This Otta People Sef
Otta is a local government area in Ogun State that has existed for a long time. It use to be the agrarian village for Kolanuts and Leaves farmers and with a long rich tradition which is just an extraction of the traditions of the Yoruba people in general. History place Otta and her people among the 'Aworis' and the Aworis are direct descendants of the Oduduwa. Please, save the story.
There are various misconceptions about the Otta people and some of these will be brought to the fore.
#1. Otta people are experts at magic, sorcery and witchcraft
#2. Otta is a very remotely underdeveloped area in Ogun State
#3. In Otta, witches fly in the afternoon
#4. Otta people are not educated and better placed in government
#4. An average Otta lady would not stay in her husband's house
#5. If not for 'Obasanjo', Otta will not be this popular
#6. Otta people are not urban and exposed, since Otta is developing town
And lastly, Otta men are 'Louts' / 'Thugs' and 'Land grabbers'
All of those are false!
Let's look at the following narratives
Witchcraft, black magic and sorcery have been with man since age long. It is not particular to a group of people. Having this kind of perception about a people is not just erroneous but a violation of one's right of thought! More so, Esu- who is regarded has a grandmaster and Lord mayor in blackmagic, witchcraft and sorcery was said to have enter the ground in ... (Definitely not in Otta)
Developmental strides had been witnessed in this part of Ogun State for a long time only that it was not recorded in prints. And some were just recorded recently. How come the second oldest storey build in Nigeria is in Otta, if the town was not developed at that time? Please read.
At present, Otta has the largest polpulation (of people) and the higest number of industries and factories. With a 'FLY- OVER' bridge and life supporting structures.
Just like Africans who explore other places, Otta indigenes do doing exploits and are far from home with 'home' already congested with intellectuals and intelligentsias. I know of an emeritus professor of Medicine who is an Otta indigene. I do want to bore you with names and a long list of very successful 'omo Otta'
I have spent a reasonable time in this local government and have not seen witches fly in the day. It can only be a fable!
If I hear you say 'OBJ' made Otta popular, then I will node my head at your foolishness. Obasanjo bought land in Otta and in good faith we did business with him. He has always been popular whether in government or not.
Otta has always been popular with or without Obasanjo, Winners Chapel and so on.
For some persons who have stayed with us for a long time, it is pecular to hear from them that 'Obirin Omo Otta on gbele oko' That I cannot but laugh about. It is a great misconception that has no basis and that can never be true! Censure what you hear! Save your 'hear time' about Otta by asking the right person!
Land grabbing is no new business in Nigeria as this cut across most ethnic groups in Nigeria. In the oil rich South South, Land is a source of livelihood. Same in Otta. From Okrika, Afikpo, Nsukka, Ikate, Igboho, Iba to Otta, land grabbing is business.
This is not to justify the act. It is totally wrong. My advice here is that, should you need land? Then buy from real agents. For example Winner's Chapel, Obasanjo farms Nigeria Limited, Palms Ota bought land from real agents. Please follow suit. There are bad eggs amongst us too. But, we will purge them.
I do not know of a place that has such great population without its attendant problems. One of the problem with our massive population is thuggery.
In a personal inquiry to knowing the state of origin of notable thugs in Otta, it was discovered that the these thugs are not of Otta extraction, only a few are! And I can substantiate this with evidence. And at best, the 'few' are not full Otta bred!
In conclusion, it is wrong to assess a place or people from the outside. Get involved and get first hand information. More so, meet the right persons and you will learn great things about Otta. Thank you
Olubankole Olatunji
08035593418
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