At the Ijebu-Remo Youth Progressive Organisation (IREYPO) Interactive Session held on Wednesday at Eskay Hotel, Sagamu, Mr. Deji Solaja addressed the ongoing challenges surrounding state creation between the Ijebus and Remos.
He emphasized that the tension persists because the Remos are determined to preserve their identity and urged them to focus on promoting their heritage rather than engaging in disputes over the location of the state capital.
“Remo does not want its identity to be submerged, but it must actively promote its identity instead of fighting over the capital,” he stated.
Supporting his argument, Solaja highlighted how the Ijebu identity is more pronounced in the names of their local governments, such as Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu North East, and Ijebu East. In contrast, Remo local governments are named after individual communities, such as Ikenne and Sagamu, with only Remo North carrying the Remo identity.
He suggested renaming the local governments in Remo to reflect their collective identity, with names like Remo-East, Remo-North East, Remo-North, and Remo-South West. According to him, this would strengthen the Remo identity and make the debate over the state capital irrelevant.
He urged the youth to move beyond trivial matters such as the location of the capital and instead focus on the broader benefits of state creation.
“The advantages of securing the state far outweigh the disadvantages of not having it. We must put aside trivial issues that could hinder the process and instead focus on efforts that will drive the movement forward,” he asserted.
Solaja further emphasized that the creation of the new state would position the Ijebu-Remo region as one of the most influential in Southwest Nigeria due to its economic significance.
He pointed to three major projects vital to the area: the Olookola Energy Project, the Cargo Airport, and the Industrial Hub in Sagamu. He stressed that the unity of the two regions as one entity would make them a formidable force that even the present Ogun State could not overlook in the long run.
Encouraging the youth to take a unified stance, he stated, “If we, as youths, come together with one voice, our elders will have no choice but to follow our lead. Too often, they send us to fight battles that serve their interests. However, if we establish a firm position, it will be difficult for them to manipulate us.”
The convener of the event, Akogun Jamiu Alabi Olododo, who hails from the Remo/Ijebu constitutional federal constituency, reinforced the importance of unity. He asserted that a strong foundation for future generations could only be built if the people of Ijebu and Remo spoke with one voice.
Addressing concerns about integrating other youth platforms, particularly the Sagamu Youth Forum (Sagamuites), to prevent division, he assured attendees that no conflict existed between the groups.
“While the Sagamu Youth Forum represents the interests of Remo youths, IREYPO remains committed to fostering unity between both Ijebu and Remo, ensuring that our collective voice remains strong,” he explained.
He noted that this was the fourth significant attempt to achieve state creation and emphasized that unity was the key lesson learned from past efforts.
“The success of this movement depends on our ability to speak with one voice, transcending individual and sectional interests,” he stated.
He also commended the recent press conference held by the Sagamu Youth Forum, describing it as a step in the right direction. He acknowledged that all stakeholders were making contributions in their respective capacities and that these collective efforts would further propel the movement forward.
Dr. Oluseyi Adebanjo, another speaker at the event, reiterated IREYPO’s mission to build bridges, foster unity, and ensure that the aspirations of both Ijebu and Remo were realized.
“The participation of youth in this movement is crucial to securing the interests of future generations and demonstrating the active role young people must play in shaping our collective future,” he stated.
Additionally, one of the key speakers at the meeting emphasized the need for the initiators of IREYPO—Akogun Olododo, Comrade Falola Ahmed (Stainless), and Alhaji Aregbe Abolore—to appoint two representatives from each of the nine local governments, making a total of eighteen representatives.
These, along with the initiators, would form a 21-member steering committee responsible for conveying their intentions and resolutions to the established committee from Ijebu and Remo, as well as other key stakeholders. This initiative aims to ensure unity of purpose and expedite the achievement of their objectives.
All parties present acknowledged the contributions of key figures who have long supported the movement, including Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, other Federal House of Representatives members, His Royal Majesty Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, and His Royal Majesty Oba Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo of Remoland.
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