OSUN ASSEMBLY DISAPPROVES OF ADELEKE'S RENAMING OF THE STATE

Governor Ademola Adeleke

On Monday, the Osun State House of Assembly disapproved of Senator Ademola Adeleke's move to change the name of the state from "State of Osun" to "Osun State," who had just been sworn in as governor.

The Assembly stated that no one can use force to change the state's anthem, crest, or flag because they are enactments of laws that were approved on December 18, 2012.

Adeleke changed the state's name from "State of Osun" to "Osun State" and its nickname from "The State of the Virtues" to "The State of the Living Spring" during his inauguration on Sunday, November 27, 2022.

Adeleke also reversed all appointments made by the immediate past governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, effective from July 7, 2022.

He also ordered that all government bank accounts be frozen, adding that all actions of the Oyetola-led administration from July 17 will be revisited.

In a reaction to the governor's decision, the House, through the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Moshood Kunle Akande, wrote a press statement dated Monday, November 28, 2022, to dispel the action, it partly read.

"The State of Osun

House of Assembly having reviewed the inaugural speech of the Governor and the activities of the inauguration hereby resolves as follows:

"The usage of the State Anthem, Crest and Flag is an enactment of the law and as such, its usage is a matter of law and not choice.

"The enactment 'State of Osun Anthem, Crest and Flag Law, 2012' assented to on December 18, 2012, contained in Schedule 1, II, III, IV and V, which carefully details every component of this law is not in ambiguity

"Schedule I is the State Anthem, Schedule has to do with the State Crest, and Schedule III is the symbolic significance of the elements in the Flag.

"Lastly, while we are aware of a court judgment in effect recognising 'Osun State', the Assembly, pending the determination and exhaustion of all legal means would not be drawn into this matter."

The state shall continue to be referred to as the "State of Osun" and "Ipinle Omoluabi," the legislators added (State of the Virtuous).