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By Rotimi Makinde
Today, through the grace of Almighty God we are living this reality in Osun State to celebrate our 30 years anniversary. This is deserving and very well on point.
As a critical stakeholder in the State, I feel so proud, elated and grateful just as our ever visionary and amiable leader, Governor Isiaka Adeboyega Oyetola is using the occasion of the 30th anniversary to call on all indigenes at home and abroad to support his restoration team, ably led by his humble self, to work for peace, progress and development of Osun State in the larger interest of Nigeria.
It is also necessary and important for us to use this occasion to remind ourselves that the responsibility we have to ensure an indivisible, virile and progressive Osun State is greater than the pursuit of any personal and self serving ideologies or agenda. We must develop an unrepentant penchant to find a way to come together and help support this government realise its restoration and progressive agenda.
Without sounding immodest, I truly feel so fulfilled to be from Osun State the home to Oduduwa, the progenitor of Oranmiyan, the prime-heir of Ile-Ife, who returned to claim his grandfather’s throne and became king. Quite impressively, Osun State is clearly a reservoir of a rich history beyond 30 years, though its creation is now a part of that rich chronicle.
With Osun’s unique and unparalleled antecedents, it is no surprise that our State’s founding fathers deservingly sought and fought for its creation, which came to fruition on August 27, 1991 with an act of the ex-military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
30 years after, under the leadership of Governor Isiaka Adeboyega Oyetola, the State rolled out the drums not just to celebrate, but to create more history, with a series of events to mark this 30th anniversary.
Similarly, the awards and honours bestowed on those who have contributed to the success and growth of our state during this auspicious occasion is another stride by our Governor that should be commended and deeply appreciated.
And of course I completely agree with Osun State number 1 citizen, our affable, irrepressible and indefatigable Governor, Isiaka Adeboyega Oyetola that this 30th anniversary is the end of a phase and the beginning of another, 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.
Without mincing words, Governor Oyetola has further enriched the history of Osun and the embodiment of Yoruba civilisation, I wish him, all our traditional rulers, professionals, religious clerics, politicians, educationists, captains of industry, students, market men and women, artisans etc best of luck in all our endeavors and may God prosper Nigeria.
Now that you know the big task ahead….Governing Osun State is definitely not a tea party…
Hon. Rotimi Makinde is a key member of SWAGA agenda 2023, he represented Ife Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in the 7th Assembly.
