The well-known Ijebu age group, Egbe Bobakeye Okunrin Akile Ijebu, expressed regret on Saturday over the incorrect information circulating on social media regarding the visit of late Queen Elizabeth II of England to Nigeria, specifically to Ijebu territory back in 1956.
When speaking to reporters in Ijebu Ode on Saturday, Abiodun Onanuga, known as the Giwa of the age-grade, stated that the story circulating claiming Queen Elizabeth II stayed at the residence of the prominent figure Ogbeni Oja from Ijesha land and well-known businessman Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola during her visit was completely false.
The organization mentioned that the late sovereign was welcomed at Itoro by the deceased Awujale, Oba Daniel Adesanya, after which she proceeded to the GRA residence previously occupied by the colonial administrator of the former Ijebu Province, currently serving as the Egbe Bobakeye headquarters.
The group stated that she ate her lunch there and then departed for Lagos.
Onanuga stated that the primary age grade chose to address this unwarranted misrepresentation of history and counteract false information being spread, aiming to uphold the reputation of hardworking and capable individuals.
He mentioned that around one year prior, the age group had tasked two of its members, Kayode Adesanya and Lekan Odufunlade, with visiting the British National Archives to explore this contentious past and uncover the facts.
He mentioned that "The pair diligently reviewed numerous documents over several months and successfully gathered comprehensive information about Her Majesty’s trip, carefully documenting each aspect of her official tour across certain areas of the former Western Region of Nigeria, including specifics like her luncheon locations."
They eventually acquired undeniable documentation from the British government regarding the schedule of Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Ijebu-Ode and our Ule Egbe in 1956.
On behalf of Egbe Bobakeye, I can firmly and unambiguously declare that our property, Ule Egbe—which formerly served as the residence for the British Resident in ljebu-Ode—was the location where the Queen had her luncheon.
This documentation clearly refutes any assertion that Her Majesty stayed overnight in Ijebu-Ode, as she proceeded to Lagos following her meeting with the Awujale in Itoro and her luncheon at our current Ule Egbe location, where the colonial administrators were then residing.
One of the researchers involved in the study, Odunfunlade, mentioned that they acquired the facts from certain documents retrieved from the British National Archives.
However, Odunfunlade urged the federal government to step up its efforts in preserving and documenting the nation's history so that future generations would have access to it.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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