Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has announced that his administration has initiated a comprehensive reform of the Amotekun Corps in the state.
Governor Adeleke also emphasised that the reform would strengthen the corps’ role as a bridge between local communities and federal security agencies.
The governor made this known in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed after receiving a delegation from the Ife Development Board at the Government House in Osogbo on Monday.
He said, “My administration is already reforming the state’s Amotekun security service as a bridge between local communities and the federal security services.
“Local vigilante and forest hunters would henceforth be working with Amotekun service and other formal security agencies to secure Osun cities and rural areas.”
While expressing his dissatisfaction with the current state of development in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, the governor revealed plans for significant infrastructure upgrades, starting with the Lagere flyover and the dualisation of the road leading to the Ooni’s palace.
He also highlighted that the modernisation of Ile-Ife was essential, especially given the city’s historical and cultural significance.
“Ile-Ife is too important to remain underdeveloped. The city cannot continue to look like a village, especially when hosting global visitors,” Adeleke said.
Adeleke, flanked by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, emphasised Ile-Ife’s role as the cultural capital and spiritual home of all Yoruba people worldwide.
He also noted the city’s importance as a tourism and religious hub, attracting visitors from North and South America and other parts of the world.
The governor expressed gratitude to the Ooni of Ife and other community leaders for their support to ongoing projects, particularly the Lagere flyover and road dualisation.
He explained that aside from cultural and tourism considerations, the economic importance of the Lagere flyover is crucial, as it serves as a key business junction connecting Osun West, Ilesa, and Ondo through Garage Olode.
On the need for further action on the agricultural sector, the governor informed the delegation that the state government would soon unveil an AFDB supported agricultural processing zone to be located at Ile Ife.
Speaking earlier, the president of Ife Development Board, Gbenga Adefaye, commended Governor Adeleke for his development strides in Osun state and particularly at Ile-Ife, listing requests touching on road expansion, security and agriculture.
