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- We’ll right the wrong, state govt vows
From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Osun State Government has vowed to revoke Trade Fair land allegedly ceded to a private company by the former governor Rauf Aregbesola.
The Geputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, who spoke on behalf of Governor Ademola Adeleke, stated this before the delivery of his address during the official opening ceremony of the 2023 Osun Trade Fair at Aje International Market, Osogbo, Monday.
Adewusi spoke shortly after the Osun president of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Olu Olujide, appealed to the government to help them do something on the purported land matter.
Olujide in his address alleged that the land covering about 33 acres was donated by the late brother of the governor, Isiaka Adeleke, but the government of Aregbesola transferred the ownership of the land to a private company.
He said, “I would like to call your attention to the ownership of this compound called Aje International Market. The land covering about 33 acres was donated by the first civilian governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Alhaji Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke (of blessed memory) to OSUCCIMA for Trade Fair and other activities of OSUCCIMA.
“This is the practice all over the nation; the State Government provides land to the chamber for trade fair. Unfortunately, during the administration of His Excellency, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the government of Osun State transferred the ownership of the land to a private company. All the structures erected on the land by industrialists and local government councils were demolished and left only that of Odua Investment Company.
“Today, we are a tenant in our own house! I want to use this medium to call on the Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke to return the ownership of the land (at least 10 acres) to Osun State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OSUCCIMA). This is a rare opportunity to correct the injustice done to OSUCCIMA,” Olujide said.
However, Adewusi expressed disappointment in the allegation against the former governor and directed the chambers to make the claim formal, promising that all the wrongs would be corrected.
“I’m disappointed this afternoon to hear that this land has been ceded out to private organizations. The last I was here, I think we have buildings that belong to each local government in this state on this particular site.
“It is so disheartening that all these buildings have been bulldozed and that is why we are having this spilled here. Well, I have told the president of OSUCCIMA to put up their paper and send it through the commissioner, let’s look at what has transpired. We will look at whatever that has happened. Be rest assured that all the wrongs will be corrected,” Adewusi said.
