Osun Assembly reverses ‘State of Osun’ to Osun State
The argument over the Osun State logo, crest and flag, has been laid to rest as the House of Assembly, yesterday, finally repealed the law.
At the plenary presided over by Speaker Adewale Egbedun, the House reversed the official reference to the state as ‘State of Osun’ to its previous name as Osun State.
Former governor Rauf Aregbesola had changed the name the State of Osun alongside the logo, crest, flag, and anthem.
Meanwhile, a state High Court presided over by Justice Yinka Afolabi, had described the ‘State of Osun’ as unknown to law but the state government under Aregbesola appealed the judgment.
It was gathered that Governor Ademola Adeleke upon his assumption of office ordered the withdrawal of the case from the appellate court to pave the way for the reversal by the legislators.
Speaking at the plenary, the speaker, Egbedun, said the passage of the bill became imperative by the provision of law and to obey the verdict of the High Court which had earlier pronounced the State of Osun and its title as null and void since 2017.
He said henceforth, Osun State shall no longer be regarded as the State of Osun, just like the ‘State of the Virtuous’ has been replaced with ‘State of the Living Spring’ as initiated by state founding fathers.
Egbedun said the amended law also adopted the national flag in place of the state flag, saying that the state anthem is retained and people are compelled by law to be rendering the anthem alongside the national anthem in public and official functions.
Earlier, the majority leader of the house, Kofoworola Adewunmi had moved for the passage of the bill and it was seconded by Abiola Awoyeye representing Ife central state constituency.