THE traditional ruler of Ojo kingdom, Olojo of Ojo, Oba Galib Adeniyi-Rufai (Ade-Ife 1) have cautioned indigenes of Iba to stop laying claim to the ownership of the land which the Lagos State University (LASU) main campus is sited.
The monarch gave the caution in response to a remark made by the traditional ruler of the neighbouring Iba kingdom, Oba Sulaiman Raji Adeshina (Asade 1), Oniba Ekun of Iba, who claimed that the land belongs to the Awori indigenes of Iba kingdom.
Oba Adeniyi-Rufai asserted that the large expanse of land belongs to their fore-fathers and has not been ceded to any other kingdom or individuals.
Oba Adeshina who is also known as Jafo Authority had in his speech on June 22, at the 40th anniversary and 26th convocation ceremony of LASU, said the land on which the institution is sited belongs to Iba kingdom.
The monarch made the claim while appreciating the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the management of the university for the honorary doctorate degree conferred on him.
But rebutting the claim, the Olojo of Ojo said the claim by the Iba traditional ruler have unsettled indigenes of Ojo, hence prompting their besiege to his palace to know if the land has been ceded.
The Otunba of Ojo kingdom, High Chief Sulaiman Obasa in a statement read on behalf of the monarch and the indigenes of the kingdom said, “The palace of the Olojo kingdom has been inundated with several calls locally and internationally seeking clarification. The land is owned by the Awori indigenes of Ojo kingdom and has not been ceded to any other kingdom or individuals.”
Justifying his claim, Obasa quoted the Law of Lagos State Vol.5, part 1, that set up the institution, saying the law recognises it as Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo. He added that the law specifically stated that the university will operate a multi-campus at Ojo, Epe, Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu and Lagos Island as may be determined.
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