By Oludamisi Ojo
Ejiyan Ekiti community in Ijero Local government area of Ekiti State has debunked the claim that the autonomy granted to some towns by Governor Kayode Fayemi, was a misplaced priority.

Its residents said the policy had spurred development in benefiting communities.

Besides, the community insisted that the splitting of the old Ipoti into three: Owa, Ejiyan and Ipoti, had gingered competition in terms of development.

They stressed that the town is now being rated as second to Ado Ekiti metropolis in project execution and concentration.

Fayemi had in 2013 granted autonomy to Ejiyan community formerly known as Aaye Ijumu and other small towns as autonomous communities, which some elite regarded as avenues for deep-seated hatred, unnecessary Balkanisation and unhealthy political rivalry.

But at a news conference, on Saturday, heralding the one-year coronation of the Obalaaye of Ejiyan, Oba Adekunle Adepoju, the town applauded Fayemi for the initiative, stressing that it has fast-tracked the development and reduced enmity among the three-component towns.

The Chairman of the Coronation Anniversary Planning Committee, Dr Olakunle Olajide, is represented by the former Chairman, Ijero Local Government, Hon. Bode Agbeleye, said the royal fathers expected at the February 11 event, are the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi and Ajero of Ijero, Oba Joseph Adewole.

According to him, the town would confer honourary awards and chieftaincy titles on some eminent Nigerians, including a serving federal lawmaker, Barrister Wunmi Ogunlola, Barrister Adeola Olatunde, Mrs Kemi Wellington Nebo, Mr James Onifade, among others.

On the benefits of autonomy, Olajide noted that the policy has benefited the community immensely.
His words”Our kabiyesi and all our chefs are now recognised by the government. Our monarch got car largesse from the government, unlike the time when we were not recognised.

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“We have been getting government’s support through construction of new Primary school, modern market, skill acquisition centre. Our new hospital was built by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bunmi Ogunlola, and all manners of self-help projects are springing up.

“We have no bickering with the other two towns, but we are focused on development and progress. We are developing at a faster pace and lane. This community was once a lost village due to incessant wars and today, it has been reinvented and restored”.

The community appealed to indigenes not to engage in any land dispute with their two neighbours, urging them to channel their energy, mental capacity and finances to develop the town.

He said the realisation of autonomy and self-determination was a huge success and relief to the town, saying the struggle for it gradually began in 1936.