Tag: Ademola Adeleke

Few hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke imposed dusk- to-dawn curfew on Irepodun and Orolu local government areas, a polytechnic student has been shot dead during communal clash.

The Nation reports Adeleke imposed curfew on Ilobu and Ifon which had been at the loggerheads over land.

According to Ilobu Development Union(IDU), the student of the department of Computer Science, Westland Polytechnic Ilobu was shot dead during an attack close to the palace on Thursday afternoon.

A statement by the National President of the union, Pastor Olufemi Salako condemned the killing, urging security operatives to arrest the perpetrators.

His words: “After days of restraint and peaceful disposition of Ilobu to unwarranted attacks launched on us by messengers and armed agents of Ifon, the attackers this afternoon shot an innocent and harmless student of the Polytechnic located at Oke-Ima area of Ilobu.

“The armed-to-teeth hoodlums stormed Ganga and Oke-Ima of Thursday morning around 11am and started shooting at every living and non-living objects sighted by them and the student, whose identity is yet to be confirmed is one of their victims.

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“For emphasis, Oke-Ima is less than two kilometers from the Palace of Olobu of Ilobu and the community houses eminent personalities including the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Lasun Yusuff.”

He added: “The invaders knowingly entered into the inner streets of Ilobu. We again reiterate our call on Osun State Government to immediately summon Olufon to answer for these round of unprovoked attacks, maiming, killings and destruction of numerous properties that we have been experiencing in the last four days.

“Our patience and endurance is being stretched to breaking point at these unchallenged blood-letting.”

But Secretary of Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union, Prince Jide Akinyooye, denied the community killed the undergraduate.

He said: “The killing may be perpetrated by the Ilobu killer gang. The gang have been going around causing carnage throughout the day before curfew was imposed. We don’t know anything about killing, our people don’t even go to that area because it is a buffer zone.”

Victims of disasters across Osun State have received relief materials, including food and building supplies, from Governor Ademola Adeleke to ease the impact of hardship.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of the state’s citizens.

According to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, the relief distribution covered all three senatorial districts of the state.

The event, held at the OSEMA Warehouse behind the Osun State Government Secretariat, was overseen by Adeleke’s Special Adviser on Emergency, Emiola Fakeye, who represented the governor.

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He said: “His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke is resolutely committed to ensuring that none of the victims of one form of disaster or the other is left unassisted by the Imole Osun led administration in the three Senatorial districts of the state. 

“Today’s distribution of edibles and non edibles comprising rice, garri, maize, roofing sheets and other building materials estimated at several millions of naira is yet another commitment to proactive and responsive emergency management of the present administration in ensuring that no one is left behind in the wake of unforeseen events.”

He assured that the state government have enough relief materials to go round all the affected victims whose profiles have already been captured by the officials of OSEMA. 

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has promised to boost the state’s economy by promoting Adire industry. He says he is set to unveil a policy to attract entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the unveiling of Adire Osun Festival official logo, Adeleke said the state remained the home of Adire, hence, there was need to spread it to other states.

He added: “We are resolved to support and promote this brand. On an annual basis, we will be hosting Adire industry events to upgrade the stakeholders. We will develop a sector based policy that will encourage entrepreneurs in this field.

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“We will also support market development and design growth for the fabric. From 2025, our government will develop the capacity of industry players towards superior presence in the market.”

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Creative Economy, Events and Entertainment, Tunde Laface, said Adire had become a global cultural trend that must be harnessed.

He said: “Adire Osun Street Carnival is the highlight of Adire Festival and it will encompass zones and local governments in Osun State.

“This major revenue earner will boost the culture and tourism potential of Osun State, as well as create empowerment opportunities for our teeming youth population.”

National Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and his aides to refrain from acts capable of breaching the peace.

Senator Basiru decried remarks by the governor’s Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye, describing them as reckless and threatening to opposition members ahead of 2026 governorship election.

He warned that such rhetoric could escalate tensions and spark unnecessary violence.

“Osun people are known for their peaceful disposition and will not succumb to intimidation from a government that has failed to deliver on its promises,” Basiru noted.

“The intimidating posture of this administration signals a clear fear of electoral judgment, as their incompetence and lack-lustre performance remain evident to all.”

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The statement criticised the administration for failing to implement youth empowerment programmes or begin teachers’ recruitment, despite outcry over staff shortages.

Basiru warned that no party has a monopoly on violence and reminded the administration that the people would not tolerate a repeat of the pre-election violence that marred  2022 and 2023.

He called on the inspector general of Police and director general of Department of State Services to summon Akinleye for questioning regarding his statement that the people must either vote for  Adeleke or leave the state ahead of 2026 elections.

“The primary duty of government is to safeguard lives, not instil fear or subject people to intimidation. Osun people will have their say in 2026 and make it clear they can distinguish between sincerity and deception,” Basiru affirmed.

Royal families protest emergence of ex-Osun deputy governor

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke yesterday presented lette of appointment and Staff of Office to the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, amid objection by royal families over the alleged desecration of the stool.

Haastrup was elected by kingmakers last Friday and subsequently, Adeleke approved his appointment as the new Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.

The process of emergence of Oba Haastrup, who was deputy governor during the administration of Isiaka Adeleke, elder brother to incumbent governor, was faulted by his kinsmen, Ofokutu and Fajemisin royal families of Bilaro Olu-Odo Ruling House. It was also faulted by Arimoro  Royal Family.

During the presentation of letter of appointment, Governor Adeleke congratulated the monarch, sons and daughters of Ijesaland for the new era, praying that the reign of the new Owa Obokun would be peaceful and Ijesaland would witness development.

He said: ‘’Kabiyesi, now that the time of competition is over and you have become the father of all, I urge you to rally round people of Ijesaland for the development of the area and the state at large.

‘’I urge you to deploy your wealth of experience garnered over the years and your contacts within and outside the country for the development of Ijesaland. There is much work to be done and the government alone cannot be saddled with the responsibility. It calls for the concerted efforts of all and sundry.”

Adeleke advised Ijesa indigenes to develop their fatherland, highlighting his administration’s projects in the area.

Two royal families, Ofokutu and Fajemisin of Bilaro Olu-Odo Ruling House have rejected the emergence of Haastrup as the Owa Obokun of Ijesa land.

Ofokutu Royal Family in a statement yesterday signed by the Secretary of the house, Prince Adetoyese Adegbohungbe, said: “We have witnessed not just compromise, but also desecration of the noble tradition of the Ijesa, with blatant disregard for the most sacred tradition, which is the selection of Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.

“We members of Ofokutu Royal Family were shocked to be informed that a new Owa was selected in what can only be described as an affront to the age-old tradition. The process is flagrant disregard of an existing court case.”

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Also, Fajemisin Family, in a statement signed by Olufemi Fajemisin, on behalf of the family, berated the local and state governments, saying: “The selection process was inherently flawed, and the imposition of a candidate without due regard for custom and law is utterly unacceptable.

“We categorically reject the purported Owa and demand a transparent, lawful process that honours our custom and tradition. We call on stakeholders to join us in upholding the integrity of our heritage and the rule of law.

“We will pursue available legal means to defend our rights and restore the honour and pride of Ijesa people.”

Arimoro Royal Family also faulted the process that led to the selection of Owa Obokun, describing it as a charade, breach of the established Ijesa tradition and gross abuse of judicial process.

A statement signed by the Global Co-ordinator of Arimoro Family Lineage, Prince Adegoke Arimoro, described as ignoble and sacrilegious, the action of Ijesa kingmakers and Osun State Government in the selection of the Owa, calling on Ijesa indigenes home and abroad to stand against the imposition of the Owa and defend the dignity, respect and integrity of their heritage.

The family said the process that led to the shocking announcement of the Owa Obokun was gross violation of due process, as a compromised candidate had been forced on the people of Ijesa land by some kingmakers;  therefore the family had rejected the purported Owa Obokun ‘’and shall deploy lawful means to ensure the selection is nullified.’’

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the contractor handling the ₦24 billion Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan road project to return to the site and expedite its completion.

The project, initially flagged off in October 2022 under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, was originally slated for completion in 2024.

Speaking during the 2024 Iwo Day Celebration, Adeleke assured residents that the contractor would return to the site in January 2025. 

He also announced plans to dualize the Adeeke-Odoori road within Iwo township, complete with solar-powered streetlights.

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Represented by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said:

“On Iwo-Osogbo roads, all impediments delaying early completion are now cleared. A fast-tracked implementation plan is in place, and the contractor, who is your own son, will fully mobilize to the site from January 2025.”

The governor further pledged to complete and commission the road project within the tenure of his administration, reaffirming his commitment to infrastructure development across the state.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has sought pardon for a young man who was sentenced to death by hanging in 2010 for allegedly stealing a chicken and eggs.

In an interview with Biola Adebayo, a Nigerian actress, the parents of the victim claimed that police officers from the Osun command arrested Olowookere for an offence he did not commit.

Olowookere Olanrewaju, the man’s father, said a divisional police officer (DPO) asked him to pay N30,000 for his son’s release, but N20,000 was all he could raise at the time.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for clemency for a man sentenced to death by hanging in 2010 for allegedly stealing a chicken and eggs. 

The case resurfaced during an interview with Nigerian actress Biola Adebayo, where the man’s parents maintained that their son, Olowookere Olanrewaju, was wrongfully accused. 

Olowookere’s father recounted how police officers from the Osun command arrested his son for a crime he did not commit. He further alleged that a divisional police officer (DPO) demanded a N30,000 bribe for his son’s release, but he could only raise N20,000 at the time. 

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Governor Adeleke has sought justice and a review of the case, which has drawn public attention for its severity and alleged miscarriage of justice. 

“We are here to beg Nigerians to help us. In 2010, I was at the shop where I was renting out cassettes, and at about 11 am, some police officers came around,” he said.

“We later found out some students from Segun’s school were in their vehicle and they said they were arrested because of the theft of a chicken and eggs.

“Truth be told, Segun does not eat chicken. Because I trained broilers. He refused to run away, telling us that he didn’t know anything about the theft of the chicken.

“They came back around 9 pm in the night and he was eventually arrested. It was when I visited the station that I knew who owned the chicken and eggs. He was just like a brother to me.

“I was told by the DPO in charge to bring N30,000 so my son could be released but after running around, all I could raise was N20,000 which he refused to collect.”

Folashade Olowookere, mother of the victim, said her son, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, has now spent over 14 years in prison since he was sentenced.

However, in a statement on X on Tuesday, Adeleke instructed the state’s attorney general and commissioner for justice to investigate the case and begin the process of granting the young man a pardon.

He wrote: “I have received the report of a case of a young man reportedly sentenced to death by hanging in Osun State for stealing a fowl.

“Consequently, I have directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Osun State, to commence a full investigation into the matter and initiate processes to grant the prerogative of mercy to the young man.

“Osun is a land of justice and equity and must ensure fairness and protection of the sanctity of lives. I assure members of the public that this matter is receiving my direct attention with every sense of urgency also attached to our response to the matter.”

Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, has revealed that the free medical outreach initiated by his administration has provided life-changing succour to over 50,000 residents across the state. 

Speaking on Tuesday during the flag-off of the 4th “Imole Free Medical and Surgical Outreach” at Asubiaro State Hospital, Osogbo, Governor Adeleke reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring the people of Osun live healthy lives. 

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In his address, he stated: “Despite economic challenges, we are committed to delivering good health for our people as promised. We are pursuing this goal with determination and focus.

“One of our major achievements is the Imole Free Surgical and Medical Outreach Programme. Since its inception, this programme has provided life-changing care to over 50,000 people. Many of these individuals could not afford treatment and lived with their conditions for years.

“Public feedback shows that people eagerly await each new round of this programme. In the last two years, we have achieved remarkable milestones in the health sector.”

Earlier, the coordinator of the outreach, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Isiaka Adekunle disclosed those the outreach has incorporated additional health interventions including, Dental services, cervical cancer screening and Breast examination, treatment for hypertension, diabetes, malaria, cough, arthritis, and other medical diseases.

“The outreach will take place in 6 state hospitals in Osun State namely Osogbo (17th to 18th of December 2024); Iwo (14th to 15th January 2025); Ilesa (21st to 22nd of January 2025); Ikirun (28th to 29th of January 2025); Ife (4th and 5th of February 2025); and Ede (11th to 12th of February 2025).”