●As Head of Akirun- in- Council Blasts Previous Government for Neglecting Ikirun
Governor Ademola Adeleke has restated his determination to sustain the development of Ikirunland even as the Eesa of Ikirun land who is also the head of Akirun – in- Council, High Chief Kareem Adetoyese, blasted previous government for neglecting and destroying peace of the town.
Governor Adeleke was at Ikirun on condolence visits to the families of late head of Ikirun princes, Dr Ismahil Adeyemi; the Asiwaju of Ikirun land ; DIG Lawal Kasali; and Chief Imam of Ikirun land, Sheikh Yunus Balogun.
The Head of Akinrun-in-Council who welcomed the governor to Ikirun lamented the neglect of the town under the previous administration and commended Governor Adeleke for reviving the developmental fortune of the town and restoring peace amidst killings in mid-2022.
“Your Excellency, we appreciate these condolence visits. This is a continuous demonstration of your love for Ikirun since you took over the governance of the state. We must speak of your good deed as a leader who saved Ikirun from violence and under-development. We cannot forget in a hurry how the previous administration relegated Ikirun and denied us opportunities.
“The previous government set Ikirun on fire through the politicisation of the kingship matters. The governor’s executive order saved us. We recorded casualties before you came in. I was forced into exile for months. The governor rescued us from premeditated violence and killings. Many died during the fracas.
“We must also put on record how you restored the pride of Ikirun in the developmental field. Ikirun has always been central to Osun North East as a coordinating capital. A former governor attempted to relegate Ikirun. A former governor bypassed Ikirun and took the road through the back to his town.
“Mr Governor, you came and restored our pride. You took up the neglected Osogbo-Ikirun road. You are now taking the dualisation of the road to the Kwara border. We have therefore resolved to support you for the second term in office in recognition of your good work”, the Eesa declared.
At the residence of late DIG Lawal and the late Imam Balogun, the families expressed appreciation for the governor’s consistent support for Ikirun land and recalled the deep love the deceased had for the governor in the collective push to develop the town.
At the residence of the late Imam, the family and the clerics at the ongoing lecture delivered by Sheikh AbdulBasit Katibi bello (Aponle Anobi) turned the event into a prayer session for the success and re-election of the governor.
Responding at the three places, the governor described his love for Ikirun land as an extension of his desire to spread development and improve the livelihood of all citizens and residents of Osun state.
“I thank the Eesa, the Akinrun in Council, families and residents for this warm welcome. I am elated that our intervention restored the peace of Ikirun land and brought development to the town. Our government is sensitive to the question of balance and equity in the implementation of projects and programmes.
“I am glad in my records I did not take the road through the backdoor but through the major expressway. We are determined to complete the dualisation of Osogbo-Ikirun-Okuku- Kwara border road. I am glad I recognised Ikirun and accorded the town its due honour, pride and respect”, the governor posited.
He ordered the Ministry of Works to assess the state of the Akirun palace, the Inisha junction road and prepare programmes for rehabilitation, directing further that the ministry should also look into the structural and drainage problem facing the Ikirun Central Mosque with a view towards rehabilitation.
The governor was accompanied on the visitation by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Speaker, House of Assembly, Rt Hon Adewale Egbedun; Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; members of the State Executive Council and top government officials.
