Osun monarch warns against corruption, backs grassroots plans
By Ismail Azeez
The Orangun of Oke-Ila in Osun State, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, has urged politicians, public office holders and community stakeholders to shun corruption and prioritise grassroots development for the benefit of future generations.
The monarch made the call on Wednesday during the launch of Community Development Plans covering six local government areas across the three senatorial districts of the state. The initiative was organised by the Community Life Project in partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
Addressing participants at the event, Abolarin warned that corrupt practices were undermining development and limiting opportunities for younger generations.
“Stop siphoning public money, I beg all of us. Corruption is killing us. They are mortgaging our children’s future because of corruption,” he said.
He added that sustained commitment to development could position the state as a leader nationally. “We must work towards the development of our state for the next 50 years, and it is achievable. Osun State can be the leading state in Nigeria if all of us are committed to the state’s development,” the monarch said.
The Community Development Plans unveiled at the event are designed to guide development efforts over a four-year period in Boripe, Ede North, Ejigbo, Ifedayo, Ife South and Oriade local government areas. Organisers said the plans were developed based on the needs and priorities identified by residents in the affected communities.
Senior Programme Manager of the Community Life Project, Francis Onahor, said the initiative aims to promote inclusive and sustainable development at the grassroots level.
He stressed the importance of data-driven planning, particularly at sub-national levels, where effective resource allocation and implementation remain critical challenges.
“We therefore strongly encourage state ministries and local governments to institutionalise the use of these plans within their annual budgeting and planning cycles, ensuring a more coordinated, inclusive and sustainable development,” Onahor said.
He added that the success of the initiative would depend on implementation and accountability. “As we launch these plans today, we must remember that this is not the end of the process — it is the beginning of action,” he said.
Onahor also called on local governments, state ministries and other stakeholders to actively use the plans in budget preparation, project selection and policy decisions, while urging community leaders to monitor progress and ensure delivery of identified priorities.
The initiative received support from development partners, including the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Stakeholders at the event said aligning development planning with community needs could improve service delivery and strengthen governance at the grassroots level, where gaps in infrastructure and social services remain significant.