The former Osun State Governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola on Monday paid a condolence visit to the Owa-in-Council and the people of Ijesaland over the demise of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran.
This is even as the Minister cleared the air on the lingering controversy over the establishment of the Ilesa University, stating that his administration deliberately established the university for the benefit of the Ijesa people in particular, Osun residents and Nigerians in general.
Oyetola made the clarification in response to the insinuations allegedly being sponsored by some individuals in the ruling government distorting the information on the establishment of the institution of higher learning.
The Minister who was represented by a powerful delegation led by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji, on the condolence visit to the Owa-in-Council and Ijesa people in Ilesa said on no account should the creation of the university be credited to any other government than his administration.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Oyebamiji expressed his heartfelt condolences over the demise of the late monarch, noting that his enduring legacies would live forever.
The former Osun State Commissioner for Finance who described the deceased monarch as a rare gem of no equal means, said he would forever be remembered for his developmental strides on the throne.
He, however, recalled some painstaking steps taken by the Oyetola administration that culminated into the successful creation and take-off of the Ilesa University, noting that it’s shameful for someone to be claiming what doesn’t belong to him or her.
In his words: “I greet you all. We are here in respect of the demise of our beloved monarch, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, the late Owa Ibokun of Ijesaland. We are here for two things. First, our Minister is in Saudi Arabia, but because the late monarch loved our leader and our party, that is why he sent us here to formally condole with the Ijesa people over the death of our revered monarch. I want to assure you that he (Oyetola) himself is coming in person anytime soon whenever he returns to Nigeria because he knows your value and importance.
“Second, though we are not here for politics but sometimes, one has to clear air on burning politically-motivated issues as regards the trending lies being peddled and sponsored by mischief makers to distort facts over the creation of the Ilesa University.
“There is no controversy over this. It is clear that Oyetola’s government established the Ilesa University. There is no controversy, I repeat and if anyone has anything contrary, he should come forward to negate this with facts not by propaganda means. It is on record that it was Oyetola’s administration that engaged hands that sat with our team while in government to establish the university and it is also on record too that the National University Commission(NUC) approved the creation of the university before we constituted the Governing Board for the varsity.
“We should be reminded that no one will constitute the Governing Board without the approval of the National University Commission, so, if it is incontrovertible that Oyetola’s government constituted the Governing Council, then, the concocted insinuation has no basis in logic and rationality.
“I am very sure that the people of Ijesaland can testify to these facts. As a matter of fact, there are verifiable documents to this and when the time comes, we will bring them forward to the public domain. It is unfortunate that some people could still be so petty to the extent that they would be claiming what doesn’t belong to them.”
Corroborating the statement, the former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon Timothy Owoeye, described as irritating and misleading the insinuations over the creation of the university, saying it is only mischief makers that can sponsor such as it is crystal clear that the law that created the institution was promulgated by the House of Assembly under his leadership and approved by the former governor.
In their separate remarks, the Obanla of Ilesa, High Chief Adeniji Ibitoye; Ogboni of Ipole, Oba Samson Omokehinde; High Chief James Gbadamosi, among others, appealed to the members of the delegation to continue to extend their support to Owa’s stool particularly when the selection of the next Owa commences.
“We will like you to continue to give us your support as you used to give us when Baba was alive particularly when it is time to select a new monarch. I want to assure you that there won’t be any controversy in the selection process. I want to appeal to you to support us towards ensuring a smooth selection process for us to secure the best hand for the throne”, the Obanla said.
Those on the delegation team include: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji; Executive Director, Federal Housing Authority, FHA, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye; former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye; APC chieftains, Chief Kunle Odeyemi; Chief James Oni; former Managing Director, Osun State Investment Company Limited, Dr. Tunde Faleye, Mr. Ibrahim Balogun, Chief Dosu Gidigbi, Chief Akinwale Akintola, all the chairmanship candidates in Ijesa-South, among others.
