With the ascension of the Obat Oil boss, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan as the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom two years ago, the community is already counting its gains.IT was with the funfair and high praises to God that the people of Ugbo Kingdom recently celebrated the second year anniversary of the coronation of the oil magnate and Chief Executive Officer of Obat Oil, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom at Ugbonla in Ilaje Local Council Area of Ondo State.For the people of the oil rich riverine community, they had reasons to roll out the drums and celebrate what many of them called the 'reign of peace' in their land. Until two years ago when the administration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State recognised the choice of the kingmakers and people for the throne of Olugbo, the ancient town was in crisis. But things have changed. The people are now at peace with themselves. Some of their sons and daughters scattered around the country and in the Diaspora are returning home to join hands with their monarch to develop the town. New structures are springing up from all corners to replace dilapidated buildings and government presence is now noticeable in the community with the construction of new roads, markets and clinic.At the vanguard of this development is the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Akinruntan who has also sand-filled several hectares of swampy land to attract development to the town. Besides, he is building a five star hotel, which he called Febson Waterfront International Hotel, a modern multipurpose civic centre and an ultra modern palace.Speaking with The Guardian during the week on his achievement in the last two years on the throne, Oba Akinruntan said: 'What I consider to be the greatest achievement for now is the peace that we have in this land. Before I became the monarch, this place was like a war zone where you cannot spend a night, but with God and assistance of our people we have changed that. We have once again proved that Ilaje people are naturally peaceful, though we are always at alert to defend our rights. I am glad to see that we have healed the wounds. We have put the past behind us and all hands are now on deck to develop our community and take it to its rightful place in Yoruba nation and Nigeria.'I have about 150 Baales; these are various traditional heads of communities and we hold meetings here regularly to discuss serious issues of maintaining peace and attracting development to Ilaje. I consider this renewed love as the greatest achievement because where there is peace and tranquility development must naturally follow.'Let me say that people are happy with what I am building here, we don't have anywhere you can call hotel here, but I am building a five star hotel here like the one I have in Abuja. This has encouraged others to come back to see how they can key in into our development drive.'I want people to know that we have a lot of wealthy people in Ilaje but because of the peace that had eluded this area for a long time, the community was deserted. But with the kind of security we have put in place and the return of peace, they are now returning home to take land and we are now developing new towns that will be like Europe. Those of them that never wanted to come home are now returning because I am permanently residing here now.'Oba Akinruntan noted that aside peace, the development, which the community had been yearning for, has started materialising. 'For over 30 years we have been pleading for the construction of Ugbo-Aiyetoro road and the most important one Ugbo-Owoye road which covers most of the communities in Ilaje; these projects have commenced. Also government has built a big market near the new palace I am building because traditionally, a market should not be too far from the palace. We have also got some hospitals and clinics built by the government. And to make our coastal roads passable we have commenced dredging from Ugbo to Owoye. Also at my own level, I have awarded scholarships to some students both at the university and secondary school levels. We have also sent some of our youths to overseas for training,' he added.Speaking on Ugbo has any relationship with Igbo speaking areas of Nigeria going by its name, Oba Akinruntan said there is no historical ties. 'No we have no historical relationship with Igbo land. Ugbo in Ilaje dialect means I stop here. Our forefathers left Ile Ife about 2000 years ago and during their sojourn they contacted Ifa oracle, as was the practice then. The oracle asked them to stop here. If you look at everybody in Ilaje we are all fishermen because we live on top of water, and if you also notice, our neighbours have to come here to fish. And it was the same oracle that told them that 'your sons and daughters will discover something here that will take care of them forever'. Honestly speaking look at the whole of the old Western region, we are the only one that has oil in commercial quantity,' he noted.Oba Akinruntan, whose coronation with the Bible stirred curiosity among other monarchs in Yoruba land, said the manner at which he was coronated had been predicted by one of the greatest prophets from the community. According to him, 'That had been prophesied a long time ago by one of our greatest prophets in this land that an Olugbo will come that will be sworn in by the holy Bible. In fact, he was the one that prophesied that I was going to be the king of Ugboland. I never dreamt of it, even when I did not put my mind in it, the prophesy came to pass. Even the chiefs that I have installed were consecrated with anointing oil. This cannot be strange to us because most of us here belong to C & S Zion. So, we are Christians and there is nothing fetish in our culture and tradition.On the decision of the Federal Government to remove oil subsidy by next year, Oba Akinruntan who is reputed to have the largest oil farm in the country said: 'Government's position is still a proposal and I will urge Nigerians to have a robust discussion on it and come up with the best for the country. Let's wait and see how it goes.
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