The immediate-past minister of interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday arrived in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State to a rousing reception after serving as minister in Abuja.
From the Owode end of the Osogbo/Ilesa Road, the residents of the town welcomed the former governor of the state. He later paid homage to the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, and his chiefs.
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Presenting his compendium of achievements to the Ataoja of Osogbo, the former minister reminisced on when he first arrived the town after the progressive government had lost power in the state stating that after four years in government, people started eulogising him for his contributions to the turnaround of the state capital.
Aregbesola said, “I’m happy to say that between then and now, the eulogies have not stopped. Between Ilesa and Osogbo this morning, the people trooped out in their numbers to welcome me. It was because of my promise to the then Ataoja of Osogbo that I picked my deputy from Osogbo. It is never my desire to leave any of them, but now that they have gone the way they did, I beseech you, our royal father, to plead with them. I would always wish them well and always desire to work with them.
“I hold no grudge with anyone in Osogbo or Osun. My hands are wide open to work and receive anyone. Anyone who have issues with me have their reasons, but I hold no grudge against anyone.
“On the Ministerial assignment, please thank President Buhari for giving me the opportunity to serve in his government.
“For the rest of my life, I will continue to thank Osogbo and its people for adopting me as their son. I deeply appreciate it.”
Responding, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun described the former minister as an achiever, one whose golden imprints in Osogbo would forever remain.