Osun Assembly Passes Bill To Revert State Name

The Osun State House of Assembly has passed a Bill reverting the name of the state to “Osun State” from the “State of Osun”, given in 2012 by former Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

The Assembly, through a Bill called ‘Osun State Anthem, Crest and Flag Amendment Bill 2023’, has now reverted the name of the state to what it was before the change in 2012.

After the Bill was passed for third reading at the plenary session, Mr Adewale Egbedun, the Assembly Speaker, said the Bill would be forwarded to the governor for assent.

According to the Speaker, the new Bill, after it is assented to by the Governor, would replace the Osun Anthem, Crest, and Flag Bill 2012.

 

It was also reported that the new Bill, aside from reverting the name of the state, also changes the flag and crest of the state to the Nigerian flag and the Nigerian Coat of Arms.

Egbedun requested his colleagues to go through the bill to ascertain if it reflects what transpired at the committee of the whole during the plenary on Tuesday, 11th July 2023.

“We have done brilliantly with the accelerated passage of the Osun State Anthem, Crest, and Flag Bill 2023, into the Osun State Anthem, Crest and Flag Law 2023.

 

“The new law is re-enacting the spirit and character of the repealed Osun State Anthem, Crest, and Flag Law 2012, with vital amendments that reflect the evolving identity and aspirations of our beloved State. The new law is also in compliance with the judgment of the High Court of Osun State, which Hon. Justice O.D Afolabi delivered on 14th December 2017 in Suit No. KIL/M47/2016 between Kanmi Ajibola -v- Governor of Osun State and 2 Others. Interestingly, on page 33 of the judgment, Hon. Justice O.D. Afolabi held as follows:

“What the law and the constitution created is “Osun State” and not “State of Osun”. I have to go to this length for my reasoning to be clear to the parties.”

“The first thing we have achieved with this law is to ensure consistency and clarity in the naming conventions of States in Nigeria. We have, by this law, returned the State to its factual and constitutional description as “Osun State” across all legislation passed by this esteemed House from 2012 to 2022. This adjustment ensures accuracy and facilitates seamless interpretation, implementation, and reference to the laws of our State.

He added that the Motion for the third reading was moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Kofoworola Babajide Adewunmi and seconded by Hon. Abiola Jeremiah Awoyeye Ife Central State Constituency.

Plenary Proceedings of the Osun State House of Assembly, Monday, July 17th, 2023, presided by the Speaker of the House  reads”

After leading the opening prayer and recitation of the National/Osun Anthem, the House approved the proceedings of Friday 7th July 2023 after the motion had been moved and seconded by the Majority Leader, Hon. Kofoworola Babajide Adewunmi and Hon. Sanmi Ebenezer Araoye respectively.

“Firstly, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the members of the Ad-Hoc Committee under the able Chairmanship of the Deputy Speaker for their utmost dedication and commitment to carrying out their assigned tasks. Your efforts in thoroughly evaluating the qualifications and suitability of each nominee are commendable and have contributed significantly to maintaining the highest standards in our legislative practice. Their report is ready, and I will read it to us shortly.

“The submission of the Committee’s report marks a significant milestone in our legislative process. We are here today to assess the outcome of the screening exercise and deliberate upon the viability of the nominees put forward by the Governor, His Excellency Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke. We must approach these deliberations with a keen sense of responsibility, ensuring that the interests of our esteemed constituents and the people of Osun State are prioritized above all else.

“Based on the Committee’s report, I firmly believe that open and constructive discussions will help us make well-informed decisions that align with our commitment to good governance practice and the overall development of our beloved State.

The Commissioner nominees’ final screening and confirmation process will commence today at this plenary. I hope the nominees will prove themselves worthy of the assignment as they appear before us.”

 

 

By Victor Kachi