Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

Sons and daughters of Osogbo, Osun State capital have stressed the need for unity among indigenes of the town to galvanise its growth and development.

The various stakeholders who spoke at a Town Hall Meeting, tagged; ‘Galvanising Osogbo Indigenes Towards Unity, Patriotism and Goal Getting’, stressed the need for the indigenes to make the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji the rallying point for the community.

Chairman of the organising committee, Toyin Yusuf, under the aegis, Osogbo Affairs Forum, OSAF, said the essence of the gathering is to bring together diverse views towards enriching the spirit of brotherhood in the town.

“We have gathered here to tell people that we have a monarch who deserves our respect in all spheres. Despite having cases in court challenging his enthronement we must all respect him”.

A communique issued after the meeting on Sunday, which was signed by the Chairman and Secretary, Barr. Rahmaan Okunade and Dr Rasheed Adebiyi respectively, stressed the need to restore the towns development union to its glorious past, urging warring parties to embrace alternative dispute resolution in the interest of the town.

“Efforts shall be made to restore the OPU’s former glory by withdrawing all pending lawsuits and immediately set machinery in motion towards a fruitful reconciliation of all warring parties.

“Regardless of political affiliations, Osogbo politicians are to work together to achieve common goals beneficial to the town. A long-term plan is to be drawn up with a view to positioning an Osogbo indigene for the governorship of the state”, it added.

Among the attendees who spoke at the event are former Field Commander of Amotekun, Amitolu Shittu, Osun Commissioner for Budget, Professor Ademola Adeleke, Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Gani Ola-Oluwa, Muniru Raji, Akitunde Adegboye.

Others dignitaries at the gathering are; Hon. Lai Oyeduntan, representative of Ataoja of Osogbo, representative of the academia, students groups and other professional bodies.