Friends and political associates of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state have jump started events to mark the 60th birthday of the governor. They said no kobo is being taken from government to carry out this project.
They explained that they have decided to celebrate the governor to showcase the enduring legacies arising from the meaningful and developmental projects of governor Aregbesola.
Addressing a press conference marking the kick off of activities of the sixtieth birthday of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at NUJ Press center, Osogbo on Thursday, the former Assistant Chief of Staff and Commissioner-designate, Mr. Gbenga Akano, noted that birthday period is a time to take stocks and do self examination not only by a leader like Aregbesola but in the minds of addicted followers.
“It is our pride and elation to inform you that we, the admirers of Aregbesola have therefore chosen to ambush Ogbeni by celebrating him on the occasion of his 60th birthday which comes up next Thursday in Osogbo,” he said.
Analysing the programmes lined up for the celebration, Akano said “it started this morning at 7:00am when about 100 Scatters crisscrossed Osogbo City taking off at the City Stadium and terminated at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park.
“With this press conference, I think it is apt to say that the activities have successfully taken off.
“On Friday at 7a.m, a socio-political group, De Rauf have mobilised over 100 faithduls and dedicated Arabic Schools students to pray for long life and prosperity for Ogbeni with recitation of the glorious Quran alongside eminent scholars while a special Jumat service holds at the Osogbo Central mosque.
“Ever since his assumption of office, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has taken seriously, sports development, especially as it affects physical exercises to attain the health status required for good living.
“No wonder he is about the only State Chief Executive who has unparalleled record of distance walking as outdoor policy programme.
“So, on Saturday at 7 a.m, party faithful, town people, friends from across Nigeria and other lovers of sport shall join in a colourful Solidarity Trek covering about 9killometer within Osogbo terminating also the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park where aerobics and other light physical exercises will take place; usual of the Walk to Live programme.
“Come Sunday, there will be a Novelty soccer competition between the State of Osun House of Assembly and the newly confirmed members of the State Executive Council holding at the Osogbo City Stadium at 10 O’clock with an Inter-denominational Open Air Service holding at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park at 4 O’clock.
“There shall be a visit to orphanages around the State on Monday with Mr Governor’s birthday wishes to the kids and their managements and have the needful done.
“While on Tuesday, Ogbeni will be before the state law makers. This is at the invitation of the parliamentarian who want to honour him in a legislative way. This shall be followed by a luncheon at the Grand Atlantis Event Centre, Osogbo. All of these are at the instance of the law makers.
“Lovers and supporters of Ogbeni shall participate in cleaning exercise across the state. In Osogbo, as sanitation activities will take place from Olaiya junction towards Okefia and along Iwo road to achieve further deepening of the government’s O’Clean policy.
“The grand finale of the entire birthday programme holds on Thursday, the 25th May when the Oranmiyan himself will turn sixty on mother earth.
“The immediate family of Mr Governor will stage his birthday prayers at the Governor’s lodge by 7a.m and by 11a.m the second edition of Raufnomics will hold at the distinguished Event centre Osogbo.
“The Colloquium titled Raufnomics in the transformation of Osun is the second in the series.
“The lead speaker is president, Nigeria Bar Association, Mallam Mahmoud Abubakar Balarabe. Discussants include Prof. Akin Oyebode, Prof. Niyi Akinnaso and Dr Charles Akinola.
“The acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is our Special Guest of Honour while the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the pioneer Chairman of the APC Chief Adebisi Akande will lead very eminent personalities to the colloquium.”
Akano, however, cleared the air that the birthday celebration would be financed from fund raised by the committee of friends of Mr Governor and his political associates and not from the state resources.
He debunked the rumours making the round that Governor Aregbesola has been taking the state’s resources to Lagos state, saying on no account does the Governor intend to do so.
He said, “monies for this elaborate programme are coming from very many friends of Mr Governor across the country and they are the ones sponsoring it.
“The cost size is reasonable over which the government has no control because the friends have resolved to give a befitting birthday bash to Ogbeni.
“The rationale behind this press conference is to solicit your support to communicate and propagate the positive results of these programmes both on the economy of the state as no single Kobo will be spent outside the state.”
Packaged by Bunmi Oladejo
