“If it were to be other governments, they would have just offered the family N500,000.00 and forget about the man who sacrificed his life for the restoration of good governance in the state of Osun.”
This and many others were the views of some indigenes of Osun State who spoke with Tribune Tourism Magazine (TTH) during the official inauguration of the Hassan Olajoku Memorial Park at Gbongan by the executive governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The memory of Alhaji Olajoku who was murdered eight years ago by unknown gunmen at Gbongan Junction, was brought alive glowingly by the elaborate ceremony packaged by the government of Osun State for the inauguration of the park.
The Olufi of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese Oyeniyi Odugbemi I led the people of Gbongan in Ayedaade Local Government, Osun State led other traditional rulers in the state to roll out drums and laid the red carpet in welcoming Ogbeni Aregbesola and other dignitaries from all walks of life to the official commissioning of Hassan Olajoku Memorial Park last week.
Ogbeni Aregbesola whose administration is tourism and cultural friendly transformed Gbongan junction along the Ibadan–Ile Ife Expressway a hitherto unplanned and rustic motor park into a befitting park of world standard where travellers can have a good stop-over, park, relax and renew vigour for a smooth journey to their destinations.
Replacing rough sheds of zincs and plywood where travellers formerly enjoyed local drinks and delicacies such as pounded yam, amala, bush meat among others is a beautiful and decent enclosure, well landscaped, carefully designed and apportioned to accommodate every segment of the society – the teens, the young and the old.
The park has among others, a love garden, restaurant, bar, an event centre with three spacious halls, an Elephant fountain, a eight room guest house, police station, set of toilets, kiddies corner and other relaxation centres.
Speaking at the commissioning of the N248 million naira project, Ogbeni Aregbesola said “The memory of Hassan Olajoku will continue to linger in my mind because he was a man who believed in progressive change in the state and committed himself to it. Though pained by his untimely death at the hands of some murderers, I have the joy to rejoice today that Olajoku did not die in vain as we have succeeded in taking the sting out of his death with building, completion and commissioning of this park.”
He said further that the park is part of the beautification work going on in the state, stressing that the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation is doing a wonderful job in changing the ugly and dirty scenery of the past to beautiful and enchanting ones.
Also speaking at the event, Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajumobi described late Olajoku as a politician who can never be forgotten, saying that his memories will continue to linger in the minds of his friends and families.
Olajoku’s widow, Fausa, who recounted the scenario of her husband’s death appreciated Governor Aregbesola for being supportive since the demise of her husband.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Honourable Bola Ilori said that the Hassan Olajoku Memorial Park was a symbol of peace and a monument of a changed atmosphere. Adding that the park is a testimony to the fact that the state has returned to an era of peace, development and progress, emphasising that apart from honouring late Olajoku with the park, it is a part of the beautification efforts of the state government to make it more attractive.
Speaking with TTM, an architect, Mr Adetunji Johnson Adeolu who commended Governor Aregbesola for erecting the park at the Gbogan junction and naming it after the man who “was murdered by an unknown gunmen” said, “this is a project that will bring many development to Gbongan and the state at large. It will attract investors and boost the economic development of the state. We have to commend the governor for a job well done and we pray for more of this to come from him.”
To Oluwayemisi Olatundun, herbal medicine seller (Sisi Alagbo) who said she has been hawking herbal concoction at the Gbongan junction before the advent of Governor Aregbesola’s government said, “we were disillusioned when the government first came here to demolish our shops and sent us packing without making a concrete alternative for us, but when the structures began to form and some government officials came around to educate and enlighten us on what they were doing, then we started appreciating the project better. Our thinking was that the governor was bad because when he was campaigning he told us he was coming to make us happy but what we experienced then was a kind of brutality and oppression too much for us to bear. Thank God for this project, it is a good development because we now have a befitting and well secured place to trade unlike before when we have to run after cars on the main road. I just want you to help us tell our governor that we traders here love him and we want him to help us build shops around here so that displaced traders can have a place to sell their wares.”
For Mrs Funmilayo Eweolalu, a staff of Iya Tao Olounje, a food vendor at the event who was visibly busy that day said “This project is a good one. We appreciate the facilities and the structures. But we would have love it better if there is provision of kitchenette in the restaurant as we cannot cook here.We are also calling on the government to ensure that credible individual or corporate outfit runs this place effectively so that we won’t be running at a loss.”
One of the leaders of the youths in the local government and coordinator, OYES scheme, Mr Ayo Owolabi who was visibly elated remarked “we have to thank our governor for citing this project in Gbongan. This junction popularly called Gbongan Junction is a meeting point for people. It is historic and till today still serves the purpose because travellers use to have stop over here to relax, refill and reenergise before proceeding on their journey. This project will not only boost Gbongan’s economy, but will encourage patronage for the tourism sites in Osun State. Let me inform you that our Governor is a tourism loving governor and he has been doing excellently. We are happy about this and we shall never forget him for doing this wonderful project in our town.”
Dignitaries at the event include, traditional rulers, Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Dr Ganiyu Owolabi and the Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Babajide Omoworare, among others.
Different cultural troupes were in their best while performing artistes, the likes of Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Wande Cole, Terry G, Artquake, Saidi Balogun, Bodman(Lagbaja trained), Murphy Eyiwumi Ray among others thrilled the audience with lovely lyrics which added flavour to the event.
Putting the ceremony in a summary, Mr Oladipo Soyode, Special Assistant to Governor Aregbesola on Culture and Tourism, “This is just the beginning of the finest hours for the people of Osun State.This is because they have seen nothing yet. Governor Aregbesola has just started unveiling some of his tourism and cultural goodies which are horned to empower the people, generate employment and mobilise wealth for the people of Osun State.
