8th August, 2015
Jamiu Yisa
Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola has broken his silence on the death of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade following his passing in a London hospital.
Speaking for the first time in public, Aregbesola said that the last text message that he received from the late Oba Sijuwade would soon be revealed.
According to the governor, the message was touching and he promised to share the content of the message with the people of the state when the time is right.
The governor while speaking at a special sitting at the Osun State House of Assembly on Friday to mark the 50th birthday of the Speaker of Osun Assembly, Najeem Salaam, explained that he discussed the message with the Ife Royal Traditional Council during his meeting with them in Osogbo over Ooni’s issue.
Aregbesola maintained that a traditional ruler does not die in Yoruba land and prayed for long live for all the traditional rulers who were present at the Assembly to felicitate with the Speaker on his golden jubilee.
He said the chiefs during the visit insisted that Ooni was alive.
Describing the Speaker in glowing terms, Aregbesola said Salaam deserves the prayer of all as he turns 50, adding that, the Osun at this stage needs quality leaders to steer the state to the desired level among states in Nigeria.
“The effective leadership we have provided in this state along with the people oriented programmes could not have happened without the appropriate cooperation of the House under the Speaker.
“It is therefore pertinent to note that the Speaker has been a major factor in the delivery of good governance and this we are optimistic will continue.”
Aregbesola commended the Speaker for providing effective leadership for the House of Assembly through passage of various laws and other oversight functions for the smooth and unhindered progress of the state.