A PLEA FOR THE CREATION OF OKUN STATE – OLUKOYA OBAFEMI Fastidious examination of the creation of the state ever since the federal system of state was embraced, states have been created from not totally same ethnic group but from ethnic group who shared certain history. Kogi state was created by calving out the Yoruba’s (Okun) in Kwara state to merge with the fellow brothers from Benue and Edo. This has given rise to several reservations and scrutiny over the years. Starting from Enugu and Ebonyi that were carved out of old Anambra states and Abia out of Imo where they state a kind of homogeneity and history. Okun has a land area of 10,765km2 and a total of six (6) local governments as at now. Bigger than Ekiti State (2,353km2), Enugu State (7,161km2), Abia State (6,320km2), Ebonyi state (5,533km2) States and even Lagos state (3,474km2). How will it sustain itself? Nobody said it was ever going to be easy, but let’s be on the road with direction in mind. Okun land is endowed with numerous natural resources ranging from Gold, Tantalite, coal, Iron ore, Tin and limestone (which obajana cement factory runs on). The ethnic group is blessed with enormous human resource that can make it work and stand. Every citizen of the country deserves to be happy. Active participation in democracy gives every citizen a sense of belonging and vivacity. Hope this gets to Sen Smart Adeyemi and Dino Melaye; these are Pseudo-sons of Okun land. - Olukoya Obafemi | Twitter: @arcfemi
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 15:20:38 +0000