By Imam Moromoke
Youths of Igbomina descent, under the aegis of Igbomina Youth Assembly, a socio-cultural group has sued for peaceful coexistence among Igbomina and its neighboring communities, urging youths to eschew violence as there is no alternative to peace.
The group made this call during a visit to the palace of Olupako of Share, HRM Oba Haruna Olawale Sulaiman Adegbite II Ilufemiloye.
The Association’s President Adewumi Adekunle James, who spoke on behalf of the group said, “The purpose of the Assembly visit to your royal majesty is centered on tripod reasons, viz; to pay homage and felicitate with Your Highness on your enthronement as new Olupako of Share, formally introduce the Assembly and to sympathize with Your Highness, Share community and Igbomina land over the recent communal crisis between Share and its neighbouring community, that led to loss of life and properties.”
“Igbomina people are calm and peace loving. As association, WS are putting intense efforts in encouraging inter communal peaceful coexistence. We seize this medium to charge the Local and State Government to by means of urgency, take necessary and appropriate steps to surmount this challenges and forestall recurrence of such ugly trend”, he added.
Adewunmi while highlighting strides of the Igbomina Youth Assembly which clocks ten by November, 2021 said the group has executed projects which include but not limited to erection of sign posts along different major roads, Community Peace Soccer Tournament among other community based development activities.
He urged the Kwara state government to quickly fix critical public infrastructures damaged in the community, especially Agbonna High School, Share, noting that the Association will continue to strife for the peace, progress and development of the entire Igbomina land and her people.
In his response, HRM Oba Haruna Olawale Suleiman appreciated the Association for its thoughtfulness and admonished them to not relent on their efforts in community development activities, especially in Share community considering its landmark significance in Igbomina land and the Yoruba race.
The youth group was later conducted round destroyed properties, particularly Agbonna High School, Share for on-the-spot assessment, by the Principals of Senior and Junior Secondary Section of the School, Mr. Makanjuola Joseph and Mrs. Owolabi, respectively.
Both Principals stated the incident that occurred on 8th April 2021, left the school burnt down to ashes with library books worth millions of naira, including ICT centre with about 40 computer sets and over seven (7) building affected.
The Association also gathered that the Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development was there to inspect the level of losses and advised that the school be moved to neighbouring schools, a suggestion outrightly rejected because of the advance effect it may have on the school and the students as well as the hosting community.
The Association therefore call on the State government, well meaning individuals, corporate organizations and community based organizations to come to the aid of the community, to ensure the school is back to life, for the sake of the students’ future.
