BY EMMANUEL SOLOMON
The Chief of Nigeria Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has expressed his love to the Southwest particularly to the people of Osun State and promised to continue given his support to the people of southwest security wise.
Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai said this on Monday while delivering his speech at the commissioning of the bridge that links Kuta, Ikoyi and Ede towns, held at Olowu of Kuta palace in Osun State.
Also speaking, the Olowu of Kuta land, Oba Hammed Adekunle Makama, said “we are here to celebrate the abortion of a hope, a disappointment behind the bridge; today is the historic because, fulfilment came to us just when hope appear to lost.
“My forebears, stated the agitation to have a link road between Kuta and Ede, so as to strengthen our people social tile and boost the economy activities but more than 100-years, while I ascend the thrown, the inheritance file of the community after my installation was handed over to me, I have documentation that stated 80-year on this road but I had history that it was about 100-year but we on it, fall down by one failure or the other.
“There were moment, when their hope were race only to be tragically dash from unexpected quarters”, when our forefathers has been struggling to make sure that the bridge worked out in the rains and failure occurred; it is not because they are not strong but sometimes victory does not get to the side of a strong man.
“When I became the Olowu of Kuta few years ago, I made a covenant with God and my ancestors to use every contact and connections I might have to advance because of Kuta and that precisely I had been doing without looking back
“The spirit called me to seek help from Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for the construction of Osun bridge, my people say “When fortune smiles on a man, his maker or what Yoruba call Ori, could be sent an angel to him”; I must state it here and now that The Chief of Nigeria Army Staff is that angel came from heaven to free our community from being a cul de sac, a root leading to no where because if you drive to Kuta from Iwo, you can not drive to any other place through the same road for over 100-year.
“But let me put it to record that, I got the approval to construct in less than one day.
“Today, I am proud to go to roof tome, to shout that we are the great beneficiary of the Government of Lt. Gen. Mohammed Buhari through the Chief of Army Staff; and to whatever reason anybody might say or think, we have seen His face in Mohammed Buhari government through Buratai.
“A 100-year from now, the sons and daughters of Kuta, Ikoyi and Ede, all our neighbours would remember a bridge builder in Army Uniform far from Borno State whom out of share love for me and humanity In which Osun decided to use his office to get it done for Yoruba land, we would forever see Buratai as part of us because he has changed the lost of our history,” Oba Makama said.
In addition, the Governor of Osun State Alahji Adegboyega Oyetola welcomed the Chief of Army staff to the palace of Olowu of Kuta.
The Governor expressed the deep gratitude to the people of Osun government in general and Kuta in particular, to the Chief of Army staff for his special love towards them and the donation of the bridge of Kuta by the Nigerian Army. He said road and bridge are crucial to the life and welfare of the people.
“Nigeria Army and security world know Buratai as a fine gentleman and a gallant soldier but to us in Osun, he is more than that; he is a kind hearted officer, character and diligent.
He is uncommon and has displayed love towards our illustrious son, Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun,” Oyetola remarked.
Among those that were present at the event are the Osun State Gov Adegboyega Oyetola, The Deputy Gov Benedit Gboyega, Enitan Ogunwusi Oni of Ife who was represented by his wife, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Akanbi Oluwo of Iwo Land.
Others are, Hon Yinusa Amobi, Osun West senatorial Engr. Adelere Oriolowo, The Osun State Speaker Hon Timothy Owoeye and others.
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