Sultan, Ooni, Akande, Ex-administrators, Others Speak On Osun @ 30

 

• Osun Is Bigger Than Any Individual – Ooni

Ismaeel Uthman

TRADITIONAL rulers, among who are the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III and the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi have expressed their views on the 30th anniversary of the State of Osun. 

Also, former governor Adebisi Akande and ex-military administrators who had governed the state made positive remarks about her development, commending the founding fathers of the state for their dreams and accomplishment. 

This is just as Governor Adegboyega Oyetola described Osun as a full-grown entity that had surmounted its challenges with stoic resilience over the years of its existence.

They all spoke at the 30th anniversary colloquium of Osun. 

Speaking at the event, Abubakar who was the Chairman of the occasion, said he was not surprised that Osun has produced a galaxy of stars in all the sectors and areas of human endeavour within her 30 years of statehood.

Abubakar lauded Oyetola who he described as a gentleman, man of peace, honour, a statesman, a bridge builder, a lover of development and a believer in one strong and indivisible Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, paid glowing tributes to the past and present leaders in the State, adding that Osun is now better than how it was at creation.

Oba Ogunwusi said: “Osun is better today than it was when it was created. What we are having here today attests to this fact. The journey of 30 years began with some people’s efforts and we appreciate the founding fathers, past administrators and incumbent governor, for their contributions to the growth and development of Osun. 

“Osun is greater than every single individual, and it has become necessary to stress this fact for our people to be careful not to allow politics and other interests to disintegrate us.”

In his keynote address, former governor Akande applauded the founding fathers and past leaders of the State for what he described as achieving an optimum community and laying a foundation for the prosperous future of the state.

Former military administrators of the state, General Leo Ajiborisha (rtd.), Captain Anthony Udofia (rtd.) and Theophilus Bamigboye, in their separate remarks felicitated the government and the people of the state on the anniversary, urging all to continue to sacrifice for the growth and development of the State. 

Speaking at the event, Governor Oyetola said: “This colloquium has been designed as the intellectual arm of the 30th anniversary of our state to interrogate the performances of the state so far, examine possible gaps and project for a sustainable future that we all crave for as a people and desire to bequeath to our posterity.

“We are confident that just as the foundation laid by our forefathers 30 years ago has earned us a viable place in the national and international space, our decision to lay bricks of contemporary governance structures will build a prosperous and sustainable future.

“This 30th anniversary is the end of a phase and the beginning of another: the beginning of sustainable governance and development, the beginning of a new era for a generation of Osun citizens that will ride on the wings of knowledge, technology and entrepreneurship to realise their potential, shut the door against unemployment, create wealth and radically transform the economy of the State.”