IN the contemporary world of digital information and technology, where the world has become a global village, every sane person and society work assiduously to generate contents and products that would attract foreign direct investment, economic development as well as social acceptance for communal growth and international ascendancy. Hence deliberate attempts are made to generate news that would present communities as fertile grounds for investments, tourism and development.

   THE HOPE is, however, pained to observe that while small communities of little repute are gaining positive acceptance, IKARE, the headquarters of Akoko North-East Local Government generates contents that scare away people, investments, and development. Much pained is the fact that as far back as the seventies, Ikare being a trade route like Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Kano had been the commercial town, popular and with the potential for  greatness. Unfortunately, communal tussle, hostility, myopic and ephemeral politics had robbed the town of the greatness naturally bestowed on it.

UNSAVORY news, just as it was in 2021, hit the global space of the killings, assault, and arson and abuse that broke out of the town over petty politicking. A large town, with the potential of being a city, had been embroiled in political row over the existence of two monarchs in the town, Instead of the monarchs to work together as it is in many cities, towns and villages in the Southwest, these had engaged over the years in tussles that had whittled down the greatness of their lands and citizens. Despite Ondo State’s interventions in the past that saw the change in nomenclature and the demarcation of jurisdiction of these monarchs, arguments over the use of a venue for a carnival at Okoja area had led to bloodshed, fire and deaths.

THE youthful Owaale of Iyo Meta and the aged Olukare in the town have not deemed it fit to work in harmony for the growth and development of the town but had let loose their foot soldiers to destroy whatever pedigree the town has garnered in the past. This we find worrisome and unfortunate. Truth be told, if the two monarchs claim that orders of chaos had not emanated from their thrones, they have not demonstrated that they have control over the unruly youths who perpetrate criminal activities in their domains.

UNFORTUNATELY, with the 24 hours curfew imposed on the town, peaceful surrounding communities, and people who transit through the town are in pain and agony. Recall that the town is a link between the Southwest, Eastern, and the Northern parts of the country. Hence, commuters from other parts of the country now face harrowing experiences in getting to their destinations. Besides, staff and students of Adekunle Ajasin University, who are involved in the semester examinations, being resident in Ikare, Arigidi, Ugbe and the environs due to their proximity to institution’s host community Akungba-Akoko,  have not been able to get to the University, and this portends a grave danger on the education and development of Ondo State as a whole. A town that should think of development has been reduced to a midget due to crisis between two parochial thinking gladiators and shallow thinking followers, and unfortunately, the history of the town is rooted in crisis. Need we remind that the Central Mosque has been under locks and keys for a while due to the unharmonious relationship amongst the people of the land?

THE HOPE insists that the time is ripe for government to take decisive and effectual decisions to end the anti-development postures and activities of miscreants in that community. More than anything, Government should hold the two monarchs responsible for any crisis in that community, and sanction them appropriately.Beyond this; principal actors in the current bloodletting violence should be identified, prosecuted, and punished for their dastard crimes against humanity. Furthermore, any crisis provoking activity such as carnivals should be suspended in Ikare for at least three years in order to prevent further clashes and provocations.

WE also hold the strong opinion that the outbreak of crisis and carnage in that community is a fallout of low intelligence gathering by security forces. The various security outfits in the town must engage in intelligence gathering and the disarmament of the youths in Ikare as a matter of urgency.

IN order to ensure that law abiding citizens, who transit through Ikare to their workplace and schools are not adversely affected; we appeal that the 24-hour dusk to dawn curfew should be reappraised, and possibly reduced to the hours of 7.00 pm and 6:00am, so as to save the future of students, as well as enhance the economic development of the state in general. To the Ikare youths, sheath your swords, and engage in activities that would attract development to your community.