Ewekoro Community leaders have reaffirmed their support for H.B.M Nigeria Plc’s Ewekoro Plant in Ogun State, denying allegations that community funds were withheld and distancing themselves from a protest staged at the facility’s entrance in July.
The community’s position was made known by its spokesman, Adebowale Adeola Abdulrahmon, who read a press statement during a counter-protest in support of the company and its continued operations in the community.
Abdulrahmon said the community leadership, headed by Baale Suraju O. Adebowale and supported by the chiefs, did not identify with the protest staged by some individuals at the plant’s entrance.
He said the community remained committed to maintaining a peaceful relationship with the company, which he described as a major contributor to local development through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects, youth employment and contracts awarded to indigenes.
“H.B.M Nigeria Plc has consistently demonstrated commitment to the development of Ewekoro Community through Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Projects,” Abdulrahmon said.
He listed the construction of Ewekoro Community Grammar School, the provision of chairs and tables for the school, the construction of toilets, borehole water projects and other community facilities among the company’s contributions.
On employment and economic opportunities, the spokesman said H.B.M Nigeria Plc had supported the community by “employing our youths and awarding contracts to indigenes.”
He described attempts to tarnish the company’s reputation as regrettable, insisting that its presence had contributed to the community’s development.
“We affirm our total support for the continued progress of H.B.M Nigeria Plc Ewekoro Plant, as it remains a major driver of peace, comfort, and development in Ewekoro Community,” he said.
Abdulrahmon also dismissed allegations that Oba Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, was withholding money belonging to the Ewekoro Community.
“We categorically refute the false allegation that Oba Prof. Saka Adelola Matemilola, (FNSE), Oluyalo Otileta VII, Olowu of Owu Kingdom, is holding the money of Ewekoro Community,” he said.
According to him, the monarch had never collected any money belonging to the community from H.B.M Nigeria Plc Ewekoro Plant.
“Furthermore, our Kabiyesi, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, has never collected any money belonging to the Ewekoro Community from H.B.M Nigeria Plc Ewekoro Plant,” Abdulrahmon added.
The spokesman suggested that the controversy was connected to a dispute over the Baaleship of Ewekoro Community.
He described the Olowu as a “well-educated, kind-hearted, patient, and compassionate King,” adding that the monarch had supported the community in various ways and remained committed to its development.
Abdulrahmon said Ewekoro Community had historically been under Papalanto Ward, identifying Oba Abdul Rasak Jimoh Famuyiwa, the Onipapa of Papalanto, as the ward’s recognised traditional ruler.
He maintained that the Onipapa was under the traditional authority of the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, who, according to the statement, exercised authority over Papalanto Ward and Ewekoro Community.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ewekoro Community has been under Papalanto Ward from time immemorial,” he said, adding that the community was not under any other town or community outside the ward.
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