Women of the Odo-Oro community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State took to the streets on Monday, protesting the alleged destruction of their farmlands by Agbeyewa Farms, an agricultural firm operating in the area.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the women marched around the town, appealing to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, and other leaders to intervene and protect their only source of livelihood.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Eyelobinrin Ara of Odo-Oro Kingdom, Chief (Mrs.) Adebomola Ogunsakin, lamented the loss of valuable economic trees and ancestral lands.
“They are destroying our lands, cutting down our cocoa farms, palm trees, and uprooting what our forefathers left for us,” she said. “If this continues, what do they expect us to survive on?”
Receiving the protesters at his palace, the Onise of Odo-Oro, Oba Babatunde Jemilehin, expressed his support for the community. He condemned the alleged forceful takeover of farmlands without proper consultations.
“We are not against investment for economic growth, but not at the cost of our people’s ancestral heritage,” the monarch stated. “What Agbeyewa Farms is doing will not lead to food security but rather food insecurity. My people have spoken, and I stand with them. We will not tolerate this injustice.”
Reacting to the protest, John Olajide, founder of Agbeyewa Farms, a subsidiary of Cavista Holdings, urged for dialogue, emphasizing the company’s commitment to working with communities for mutual benefit.
“We understand the community’s fears due to past experiences with unscrupulous investors,” Olajide said. “However, we are genuine investors focused on creating jobs, ensuring food security, and transforming the economic landscape. We encourage the community to engage in dialogue to resolve any misunderstandings.”
Olajide reiterated that Agbeyewa Farms aims to foster a win-win partnership for the community, the government, and all stakeholders.
As tensions simmer, calls for peaceful resolution and government intervention continue to mount in Odo-Oro and surrounding communities.
