omo Eko Pataki I am asking the Oloto to cancel forthwith the illegal sale of the Oloto family land to the trespassing Igbo developer and return his money immediately.
“Lagos is not for sale. We are already under pressure everywhere as these migrants by stealth and deceit acquire innumerable properties across our homeland.
“Is the Oloto aiding and abetting this outrageous erosion of our heritage? Is he happy with the daily displacement of Lagosians from their family holdings as shylock Igbo developers rampage our homeland with filthy lucre? Oloto, please return their money and let your family members plan the proper usage of that important traditional property. It must remain within the control and purview of the Oloto extended family use,” said the former member of the defunct Provisional Ruling Council (PRC).
According to the former General Officer Commanding (GOC), Third Armored Division Nigeria Army, “Lagos State is already undergoing outright conquest in population, politics, power struggle, investment engagement, and displacement in land space. Pray, Is the Oloto encouraging the gradual and relentless expansionistic tendencies of non-indigenous people against the interest of the Lagosian natives?
“Does he treasure transient monetary advantages over the irreplaceable savaging of our heritage ? I hope not.”
“Again, Oloto, please return their money and let our people breathe. We are already suffocated and barely thriving. Do not sell the land,” said Trustee of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, Lagos State.
