8th July, 2011
Oyo State House of Assembly has ordered Governor Abiola Ajimobi to immediately re-errect the statue of the former premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, at the front of the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
The house ordered the state government to immediately move the unknown soldier’s statue already errected at the spot to Idi-Molly, Dugbe.
The Awolowo’ statue which was initially in front of the Government House was destroyed and removed by fomer Governor Christopher Alao-Akala with a promise that he would site it in front of the parliament building, Agodi, a promise he never kept until he left.
Speaker Monsurat Sunmonu of Oyo State House of Assembly form Oyo East and West sponsored the motion while Hon. David Babatunde Olaniyan from Ibadan North 1, the deputy Speaker co-sponsor the motion.
Speaker Sunmonu stated that Awolowo’s contributions to the growth and development of the Southwest could not be over-emphasied.
She said Awolowo was instrumental to the establishment of WNTV, WNRS, Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, Housing Estate, Industrial Estates and people-oriented programmes such as free education, free health service, and lntegrated rural development.
“Awolowo was one of the founding nationalists who fought for the independence of Nigeria from the British colonialist resulting in Nigeria’ independence in 1960.
He lived a life worthy of emulation in discipline, dediation to duty, integrity and sound administration especially as witnessed in the management of the civil war economy without borrowing a penny
—Abiodun Onafuye, Abeokuta