Owa Obokun’s committee on land matters begins sitting, calls for petitions

The Committee on Land Matters and Chieftaincy Affairs, recently constituted by the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, has invited applications from aggrieved individuals and groups, pledging transparency, fairness, and objectivity in its proceedings.

Speaking on Thursday in Ilesa during the committee’s inaugural sitting, the Secretary, Prof. Kola Kazeem, announced that the reconstituted panel will review outstanding petitions while also accepting new ones.

Prof. Kazeem emphasized that the committee’s primary mandate is to serve the people, preserve their heritage, safeguard their dignity, and ensure that no individual is oppressed due to their social status, wealth, family background, or position of influence.

According to him, the Owa Obokun maintains that when land management is marred by intimidation, extortion, manipulation, or arbitrary claims, it breeds fear and hostility, stalls development, discourages investors, and threatens overall community peace.

He disclosed that the committee will engage with individuals, families, groups, and communities through open public sittings and hearings.

“The committee has designed a streamlined process for collecting, accepting, and hearing cases and petitions from anyone or any group with genuine concerns regarding land matters and/or chieftaincy issues,” Prof. Kazeem stated.

Providing guidelines for submissions, he stated that all applications must be addressed to The Chairman, Committee on Land Matters and Chieftaincy Affairs (CLMCA).

He said applicants are expected to submit 12 copies of their request for intervention, along with supporting documents, while submissions should be delivered to the committee’s secretariat at the Obokun Adimula Palace, Ereja Square, Ilesa.

According to the committee, all applications must be in writing, and complainants will be required to make oral presentations during public hearings.

Prof. Kazeem further announced that public sittings and hearings will hold on Thursdays and Fridays of the first and third weeks of every month, starting at 10:00 a.m.

Reiterating the committee’s commitment to upholding the trust reposed in them by the monarch, he added: “We pledge to carry out our responsibility with the utmost regard for the sanctity of our sacred vow.

“We shall conduct the affairs of the committee with dignity and integrity, remain fair to all who appear before us, and ensure that personal interests never interfere with our conduct. We shall be guided by our conscience and the fear of God.”

The committee inaugurated on October 17 comprises Pa Adefalu Ademola as Chairman; Prof. Kola Kazeem as Secretary; Oba Peter Adebamigbe, the Asireyun of Isireyun; Reverend Osungbohun Olugbenga; Mr. Isaac Orolugbagbe; Professor Olu Obi; Yemisi Ariyibi; and Chief Daramola Daisi, the Ajiroba of Ipetu-Ijesa. Justice Adedotun Onibokun was appointed as the honorary consultant to the body.

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