The Ill-Advised Relocation Of MKO International Airport, Ido-Osun
The Ill-Advised Relocation Of MKO International Ido-Osun
THE report of the reloca on of the MKO Abiola Airport in Ido-Osun to Ede is disturbing and worrisome to say the least. It
equally cons tutes a threat to the security of the state when you factor in the proposed new loca on. The iden fica on of the loca on
of the site for aircra opera ons was scien fically determined based on geospa al study of the area as
•Continued on page 3
In
Ripples In Osogbo
Muslim
Community
Muslim Over Appointment Of Adeleke’s Aide Over Of Adeleke’s Aide
As Asiwaju Musulumi As Musulumi Pg. 7
•Advisory Body Rejects Appointment, Faults Chief Imam, Palace
•I Have The Authority To Appoint Asiwaju Musulumi - Chief Imam
•Ataoja Denies Involvement In Raji’s Appointment
•The
disafected in a mass protest on Tuesday against the relocation of the Moshood Abiola International Airport, from Ido-Osun to Ede. See report on Page 2 Photo: Shola Aderinto
Ido-Osun Residents Protest, Fault Adeleke’s Relocation Of Airport To Ede
IYusuf Oketola Kazeem Badmus
NDIGENES of Ido-osun community in Egbedore
Local Government area of Osun State have condemned Governor Ademola Adeleke for reloca ng the Ido-osun Airport to his hometown in Ede.
The community, in a statement jointly signed by the Eesa of Ido-osun, Chief Basiru Oyewole, Ido-osun Development Union President, Elder T.A Adeleye, Alhaji Gbadebo Ajao, Hon. Abiodun Awolola and Idoosun Youth Forum Secretary, Akano Kamorudeen respecvely, described the Governor’s ac on as an act of nepo sm and favouri sm.
This, according to them, negates the oath of democracy he took when he was sworn in as governor while calling on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the matter.
They also called on the Minister of works and Aviaon; David Umahi and Festus Keyamo to shun the foundaon laying new airport in Ede because it will amount to giving nod to the neposm of Governor Adeleke.
The copy of the statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER reads
•Accused Governor Of Nepotism, Favouritism
•Blast Commissioner for Information Over Alleged False Testament
•Why We Relocated Project - Govt
Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council at the 8th Triennial National Delegates’s Conference held in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday nor.
partly: “We, the Ido-Osun Community express our utmost dissa sfac on and disappointment with the Osun State Government’s decision to relocate the ongoing IdoOsun Airport to Ede.
“Removing the airport in the original loca on to Governor Ademola Adeleke’s hometown will amount to nepo sm and favori sm which opposes the oath of democracy he took when he was sworn in as the gover-
“The project is the World Meteorology Organisa on (WMO) established airport with sta on number 215. All the WMO sta ons in Nigeria are tagged with sta on numbers. Nigeria is in Block number 65 in Africa so from the iden fica on purpose, Ido Osun sta on is wri en as 65215.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke made a promise to the late Alayemore to com-
plete the project but reverse is now the case when Hon. Kolapo Alimi who served under the government of Rauf Aregbesola and Knew the level of work done and billions of Naira that had been expended on it to make sure the Airport came to use.
“It is unfortunate that Alimi decided to go astray because of his new pay master and render the developmental driven brain of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola,
MEDIA VACANCY
Team
Governor Rauf Aregbesola and that of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola who brought in Air force to develop the project useless.
“Since the demise of our late King the Alayemore of Ido-Osun Kingdom Oba Dr. Aderemi Adedapo of blessed memory, the Ede community using the instrument of Government have done everything to incite violence and communal crisis which we have been able to maturely avoided not for the fears but for the fact that as Peace loving and exposed people who would not let Ido-Osun be turned into another Ilobu, Ifon or Ikirun, Igbajo or Iree to men on but a few of the towns where instruments of government have been used to ignite unnecessary unrest since the incep on of the government of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“We demand that President Bola Tinubu should prevail on Governor Adeleke because the federal alloca on he is giving to state is meant for all the communi es not to serve only the hometown
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of the governor.
“We urge the Ministers of Tinubu, both Works and Avia on; David Umahi and Festus Keyamo to shun the founda on laying of new airport in Ede because it will amount to giving nod to nepo sm of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“President Tinubu should stop his minister from a ending any foundaon else it will amount to the fact that presidency was part of the authoriza on to relocate the airport.
“We urge the Osun State Government to reconsider this decision and maintain the original plan and complete the airport in Ido-Osun considering the over N20billion that had been spent on the project by past administra on.
“Reloca ng the airport to Ede would not only be a betrayal of the trust and a clear case of marginaliza on of the community.
“We demand that the government priori zes the welfare and development of all communi es in Osun State, without bias or favori sm. The Ido-Osun People will con nue to advocate for the rights and interests of our people and will not hesitate to take further ac on if
•Continued on Page 7
Lead a dynamic team of journalists and staff to produce a weekly newspaper and occasional publica ons, covering Osun’s latest news in poli cs, business, society, and human stories.
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•Continued from page 1
the highest expansive plateau in Bri sh West Africa in 1936. It therefore served as the first site of flight in West Africa. Thus, the first batch of the troops of West African Fron er Force airli ed from Nigeria for campaign in Burma were from Ido-Osun to Khartoum, in Sudan.
This site is therefore historical, apart from its scien fic and geospa al basis.
The site had served mulple purposes:
1. Military airli site during the World War II in 1936.
2. Aerodrome for limited civil avia on with an ICAO code DNOS, from 1936 to early 1980s.
3. Site for Osogbo flying Club, 1980 to late 1990.
The three immediate preceding administra ons to the current administraon - Oyinlola, Aregbesola and Oyetola - had kept faith with the original masterplan of an airport on the site at Ido-Osun.
It was the Oyinlola administra on that ini ated the upgrade of the erstwhile Osogbo aerodrome/ airstrip to a full fledged airport with a formal pledge of N5 billion support from the Federal Government under President Olusegun
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2024 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2024
The Ill-Advised Relocation Of MKO International Airport, Ido-Osun
“It is criminal and provoca ve to base this reloca on on primordial and selfish community sen ments. Civiliza on gravely condemns such act. It is the a tude of savages and primi ve people. All people of conscience and goodwill must prevail on the current administra on in Osun to stop the dangerous, wasteful, provoca ve and primi ve considera on of reloca ng a well sited airport facility that has stood the test of me for 88 years”
Obasanjo, though not yet redeemed to date.
Aregbesola followed up with a review of the project to an Interna onal Airport status with hanger facili es and a full MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) for fixed and rotary wing capacity. It has capacity to take the
Not Looking Merry
DEAR Editor, Unusually as the countdown to the Yule de begins, it is not looking merry at all with a cost-of-existence crisis. Nigerians have lots of other things on their minds than fes vi es.
Across the county, there are stories of woe about the payment of school fees, house rent as well as horrific payment for electricity and transporta on costs.
Obviously, the much touted “palliaves” are not working. This is not surprising, for they are short-term measures. The whole concept as well as indeed the economic policies of
Editor Letter To The
the federal Government must now be urgently reconsidered.
The economic policies need a human face. A er all, we are dealing with humans and not sta s cs! The country must invest in massive labor intensive public works programs to engage and train poten al workers in order to reflate the economy.
The real issue now is how to increase purchasing power so that people can have money to spend. Also, if people do
not have money to spend,moun ng on sold inventories will lead to factory closures and layoffs. The social consequences of these will be terrible.
It is to be hoped that the government will use the Christmas break as an opportunity for a rethink of its economic policies which is the cause of people not feeling happy as the year draw to a close.
It is unfortunately very difficult right now to wish anybody a merry Christmas, in a present mood of the na on, that sounds like a sarcasm.
biggest aircra namely; Airbus A360-800 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner among other similar flying machines.
Aregbesola had commi ed a total sum of N2,870,410,196.22 in 2014 when work stopped on the site due to financial constraints.
The project had delivered the following milestones as at the end of Aregbesola’s administra on in 2018:
Perimeter fence of the en re site.
Total clearance of vegeta on of the 3500m length of the runway.
Four culverts across the runway completed up to ch 1+675.
En re clearance of the CGA.
Drainages on both RHS and LHS of the runway up to ch 0+500.
Oyetola did not add anything to the project throughout his tenure. He however superintended the collabora on with the Nigerian Airforce under the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Amao, to develop a base in the sprawling site and facility.
With the history, confirmed scien fic and geospa al specifica ons, investments and emo ons involved in the MKO Interna onal Airport, Ido-Osun, it is ill advised to relocate the facility.
It is criminal and provoca ve to base this reloca on on primordial and selfish community senments. Civiliza on gravely condemns such act. It is the a tude of savages and primi ve people.
All people of conscience and goodwill must prevail on the current administraon in Osun to stop the dangerous, wasteful, provoca ve and primi ve considera on of reloca ng a well sited airport facility that has stood the test of me for 88 years.
If the administra on cannot complete the project as it is, let it use the fund it has for other equally important projects and programmes that will benefit the en rety of the people of Osun and not his own town alone.
OSUN DEFENDER
Photo Editor – Shola Aderinto
Graphics Manager – Zainab Olalere
on Controller – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa
A more focused, visionary, people oriented and broadminded administration will soon come to complete the worthy airport project for the good people of Osun.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State.
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A er all, our people say “Oosa bo ba le gbemi, se mi bo se ba mi”._ ( A deity that cannot improve one’s lot should leave one as is.)
•Abisola Ajala writes from Ikirun, Osun State.
How Police Whisked Away Kingmaker In Osun
OPERATIVES of
the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a kingmaker from IdoOsun community in Egbedore local government area of Osun State, OSUN DEFENDER gathered.
The kingmaker, Chief Rasheed Odeyemi, the Otun Balogun of Ido-Osun, was said to have been whisked away by police officers from Alagbon Police Sta on (Force Criminal Inves ga on Department, Alagbon), Lagos State According to sources, the arrest of Chief Odeyemi is connected to the ongoing kingship tussle for the vacant Olojudo of Idoosun stool.
The Olojudo stool became vacant following the demise of Oba Aderemi Adedapo on May 17, 2024. He served as secretary of the Yoruba Council of Obas in Nigeria un l his death.
Meanwhile, there are specula ons that the kingmaker was arrested on the authority of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in order to inmidate the kingmaker to install a police officer who is also vying for the vacant Olojudo stool.
“This was why they arrested Chief Rasheed yesterday (Thursday). They said it was an order from the IGP. And when we asked why he was arrested, they only told us a peon was wri en against him. We requested to see a copy of the said pe on, but the police could not provide one,” one of the community sources told OSUN DEFENDER.
Another source said:
“He (kingmaker) is currently being detained at Alagbon Police Sta on (Force Criminal Inves gaon Department, Alagbon) in Lagos State. What I learned was that Superintendent Jokotola is a close ally of the public rela ons officer of the Police Force, Muyiwa Adejobi and that he was the one who passed down the order of the police IG to arrest the chief.
“The police have also threatened other kingmakers who insisted that due process must be followed in selec ng the new king,” another source said.
Reac ng to the development the head of the kingmakers and Eesa of Alayemore, Ido-osun, Chief Bashiru Oyewole, said the offence of the detained kingmaker was not made known.
Chief Oyewola noted that the sum of N425,000 has been paid for his bail.
“We did not know his
•As Community Accused Police Authority Of Alleged Imposition
•Paid Over N400,000 For Detained Kingmaker’s Release
offence. We are surprised when they came to arrest him. But we spoke to someone in Abuja for his bail but they are yet to release him. We plead with the state government to intervene.”
In a statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER by the Ido-Osun Youths Forum, IYF, jointly signed by its President,
Prince Adeyeye Abass and General Secretary, Mr Akano Kamorudeen, accused the police of unlawfully interfering in the ongoing monarchy dispute in the town.
The statement said:
“The en re Ido-Osun Youths, under its forum (I.Y.F.) leadership is deeply concerned about the recent arrest of a kingmaker
from Ido-Osun over the ongoing kingship tussle in the town.
“We urge the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately release the arrested individual and ensure that the rights of all par es involved are protected.
“We appeal to the Osun State Government
to intervene in this matter and ensure that the police do not take sides or harass innocent individuals. The government must checkmate the police and prevent any ac ons that may escalate the tension or undermine the selecon process.
“We want to warn clearly that whoever is nursing the idea of ap-
poin ng a warrant chief in Ido-Osun should shelf such ideas immediately as Ido-Osun is an ancient kingdom that has a clear tradi onal procedure of selec ng a king and as such, the government of Osun state should not be involved in ins ga ng any interference of the Olojudo Alayemore of IdoOsun Kingdom selec on process, as this is a sole responsibility of the IdoOsun kingmakers as enshrined in the1955 declara on of the kingdom.”
At Last, Osun CJ Faces NJC Panel Over Alleged Abuse Of Office
Yusuf Oketola
THE Na onal Judicial Council (NJC) has cons tuted a commi ee to inves gate mul ple allega ons of abuse of office against the Chief Judge of Osun
State, Jus ce Adepele Ojo.
The NJC, chaired by the Chief Jus ce of Nigeria (CJN), Jus ce Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, disclosed this in a statement following its 107th mee ng
held in mid-November 2024.
The statement was signed by the council’s Deputy Director of Informa on, Kemi BabalolaOgedengbe.
The statement read:
“The Council also empaneled a commi ee to inves gate all complaints and pe ons against Hon. Jus ce O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.”
The inves ga on stems from a pe on
9,500 Osun PWDs Get Free Health Insurance Cards, Life-Support Gadgets
GOVERNOR Ademola Adeleke on Tuesday, presented free health insurance cards for 9,500 People Living With Disabili es in Osun State.
The governor also distributed life-support gadgets, including wheelchairs (manual and automated), crutches, walking s cks, talking watches, ar ficial limbs, hearing aids, ultraviolet umbrellas, cream, and glasses to the PWDs.
Speaking during the program held at Freedom Park, Osogbo, Adeleke said some of the people with disabili es will undergo free surgical procedures to cure their ailments.
He also noted that over twenty-five thousand pensioners have also been registered by his administra on into the State Social
Health Insurance Scheme free of charge.
“You will recall that earlier this year, I gave the direc ve to Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA) to enroll all pensioners in Osun State into the State Social Health Insurance Scheme, popularly known as Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS), to receive unlimited healthcare free of charge. This instruc on was promptly carried out and over twenty-five thousand pensioners are now benefi ng from this trailblazing gesture.
“I am extremely glad that today I am presen ng the OHIS card for access to free healthcare to the group of people living with disability across the state. I am not only presen ng the cards, but I am also providing them with life-support gadgets and state-of-the-
art medical aids that will make their existence more meaningful. They are my people; they voted for me, and they have been doing everything to support me.
“Thousands of wheelchairs (manual and automated), crutches, walking s cks, talking watches, ar ficial limbs, hearing aids, ultraviolet umbrellas, cream, and glasses – for albinos and many more other gadgets. Some of these people with disabili es will also undergo free surgical procedures to cure their ailments.
“We have quite a lot to do for our people and we are poised to do everything. This is a tes mony of our faithfulness to our people. Your health is our concern just like the lower school rhyme “Good, better, best; may we never rest ll my good is be er and my be er is best.”
In his welcome address,
the Execu ve Secretary of Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA), Dr. Rasaq Akindele, said over 300 people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), have been registered with OHIS.
He added that the Agency conducted regular staff training to ensure opmum discharge of their du es, lauding the state governor for his support to the agency.
“The Agency has Inaugurated an Ethics and Research commi ee for research purposes and handling of the Agency’s data for verifiable inferences, for planning purposes, and to a ract developmental partners.
“The agency has also enrolled more than three hundred (300) people living with HIV into the OHIS free of charge. Also, regular training and retraining of staff to ensure op mum discharge of their du es are being carried out,” he added.
submi ed by an Osunbased ac vist, Temitope Fasina, who requested a review of Jus ce Ojo’s ac vi es.
In the pe on dated October 14, 2024, and received by the NJC, Fasina, through her lawyer, S.M. Essienkek, accused Jus ce Ojo of abuse of office, disobedience to court orders, mismanagement of public funds, and unilateral suspension of judicial staff, among other allega ons.
The ac vist highlighted what she termed “ongoing irregulari es, corrup on, and highhandedness”, allegedly characterizing the Osun State Judiciary under Jus ce Ojo’s leadership.
The pe on referenced other grievances, including submissions by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to the Osun State House of Assembly and the NJC. Fasina cited irregulari es in the judiciary’s audited financial statement, alleging that funds allocated for training and manpower development were not u lized appropriately.
She further alleged instances of expenditures without supporting documenta on, viola ng the Osun State Government Financial Regula ons Law.
One specific allegaon detailed how, on November 13, 2019, the state high court directed the forfeiture of N7.4 million held in bond with the Chief Registrar of the Osun State High Court to the Osun State Government. Fasina claimed that Jus ce Ojo subsequently ordered the funds to be paid into an undisclosed account without authoriza on.
The pe oner called on the CJN to review the allega ons and argued that Jus ce Ojo is “unfit to remain a judge and Chief Judge of Osun State.”
Yusuf Oketola
•Some of the wheel chairs presented to People With Disabilities in Osun State by Gov. Ademola Adeleke
Kazeem Badmus
Wade In To Forestall Another Round Of Communal Clash - Osun Communities Beg
GKazeem Badmus
OVERNOR Ademola
Adeleke has been urged to wade into the renewed hos lity between Ilobu and Ifon-Osun to avoid another round of violent clashes.
Residents of the two communi es, who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER, said the recent allega ons and counterallega ons by stakeholders of Ilobu and Ifon-Osun might spell another communal clash.
It would be recalled that the two communi es were engaged in a bloody communal clash that le many dead and property destroyed last year.
The residents emphasized the need for Governor Adeleke to call both par es to order to prevent a repeat of the last violent a ack that occurred between the two communi es last year.
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, an indigene of Ilobu, Ajibade Oladimeji, said the recent outburst by the two communi es has created palpable fear within residents of the communi es.
Oladimeji called on authori es to wade in and find a las ng solu on to the issues between the two communies.
“People are moving in fear of another clash breaking out between Ifon and Ilobu and this is not good. I am a farmer in Ifon, and I’m from Ilobu, but I can tell you that my host community has been good to me.’
A resident of Ifon, Banji Omolola, said, “I’m appealing to Governor Ademola Adeleke to quickly wade in on the matter and call stakeholders of the two communi es to order.
“The governor should find a way of finding a las ng soluon to the issues between the two communi es. We have Ifon-Osun indigenes in Ilobu who are living comfortably and vice versa and we don’t pray for another fight.”
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the two communi es last week renewed their hos lity with allega ons of violence against one another.
The Olobu-in-Council had last week, accused the Olufon of Ifon-Osun, Oba Peter Oluwole Akinyooye, of using armed thugs to terrorize residents of Ilobu.
They urged the state government and security agencies to promptly intervene in the alleged provoca ve acts by some armed backed by Olufon of Ifon-Osun.
The tradi onal Chiefs said the armed men have heightened tensions and created fears within the community, adding that their ac vi es might spark another bloody clash between the two communi es.
Speaking on behalf of Olobu-in-Council, the Bara of Ilobu, High Chief Ashiru Jimoh Alade, said there is a need for the authori es to call Olufon
to order before the situa on deteriorates further.
Chief Alade said, “Some armed thugs, some me in late September 2024, provocavely entered a part of the llobu Community at Apiponroro, disconnected electricity supply to part of Apiponroro Quarters, Ilobu and vandalized their cable under the pretext that the area, though is within llobu Community, but was connected to the nearest electricity transformer, which the people of Ifon-Osun claimed belongs them.
“When Olobu of llobu was inundated with reports of the use of self-help, extra-judicial process, brute force, destrucon of farms and stealing of farms produce by armed thugs being sponsored by Olufon of Ifon-Osun to demand for the payment of annual tribute (Isakole), the monarch alerted the Commissioner of Police, Osun State and the Commander of Western Nigeria Security Network Corps (Amotekun Corps), Osun State Command about
the afore-men oned acts.
“On a daily basis, threats of violent a ack against the people of llobu in villages and farm se lements are being issued overtly and covertly by the hit squads of Olufon of Ifon-Osun. Therefore, we want to use this medium to commend the recent interven on of the Osun State Government and security agencies in the state in the past few days to douse tension and apprehension of another bloody communal clash between the two communi es of llobu and Ifon-Osun. However, the interven ons so far have not deterred Olufon of IfonOsun from using self-help and brute force to claim what does not belong to him.
“Olobu of llobu, on behalf of the people of llobu community, also appeals to the Commissioner of Police, Osun State, and heads of all other security agencies in the state to be more proac ve and act quickly on various complaints of nefarious ac vi es of the armed men and hit squad be-
ing sponsored by Olufon of Ifon-Osun who are now terrorizing the people of llobu and peasant farmers on the land of llobu in various villages on daily basis”.
However, indigenes of Ifon-Osun, while reac ng, described the allega ons against the Olufon as baseless.
The indigenes said the statement credited to the Olobu, berated the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, alleging Olufon of using armed thugs to terrorise Ilobu people was not only false but an a empt to fraudulently take possession of the land that does not belong to him (Olobu) and his community.
They also noted that the allega on that the Olufon have a hit squad led by Chief Sikiru Mustapha and Chief Fatai Muideen was untrue and an attempt to bring the reputa on of their monarch to disrepute.
The Ifon-Osun indigenes, in a press statement signed by the President and Secretary of Ifon-Orulu Progressive
Union (home branch), Alhaji W.O Idowu and Mr Adejumo Adewuyi, respec vely, said the Olufon who is also the president of Irepodun/Orolu Tradional Council, is a peace-loving monarch and will not engage in any form of crime.
The IPU secretary, while reading the press statement, noted that the call by Olobu for security agencies and the state government to intervene and call Olufon to order before another war broke out in the two communi es was a flimsy excuse for Olobu and his people to resort to violence.
The indigenes noted that Olobu and his people were not commi ed to the peaceful resolu on being championed by the state government under the leadership of Senator Ademola Adeleke.
The statement further said, “The true posi on is that the Olufon of Ifon as the Paramount Ruler of Orolu Kingdom and Permanent President of Irepodun/Orolu Tradi onal Council will not descend so low to engage in any form of crime, taking hostage or kidnapping of innocent ci zens, destrucon of economic trees, criminal trespass on Ilobu land or any other community land for that ma er, and threat to lives and proper es of farmers nor will the Olufon of Ifon-Osun encourage any person(s) to involve in any act of crime that is detrimental to the peaceful coexistence of Ifon community and its neighbors.
“We state that the allegaon of Olobu and his community that the Olufon of Ifon has armed thugs and hit squad led by Chief Sikiru Mustapha [Baale Isangbe], High Chief Musefiu Kasali of Isangbe, and Chief Fatai Muideen [Baale Alabata] to disturb or making threat of
violent a ack against the people of Ilobu in villages and farm se lements is untrue, false, baseless, unfounded and is an a empt to bring the reputaon of the Olufon of Ifon and his community to disrepute.
“We categorically state that the metropolis called Apiponroro and Alabata in which Ilobu illegally called Iludun and the rural districts like Isangbe, Gbere-Odofin, Oke-Ekutu, Ku , Opapa, Alaiko, Osun-Eesa, EbuOba, Oluronbi, Olode, Tegbe, Apata, Gbogbo, Mota, Pafa, Oguntunde, Kajola, Idi-Iroko and other adjoining villages and farm se lements do not belong to Olobu and they are not situated in Ilobu; but they all belong to Ifon-Osun community from me immemorial.
“Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Ipadeola Akinyooye III, is a peace-loving Ruler, and since he ascended the throne of his ancestors, he has been working relessly to ensure peace and orderliness in both his community and the en re Irepodun and Orolu Tradi onal Council.
“The people that are farming on the Ifon lands with the consent of His Royal Majesty and its community tradi onally and willingly pay tributes [isakole] to the various land owners in Ifon Osun community in recogni on of the right of ownership and tradi onal tle to the land being used for farming. This is not peculiar to Ifon-Osun alone but a standard prac ce in all Yoruba communi es. The statement by the Olobu that the Olufon of Ifon demanded the payment of tributes [isakole] is highly absurd and far from the truth since the land from me immemorial belonged to Olufon, the customary landlord.”
Aregbesola Pledges Continued Support For Women, Children
Yusuf
THE former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has restated his commitment towards ensuring women and children are given necessary supports in the society.
He made the commitment during a visit by a non-governmental organisa on, Monsurat Ajoke Founda on (MAF) to his country home in Ilesa, on Sunday.
Aregbesola stressed the need to support women and children, no ng that “they are the backbone of our society”.
The Founda on, in a statement signed by its founder, Monsurat Ajoke, said Aregbesola has used his posi on to upli others, transforming street urchins into produc ve members of society.
A copy of the statement obtained by OSUN
DEFENDER on Wednesday reads: “The Monsurat Ajoke Founda on (MAF) paid a visit to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at his country home in Ilesha on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
“The founda on aimed to express their hear elt gra tude for Aregbesola’s unwavering support for women and children during his tenure as governor.
“Aregbesola warmly welcomed the founda on and offered words of encouragement, urging them to con nue their efforts. He emphasized the vital importance of suppor ng and protec ng women and children, sta ng, “They are the backbone of our society.”
“Aregbesola’s commitment to his faith and family is truly admirable, reflecting the strong founda on he has built. As a leader,
Aregbesola is known for his wisdom, integrity, and sense of humour. He has used his posi on to upli others, transforming street urchins into produc ve
members of society. His commitment to jus ce and fairness is unwavering .
“Aregbesola’s pledge to support the Monsurat Ajoke Founda on is a tes-
tament to his character. He believes that a true leader and paragon of virtue must commit to their faith, family, and community to inspire their leadership style, making it worthy of emula on.”
Oketola
•Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi presenting State Merit Award to Comrade Dr Waheed Lawal on Monday
Obasanjo Commissions Old Garage-Lameco Dualisation
FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo
on Tuesday, commissioned the 2.7kilometre dual carriage way of old garage-Lameco road in Osogbo, Osun State capital.
Speaking before the commissioning, the expresident hailed Governor Ademola Adeleke for performing excellently.
According to him, the achievements of Governor Adeleke in Osun are not for the people of Osun alone but for the en re Yoruba race globally.
“Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba race is in Osun State, so the development of Osun is in the interest of the en re Yoruba race. Ignore what your predecessors have failed to do. Focus on moving Osun to greater heights, and you will be doing good for the Yoruba people globally.
“I decided to be here against all odds because of the successes Governor Adeleke achieved within two years. The governor has disappointed cri cs; he has shown that he is not only a good dancer but also a good performer.
“When I arrived here, you told me about the Pensioners owed by the previous governments that you’ve paid, the advice I want to give you is that you should con nue as you are doing.
•As Adeleke Names Road After Late Asiwaju Of Osogboland
“What you are elected for is to make life easier for Osun people, and that is what you are doing. May God help you. Those who have been governors before you have wri en their own history and you are also wri ng yours now. I want to assure you that I will always support you in whatever you do”.
Earlier, Governor Adeleke disclosed that his administra on is commi ed to delivering on his agenda to revive the state economy through infrastructure development.
Governor Adeleke also named the commissioned road a er the late Asiwaju of Osogboland, Chief Abdulfatai Adekilekun Ajadi Badmus.
His words: “To revive the state and deliver on good governance, my administra on launched out with a five-point agenda. We targeted specific areas of needs of the people which form the major components of the clearly defined agenda. The goal principally was to address the aspira ons and immediate needs of our people.
“Our administra on has constructed over 120 kilometers of roads across the state. Several interstate and intra-city roads completed are to be commissioned during this 16-
Sports
day anniversary. Two major flyovers are also progressing to comple on at Osogbo while works are progressing at the Ile Ife Flyover and Ilesa dualiza on.
“I have redirected our
efforts and plan at the comple on of Iwo-Osogbo road. We have added the dualisaon of Odoori – Adeeke road inside Iwo to be executed in two phases. The first phase will reach Post
-Office and Oluwo Palace while the second phase will take off from Post Office to Adeeke Junc on.
“For the second half of our government, I reassure all sons and daughters of Osun State that the government under my leadership will complete all ongoing projects. We will con nue to address the infra and social needs of our people. We will strike a balance between hard and so infrastructure”.
Time For Bashiru, Badmus to Join PDP – Adeleke’s Aide
THow Thrilling 6-A-Side Bring Together Football Enthusiasts In Osun
AThrilling 6-A-Side football compeon hosted by Comr. Oladele Oluwafemi Emmanuel (Fresh diamond) has been concluded at Asipa in Ife North Local Government area of Osun State
The 6-aside compeon came alive as the much-an cipated compe on kicked off on November 2, 2024 and was held at the Iyonu Osu Basic School. The compe on brought together football enthusiasts, players, and fans for weeks of ac onpacked matches.
With an a rac ve prize pool of ₦100,000 for the winner, ₦75,000 for the first runner-up, and ₦50,000 for the second runner-up, the stakes were high, and the excitement palpable.
Ensuring the safety of par cipants and spectators were the Nigeria Police Force and the Civil Defense Corps, who main-
tained order throughout the event.
Teams and Key Matches
The tournament featured 12 formidable teams: Chicago Empire, Favour FC, Ul mate FC, Wonder Star, Diamond FC, Oja FC, The Chosen FC, TEFFA FC, Kings FC, Future Star, All Star FC, and Saint Pius FC.
Quarterfinals
Eight teams advanced to the quarterfinals a er intense group-stage matches:
Diamond FC defeated All Star FC in a thrilling 3:2 encounter.
Oja FC triumphed over TEFFA FC with an impressive 4:1 victory.
Kings FC edged past The Chosen FC in a drama c penalty shootout a er a full- me draw.
Chicago Empire secured a penalty shootout win over Favour FC a er a goalless draw.
Semifinals
Diamond FC crushed Kings FC with a commanding 5:0 victory to secure their spot in the final. Oja FC mirrored the
scoreline, defea ng Chicago Empire 5:0 to advance to the final.
The Grand Finale The final showdown saw Diamond FC face off against Oja FC, with both teams donning jerseys branded by Fresh diamond_exchange. In a breathtaking display of skill and determina on, Oja FC emerged victorious, clinching the championship tle and the grand prize of ₦100,000.
Individual Awards
The compe on also celebrated outstanding individual performances:
Omoniyi Toheeb (Eduardo) of Oja FC was named Best Player and Highest Goal Scorer of the tournament.
Abubakar Sola pf OJA FC was awarded Best Goalkeeper.
Ogundoju Ayobami Joshua of The Chosen FC took home the Youngest Player accolade.
Oyelade Ridwan of OJA FC was recognized as the best coach of the tournament.
Osun PDP. Olawale made the call while highligh ng the efforts of Governor Ademola Adeleke in transforming Osogbo, the state capital, Osogbo, into London within two years.
Group Wants Osun Community As Part Of New Oyo State Capital
Yusuf Oketola
AN Ogbomoso pressure group, Ogbomoso Capital City Ini a ve, has commenced a campaign for the creaon of new Oyo State, with the ul mate aim of making Ogbomoso the Capital of the new state.
The group has advanced a robust argument for the crea on of the new state and why Ogbomoso is posi oned to be the State Capital.
Meanwhile, Ejigbo Local Government of Osun State has been highlighted as one of the local governments to form the new state.
In a le er sighted by OSUN DEFENDER at the weekend, signed by one of the coordinators of the group, Dr Akin OladejiJohnbrown, President of Ogbomoso Recrea on Club, the group maintained that the issue of the crea on of an addional new state is long over-due in Nigeria and it is in light of this that Ogbomoso to be accorded a state capital status.
The spokesperson, while featuring on a media parley organized by Osun Online Publishers Associa on, OOPA, at the weekend, said Governor Adeleke’s achievement recorded in his two years in office surpassed expecta ons of his cri cs. He said: “Governor Adeleke, within two years changed the fortunes of Osogbo, the capital city to London, the true sons and daughters of the land, like SRJ, Engr Olalekan Badmus and others should rally round the governor to connue his good works”
The ini a ve group has obtained the buy-ins of strategic stakeholders in Ogbomosoland and the proposed new Oyo State is expected to have nineteen (19) Local government areas made of Afijio, A ba, A sbo, OgoOluwa, Irepo, Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, Ire, Olorunsogo, Oorelopo, Oyo East, Oyo West, Saki East, Saki West, Surulere, Ogbomoso North and Ogbomoso South and Ejigbo Local Government (in present Osun state).
According to the group and, based on the principle of equity, splitng Oyo state into two (Oyo and Ibadan states) should be highest in the priority of considera on by the relevant na onal assembly commi ees. Ogbomoso, currently has almost 15 percent of total land area of current Oyo State and the unique land mass and geospaal advantage guarantee space for the concomitant infrastructure required for the new state Capital.
He highlighted the major projects in Osogbo, “Lameco flyover, Oke-fia flyover, Ikirun-Osogbo road, Alekuwodo road, Old garage dualiza on roads, and other visible projects.
Olawale also revealed how Governor Ademola Adeleke simplified the delivering of good governance to ci zens of the state.
He stressed that even though Governor Adeleke loves dancing, he took delivering of good governance more serious.
While responding to ques on on if Governor Adeleke is bothered with constant cri cisms from main opposi on party, All Progressives Congress, APC, Rasheed said their cri cisms are expected.
According to him: “We have taken power from them, outperformed them, we have shown them that governance is not difficult, it’s just a ma er of listening to the people and looking for what the people want, this is what Governor Adeleke has been doing.
“If we have outperformed them, we have simplified governance and become champion of good governance” he added.
•Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Ademola Adeleke and others Commisioning OkèFia Lameco dualisation road on Tuesday
HE spokesperson to Osun state governor, Mallam Rasheed Olawale, has called on Senator Ajibola Bashiru and Engr Olalekan Badmus to join
Yusuf Oketola
Yusuf Oketola
Kazeem Badmus
Ripples In Osogbo Muslim Community Over
Appointment Of Adeleke’s Aide As Asiwaju Musulumi
TKazeem Badmus
HERE is a division in the Osogbo Muslim Community over the appointment of Alhaji Muniru Raji as the Asiwaju Musulumi Of Osogboland.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Raji’s appointment on Tuesday was greeted with mixed reacons, par cularly from stakeholders in Osogbo.
Raji who is the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Poli cal Ma ers, was reportedly appointed in a le er signed by Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheikh Musa Animashaun.
The le er of appointment was presented to him at his residence in Ido-Osun.
OSUN DEFENDER learnt that while some sec on of the Muslim Community are in support of the appointment, others who do not back the move are reportedly in support of an appointee of President Bola Tinubu as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogbo.
Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Osogbo, the advisory body for Osogbo Central Mosque known as Alasaro of ‘Osogbo’, faulted the appointment of Alhaji Raji, adding that they were not consulted before the decision was taken.
The body which said it is the sole decision-maker when it comes to Islamic tles in Osogbo, also accused the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo of meddling in the affairs of the Muslim community.
The head of the advisory body ‘Alasaro of Osogbo’, Sheik Sulaiman Ajao Akala, who condemned the appointment, said the body does not support it.
•Advisory Body Rejects Appointment, Faults Chief Imam, Palace
Sheikh Akala said Alhaji Raji is currently serving as Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke, adding that the tle is not for someone holding a poli cal office.
He said, “When I first heard that Alhaji Muniru Raji has been appointed as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland, I said it is not possible because he is a serving poli cian and the tle is not for serving poli cians.
“We went to the Chief Imam to express our grievances and he also told us that Alhaji Muniru Raji will not be appointed as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland.
“But yesterday, we heard that the Chief Imam has changed his words and appointed Alhaji Muniru Raji as Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland. We, the Alasaro’s, don’t know anything about it, and we
do not support or approve the appointment”.
Corrobora ng Sheik Akala, the Jagunmolu of ‘Alasaro’, Alhaji Amitolu Shi u, said the Chief Imam cannot appoint anyone without the input of the body, calling on him to reverse the appointment.
Shi u, who said Osogbo has retrogressed due to the division created by some people in the town, added that the appointment of Alhaji Raji if allowed to stand, will further divide the community.
He also alleged that the division in the town is being fueled by the palace of Ataoja.
“Why do we have Aree Musulumi? Why do we have Giwa Adini? Why do we have Saraki Adini? You want to appoint somebody without their input. It is an aberra on which cannot be allowed to stand,”
he said.
He further added, “I am a chief in the Alasaro Osogbo. In as much as our leader and elders have denounced it and said they are not part of the process, we advise the Chief Imam, in order not to further the polarisa on of our town, to desist from it and stay clear un l approval is given by the Alasaro.
“If they try to do anything, we will make it impossible for them at all costs. We are telling them to stop it now. They cannot con nue to divide this town because of their personal interest and money.
“Baba Chief Imam should remember that he did not put himself in that office and it was not the king that put him there. It is the Alasaro that put him there.
“They are trying to equate the Islamic posion with that of the pal-
“We urge the president to look into the ma er because this can degenerate into communal clash considering the previous ac on of Ede town against Ido-Osun.”
Ido-Osun Residents Protest, Fault Adeleke’s Relocaon of Airport To Ede Residents of Ido-Osun, Osun State have protested against the state government’s plan to relocate the state airport project from Ido-Osun to Governor Ademola Adeleke’s hometown, Ede.
Led by youths under the aegis of the Ido-Osun Youth Forum, the protesters chanted an -government songs along the Ido-OsunEde Road.
The protesters rejected the government’s claim that the current site was no long-
er suitable due to encroachment by individuals who had erected structures on the project land.
Reading a statement on behalf of the community, former Egbedore State Cons tuency representa ve in the Osun State House of Assembly, Abiodun Awolola, accused the governor of nepo sm.
“This a empt to relocate the Ido-Osun airport to Ede is insensi ve and must be resisted. Those advising the government to treat Osun as if it is Ede State should be ashamed of themselves,” the statement read.
Awolola highlighted the historical significance of the airport, sta ng that it had existed since 1936 before being abandoned.
He noted that successive administra ons, including those of Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, and Governors
Bisi Akande, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Rauf Aregbesola, and Gboyega Oyetola, had all made commitments to reviving the project.
“Over N20 billion has already been spent on the Ido-Osun Airport. Abandoning it for a new project in the governor’s hometown would not only waste public funds but also cast the current administra on as nepo s c.
“The airport, which housed the Nigerian Air Force Research and Development Centre and was designed to serve civil, military, and cargo avia on needs, should be priori zed, not sidelined,” he added.
Awolola urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevail on Adeleke to abandon the reloca on plans.
He also called on the Ministers of Works and Aviaon, David Umahi and Festus Keyamo, to boyco the pro-
posed sod-turning ceremony at the new site.
Similarly, the Allied Peoples Movement condemned the reloca on plan.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Adewale Adebayo, the party described the move as poli cally movated and wasteful.
“Reloca ng such a crical project to the governor’s hometown reeks of favouri sm and disregards the resources already commi ed to the Ido-Osun site. Osun State cannot afford to waste N20 billion of public funds, especially in these economically challenging mes,” Adebayo stated.
Efforts to get a response from the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, proved unsuccessful, as calls to his line did not go through, and he had not responded to a text message at the me of filing this report.
ace which is not the same. No Imam, assistant Imam, or even Mufasir can make a decision when it comes to Islamic affairs in Osogbo. Also, the palace cannot make a decision on the ma er. The Palace has played a retrogressive role; we are being divided, and this must stop.”
Advisory Body ‘Alasaro’ Sponsored By Someone Who Wants The Posi on For His Son - Alhaji Raji Reac ng to the advisory body’s posi on, Raji, said conferment of Islamic tles is a preroga ve of the Chief Imam.
Alhaji Raji also accused the advisory body of doing the bidding of someone who wanted his son to be appointed as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogbo.
Alhaji Raji said the statement credited to the head of the advisory body that poli cal office holders cannot be given Islamictles was a lie, adding that the person the ‘Alasaro’ were roo ng for is also a poli cal appointee. He, however, did not men on the name of the person.
Alhaji Raji also said the spokesperson of the advisory body was part of the delega on that brought the le er of appointment to him.
According to him, “Appointment of Islamic tle holders in Osogboland is at the authority of Chief Imam of Osogboland and I know that before the Chief Imam appoints anyone, he will consult with the Alasaro and the Mogajis.
“The spokesperson for the ‘Alasaro’ was part of the delega on the Chief Imam sent to bring the le er to me which means that they were carried along.
“The only tle the Alasaros have power over is a tle within their body
and not the Osogbo Muslim community tle.
“I know for sure that for over 40 years, the Imam-in-Council is the one that appoints someone, and the decision will be communicated to the ‘Alasaro’. That is the way things are done in the past and it is the same way I was appointed and given a le er.
“The press conference organised by the Alasaro was funded by someone who wants his son to be appointed as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogbo.
“They should bring the law that states that a poli cal office holder cannot be given an Islamictle. The person they want to use for their selfish interest, who the Imamin-Council believes is not worth the tle, is also a poli cal appointee.”
I Have The Authority To Confer Islamic TitlesChief Imam
When contacted, the Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheikh Musa Animashaun, told OSUN DEFENDER that the advisory body ‘Alasaro’ cannot dictate who to confer an Islamic tle on for him.
He said, “What members of the ‘Alasaro’ are saying is rubbish. The Chief Imam has the authority to confer Islamic tle in Osogboland.
“When the various mosques and Islamic associa ons in Osogbo were giving tles to people, why did the Alasaro not go there to challenge them? The mosques and Islamic associa ons can confer tle to anyone. They have that power,” Animashaun said.
Ataoja’s Palace Not Involved - Aide
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, Prince Jeleel Olawale, an aide to the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, denied the involvement of the palace in the ma er.
He said, “The palace stands on its own while the League of Imams stands on its own. So, what one of the chie ains of the ‘Alasaro’ said was an overstatement.
“Nobody has ever seen where the Ataoja of Osogbo men oned or called somebody Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland. So what the Chie ain said was not correct.
“The palace is not intervening in the Muslim community affairs. The Chief Imam is the authority when it comes to that ma er and the tle we are talking about is not a tradi onal tle. So, the Ataoja of Osogbo and the palace have nothing to do with it,” the palace aide noted.
•Akala
•Raji•Animashaun
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2024 - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2024 VOL. 19 NO 44 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
EVEN on account of its historical relevance, the MKO Abiola Interna onal Cargo Airport, Ido-Osun, Osun State, should be a thing of joy to lovers of economic progress. Si ng a project of that nature on an expanse of land set aside for the same purpose since 1936, some 87 years ago, is enough to rank it as one of the must-see, must-visit sites for tourists from any part of the world.
Let us remind naysayers, who may be uninformed of that juicy side of the project, that the West African Fron ers Force had picked this loca on as the landing and take-off pla orm for the airli ing of its fighters, who fought along with the Bri sh Army from across West Africa in the Second World War.
History has it that Governor-General Bernard Bourdillon, represen ng the British Empire, had paid for the acquisi on of this parcel of land by compensa ng the original owners and the sole purpose was to build on it an airstrip.
To put it straight and one could challenge anyone who has contrary figures, the total money expended so far by the government on the Airport is N2.7bn out of the N4.5bn ini al budget. I doubt if there is an amount too much to bring to frui on such dreams of many decades in this part of the country, and this is why I shudder at various ridiculous amounts bandied around by those who have sought to discredit the project on account of phantom, unsubstan ated costs dubiously quoted to have been spent on the project.
About 2017, I listened to a popular Nigerian Avia on expert and re red pilot, Captain Dele Ore, giving accounts of how he landed aircra on this airstrip as a young Nigerian pilot. Of course, if the Bri sh Aviaon experts had picked this site as its most preferred loca on for an airstrip in the whole of West Africa in the pre-independence decades, does it not represent a fait accompli that an advanced avia on project in the form of a cargo hub, a maintenance hub for fixed and rotary wing aircra ; and with firm commitments on patronage secured from Bombardier Aircra Manufacturing company of Canada and the Nigeria Airforce and other ancillary facili es and services, should be natural accomplishments?
To put it straight and one could challenge anyone who has contrary figures, the total money expended so far by the government on the Airport is N2.7bn out of the N4.5bn ini al budget.
I doubt if there is an amount too much to bring to frui on such dreams of many decades in this part of the country, and this is why I shudder at various ridiculous amounts bandied around by those who have sought to discredit the project on account of phantom, unsubstan ated costs dubiously quoted to have been spent on the project.
About 2017, I listened to a popular Ni-
“ Bamidele Salam, a member of the House of Representatives, impressed me with his submissions two years ago when he rose in front of his colleagues at the Green Chamber to tell the world that the MKO Abiola Airport had surpassed that stage where any reasonable country would wish it buried”
By SEMIU OKANLAWON PERSPECTIVE
Why MKO Abiola International Airport Is A Must-complete Project
gerian Avia on expert and re red pilot, Captain Dele Ore, giving accounts of how he landed aircra on this airstrip as a young Nigerian pilot. Of course, if the Bri sh Aviaon experts had picked this site as its most preferred loca on for an airstrip in the whole of West Africa in the pre-independence decades, does it not represent a fait accompli that an advanced avia on project in the form of a cargo hub, a maintenance hub for fixed and rotary wing aircra ; and with firm commitments on patronage secured from Bombardier Aircra Manufacturing company of Canada and the Nigeria Airforce and other ancillary facili es and services, should be natural accomplishments?
I recall Captain Ore saying at the me that: “The Europeans don’t just act on ins ncts. They studied the Geography of West Africa. Because they were preparing for the Second World War, they knew that they would airli troops from here to Sudan en route Burma. They, therefore, sought for a flat plateau for that purpose. Ido-Osun was discovered as the most suitable ground because it has the highest flat top plateau in Bri sh West Africa. That was why an airstrip was built there for the exercise and that was how Ido-Osun became the first landing strip in Bri sh West Africa.”
I think for every ra onal mind, the above tes mony of a known aviator in Nigeria sits well with the ambi on of a state to have the MKO Abiola airport in place even without considering other factors that make it a viable project.
Since the Rauf Aregbesola administraon resuscitated this project from where it was le by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola regime, the arguments for and against have been fraught with the good, the bad and the ugly. What does Osun need an airport for? How many people can pay the price of an air cket in that state? Is it reasonable and economically viable to have another
airport with one located in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and another one in Akure the Ondo state capital? The ques ons have been many and mul plying.
Capt. Dele Ore’s argument over the capacity of an airport to ignite development (economically) technically knocks out the argument that smaller communi es are not in need of airports and that such are exclusive preserves of mega-ci es. His posi on is backed robustly by the submissions of two researchers – Prof. Jesse Schreger of Harvard University, and Prof. Natalie Bau, of the University of Toronto – who co-authored a paper in 2017 on Infrastructure and Economic Growth: “The Role of Airports”.
The duo had argued that “the expansion of airports may increase economic growth through a variety of other mechanisms. Airports may make it easier to transfer technological know-how and reduce the costs of impor ng inputs and expor ng products.” This would further corroborate Osun’s expecta ons and Ore’s assurances that “The kind of job, manpower it’s going to provide for this state, this state won’t be able to cope with it.”
He had further assured that “you will have to employ people from other states because you would have taken care of your own ci zens. Just with one stroke, you will then have the capability to get even processed produce because there is no way this government won’t get encouragement for more agricultural ac vi es; export raw materials and even finished products. This means that the factories that will power all these ac vi es will be all situated around the place and provide jobs for our people.” I recall that about the me that Capt. Dele Ore espoused the need for the airport and the need for a review of the ini al project scope and size, facili es not ini ally included had been added with the sole aim of raising the standards of the projects
and making it become more impac ul on the host community. Those who raise arguments over the upward review of the project cost from the ini al N4.5bn fail to note the addi onal features, which a commi ee recommended midway, jerked the cost to about N11.7bn
The new works and modifica ons that brought about that upward review include the ini al runaway, which was 3.0km but was increased to 3.5km. Available works documents show that the scope of the works increased on the taxiway and Apron, Terminal Building, Fire sta on and with an addi onal one floor added to the Control Tower of the airport. Others include the new Administra ve Block, new Fire Port, the Powerhouse, the Maintenance Building, Cleared Graded Area (CGA), Landscaping, Walkways and Parking Lot and some others.
And just imagine some of the a achments to the airport project. Apart from being conceived as an aircra maintenance and repair hub where aircra would be serviced, the first of its kind in West Africa, the MKO Abiola Interna onal Airport was to come with a five-star hotel, a Water Park, Recrea on Centre and Garden, Butterfly Museum and Casinos and some others. All these were a er an agreement for concession had been reached with a company called AWOL in 2017. This concession deal later became problema c and was terminated. In my opinion this is just another in the series of setbacks that projects of such nature encounter anywhere in the world. The setback it brought on the project could not explain the abandonment of the project.
And now to the argument that Osun’s airport was unnecessary because of the ones in Ibadan and Akure. Let those who reason this way be reminded that in London alone, apart from the popular Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, there are Luton, the London City Airport, Southend Airport and Stansted airport. This is a city of about nine million in popula on harbouring six interna onal airports.
If popula on is to be used as yards ck for airport needs, Osun, with an es mated popula on of over four million could then make do with up to two airports given the spread of highly urbanised ci es such as Iwo, Osogbo, Ilesha, Ila, Ejigbo, Ikirun, Ile-Ife, Ikire that dot the state, and where some appreciable level of economic ac vies take place.
Osun is home to major ter ary ins tuons such as the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Bowen University, Iwo, Adeleke University, Redeemers University both in Ede, Osun State University with many campuses in Osogbo, Ikire, Ejigbo, Ifetedo, Okuku; Fountain University in Osogbo; King’s University, Ode Omu; Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji; Oduduwa University, Ile Ife with the possibili es of new ones springing up in the years to come. Added to these are newly created Federal Medical University, Ila, University of Ilesa, Federal College of Educa on, Iwo, The Polythe c, Ire, and Esa Oke and other sundry ins tu ons located in the state.
Just imagine the level of ac vi es from these ins tu ons alone with exchange programmes with peers in and out of Nigeria witnessing academics, students on exchange programmes, researchers and
•Read full article on www.osundefender.com
• Okanlawon, a Media Strategist and Publisher, NPO Reports, also served in Osun as Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Asst. News Editor, YUSUF OKETOLA, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com
