Iwo Day: Aregbesola Restates Need For Peace As Condition For Development

The governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has restated the need for peace to continue to reign in all parts of the state as a condition for sustained progress.

Aregbesola said a key focus of his administration since inception is the maintenance of peaceful co-existence among the residents, saying the landmark achievements of the past four years would not have been possible had peace not been restored to the state.

The governor, who spoke at the 24^th Iwo Day celebration, an annual celebration that brings together all Iwo indigenes regardless of religious and political divides, reminded the people that what obtains in many parts of Nigeria at the moment should serve as adequate reminder on the need to eschew violence and promote harmonious living.

Aregbesola, who was represented at the event by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, while facilitating with the people of Iwo, said community leaders, parents and other stakeholders must consider vigilance and parental control of their children as very critical at this period.

Aregbesola said, “What our country faces today calls for vigilance. We have worked in the last four years to restore peace to our state and that has ensured the progress this state has witnessed. It is a fact that one of the many advantages of gathering at community days like this is its capacity to help promote peaceful and harmonious existence among our people. And Iwo has been a remarkable model in this regard. This town is a quintessential model of peaceful co-existence and cohabitation of different faiths and cultures.

“Iwo, which is renowned for its critical role in the development of the Islamic faith in Yorubaland is also home to some of the most vibrant and active Christian institutions in this part of the country. Indeed, Iwo is a study in communal harmony and social cohesion which are much needed in our multicultural age. Iwo, therefore, is a solid affirmation of the wisdom of our policy of promoting communal peace and harmony.”

Earlier speaking at the event, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, who was the Father of the Day appealed to all indigenes to, regardless of their political and religious inclinations, work in harmony for the progress of the ancient town.

Mr. Seyi Onajide, the Managing Director of R T Briscoe Nigeria Ltd, who was the chairman of the occasion, advised youths in the town to be creative under the country’s prevailing economic circumstances.

He said it is only in being creative that they would overcome the economic hardship in the country and move to higher heights.