Ajagba, a town in the heart of Ondo State, has long been overlooked by the government, leading to its absence from national headlines for decades.
Situated in Irele Local Government within the Southern Senatorial District of the Sunshine State, this agrarian community has struggled to gain government attention, whether at the federal or state level.
However, the situation is beginning to change as Senator Jimoh Folorunsho Ibrahim, representing the Ondo South Senatorial District, has presented two important petitions aimed at addressing the longstanding injustices faced by Ajagba.
The petitions, drafted by the town’s paramount ruler, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Thomas Oluwole Adesayo, the Ahaba of Ajagba Kingdom, call for Ajagba to be recognized as an oil-producing community, allowing it to reap the benefits following recent oil discoveries in the area.
In addition, Senator Ibrahim has requested the revival of an Aquatic Biology Center, which was reportedly established by the Federal Government in Ajagba but has proven to be non-operational.
While presenting the petitions, Senator Ibrahim stated, “The first petition targets the Ministry of Science and Technology. This ministry allegedly set up an Aquatic Biology Center in Ajagba and provided equipment for the past four years, yet we cannot locate any building.
“We suspect that the equipment is deteriorating, but there is still no facility.”
He added, “The second petition seeks to include Ajagba as one of the beneficiaries of crude oil revenues. Although the community has been designated for oil exploration, it has not been recognized among the beneficiaries. These are the two key petitions, Mr. Senate President,” he concluded.
