By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Osun State Government has disclosed that there was no plan to convert the Social Development Goals skill acquisition centre (SDG) facility in Iragbiji to a soccer campground of Osun United Football Club as alleged in some quarters.

The state government while warning the former governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, to desist from his baseless and unverified allegations against the Ademola Adeleke-led administration.

A statement signed by the commissioner for information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, stated that the present administration of senator Ademola Adeleke will never be a party anti-development for the people of lragbiji.

“As a matter of fact, it disturbs one's imagination that a former governor of a state like Osun sees such a matter as a fertile opportunity to whip up unnecessary political sentiments.

“For the knowledge and understanding of Mr. Oyetola, barely less than two days when the allegations reared up its ugly head, Osun state Government swung into action through the state Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, alongside the officials of SDG by paying a visit to the palace of Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba AbdulRasheed Olabomi to provide the correct perspectives of the matter.

“Prince Adewusi, at the palace, assured the monarch that the use of the Centre for skill acquisitions will continue to remain the top priority of Ademola Adeleke's administration.

“Osun state government also declared that the housing of the Osun United Football Club in the Centre is a temporary arrangement.

“We, therefore still find it totally disturbing and uncalled for that Mr. Oyetola as a special guest at the 2023 Iragbiji day celebration will use it as an opportunity to fan embers of bad blood by raising the baseless and already settled matter.

“We wish to reiterate our strong resolve that Osun State Govt under the leadership of Senator Ademola Adeleke will continue to have relevant and constant engagement with all stakeholders in Iragbiji to ensure that the people of the town are, in no way, shortchanged about the original purpose for the establishment of the SDG funded Skills Acquisition Centre in Iragbiji.

“For the benefit of hindsight as previously reported, the SDG centres were not captured in the 2023 budget by the previous administration until Governor Ademola Adelekes's administration made it a priority to refurbish and optimise the Centre for proper utilisation which has now been accordingly factored into 2024 budget presented before the Osun Parliament recently.