A traditional ruler in Osun state, the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Oyelude Makama has said the location of a Federal College of Education Iwo should be a means of uniting Iwo Federal Constituency.
Oba Makama, in a interview, said the siting of the institution in Iwo federal Constituency should not call for controversy but should be an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the three local government areas in the constituency.
He called for the location of the college at a place that is central and connects the three local government areas saying that anything other than that could be injurious to the relationship of the people of the councils in the federal constituency.
His words: “I think the siting of the Federal College of Education is called for no controversy. The siting of federal institutions is prerogative of the Federal Government because this is not a state institution. With due respect to Our Father, the Orangun of Ila, and our brothers and sisters in Ila, its legitimate to agitate but its the prerogative of the federal government to site institutions.
“The whole process started during Senator Adeyeye’s tenure at the Senate, it only crystallised now. We saw two meters last week, I personally confirmed one. I think there is no controversy. Those who are the architect of the controversy are the architect of the forged letter.
“Osun is a united entity. Iwo has never had any federal institution. This college is not meant for Iwo, as a town alone. They are meant for the three local government areas. So this is not the time to agitate or protest. Are we saying Iwo Federal Constituency is not part of the state? This constituency has contributed both financially and socially to the growth of Osun state.
“And to our people in Iwo, this is a test of their fate. This college must be sited at a place that is central to these three local government areas. If its not sited in a place central and that connects the three, then it means that the so called Iwoland or Ayiwola is a ruse, or absolute deceit
“Our leaders in Ila are not the problem but some of our brothers in the state and National Assembly are trying to play politics our of it. These protests are politically motivated and stage managed to hoodwink Baba Bisi Akande into going and re-lobbying Mr President to resite it there (Ila) but Baba Bisi Akande is an elder stateman.”
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