Community protests demolition of retired teachers’ buildings

The protesters. | credits: Samson Folarin

The people of Ogede town in the Ogijo area of Ogun State have protested the demolition of structures owned by retired teachers in the area.

The crowd, waving leaves and chanting war songs, trooped out on Wednesday to show solidarity with the over 25 former teachers affected by the demolition.

Our correspondent learnt that the structures were demolished by the Oyekan family, a member of the royal family in the area.

The Oyekan family was said to have claimed that it was acting on a court order which transferred ownership of the land to it in 2009.

It was learnt that the family asked for a new payment of N250,000 for a plot of land and N125,000 for half plot of land.

One of the affected retired teachers, Mrs. A. Ogundipe, said the Oyekan family had agreed to allow them pay by installment.

She said despite the agreement, the family still demolished her building.

While fighting back tears, she said, On January 6, 2014, I got a telephone call that I should rush down to Ogede town. When I got there, I saw a caterpillar demolishing the two bedroom flat that I had built to window level. I could not do anything. I just started crying. I have no work. It is all I have built my whole life. All the tokens I have received from my children, I have thrown into that building and now it is gone.

Another woman, Mrs Akinsete Adenike, said she fainted after seeing her houses demolished.

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Community protests demolition of retired teachers’ buildings