Youth Voice Concerns Over Social and Cultural Gaps Five Years After Monarch's Passing in Ondo

Table of Contents

1. Delay in Installation of New Monarch
2. Protests by Youth
3. Call to Action
4. Community Leaders Speak
5. Urgency of the Situation

Five years after the passing of the late Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adewusi, the youth of Ifon in the Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State have voiced their frustration regarding the delay in appointing a new monarch for the community.

Protesting the situation, the youth, organized under the Ifon Development Youth Forum, revealed that this delay has hindered the town's progress.

The late Oba Adeusi was tragically shot on November 26, 2020, at the Elegbeka area along the Benin-Owo-Akure highway in Ose Local Government while returning to Ifon from Akure, where he had attended a meeting. He fell victim to gunmen who had set an ambush on the highway. Read more

During a peaceful protest over the weekend in the community, the youth called on the Ondo State Government to take necessary actions for the appointment of a new traditional ruler, expressing that the delay has obstructed social, administrative, and traditional activities within the town.

Armed with placards bearing various messages such as “5 Years After, It’s Time for a New Monarch,” “Give Us a New King,” and “Give Us a Future,” the protesting youth marched through the main streets of the town, voicing their frustrations over what they termed a leadership vacuum that has plunged the community into darkness since 2020.

The youth appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to approve the selection of a new Olufon in accordance with the Olufon Chieftaincy declaration, emphasizing that the community can no longer remain without a traditional ruler. They pointed out that the absence of a new monarch, nearly half a decade after the passing of Oba Adeusi, raises serious concerns.

During the protest, the Public Relations Officer of the Ifon Community Development Association, Olaniyi Olotu, noted that the procession marked the fifth anniversary of Oba Adeusi’s passing.

Olotu emphasized that Ifon, being a large and cosmopolitan community, cannot afford to remain stagnant, stating, “Ifon has been in a rudderless state for the past five years.”

“It is perilous to leave such a populous community without a king. We urge the state government to expedite the selection of the next Olufon,” he added.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the Youth Forum, Idowu Alegbe, asserted that the protest would persist until the state government intervenes, stating, “Since our king joined his ancestors, things have not been functioning well.”

“Ifon is lacking socially and traditionally. We are not endorsing any candidate; we simply need a king. We will continue this protest peacefully until the governor hears our plea,” he continued.

One of the protesters, Princess Aderiike Odogiyan, highlighted the urgency of the situation, urging Aiyedatiwa to address their concerns by stating, “We are in darkness. We need a king within the next two to three months.”

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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