Osun @ 30: Sultan, Ooni, others hail state’s landmark achievements

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminent Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has described the achievements of Osun within its three decades of existence as commendable.

Abubakar made the remarks at a colloquium organised by the state government to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the creation of the state on Thursday in Osogbo.

Sultan, who was the Chairman of the occasion, said that it was no surprise that in Osun’s  30 years of statehood, it had produced a galaxy of stars in all the sectors and areas of human endeavour.

He said the state was blessed in human and natural resources, adding that the colloquium was a significant strategy for linking the past with the present and the future to build a sustainable enterprise.

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

” I have followed the programmes of Gov. Oyetola closely since his assumption of office.

“A deep thinker and a silent reformer and performer, he came into government with development agenda hinged on adequate, quality and equitable service in all sectors.

“He has also introduced people-oriented policies based on inclusive governance and sustainable development,” he said.

Also speaking Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye 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.

He 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.”

In his keynote address, a former governor of the state, Chief Bisi Akande, lauded the founding fathers and past leaders of the state for what he described as laying a foundation for the prosperous future of the state.

In their separate remarks, former administrators of the state, retired Gen. Leo Ajiborisha, retired Capt. Anthony Udofia and retired Col. Theophilus Bamigboye, felicitated the government and the people of the state on the anniversary, urging all to continue to sacrifice for its growth.

In his remarks, Gov. Oyetola, congratulated the citizens of the state, describing Osun as a full-grown entity that had surmounted its challenges with stoic resilience over the years of its existence

“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.

“As an administration, we have instituted this colloquium to celebrate our shared values and our collective resolve that have delivered the Osun that we desire.

” And to give vent to our dream to prosecute our development agenda, which is our strategy and road map to put our dear state on the path of sustainable development.

A correspondent reports that the colloquium was moderated by Prof. Niyi Akinnaso. Otunba Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Dr Segun Aina, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Dr Yemi Farounbi, Dr Reuben Abati, among others.

The panelists took turns to laud Osun’s sustainability in terms of infrastructure, health, security and education in spite of the paucity of funds.

Reports state that Osun was created on Aug. 27, 1991, by the then military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

The state was carved out of the old Oyo State.