GOVERNOR ADELEKE CELEBRATES CMD AFOLABI ON BIRTHDAY
CONVOCATION SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF OSUN STATE AND VISITOR TO OSUN STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY, ESA-OKE, AT THE 8TH COMBINED CONVOCATION ON THURSDAY 12TH DECEMBER 2024.
TEXT OF A SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE REHABILITATED COOPERATIVE COLLEGE, ODEOMU TODAY DECEMBER 11, 2024
Protocols
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this historic occasion. I also extend my warm greetings to the eminent personalities, stakeholders, and representatives of the host communities of Oba Hills National Park.
- I acknowledge and appreciate all the individuals who have contributed immensely to the success of this initiative. I particularly thank those who served in various transition committees over the years. Your efforts have brought us to this milestone.
- Oba Hills Forest Reserve, now to be known as Oba Hills National Park, spans about 4,225 hectares across Iwo, Ejigbo, and Ola-Oluwa Local Government Areas. This forest reserve hosts varieties of ecological value. The site is also home to five unique hills which provide habitats for diverse plants and animals.
- We regret to note that some of these species are endangered due to activities such as logging, hunting, and other human factors. It was for this reason that the Osun State Government engaged the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in April 2013 to conduct a comprehensive survey of the reserve. The findings revealed a high degree of degradation, which calls for urgent intervention.
- In response, Osun State reached out to the National Park Service to propose the reserve’s upgrade to National Park status. In 2021, this request was granted. Today, we witnessed the realization of that effort.
I wish to express my profound gratitude to the Conservator-General and the entire National Park Service for their total commitment to facilitate this handover process.
- As we transfer the management of Oba Hills Forest Reserve to the National Park Service, I must stress that Osun State remains deeply interested in the operations of the park. Today’s event aligns with our broader climate change agenda, as we recognize the critical role of ecosystem in reducing global warming and ensuring sustainable development.
I also urge the National Park Service to prioritise the recruitment of qualified indigenes of Osun State as officers and men to operate the park. Local content is a state policy here in Osun state. The policy strengthens benefits for local communities and facilitates local ownership. We seek enforcement of that policy in the operations of the park.
- On this note, I officially hand over the Oba Hills Forest Reserve to the Honourable Minister of Environment for its transformation into a National Park, under the stewardship of the National Park Service.
- Thank you all for being part of this significant moment in Osun State’s history.
God bless Osun State!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state today launched the Imole Agropreneur Project, targeting 31, 000 hectares of land for cultivation across the 30 local governments and the area council.
OSOGBO – 09/12/3024 – osunstate.gov.n
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, Nigeria has congratulated the newly elected president of Ghana, John Mahama, describing him as “a true democrat and a genuine friend of Nigeria”
Governor Adeleke in a statement on Monday said since his path crossed that of the new Ghanaian leader, “we have been sharing deep thoughts about the true essence of democracy and the imperative of respect for people’s will as the bedrock of virile democratic state.
“All through his days in the opposition, he adopted the best of democratic model with unbending faith in the capacity of voters to decide and the necessity of the system to accept the voters’ will as expressed without any equivocation. His faith in the electorate amidst hard work of electioneering campaigns paid off with a resounding victory at the polls.
“I further commend the ruling party for conceding defeat without attempting any electoral hijack. This was a demonstration of electoral maturity worthy of emulation by actors within the Nigerian space.
“I rejoice with my dear brother as our dreams come true by the grace of God and the people. As he prepares to return to the State House, I have no doubt that he will take Ghana to greater heights.
“I call for a closer, more robust relationship between Nigeria and Ghana. Both countries must deepen cooperation under mutual respect and opportunities. Our brotherly relationship should extend to the subnational level for the benefits of citizens and residents of our dear nations”, Governor Adeleke was quoted as saying.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.