Osun Assembly revokes state anthem

Osun State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, repealed the State Anthem, Crest, and Flag Law of 2012.

Also, the state’s name was changed from “Osun State, the State of the Living Spring” to “State of Osun. The State of the Virtuous which was changed by a former governor of the State, Rauf Aregbesola, has also been repealed.

The Speaker of the House Of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun while speaking on the development during plenary stated that, the step was taken in compliance with the judgment of a Federal High Court of December 14, 2017.

He stressed: “Understanding, however, that there may be some aspects of the law that are appropriate, the House agreed that all corrections made on Osun State Anthem, Crest and Flag Law 2012 form part of the Bill for Osun State Anthem, Crest and Flag Bill 2023, sponsored by the Majority Leader.

“In essence, what the House has done, is vacate a law that had already been invalidated by a Court of competent jurisdiction, to pave the way for a new law that will respect the letters and spirit of the Nigerian constitution that swore to abide”.

It be recalled that, Mr Kanmi Ajibola, a legal icon and presently, a member of the House representing Oriade State Constituency had dragged the Aregbesola administration to a court of law over creation of an anthem, flag, and crest for the State.

Meanwhile, the General Overseer of Sufficient Grace International Christian Church, Rehoboth Arena, Okinni, Osun, Bishop Seun Adeoye has commended the State House of Assembly for repealing the “State of Osun” law after 13 years of its existence.

The human activist cleric in a statement issued in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Wednesday, also lauded Barrister Kanmi Ajibola who had approached the court of law over the reordering of the name of Osun State to “State of Osun”.

The Lead Bishop of Worldwide Anglican Church (WAC), in Nigeria also commended Civil Societies Coalition of Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS) and the media for standing up with the people during the struggle to put things in right perspective in the state.

He stated, “I knew all the efforts of Barrister Ajibola. We were always in court together over this matter. He spent his time, energy and resources without help from anyone.

“It was a great day for all of us from his chamber on December 14th, 2017 when the judgment was delivered by Justice Yinka Afolabi of the State High Court, Ilesa jurisdiction when he declared “State of Osun” as illegal, void and unconstitutional.

“The then Rauf Aregbesola’s government went ahead to appeal the case at the Appeal Court, Akure, Ondo State. Barrister Ajibola never relented despite the fact that the state hired about six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).”

“Interestingly, Barrister Ajibola is a member of the House of Assembly representing Oriade constituency when the decision to repeal the 2012 law which renamed Osun State to State of Osun and other laws relating to Osun anthem, crest, flag logo were reached.

“I also knew the efforts of CSCEOS members because I was one of them and the support of the media for this struggle was tremendous,” he added.

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