Dare Babalola
Governor Ademola Adeleke has reiterated his commitment to driving development in Ikirunland, as the Eesa of Ikirun land, High Chief Kareem Adetoyese, criticized the previous administration for neglecting and destabilizing the town.
This was contained in a statement by Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesperson, who said Adeleke made the pledge during his visit to Ikirun to pay condolences to the families of the late Dr. Ismahil Adeyemi, head of Ikirun princes; DIG Lawal Kasali, the Asiwaju of Ikirun land; and Sheikh Yunus Balogun, the Chief Imam of Ikirun land.
The Head of Akinrun-in-Council, who welcomed Governor Adeleke to Ikirun, lamented the town’s neglect under the previous administration and praised the governor for reviving Ikirun’s development and restoring peace after the mid-2022 killings.
“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 residences of the late DIG Lawal and Imam Balogun, the families thanked Governor Adeleke for his unwavering support for Ikirun land, recalling the deceased leaders’ deep affection for him and their shared vision 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.
