THE CONTRIBUTION OF MARBLE MINING COMPANY TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF IGBETI COMMUNITY FROM 1969 TO PRESENT

CHAPTER ONE

1. 1. Background to the Study

Definition of marble mining: what is marble? Marble can be defined as a type of had store that is usually white and often has coloured lines in it. It can be polished and is used in building and for making status etc. a slab / block of marble, a marble floor/ sculpture.

Mining: The purpose of the ground the industry involved in this coal diamond goal tin mining.

          The role of marble mining in economic development: The Marble Mining company have played prominent roles in Igbeti’s economy in terms of employment, provision of a wide range of goods and service it has helped to facilitate international transactions, it has also contributed to the gross National Product Payment of Taxes, import and export duties also make transfer of technology possible, this they do by training their workers. However, if the technology transfer is properly looked at in terms of scientific knowledge that constitutes the  engine of modern industrialism, then it is argued that Marble Mining have not done enough to the hosts economic.

          In spite of this view, it would not be correct to say that Marble mining company had not made impact to the host’s economy. Therefore, we shall examine the contribution of Marble Mining Company. The study shall focus on the impact the company. This is to enable us access its performance and impact to the Igbeti economic development.

1.2     AIMS AND OBJECTIVES                                                                         

          The aim of this work is to examine the role of Marble Mining Company to the economic development of Igbeti as well as the rate at which these developments is taking place.

          In doing this, we shall examine the origin of Marble mining company, its operation. We shall also attempt to explore the attention paid to the aspect of internal environment at the organization such as the quality of the products, the distribution of products, resources mobilization and utilization, organization structure general administration and management.

1.3     SCOPE OF THE WORK

          The study is based on the role of marble mining company in the economic development of Igbeti. Thus, it shall examine the general overview of Igbeti, how historical background the emergence of indigenous economic activities industrial development in Igbeti from 1960 till date as well as the modern industrial development in Igbeti.

          Moreover, the study discuses the efforts of Marble Mining at making the town a better place industrially. The contribution of Marble Mining as well as prospects shall be examine, it will also serve as an insight for researchers wishing to carry out a further research or study of the economic history of Igbeti.

1.4     RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND LIMITATION

          The method adopted for this research include both primary and secondary sources primary sources include interview with some staff of marble Mining company which enabled the researcher to have face to face discussion with people and to clarify issues. The secondary sources include text books, the company’s annual reports and accounts and some documents that are valuable information on the company, research into activities of marble mining company, is not without its problems. This is because not all workers were allowed to go round the factory as much as I needed in order to get materials and all the materials that I needed was given to me, but the manager also told me that I may still get some material in the activities. However, in spite of the materials constraint, the researcher was able to get information needed from officers, available book and the company. Despite all constraints was able to get some important things that aided the successful completion of this project.

 1.5    LITERATURE REVIEWS

          A few long essay, book and articles have been written on Igbeti, but very few of them focus on the economic development of the town.

Chief /Dr. D.O ogunbiyi: Igbeti Town A Tourism Attraction Since (2000) discuss the early history of Igbeti. The history of igbeti was an interesting one according to the author ‘Igbeti’ the head quarter of Olorunsogo local government area of Oyo State is an ancient settlement located in the hill valley in the wood land of the savannah forest. It is about 84 kilometers North West of Ogbomoso. It is about 24 kilometers by the south of the old oyo which was the capital of that popular ancient Yoruba kingdom. It state orire local government councils. The town is surrounded with beautiful attractive hill the highest of them being iyamopo hill.

          Historically, Sango Olufihan Ajala iji was the first settler on Iyamopo hill before he became Alafin of old Oyo around 12th – 13th century, some year after his death, Sango was accepted as semi – god his priest came back to worship the hill that assisted Sango to become Alafin of Oyo around 16th century. By the end and middle of 17th century other settle who were mainly hunters and priest joined the settle. Many settlement soon developed with heads and Baales ruling them.

          When the Jihadist war of 18th century was approaching these settlements Amalgamated at the foot of Iyamopo hill so as to join forces. They then settled on Iyamopo hill when Jihadist came. They fought them and won. Yoruba war again started and escalated because the slave trade raiders called AGAN-NIGAN. After the abolition of slave trade, the people came to settle in this rich valley around 1900.

          Soon after wards, Igbeti grew tremendously in land mass population, it has many large number of villages under it. The town attained its local government status on December 4, 1996. The name Igbeti, emanated long ago through one of Iji family who was no male issue to inherit his priest –hood status after his death. Ifa oracle advised killed many lovers of iyamopo who assisted them to settle in a rich attractive area; the priest yielded and left hunting. If they asked him why he had no more dried meat, he would tell them I had left hunting (moti pagbeti). People then started to call him and his village as pagbeti or Baba Pagbeti. From this, the name of the settlement metamorphosed to Igbeti. The name continued during Amalgamation and till date.

          The occupation of the people are farming and trading. The religious of the people are Traditional religion, Islam and Christianity. The head of Igbeti is called ONIGBETI. Town has a big market, plenty Marble stones and many Tourist attractions.

Another published work consulted by the researcher is Adeniyi E. Adeyeye COMPENDIUM OF ECONOMIC, TOURISM AND NATIONAL RESOURCES POTENTIAL OF OYO STATE AND ITS 33 LOCAL GOVERNMENT (2002)

This book has helped the researcher in identifying the various indigenous economic activities which existed in Igbeti in the earliest times, ranging from farming, trading mining and transportation and so on. The book shed more light on the various methods and techniques used in farming while emphasis was laid on the use of “hoe and cutlass” by the indigenes. It also emphasized on the Marble Mining of the Igbeti people of Oyo State.

In spite of the credit given to this book by the researcher, the book has failed to mention or discussed some fact about economic activities which existed in Igbeti. It should be noted that the organic soil in Igbeti are good. The climate in the area favours the growth of crop like yam, Maize, Guineacorn, cassava, cashew etc. Agriculture is the major sources of income for the greatest number of the people of Igbeti increase farmer productivity enhance income and standard of living.

In “information Hand Book titled” OLORUNSOGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT IGBETI INFORMATION HAND BOOK by Hon. Azeez Bello Akanji, 1st Chairman olorunsogo local government. Internecine wars during the 17th and 18th century in Yoruba land were responsible for the strategic location of Igbeti in a national fortress “protected by the hill”.

It was not until around 1886 when the settlements in the area fused to form a united front,the people moved down the hills to Igbeti’s present location. The town has since retained its original form despite the chaotic situation in the war torn Yoruba land.

Igbeti initially gained importance as a resting camp for hunters and rendezvous for traders at the time. Another impetus was the official royal recognition by the Alaafin via the expedition of the royal blood, Okose and Olahanmi who reported their contact with Iyamopo “the owner of the biggest hill and goodness of the town”.

Historical record on the leadership of the first settlement in Igbeti has been inconclusive while one narration named Akinyele as the premium interprets, another record said Atiba was the founder while Lahanmi became the first traditional ruler hence the saying (Atiba lo te Igbeti but Lahanmi usurped the throne as the Oba)

Also, the book title: The Beauty of Grassroot Governance – A case study of Olorunsogo local Government Area, Ogbeti Oyo State by Hen. W. O. Adeoye and his administration in (1999) who was the 2nd chairman of Olorunsogo local government Igbeti Oyo state.

Igbeti the headquarter of Olorunsogo local government is blessed with abundant Marble deposit, which experts claimed to be of the highest quality. The mining site is located in the Northwest of the local government up to Yegun River in the South West Area of the local Government. The Marble deposit is speculated to have extended up to 25km 59. Igbeti Marble which commenced operation around 1969 save for some occasional breaks in production has affected the social economic life of the people. It is hopped that if mining activities resume fully and the mineral resources is tapped to its fullest it will go long way in generating both employment and income for the unemployed youth and the government respectively. The mining site, which extend from Ookun up to Yegun, is good to behold other mineral resources are granite for road tarring and limestone, which is being speculated but yet to be confirmed by geological experts.

Finally, it should be noted that all the literature above have contributed in one way or the other towards the writing of this project, but one could be rest assured that this is completely different from them all.