On this Democracy Day, I had intended to rest my pen. I wanted to leave the fate written on the walls of history to speak for itself. I thought perhaps the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy were enough testimony. Yet, in the final hour, a thought stirred within me, compelling me to write a message to all of us who have come together to form this sovereign nation called Nigeria. My message is particularly for those who believe that the business of Nigeria lies in the hands of a powerful few. Perhaps they are influenced by what the German sociologist Robert Michels described as the "Iron Law of Oligarchy" ,the tendency for power to concentrate in the hands of a small elite. Looking at our politics, our institutions, and our economy, one may be tempted to believe that the destiny of Nigeria is determined only by those who occupy powerful offices and influential positions. But history tells a different story. Nigeria does not belong to any president, governor, politi...
A heavy rainstorm on Saturday evening caused widespread damage to buildings across Osogbo, Osun State, displacing numerous residents, while building roofs were blown off in several parts of the Osogbo, including Ogooluwa , Sabo, Testing Ground, Oke-Oniti, Awosuru, Oke-Baale, Aregbe and Oke-Fia.
OsunReporters News Correspondent who visited some areas in Osogbo, reports that some residents were seen moving their belongings while repair work commenced on damaged structures, while some victims have no hope to their damaged roofs and properties.
A fallen billboard along Osogbo-Gbongan Road briefly obstructed traffic on the busy route until it was cleared.
Mulikatu Azeez, a physically challenged landlady whose building in Sabo area was affected, called on the government to provide support for displaced residents.
“Last night, the roofs of many buildings at Sabo area got blown off. I have no hope as we speak. The government should provide succour and relief materials to ease the trauma,” She said.
Another victim, Adebayo Lukman whose wife and daughter were injured after a tree fell on her wife's shop (chaos) where she sells foodstuffs in Sabo Area Osogbo speaks with the OsunReporters Correspondent said his wife and daughter were rushed to the Uniosun Teaching Hospital while a passerby who was at the front of the shop was rushed to the Oroki Hospital, Oke-bale area Osogbo for medical attention.
Other victims, Assan Abdullahi, Afusat Azeez among others also recount their losses caused by the rainstorm, calling on the government to come to their aid.
However, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, described the incident as “sad and unfortunate” and pledged support for affected residents through the Osun State Emergency Management Agency.
The governor attributed the increasing frequency of natural disasters to climate change and urged residents to adopt mitigating actions such as tree planting and avoiding indiscriminate felling of trees.
According to the statement, “I feel deeply touched and alarmed by the incident. My administration will put in place all morally and officially possible measures to offset the losses incurred by victims in Osogbo and other affected communities. I have also directed the Ministry of Works to clear the motorways swiftly to prevent further accidents.”
At the time of filing this report, the level of the damage and number of victims of the natural disasters in Osogbo and other towns across Osun State are unknown.
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