Osun River: Worshippers Appeal to Govt. Over Pollution

 

Kazeem Badmus

DEVOTEES of Osun goddess have appealed to the State Government of Osun to clean up the polluted Osun river, describing the condition of the water as irritating.

Some of the devotees who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER disclosed that the current state of the Osun River has made it unattractive to tourists and people seeking spiritual help. 

A civil society group, Urban Alert, had raised the alarm that the river has been contaminated with heavy metals- Lead, Cynaide and Mercury as a result of indiscriminate mining in Ijesaland which in turn, put the health of over two million people at risk. 

According to a popular Osun devotee, Mrs. Adedoyin  Olosun-Faniyi, the effectiveness of the river in the healing of sickness has been reduced due to the pollution of the river.

Olosun-Faniyi who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER in a telephone interview yesterday, said efforts had been made to concerned authorities with no solution forthcoming.

She added that worshipers of the river find it difficult to use the water due to its current state, adding that those using it now are doing so with faith and lack of choices. 

She said: “The pollution of Osun River is a sad situation. Even in this time of dry season, the river was usually neat and clean. The pollution of the river is uncalled for and no solution has been made so far concerning the pollution. 

“Efforts have been made to the National Museum about the pollution of the river and we appealled to them to examine and find solution to it.

“Due to the dirtiness of the river now, worshipers find it difficult to use the water and those who did, do so because of faith, especially when they are left with no choice than to use it the way it is. It is something that saddens our heart. 

“There was a lady who came to worship here but on sighting the dirty state of the river, she decided not to take the water until I pleaded with her. 

“The river effectiveness in healing series of sickness has been reduced due to the pollution and all Osun worshipers are not pleased with”.

When asked if the worshipers have informed the state government about the state of the river, Olosun-Faniyi said the National Museum in charge of the river has done so. 

“The National museum said they have drafted a letter to the government about the pollution of the river but we don’t know how far they have gone about it.

“We also want the Ministry of Tourism, State of Osun, to come to our aid and find a lasting solution to this”.