“The Indigenes of Ibeju-Lekki are Peaceful People”

Story Inspiration from Stephen Odolor

Ibeju-Lekki was a once-thriving slave outpost resting by the Atlantic Ocean and dominated by the Ekos and Ijebus. The ancient people of the town were good farmers and fishermen, successful in their trade.

Today, the land of Ibeju-Lekki means success and wealth. Like a chosen bride of the gods favored to have it all, the area has caught the attention of both local and international investors , drawing in a Free Trade Zone, an Airport, a deep Seaport, and many other gigantic industrial projects.

Following the fracas between some villagers and staff of the Lekki Free Trade Zone sited at Akodo, which led to the accidental death of Alhaji Tajudeen Disu, many different views have been aired…

In this chat with LEKKI PEOPLE magazine, Stephen Odolor, an Octogenarian and retired school teacher who came to dwell in the community since 1970, concluded that the occurrence is very strange and alien to the communities in Ibeju-Lekki, an area he adjudged among the most peaceful places to live in Nigeria.

When asked for the reasons of his assertion, he shook his head in awe and wore a sad frown, before memories drew the remembrance-smile that began our journey into history.

“Back in those days when we have three regions, this area you see is part of the western region. Naturally, the land is blessed with every good resources needed for economic prosperity.... They have good Forests where you can find the Ekki, Abura, Obebe and Mahogany trees. Then the fish market; here you see very large fishes you can find only in this part and fishermen always turn in boatloads. The coconut plantations too, which stretched far down the land. You can still see the evidence of the coconut plantations.

“As the weather is hot now, you will see the people relaxing under the coconut trees. The coconut tree provides lovely shades stretching forth for many miles.”

Sure he must have had some good time to have stayed in the area this long. When asked what his experience was like, he smile gently and narrates.

“As a teacher, when I arrived at Abijo over forty-years ago, it was not a little fanfare as many villagers came to visit me with different gifts. The indigenous people of the area are the real entertainers of visitors.”

He paused briefly then continued, “That is why you see so many strangers living with them comfortably today and more people coming to dwell. Back in those days, they were so hospitable and kind that they will house and feed a visitor for free”

“What happened is so alien to the people because the communities here abhor violence and have always relate with peace and mutual respect. Here, you will see a man of 60 years prostrating on the road in greetings if they happen to meet someone older, and the youths were always willing to carry an elder’s luggage for miles If the need arise.

“They live by the great law of God that commands to love thy God and thy neighbour. When a child of any of the communities commits an offense in a neighboring community, you will see elders from other communities rising up to sought out the culprit for 1admonishment. That was because their main goal was peace.”

Conclusively, he urged governor Ambode’s government to create more schools, hospitals and recreational parks and ensure that the youths of the area are adequately employed, to forestall future occurrence of such crisis.