Technical College Land Allocation: Osogbo youths call for immediate revocation

The indigenous youths of Osogbo under the umbrella body of Osogbo Development Action Group (ODAG) has berated the action of the Osun State Government under Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke to allocate parts of the Government Technical College, Osogbo land to a private estate developer.

The group called on the government to immediately take back its decision by revoking the land for its originally intended educational and vocational purposes.

The group made this call in its reaction to the recent advertorials aired on the OSBC TV where it was reported that Osun State Capital Territory Development Authority in conjunction with an estate developer has offered parts of the Technical College Osogbo Land up for sale for commercial and residential purposes code named Living Spring Technical College (LSTC) Mall and Living Spring Technical College (LSTC) Estate.

ODAG, in a press release signed by the Coordinator and Secretary, Mr Lukman Ajani and Mr Suhaib Oladejo on Tuesday in Osogbo, expressed shock that a government can convert a vocational institution of Technical College Osogbo Status to a commercial and residential area relating the action to a Yoruba adage which says “Omo ti a o ko, lo maa gbe Ile ti a ko ta, literally meaning “youths not educated, would grow up to sell off the building erected in place of educating them”

The group, which saluted the foresight of the Osogbo founding fathers who allocated the expanse land for the sole purpose of educational and training institutions, maintained that the government should learn from the focus of the forefathers and see beyond the immediate gratification but rather upgrade the Technical College to the world standard like those in China, Korea, Japan, etc to offer the teeming youths of Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria and indeed the entire Africa great vocational and industrial opportunities.

The group also asserted that the land already has its purposes clearly demarcated in the master plan of the Osogbo City which should not be tampered with as Osogbo Community would not fold her hands and look away while her future is being trampled upon.

The group also reminded the State Government that efforts in the past to covert parts of the Technical College land for other uses other than educational and vocational training institutions such as moving Akindeko Market, Alekuwodo to the site did not see the light of the day, sanctifying the efficacy of the spirits of the forefathers not sleeping in their mandates to guide the lands jealously.

ODAG urged the Ataoja of Osogbo, the Osogbo Progressive Union(OPU), the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yoruba Land, Asiwaju Tunde Badmus, Dr. Deji Adeleke, Osogbo Indigenes in Government, and all well meaning leaders of thoughts, groups, unions and associations within and outside Osogbo to prevail on Governor Ademola Adeleke to reconsider this backward attempt, take it back and look elsewhere for land for mall and estate purposes.

The group noted that Governor Ademola Adeleke has shown great impacts in infrastructural developments in Osogbo and should not use this erroneous step to water away its gains by attempting to railroad the people of Osogbo.

A stitch in time saves nine.