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Paramount traditional ruler in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, says the achievements of Osun State in its 30 years of existence, humbles older states.
He said this on Thursday at the 30th Anniversary Colloquium held in Osogbo, the state capital.
The Sultan described the initiative of marking the anniversary with a colloquium as a significant strategy for linking the past with the present and the future to build a sustainable enterprise.
Abubakar commended Governor Adegboyega Oyetola who he described as a “Gentleman governor, a man of peace, a man of honour, a statesman, a bridge builder, a lover of development and a believer in one, strong and indivisible Nigeria.
“It was no surprise that in Osun’s 30 years of statehood, it has produced a galaxy of stars in all the sectors and areas of human endeavour, noting that the state is abundantly blessed in both human and natural resources.
“I have followed the programmes of Governor 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”.
Sultan noted that Oyetola has employed inclusive governance and sustainable development in the polity.
The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi paid glowing tributes to the past and present leaders in the State, stressing that Osun is currently better than how it was at the creation.
Former governor Bisi Akande, lauded the founding fathers and past leaders of the state for laying a foundation for a prosperous future.
Anniversary of sustainable governance
Meanwhile, Governor Oyetola who congratulated the citizens of Osun, described the state as a full-grown entity that has surmounted its challenges with stoic resilience.
He said the colloquium was designed as the intellectual arm of the anniversary to interrogate the performances so far, examine possible gaps and project for a sustainable future that could be bequeathed to 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.
“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,” he stated.
Oyetola described the 30th Anniversary as the end of a phase and the beginning of another.
“This marks 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,” he said.
During the colloquium, the Head of Current and Public Affairs of the Television Continental Communications, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju noted that Osun State has the highest number of urban centres in Nigeria and challenged it to concentrate its effort on developing them with a view to fast-tracking development and stemming the tide of rural-urban migration.
“What is required is the need to focus on developing those urban centres. Once this is done, the migration that we see from these centres to cities like Lagos will reduce drastically.
“Population is an ingredient of growth and development. What that implies is that the development of those urban centres will help retain citizens and ensure the return of those who have migrated already. Businesses will grow and Osun will remain on top in Nigeria,” he said.
In their separate remarks, former administrators in the State, General Leo Ajiborisha (rtd.), Captain Anthony Udofia (rtd.) and Theophilus Bamigboye, 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.
Lateefah Ibrahim
