Ondo Free Trade Zone: Family decries exclusion from govt plan

The Sehin Royal Family of Ipare community in Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, has called on the state government and other stakeholders to deal directly with it on any matter relating to the land being set aside as a Free Trade Zone in the community.

The Aheri Kingdom in the same Ilaje LGA had rejected what it described as attempts to acquire large portions of its ancestral land for the proposed Olokola Free Trade Zone and an alleged Dangote Industrial City.

The kingdom, in a statement, however, welcomed Dangote Industries Limited and other genuine investors to develop projects within the Olokola Free Trade Zone along the Atlantic corridor, while opposing any proposed land acquisition in the hinterland around Alape Lagoon and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

But a statement issued by the Sehin royal family of Ipare on Friday disagreed with the position of Aheri community, saying the Ipare land was not part of the Aheri kingdom and dissociated itself from the outcome of the meeting with state government and other investors.

The statement was signed on behalf of Sehin family by Pa Ilemoboye Sheyin, Reverend Adekunle Sheyin, Reverend Caleb Ebijimi, Bishop Enoch Ebijimi, Pa Moye Ebijimi,‎ Dr Bayo Sheyin, Ibiwunmi Saliu, Adeleye Sheyin, Oladele Sheyin, Olayeye Sheyin, Adewetan Sheyin, Adebusayo Sheyin and Adetoye Sheyin.

It read, “The attention of the Sehin Royal Family of Ipare, Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, has been drawn to a report credited to the Aheri Development Council after a meeting held at Zion-Pepe on September 5, 2026.

“That publication gives the impression that Ipare, Alape and adjoining lands are part of the ancestral land of Aheri Kingdom, and that the kingdom speaks for them. This is incorrect.

The statement noted that the Ipare/Alape land remains the ancestral property of the Sehin Royal Family, settled in by Ajimihinmi, Ebijimi and Sehin in centuries past. The family has exercised ownership without interruption through farming, fishing rights, grants to tenants, court judgments, survey plans, and colonial records, among other proofs.

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“Ipare is not, and has never been under Aheri Kingdom. Ipare’s correct traditional affiliation has always and ever been from the Mahin kingdom with strong affiliation with the Akenneyin Dynasty of the Mahin kingdom.

“The Sehin family was neither invited to nor represented at any meeting. No kingdom has authority or autonomy to speak, negotiate, accept or reject anything on behalf of Ipare/Alape or the Sehin Royal Family,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the family noted that it and the Ipare community had never opposed the Olokola Free Trade Zone, Dangote Industries, Hi-Tech, or any genuine investor but will reject any attempt to bypass it while discussing the issue of the development of the area.

“Our sole concern is that government officials and investors have so far bypassed the true owners and custodians of the land, and this may lead to litigation. So, we advise a review of anything that concerns land acquisition or investment decisions that are being considered by investors to avoid any future conflicts,” it added.

The statement called on the prospective investors to deal directly with the accredited representatives of the Sehin royal family on all matters of access, enumeration, acquisition and compensation concerning Ipare/Alape land and include the family in the technical committee and all stakeholder engagements.

“Any agreement made with, or payment made to, any other person or body in respect of this land is made at their own risk. We remain open to dialogue with government, investors and our neighbours in the interest of peace and the development of Ilaje land,” the statement concluded.