The executive Governor of State of Osun,Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has confirmed that he was part of the formation of Oodua Peoples Congress and in deed a member of the body. The Governor made this remark yesterday at the presentation of staff of office and coronation ceremony of Oba Abdul Rasheed Adewale Akanbi as the Oluwo of Iwoland.
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| The arrival of the Ooni of Ife |
The ceremony which took place at the Reality Television Studio Grounds in Iwo,attracted prominent sons and daughters of Iwo both home and abroad,traditional rulers spread across Osun and indeed Yorubaland with representations by notable traditional institutions,including the Ooni of Ife,Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland among others.The event was chaired by Dr.Wale Babalakin.
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| The official presentation of staff of office |
Aregbesola while delivering his speech at the very colourful event pointed out that his relationship with Otunba Gani Adams dated back to the formation of OPC,he threw a jibe at Adams,"i acknowledge the presence of my very dear friend and brother Otunba Gani Adams, what many of you don't know is that we started OPC together and i am indeed a member of that body,it was when former President Jonathan came with his petroleum dollar that he snatched Adams from us, but we thank God that with the exit of Jonathan,Otunba is back in our fold" He then went on to sing the solidarity song of OPC to further establish his identity with the organisation.
The Governor spoke for over 2hrs as he thanked the Osun State traditional rulers for their support towards his administration over the years,he also praised the people of Iwo for accepting the choice of the new Oba,after the demise of the past Oba,tracing that in the past it took 10years for such replacement to be made. He advised the new monarch to be people friendly and use his wealth of experience as an exposed person in organised nations during his upbringing to return Iwo to its past glory where the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Bola Ige always commence their campaign from. He announced that in the whole of Osun State,Iwo remained the city with the largest concentration of progressives.
Speaking further,Ogbeni Aregbesola took a swipe at opposition in the state who have been attacking his government over failure to pay salaries especially the state doctors, who embarked on strikes and his threat to lay them off. "its quite sad that people just come to the public domain to make statements that are not realistic,where were they when i was paying salaries uptodate and even the 13th month,in the days of plenty,we even over paid,and now that drought is here as we don't even get anything again,i called stakeholders to appeal that its time to take belt tithing measures and some people chose to be unreasonable,let them come and show us what should be done that we have not done".
He further explained that the only way out of the present predicament the state is in now is for the state to seek alternative source of revenue,which is tax.He revealed that the royal fathers will be drafted into the drive to generate income for the state,before the official presentation of Staff of Office to the new monarch,he thanked his loyalists,party exco and members,Federal law makers including Senator Omoworare,and a house of Reps member who he love to call 'sir white' the governor played glowing tribute on him for being a trust worthy fellow having served under 4 Lagos governors as steward and was rewarded with his present membership of the junior chamber.
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| OPC leader Otunba Gani Adams,Publisher Metronews and Nigeria Head,Oodua Voice RadioUK, Femi Davies and some Traditional rulers |
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| Osun deputy governor and traditional rulers |
Amidst dances and songs,Aregbesola exhibited a man at peace with his people as he hailed the Ooni of Ife whose arrival at the coronation ground the governor confessed shook the venue,he identified the fact that the new set of monarchs in Yorubaland are not only youths,they are also rich and wealthy,he described the thunderous arrival of the Ooni as the type that can only be made possible by wealth,he therefore enjoined the people to come together and give the new generation Obas all the required supports.
In his remarks,the event Chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin narrated the historic position Iwo enjoys in Yorubaland stressing Osun state boasts of the largest concentration of natable cities in the whole of Nigeria,he told the Oba not to assume that problems will not come up,but he should seek the face of God to show him direction as he continue to play his role as a traditional ruler.
Dignitaries at the event include the State of Osun first lady,the deputy governor,Former governor,Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola who represented the former President,Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,members of the cabinet headed by the Secretary,Federal and State lawmakers, Traditional rulers,OPC leader,Otunba Gani Adams,members of the Nigeria community in Canada who presented an award to the Kabiyesi,members of diplomatic corps,Chief Abiola Ogundokun,youth and social organisations among others
pictures from the event
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| Dr Wale Babalakin and Osun deputy governor |
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| Osun cultural troop |
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