As stakeholders take stock of Osun at 30

Nigerians from all walks of life joined Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in marking 30-years of creation of Osun State with or merit awards to distinguished citizens, reports KUNLE ODEREMI.

It was a mixed joy when Osun State was created out of old Oyo State 30 years ago. It was a mixed joy because of the challenges or what many regard as teething problems that often confront a new project. On another hand, the birth of Osun elicited joy because it was a dream come true for, the people had yearned for accelerated development.  Thirty years down the line, that singular act (creation of the state) has indeed revved up the pace of economic growth and development in the state. The convergence of the stakeholders in Osogbo, the state capital to commemorate its 30th anniversary on September 23, 2021 was no surprise. Though the immediate past governor and current Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, was not in attendance, he was said to have been invited by organisers. The letter on his invitation was reliably signed by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. Besides, the documentary that was shown during the September 23 event featured Aregbesola prominently, just as Oyetola gave him adequate mention in his written speech on the day, which was rendered at the event

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, was upbeat at the occasion as he mingled with former helmsmen of the state since its inception in 1991, even as he reminded all and sundry that they had all laid their hands on the plough and there should be no looking back. He charged citizens to pull their collective strength to work, irrespective of their political differences and sentiments, for a greater tomorrow, saying that state-building is a collective enterprise. Describing the event as symbolic, Oyetola, who called for a minute’s silence in honour of the first civilian governor of the state, the late Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, said it was deserving to pay tributes to the illustrious men and women of the state. “State building is a collective enterprise.  Therefore, we all must, more than ever, pull our collective strength to work irrespective of our political differences and sentiments, for a greater tomorrow. We must consider it an urgent task to galvanise our diverse strengths, goodwill and resources to chart a pathway that delivers the Osun of our dreams. That is the least we owe ourselves and the generations coming behind us. We cannot afford to fail. I call on all to rise and let us build a better Osun that is reflective of our true potential as the cradle of humanity,” Oyetola said. Calling for continue collaborating with the government to achieve sustainable development promised and already being delivered, he further charged: “Let us drink and toast to our collective success and the avowed resolve of our administration to build a solid structure for trans-generational development in Osun. The journey to building a stronger and more prosperous Osun continues with greater resolve and hope from here. I invite you all to come on board.”

While appreciating the honours done the past leaders, Chief BisiAkande lauded the government for recognising the services and labours of the former governors. He observed that the journey into the position of power was filled with the good and the bad as the past governors experienced a series of challenges while in power such as labour unrest and difficulties in payment of salaries of workers with the state’s meagre resources. He commended past governors for rising above those challenges, notwithstanding the meagre resources that accrued from the centre. He urged the people to continue to offer the necessary support to the state administration towards taking Osun to the next level.

On his part, the Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, said by giving his Osun counterpart, Oyetola, another four years in office, the state would gain more from him. Areredolu, who said achieving milestone of 30 years was worth celebrating, added: “It has been a wonderful celebration having identified those who built the state, the founding fathers of this State and those who have contributed to the development of this State is now being given award, I think the government is doing very well. I believe this State will turn around totally because the State is in very good hands now and as you can see, change is what is happening in the State. So, I am sure that with this foundation and giving the governor another four years after this four years, the State will stand to gain a lot from him.”

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on his part, commended the government of Osun on the awards, describing it as a welcome development because of its potential to promote hard work and excellence among the youths, enjoining the people of the state to sustain their support for the  Oyetola administration because of his sincerity of purpose and piety.  Part of the remarkable event was the decoration of the former military administrators and governors of the state since its creation in 1991 by the incumbent, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, with himself decorated by ex-Governor Oyinlola. Another major striking aspect of the celebration was a colloquium titled: Celebrating a Milestone: Building a Prosperous Future,” with Chief Akande as the keynote speaker and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, as chairman, who underscored the “massive and sustainable development strive and inclusive governance strategy of the present governor,” adding:  “Osun is in the right hand and is headed in the right direction.  I throw it as a challenge to the government and people of the state that they should prepare for that task of State building ahead.”  Moderated by Professor Akinnaso, the caliber of resource persons included Dr Segun Aina, Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Dr Yemi Farounbi, Dr. Reuben Abati, Ms. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, Professor Siyan Oyeweso, Mr Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Mr Steve Nwosu, and Zainab Okino. Some of the other personalities at the event were former and sitting governors, including Governor Akeredolu of Ondo State; Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who were represented; former deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Lasun Yusuff; ex-Governors Chief Akande; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Gen. Leo Ajiborisha (retd), who was represented; Col Theophilus Bamigboye (retd.); Navy Capt. Anthony Udofia (retd); former Governor Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo); ex-deputy Governor Moses Alake (Oyo); first class traditional rulers, including the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who was represented and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe.

And for two hours, Governor Oyetola was on his feet to honour each of 28 awardees who took turns to pose for a photograph with him after each session. The beneficiaries under the Osun Lifetime Achievement Award included Chief Bisi Akande (former Governor, Osun State); Pastor Enoch Adeboye (General Overseer, RCCG worldwide); Sheikh Abdur’rasheed Hadiyatulla (President, Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria); and General Ipoola Alani Akinrinnade, retd. (former Chief of Army Staff, Nigeria from October 1979 to April 1980, and then Chief of Defence Staff until 1981 during the Nigerian Second Republic). Others in the lifetime achievement category are Asiwaju Hammed Omidiran, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, Prince Tunde Ponle, Professor Olu Aina, Chief Akinwande Akinola, Engr. Joanah Olu Maduka, and Chief (Dr.) Benjamin Adigun. The state, under the Legacy Award category, also recognised Dr. Folorunsho Alakija (chancellor, Osun State University and dynamic philanthropist), and the late Madam Susanne Wenger (a culture and tourism icon).

The list of Osun Merit Award honourees comprised Emeritus Professor Ademola Oyejide, Chief Nike Okundaye, Professor OyeGureje, Professor Isaac Adewole, and Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), while the Osun Distinguished Citizens Award honourees included Pastor Matthew Asimolowo, Alagba Yemi Elebuibon, Brig-Gen Leo Segun Ajiborisha retd (first Osun military administrator); Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Asiwaju Khamis Olatunde Badmus, Prince Lawal Obelawo, Chief Moses Inaolaji Aboaba (First Osun HOS/SSG), Mr Adewale Adeyemo (deputy secretary of the Treasury, US), Mr Kola Adeniji and the iconic journalist, Mr Mike Awoyinfa.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Chief of Staff to Osun governor and chairman of the 30th anniversary Committee, Dr Charles Akinola, acknowledged the diversity of the audience, saying the people deserved to be celebrated. According to him, the diversity of the audience “fully aligns with the inclusive and participatory governance style of Governor Oyetola. We must thank Mr. Governor for his purposeful leadership, vision, large-heartedness, guidance and inspiration for this. Dr Bayo Jimoh, an Industrial Psychologist and immediate past Group Managing Director of Oduá Investment Company Limited, who was a member of the jury that worked assiduously to ensure a successful celebration, gave an insight into the criteria for nomination of awards. He stated: “It is instructive to state that our criteria focused on service to Osun and contribution to society and the world by indigenes and non-indigenes who have contributed to Osun. We placed no restriction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, or tribe. After a most rigorous selection process, we ended up having a total of 28 nominees, covering four categories: Osun Merit Award – 7, Osun Distinguished Citizen Award – 13, Legacy Award – 2 and Lifetime Achievement Award – 11. The awardees, no doubt, consist of our finest individuals in the various fields of endeavours. As I conclude, I must note that a reality that confronted us during the jury process is the fact that our State is indeed blessed with some of our nation’s finest and most accomplished individuals. Of course, it was no mean feat arriving at the current list.”

He listed membership of the jury to include Professor Niyi Akinnaso – veteran columnist and a retired Professor of Anthropology and Linguistics from the Temple University, Philadelphia; Dr Segun Aina, an internationally-reputed banker and President, Osun Development Association; his humble self, Dr Bayo Jimoh – former GMD, Oodua Investment Limited; the Chief of Staff to the governor, a foremost scholar and a development expert, Dr. Charles Akinola; Mrs. Funke Egbemode, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Honourable Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation; Mr Ismail Omipidan – Chief Press Secretary to the governor and Mr Sola Imoru, Media Adviser to the Governor (Speech Writing).