indigenes protest and stand against the removal of a secred tree

Development they say is the rehabilitation from old to new, for development to take place, some properties have to be destroyed, buses will be cleared, trees uprooted, etc. Grading/dualizing new roads is part of the dividend of democracy and part of development in a state which everyone considered as a welcomed development to any community/state.

Development they say is the rehabilitation from old to new, for development to take place, some properties have to be destroyed, buses will be cleared, trees uprooted, etc. Grading/dualizing new roads is part of the dividend of democracy and part of development in a state which everyone considered as a welcomed development to any community/state. The indigenes of ikere-Ekiti, headquater of Ikere LGA of Ekiti State saw this in a different perspectives as there was tension in the community as they took over in a protest on Tuesday over the move  by a contractor  handling a road dualisation project   to uproot a tree considered sacred by  the community which is located in a historical site in the heart of the community.

 

An attempt on Monday by the contractor handling the project to uproot  the tree was disrupted  by the youths and
traditional religion worshippers  who invaded the scene.

 

It was reported by NAN, that some irate youths  held up traffic and lit bonfires at Odo-Oja area of the town.

 

The question is, why would a tree stop the development of a community?

The protesting indigenes claimed that the historical site known locally as “Ereja” was the source of Ikere Ekiti, and uprooting the tree  would result in dire consequences for the community.

They also claimed that the site of the tree was host to the  annual Olosunta festival.

Gov. Ayo Fayose, appealed for calm, in his visit to the scene, saying he would ensure that the traditional ruler of the community and  Olukere of Ikere, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin,  were sensitised on the need for the road dualisation project.

NAN reports that  residents had earlier in the day placed  fetish objects made  with a goat and pigeon  at the site while palm fronds were also tied around the shrine to scare away agents of the contractors.

Some of them also formed a human shield round the shrine in a bid to frustrate any plan to demolish the site and uproot the tree.

Addressing reporters at his palace, Oba Obasoyin  who is the custodian of traditional sites in the town,  said “cutting down the sacred tree and demolishing the Ereja was akin to passing a death sentence on him”

Present at the briefing were the Alare of Are-Ikere, Chief Oguntuase Atitebi and the Elejoka of Ikuomoba-Ikere, Chief Benjamin Owolade.

” It is when a king dies that the branches of the tree are cut off and I went to meet the governor that he should not pass a death sentence on me.

“The only way forward is that government should see reason with the people of Ikere and respect the people’s cultural heritage,” Obasoyin said.

News source: NAN....pulse ng