The Ijemo Township of Egbaland in Ogun State has frowned at the distortion of history of the Ijemo people by Ogun State government with the redesign of the Ibara GRA to New Ibara GRA, insisting that the old name of the GRA should be Ijemo Titun GRA.
The development according to Ijemo Traditional Council' has caused disquiet in the town, with the leadership of the Ijemo Traditional Council calling for the correction of the anomaly for peace to reign.
It could be recalled that the government of Western Region had forcefully allocated some lands belonging to Ijemo township for an housing estate when Ogun State was created in 1976.
The Estate was named Ibara Housing Estate, which was obtained from the Ijemo, as the land originally incontrovertibly belongs to the Ijemos.
The Ijemo Traditional Council' said with the redesign of the Estate now meant for sale, the name of the GRA should be reverted to its old original name as Ijemo Titun GRA and not New Ibara GRA.
“Our attention has been drawn to the numerous statements by the representatives of Ogun State government at different fora in which Ijemo Land is been erroneously called Ibara GRA, the action is capable of creating crisis in Egbaland.
We need not remind the government that the act can result to loss of Cultural identity, we know that history is deeply intertwined with cultural identity, serving as
repository of shared experiences, values, and
traditions. Erasing or distorting historical events can undermine cultural identity by
erasing important aspects of a community's past and disconnecting people from their cultural heritage.
The action can also result to normalization of Injustice, by whitewashing or minimizing the history of past injustices,
opposing groups normalize oppression and inequality.
This sends a message that certain voices and experiences are less valid or worthy
of acknowledgment, perpetuating marginalization and silencing marginalized
Communities.
If the trend is not reversed, it can also lead to manipulation of Memory.
"Manipulating or erasing history distorts collective memory and shapes public consciousness. It creates a false narrative that reinforces existing power structures and serves the interests of those in
positions of authority, often at the expense of marginalized groups.
" We therefore called on government to revert to the original name of the land as New Ijemo Titun GRA.
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