YOU are the chairman of Osun Development Association, what is this organisation about and what are the criteria for membership?
Osun Development Association (ODA) is a non-partisan and non-sectarian group of prominent Osun State indigenes. Its primary objective is to function as a non-governmental development body dedicated towards improving the quality of life of the people of Osun State and the development of Osun State in general.
Membership of the association is open to all men and women, who are indigenes of Osun and are of proven integrity, irrespective of social background, political opinion or religion, but who share the vision of the association and are committed to the development of the state and the Nigerian Federation. It is also provided that any member who becomes active in party politics shall cease to be a member of the association.
For how long has ODA been in existence?
ODA was formed some 25 years ago as Osun Development Group (ODG), which later changed its name to Osun Development Association, through the unreserved love of the community by the founding members. The overriding reason for the formation was to have a body made up of people of adequate means and repute, who will be committed to the socio-economic development of our people and always be in a position to contribute either by direct intervention or through constructive non-partisan working relationship with the government and the people of our state for its overall growth and development.
Some of its founding members include Chief Tunji Abolade, who, in 1995, became the first official chairman of the Association when it was Osun Development Group (ODG), Prof Tunde Odetola – Pioneer General Secretary, Chief Benjamin Adigun, Chief John Odeyemi, Chief Tunde Ponnle, Chief Inaolaji Aboaba, Prince Dele Olasore who on April 5, 1997 became Oba Oladele Olashore of Iloko-Ijesha, of blessed memory, among others.
We know Osun has faced a lot of challenges these past years as a state. What notable interventions has ODA been able to achieve since its establishment?
Apart from the various intervention roles played in the last 10 years, especially role in the resolution of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) ownership tussle between Osun and Oyo States; the 2014 governorship campaign, where ODA played a moderating role by publicly issuing peace-related press releases which were respected and commended by all and sundry as a broad-based palliative from the elite in the state; and helping to douse the brewing anarchy on the Hijab controversy of 2016, the association has made some useful contributions, both at individual membership and group levels since inception.
The association played active and effective role in the boundary dispute between Osogbo and Ede and also provided [necessary] support and leadership in the initiative to end Ife-Modakeke conflict and restore peace, as well as giving support for all peace initiatives in the state over time which led to the Peace Advocacy Award in 2003.
The association has also initiated an Industrial Development Fund for the development of science and technical education, which it has administered for close to a decade now and also contributed significantly to the creation of Kajola Integrated Investment Company Limited in 2006, among other notable initiatives.
What is ODA doing to attract or target youths from Osun State, living in Nigeria or the Diaspora?
Having been closely involved with the successive governments in the State, ODA has always been party to a good number of youth programmes previously considered for the people. This had largely been in the areas of education, especially technical and vocational, as well as, youth empowerment through finance and agriculture.
I will like to in fact commend the present Government in the empowerment of our youths. Some of the notable activities of Government include the creation of the Osun Youth Empowerment Sheme (OYES) which engaged over 40,000 idle youths in useful endeavours, the education reform and school re-classification as well as the Osun Microcredit Agency all of which were geared towards alleviating unemployment of youths in the State, a major economic problem in Nigeria as a whole which are notable achievements.
ODA through its corporate and individual membership contacts will deploy its energies to the renewed interest in modernising the nine technical colleges in the state, as well as the ongoing efforts to establish Life Academies to equip youths with vocational skills that will enable them to be job givers rather than job seekers.
In the area of membership, ODA is open to admitting new generational members with a view to expanding its membership to successful, sophisticated and technology-wise indigenes. We are also making arrangements to reach out to Osun indigenes in the Diaspora with a view to mobilising their support for future plans.
People of Osun State will go to the polls next year to elect another governor. What is your assessment of the current administration and what is your advice to Osun people as they get set for the polls?
Since the inception of Osun State in 1991, our association has been in the vanguard of working in concert with the people in government both in advisory capacity on policy issues and in project-related collaborations. The association is, therefore, ready to be involved in electioneering process with regard to the 2018 elections with the aim of improving the quality of governance. In this regard, we are even prepared to work with other groups to create a platform through which intending public office holders can be assessed and measured.
It is obvious that the sustainability of our democracy requires future political office holders to understand and value the principles of sustainable development and accountability.
The acrimonies and violence that attended electioneering in the past should be consigned to the past. The people of Osun State have passed that stage. Their political power lies in their vote and four years is long enough to judge whether a government/party deserves to be returned or thrown out. The only civilised and acceptable way to do this is through the ballot box, not violence. And, in any case, it is only in an atmosphere of peace that we can have development. The people of Osun therefore should conduct themselves peacefully in the upcoming election.
What are your words to eminent sons and daughters of Osun who are yet to identify with the group?
The answer is simple, “Join us” to collectively move the state forward. In Yoruba parlance, “you cannot use one hand to lift a load onto your head”, hence, we need the collective wisdom of all eminent Osun indigenes to galvanise our state to an egalitarian society. The doors of ODA are, therefore, open to all prominent Osun sons and daughters to achieve this.
Where do you see ODA in the next few years?
Over the years, the association has made some commendable impact in the state and I am very certain that it will achieve more in the years ahead. I expect substantial growth in the number of members from all spheres of human endeavours and with this, an improved intellectual and idea contributions for better delivery of the required benefits to the state. In addition, this will engender an upswing in the mobilisation of resources for developmental purposes.
and then