Osogbo rainstorm: Governor Adeleke visits victims, grants University scholarship to son of deceased

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has visited victims of the Osogbo rainstorms at various hospitals across the capital city, offering prayers and support to the injured.

Recall that the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi had earlier conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas on the second day of the incident, accompanied by members of the State Executive Council and emergency agency officials.

In a statement signed by the Spokesperson to the Governor, Olawale Rasheed, it was noted that Governor Adeleke followed up the initial response by personally visiting victims at Asubiaro Hospital, the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, and the police barracks near Oke Fia, Osogbo.

At Asubiaro Hospital, staff and patients turned out in large numbers to welcome the Governor, expressing pleasant surprise at the visit.

The Governor commiserated with the storm victims and offered words of encouragement to other patients receiving treatment for various ailments.

During his stop at the Asubiaro General Hospital, the Governor expressed deep sadness over the death of one of the victims, Mrs. Jemilat Tijani, who was fatally injured in the Orita Sabo area of Osogbo.

“This is truly heartbreaking. I hereby grant her son, Farouk Tijani, a university scholarship through Osun State University. Once his admission process is finalized, the Secretary to the State Government is directed to oversee the scholarship offer,” the Governor promised.

Governor Adeleke described the rainstorm as a regrettable natural disaster, likening it to similar life-threatening incidents occurring in North America, Europe, and other parts of the world.

He emphasized that the global community must treat climate change as a serious threat to human settlements.

“Climate change is real, and we must act decisively,” the Governor stated. “That is why our government prioritized mitigation actions as a response to climate threats from day one. Osun has received several awards from local and international bodies for our preemptive climate policies.

“I am pleased that the climate change envoy has issued detailed technical statements and made media appearances regarding the rainstorms. We are set to launch immediate sensitization programs across our communities as a matter of urgency,” he added.

At the police barracks, which was severely impacted by the storms, officers accompanied the Governor on a tour of the damaged structures.

“This is quite unfortunate. Our officials have taken an inventory, and the scale of destruction is widespread. Beyond our local interventions, we are reaching out to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Economic Council. We must bring succor to the victims,” the Governor told the affected officers.

The Governor was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, and other members of the State Executive Council.