Osun Set to Celebrate 25th Anniversary with Calisthenics, Dispels Rumour of N140m Celebration

Abdulrofiu Agboola, Osogbo

The Government of the state of Osun has declared that it would celebrate the 25th anniversary of the state creation on Saturday 27^th August with display of calisthenics by the children of the state’s public school.

Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee of the state silver jubilee, Dr. Charles Akinola said on Thursday that the celebration of the state anniversary with calisthenics was to celebrate the youths and build them for future purpose.

Akinola stated this just as he dispelled the allegation that the government was spending N140 million on the 2th anniversary celebration, maintaining that the state decided to have a day programme for the anniversary because of paucity of fund.

It would be recalled that an Osun state based group, Civil Societies Coalition for Emancipation of Osun State, CSCEOS, recently alleged that the state government has earmarked a sum of N140million on celebration.

According to Akinola who led other members of the committee to addressing newsmen in Osogbo, the allegation was not only unfounded but shows how shallow the opposition thinks and react to issues.

Stating that the allegation came from ‘inconsistent and lie personified element, Akinola urged the public to see the accusation as mere politics.

He added that the anniversary celebration is focused on the development of the youths as leaders of tomorrow with calisthenics display at the Osogbo township stadium.

Akinola maintained that the display of calisthenics goes beyond entertainment.

The calisthenics,  according to him, was to inculcate the spirit of group work and make the students happy being the main focus of the celebration.

Akinola said the display of calisthenics by students would be the main activity of the programme with commissioning of some completed projects by the state government.

He said the president, Muhammadu Buhari, who was expected to witness the calisthenics display and commission of the projects would be unavoidably absent due to some important assignment.

The Chairman however assured that the president would visit the state on September 1st where he would be led to commission the projects.

Members of the committee that attended the press conference with Akinola were: former Commissioners for Regional Integration and Special Duties, and Information and Strategy, Dr Basiru Ajibola and Mr Sunday Akere, Alhaji Omotunde Young, Mr Sola Fasure and others.