Traditional leaders and stakeholders in Ibadan, including the Ibadan Obas, Mogajis, Baales, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), and the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), have commended Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, for his diplomatic and patriotic handling of the boundary dispute between the Ogburo community and Iwo in Osun State.
The long-standing boundary disagreement recently intensified, prompting both the Oyo and Osun state governments to jointly call for calm and request the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to expedite the demarcation process.
In a joint statement signed by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, President of the Ibadan Mogajis, and Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, Coordinator of the ICPI, Lawal was praised for his leadership during a recent high-level meeting held in Zone 11, Osogbo. The meeting brought together stakeholders from both states in a bid to foster peace and mutual understanding.
The statement highlighted Lawal’s emphasis on unity and restraint, urging all parties involved to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric or actions that could escalate tensions. His approach was described as reflective of a profound appreciation for the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the people of Oyo and Osun states.
Lawal’s efforts, the statement noted, have been widely acknowledged as a constructive step towards resolving the conflict and reinforcing inter-state relations.
The leaders also referenced federal documentation to support Oyo State’s claim to the disputed area. They stated that federal activities, including the 2006 census and others conducted after the creation of Osun State in 1991, have consistently recorded Ogburo and Papa communities as part of Oyo State. Furthermore, they noted that Ogburo has always been listed as Ward 11, Unit 3 under Lagelu Local Government in all federal elections held since Osun’s creation.
