24,000 Osun Farmers Fear Eviction, Seek Adeleke’s Intervention

Farm settlers in Ago-Owu, Osun State, have appealed to the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, to halt plans to cede part of the settlement to miners for mining activities.

The settlers, numbering about 24,000, said they were in possession of a letter from the Special Adviser to the State Government on Mining and Minerals, Lukman Jimoda, granting permission to a company to carry out tests and exploration within the farm settlement.

The President of the settlers, Adebanji Obembe, who spoke on behalf of the farmers on Wednesday, pleaded with Adeleke and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, to intervene and stop those involved before mining activities commence in the settlement.

He said beginning mining operations on their farmland would amount to the forceful ejection of the settlers, most of whom are youths and elderly people, adding that farming is their sole means of livelihood.

He further stated that, based on the agreement between the state government and the farmers at the start of the settlement, it was agreed that they could use the land for 99 years.

“The Ago-Owu of today has increased from 4,676 hectares at inception to 16,000 hectares, and the population has also grown to 24,000 from 2,000 at inception.

“Seventy per cent of the population in the settlement are youths, the majority of whom are graduates who, due to lack of employment, turned to farming as a means of survival. The rest are retirees who have invested their life savings in farming to cater for their old age.

“It must be emphasised that introducing mining activities on a farmland fully developed by settlers will amount to a forceful ejection from their means of livelihood,” Obembe said.

Seeking urgent intervention from the governor, Obembe said many farmers could die if removed from their farms and insisted the government must honour its agreement.

He continued, “We, on behalf of the settlers, appeal to the Osun State Governor, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, and all relevant stakeholders to prevail on the Special Adviser for Mining and all relevant agencies to desist from initiating mining within the Ago-Owu farm settlement.

“The agreement we had with the state government is for 99 years and must be respected. I appeal that mining activities be avoided by all means, to prevent premature deaths and rising criminality caused by displacing jobless youths back into urban centres.”

Reacting to the farmers’ concerns, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the government would protect the farmers’ interests.

Alimi confirmed a report indicating that part of the land may contain mineral deposits, but assured that no exploration would begin until testing is complete.

“If they notice anyone trying to mine there, they should inform us. Some individuals alerted the government that certain areas within the settlement may be mineralised. Minerals fall under federal jurisdiction, but the land belongs to the state, and the company wishes to conduct tests to determine the level of mineral presence.

“However, no activity has taken place yet. Even if mining is eventually approved, all affected farmers will receive adequate compensation. The Special Adviser has already told the farmers to remain calm.

“What is happening now is merely testing. No mining is taking place, nor will it, unless minerals are discovered and this has yet to be confirmed. So they should remain calm and await the test results,” Alimi said.