Osun governor unveils comprehensive reforms for Amotekun corps

• 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 also highlighted that the modernisation of Ile-Ife was essential, especially given the city’s historical and cultural significance.

Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, has unveiled sweeping reforms for the Amotekun corps, aiming to bolster its role in bridging the gap between local communities and federal security agencies.

This development was shared in a statement by Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesperson, following a meeting with the Ife Development Board at the Osogbo Government House.

Adeleke emphasized that these reforms will enable Amotekun to collaborate effectively with local vigilantes, forest hunters, and formal security agencies to safeguard Osun’s cities and rural areas.

“My administration is already reforming the state’s Amotekun security service as a bridge between local communities and the federal security services,” he said.

“Local vigilante and forest hunters would henceforth be working with Amotekun service and other formal security agencies to secure Osun cities and rural areas.”

Governor Adeleke expressed dissatisfaction with Ile-Ife’s current state, announcing significant infrastructure upgrades, including the Lagere flyover and road dualization to revitalize the ancient city.

He stressed Ile-Ife’s importance as a cultural and spiritual hub, attracting global visitors, and its economic 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.

Accompanied by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Adeleke highlighted Ile-Ife’s role as the Yoruba people’s cultural capital and spiritual home worldwide.

The governor thanked the Ooni of Ife and community leaders for supporting ongoing projects, particularly the Lagere flyover and road dualization.

He explained that the Lagere flyover holds economic significance as a key business junction connecting Osun West, Ilesa, and Ondo through Garage Olode.

Regarding agriculture, Adeleke announced plans to establish an AFDB-supported agricultural processing zone in Ile Ife.

Ife Development Board President, Gbenga Adefaye, praised Governor Adeleke’s development efforts in Osun, specifically in Ile-Ife, and outlined requests for road expansion, security, and agriculture.