Pictures, Resolutions As Osogbo Indigenes Seek Unity, Patriotism At Townhall Meeting
On Saturday, January 4, 2025, Osogbo Affairs Forum (OSAF) held the second edition of its General/Townhall meeting.
The gathering, with numerous online and offline attendees, took place at Obafemi Awolowo Way, Olonkoro, Osogbo the state capital located Osogbo Town Hall.
With the Theme: “GALVANIZING OSOGBO INDIGENES TOWARDS UNITY, PATRIOTISM, AND GOAL GETTING,” the meeting was an avenue for stakeholders from diverse societies, which include traditional leaders, professionals, community leaders, politicians among other prominent figures to interract and deliberate on issues that affect Osun State’s Capital City.
Interestingly, the all-important forum had President of Association of Corporate and Marketing Communication Professionals in Nigerian Banks (ACAMB), Rasheed Bolarinwa and Osogbo-based veteran broadcaster, Alhaji Toyin Yusuf as moderators.
The Ataoja of Osogboland, whose representative declared the meeting open, pointed out the need to critically examine the challenges facing the ancient town while proposing actionable solutions.
He said that a lot could be achieved in the area of protecting the town’s interests by collaborating with Ataoja-in-Council.
The meeting, featuring a three-fold session, seeks to achieve unity, patriotism, goal getting, development of Osogbo, welfare of indigenes and more.
Here are the highlights of the sessions and panelists’ resolutions
Session 1:
Galvanizing Osogbo Indigenes Towards Unity, Patriotism, and Goal Getting
Panelists: Dr. Sikiru Adetoro, Alhaji Muniru Raji, Comrade Amitolu Shittu
Resolutions:
1. The panel acknowledged Osogbo’s wealth of human resources and educated indigenes. Thus, the need to promote love, unity and cooperation to strategically position Osogbo indigenes for greater opportunities was agreed upon
2. The Osogbo Progressive Union (OPU) was identified as a critical uniting organization. The panel stressed the importance of resolving the leadership crisis within the OPU and reconciling differences between the Olomo Obas and the Ataoja.
3. Steps towards achieving unity include:a. Resolving the Ataoja’s pre- and post-office assumption issues.b. Avoiding the airing of sensitive town matters on social media platforms.
4. The panel resolved that politics must not be played in a way that will cause disunity, and that support for Osogbo sons and daughters in various political parties should be sacrosanct, with an emphasis on collaboration rather than antagonism.
5. Establishing a comprehensive database to document Osogbo indigenes in various professional and political positions shall be undertaken.
6. A blueprint for Osogbo Industrial and Economic Base is to be developed, with a view to reviving the town’s old “business hub” status.
Session 2:
Prioritizing Community Interest Over Political Alignment
Panelists: Hon. Gani Olaoluwa, Rt. Hon. Akintunde Adegboye, Prof. Ademola Adeleke, Hon. Adeoye Adelakun
Resolutions:
1. The need to prioritize community interest above individual or political ambitions shallhenceforth be everyone’s focus.
2. Efforts shall be made to restore the OPU’s former glory by withdrawing all pendinglawsuits and immediately set machinery in motion towards a fruitful reconciliation of allwarring parties.
3. OSAF shall take steps and measures towards establishing itself as a unifying platform, anddevelop mechanisms to strengthen unity among Osogbo indigenes.
4. Regardless of political affiliations, Osogbo politicians are to work together to achievecommon goals beneficial to the town.
5. A long-term plan is to be drawn up with a view to positioning an Osogbo indigene for the governorship of the state.
After the two sessions, a committee to action the resolutions of the two panels was set up.
The committee comprised of the following members:
i. Hon. Gani Olaoluwa
ii. Rt. Hon. Akintunde Adegboye
iii. Prof. Ademola Adeleke
iv. Hon. Adeoye Adelakun
v. Comrade Amitolu Shittu
vi. Alhaji Munirudeen Raji
vii. Mr Waheed Adediran
viii. Alhaji Oluwatoyin Yusuf
ix. Mr. Asimiyu Olawale Badru
session 3:
Developing Targets, Goals, and Key Focus Areas for Osogbo
Panelists: Prof. Grace Akinola, Dr. Rasheed Adebiyi, Dr. Maruf Hassan, Dr. Busari Salawu, Mr.Obasanjo Onibonokuta
Resolutions:
1. A data bank to document Osogbo indigenes in various professional fields and educationalinstitutions shall be created. This is to include the need to design:a. A Google form to collect data about Osogbo indigenes in various spheres of life.b. A special database for students of Osogbo extraction depicting their courses ofstudy, disciplines and areas of specializations.
2. Academically and professionally equipped Osogbo indigenes are to be identified andmobilized for strategic placements and mentorship opportunities.
3. Influential personalities of Osogbo origin are to be mobilized to transform the TechnicalCollege, Osogbo, into a Technical University.
4. Education infrastructures, digital platforms and resources within the town are to be mappedwith the aim of leveraging on them to move Osogbo forward.
5. Osogbo’s human and natural resources, both tapped and untapped, are to be identified andpromoted to enhance the town’s development.
At the end of the session, a committee to work on the resolutions of the panel was set up. This includes the following persons as members:
i. Prof. Grace Akinola
ii. Alhaji Rasheed Bolarinwa
iii. Dr. Rasheed Adebiyi
iv. Dr. Maruf Hassan
v. Dr. Busari Salawu
vi. Mr. Obasanjo Onibonokuta
vii. Dr. Sarafadeen Aderemi Adeagbo
