The National President of Ilobu-Asake Development Union, Mr Dauda Adebisi-Balogun has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu and other stakeholders in the Ministry of Education and the state to as a matter of fairness and equity site the proposed Federal College of Education, approved for Osun State in Ilobu.
Adebisi-Balogun in a statement on Wednesday highlighted reasons why the ancient town of Ilobu is the best location for the institution.
According to him, the present federal government institutions in the state are already in Osun East and West Senatorial Districts, adding that natural law of fairness and federal character automatically favour the central zone.
“If we comb the Federal presence in the state in combination with the state institutions, the only zone that deserves the institution is Osun central. Obafemi Awolowo University is in Ile-Ife (Osun East), Federal Polytechnics has been sited in Ede, (Osun West) while our zone which is the largest in terms of population and voting strength has no federal institution.
“Having sorted the issue of Senatorial District, in Osun Central, we have two zones – Osogbo and Ila zone. As we speak today, Ila zone has two state institutions, Osun State Polytechnics, Iree and Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun; and a campus of Osun State University located in Okuku. But the Osogbo zone only has a campus of Osun State University and Osun State College of Nursing.
“The above analysis has shown that despite being the state capital, Osogbo zone is cheated and and left to wallow perpetually in search of both federal and state presence in terms of education. To us as Ilobu sons and daughters, we believe the time is now to correct the age-long mistake.
“It must be stated that Ilobu is best for the institution considering the fact that the only two campuses in Osogbo zone are in Osogbo town. Osogbo zone consists of sub-zone of Osogbo and Irepodun/Orolu.
“Ilobu, being the headquarters of the other zone remains the best location for the institution.
Adebisi-Balogun also added that apart from the political consideration analysed above, Ilobu can also be described as the most peaceful community in the state as it has not recorded any violence or disruption of peace in any form in the last ten years.
“Apart from the political consideration, Ilobu has been part of development of the state and the country at large. Our sons and daughters have at various times paid their dues and sacrificed their comforts for development of the state and the country at large.
“More so, in terms of peace and hospitality, Ilobu has severally been ranked among most peaceful communities. Our socio-economic setting has capacity to accommodate the institution”.
He called on the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, the Honourable Minister of Education, the leadership of the National Assembly and other relevant stakeholders to consider Ilobu as the site of the institution in pursuit of fairness, justice and equity, adding that citing it in Ilobu will douse the tension in the state.
