Warning to Ekiti Communities: Urgent Call to Action

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Warning to Ekiti Communities: Urgent Call to Action

Iam writing on behalf of all Ekiti communities affected by ongoing exploitation.

My name is Alaba Familua. I'm a native of Ekiti State. I'm a former staff of Ministry of Solid Minerals.

 I m here to alert Ekiti people in the following communities about an impending danger that may lead to their extermination in the nearest future:

1. Ijero

2) Oye Local Government

3) Omuo

4)Ikole and Ajoni Local Governments

What are the issues?

In 2016, there was a research across Ekiti State embarked upon by the Solid Minerals Ministry.

In the course of the extensive research and survey, using helicopters even in the process, a lot of rich mineral resources were discovered in Commercial quantities in these areas including Micar, Gold, Diamond and Gem Stones among others.

There is a grand plot to privatise these resources.

From estimation, the report indicated that the minerials are worth billions of dollars.

Now, what do we have? Chinese companies have invaded these areas especially in Ijero, buying up land in the name of agriculture.

In Ikole area, one company, Agbeyewa among others which are aware of the discovery of the rich minerals  have been buying land in the name of Agriculture.

The main target is the mineral resources. Once the land becomes theirs, they will be the one legally empowered to mine the resources and sell them.

Ikole area Including Odo Oro,  Ipao, Irele, Iyemero, Itapaji and Oke Ako are said be sitting on gold and diamond in very large quantities

In the year 2018,I wrote a letter to the Ekiti State Government to come in full swing in partnership with the Communities and international groups to set up a company in the name of Ekiti to go into exploration of these materials. I didn't even receive any acknowledgement from the Government.

In collaboration with some Federal and State Govt officials, the land is being bought from the villagers.

 Unfortunately, traditional rulers and chiefs who are ignorant and have no foresight are collecting peanuts to sell the precious land of the communities to these private individuals for peanuts.

No responsible Community would have allowed these to happen. These lands should never be sold.

I know one traditional ruler given a jeep by one of the companies. This is a dangerous trend. The future of the people is being sold right in their eyes.

These companies will start with Agriculture to deceive the people but after some time will later begin exploitation of gold and diamond in the most reckless way.

It will lead to erosion, displacement of communities and even relocation of several people while the companies will smile to the bank with millions of dollars.

Farming and fishing will no longer be possible

The trees will go for ever. The wisest thing would have been for the State Govt to register a Company, have community representatives in the board for easy exploration and sales of these precious minerals to the benefit of the state and the Communities involved. The Govt needs to be open and sincere.

I call on these communities to wake up. Don't sell your land. Don't sell your future. If you do it, you will live to regret for ever. You and your children, from generation to generation will suffer. Do not bring a curse on yourself and generations

Our traditional rulers sold our forefathers  into slavery. Some of our people committed suicide in the middle of the ocean instead of going into slavery.

Black people continue to suffer that curse placed by those who perished in the ocean till today.

A word is enough for the wise.

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[Bravebold]

Prof Bolaji Aluko wrote on the subject matter:

This is rather alarmist and will be further investigated.   However, in the time being,  I did call our Ekiti State Secretary of Mineral Development Agency, and this is what I gleaned from him:

1.  First, we are yet to verify whether there was a forewarning through writing to the State Government as claimed in the article regarding the purchase of lands by some people in the guise of agricultural use.  That would be wrong, and any such misuse will most likely have their land use certificate be revoked.

2. There is an urgent need for mining operators to operate within the confines of the law. All state governments are pledging to take bold measures to put a halt to illegal mining in the country.

3.  The write-up is not entirely true in its assertions.  For example, the survey mentioned is actually a World Bank-sponsored Aeromagnetic survey carried out by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. The results of the survey will be made available at the NGSA website for interested investors as soon as validated.

Thanks.

Bolaji Aluko
August 3, 2023

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