Erinmo-Ijesa Indigenes Kick Against Ceding Mountain To Ekiti

Yusuf Oketola

INDIGENES of Erinmo-Ijesa, Oriade Local Government of Osun State have kicked against reported ceding of the popular Erinmo mountain to Efon Alaye, a border town in Ekiti State by children of the late Prophet Joseph Odeyemi.

Late Odeyemi, according to findings by OSUN DEFENDER, hailed from Efon Alaye and until his death oversaw the administration of the famous Ori-Oke Erinmo.

In a statement issued and signed by Erinmo-Ijesa Diaspora Heritage (EIDH), the indigenes noted that the prayer mountain was referred to as “Ori-Oke Efon Alaye via Erinmo” in a document for Odeyemi’s funeral programme.

The statement which was made available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday was signed by the EIDH Chairman, Barr. Jonathan Omosebi.

EIDH also alleged that the children of the late prophet intended to bury him on the mountain, calling on Osun State government to intervene.

The group said any attempt to cede the prayer mountain to Ekiti State would be resisted, maintaining that it is one of their heritages.

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It described the action of the children and family of Bojesomo to transfer ownership of the mountain to themselves is unacceptable.

The statement reads: “The attention of Erinmo-Ijesa Diaspora Heritage (EIDH) has been drawn to a dubious attempt to transfer the ownership the famous Ori-Oke Erinmo to Efon Alaye by the children and family members of a certain Late Prophet Odeyemi Joseph Bojesomo who until the time of his death oversees the administration of the famous Ori-Oke Erinmo. 

“We came across documents in the public space announcing the funeral programme wherein the world-famous Ori-Oke Erinmo was referred to as Ori-Oke Efon Alaye via Erinmo and their intent to bury the late Baba Bojesomo on the mountain.

“Erinmo Ijesa is an ancient town in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, Erinmo is famous and regarded as a ‘Spiritual Jerusalem’ of some sort because of the spiritual power and potency present at the mountain – Ori-Oke Erinmo. 

“This mountain is often visited by people from across Nigeria and beyond for the purpose of prayers and pilgrimage and many testimonies abound of answered prayers from the mountain, which is testament to the spiritual potency of the mountain. 

“Everyone who knows Erinmo and even those who are yet to visit the community have heard of the famous Ori-Oke Erinmo notable for spiritual potency. While Efon Alaye in Ekiti State is a border town to Erinmo Ijesa.

“Efon Alaye is the town where the late Baba Bajesomo hailed from, he has managed the affairs of the Ori-Oke without any rancour with the host community until his recent demise.”

The association noted that: “The Ori Oke was named Ori Oke Agbara Emi mimo from the time of its establishment and that it never been named or called Ori Oke Efon Alaye via Erinmo as falsely described by the Bajesomo family. That the Ori Oke situates at Erinmo Ijesa, Osun State, not Efon Alaye.

 “The Ori Oke was established by Erinmo indigenes and there has been other people who has been in charge of Ori-Oke before late prophet Bojesomo.”

The group called on the children and family of late Bajesomo to desist from and cancel any plan on the interment of their late father on the mountain, stating the it is a place of prayer and worship.

It also noted that the prayer mountain is an historical asset and heritage of the people of Erinmo Ijesa and not a property of any individual or family, insisting that it cannot be turned to a  burial site by anyone and for anyone.      

“We demand that amendments be made on the funeral programme earlier released, with the accurate description of the revered mountain to Ori-Oke Erinmo and its location as Erinmo Ijesa, Osun State.  

“In conclusion, we seek the timely intervention of the government of Osun State to prevent the ceding of Erinmo Mountain to Efon Alaye, a community in Ekiti State; we also call on the security and other relevant government agencies to be observant and ensure nothing untoward is done to threaten the peace and tranquility of the people of Erinmo Ijesa and visitors to the famous Ori-Oke Erinmo”, the group concluded.