Dozens of residents of Omuo-Ekiti, in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State, trooped out on Saturday to protest against the relocation of the Federal College of Education (FCE) from their community.
The protesters, comprising both men and women, gathered as early as 9 am and barricaded major roads in the community, thereby paralyzing commercial and economic activities for several hours. The relocation of the FCE was said to be to Ilawe-Ekiti.
It would be recalled that the bill seeking the establishment of the Federal College of Education in Omuo-Ekiti was sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi, who represented Ekiti South senatorial district and was passed by both chambers of the 9th National Assembly.
However, on Friday, the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi, announced to the people of Ilawe community that the FCE had been approved for their community by the federal government, following his agitation dating back to 2016.
Some of the placards displayed by the protesters read: “On Omuo FCE we stand! No more! No less; this injustice must be redressed; Return Our FCE back to us; Don’t rub Peter to pay Paul; FCE belongs to Omuo Ekiti,” among others.
Travellers going to Abuja and those passing through the major highway in the town to Lagos, Ado Ekiti, and neighbouring Ondo State faced difficulties as the roads were barricaded.
As part of the protest against the alleged injustice, the Olomuo of Omuo-Ekiti, Oba Noah Omonigbehin, directed that all markets, shops, and other businesses must remain closed for the day.
The traditional ruler said he had participated in the public hearings by the Senate leading to the establishment of the school in both the 8th and 9th sessions.
“We presented a memo to the August legislative assembly. We wonder how someone who has not asked for anything would be given. I urge President Tinubu to correct this injustice and return the institution to Omuo Ekiti,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Chief Segun Akanle, a community leader, appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, to intervene and return the Federal College of Education back to Omuo Ekiti.
Akanle, who described the citizens of the community as law-abiding, noted that Omuo Ekiti had been working for the establishment of the FCE for over ten years. He added that a bill establishing the institution had been passed by both the 8th and 9th National Assembly and was only awaiting presidential assent.
“We have 12 communities in Ekiti East, and there is no federal or state presence in any of them. A bill establishing a College of Education has been passed and is waiting for presidential assent before Ilawe people went through the backdoor to alter the location of the school,” he said.
“Why would the government establish two federal institutions in Ilawe and leave the remaining parts of the constituency? This is not acceptable. We have confidence in Tinubu to do the needful by righting the wrong and returning the Federal College of Education to Omuo Ekiti where it rightly belongs.”
