Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has disclosed his reason for stopping sponsorship of pilgrims to both Mecca and Jerusalem, when he was the governor of the State between 1999 and 2003.

Chief Osoba said he used the money that he was supposed to spend on pilgrimages to construct furniture that were distributed to schools through out the state and as well paid for the West African Examination fees of students in final year in the State.

The former governor, disclosed this while speaking after his investiture reacting to comments raised by as the Life Vice Patron of the Club, alongside Chief Olusegun Osunkeye.

Osoba said, “when I came in as governor in 1999, I was very upset that students were carrying desks from home to school. And a lot of brilliant students could not sit for WAEC because their parents could not afford the fee. That’s why I told them that instead of spending money on pilgrims, either Christian or Muslim, let me stop that and use the money to build desks”.

“So I said that instead of spending millions on Muslim and Christian pilgrimages, I will rather use the funds to support the education sector and so that was how we began to produce chairs and desks, we also started paying the WASSCE fees”.

“A lot of brilliant students could not sit for the West African Examination Council, WAEC, because their parents could not afford it.

“That was why I told them that instead of spending money on pilgrims, either Christian or Muslim, let me stop that and use the money to construct desks.

“And that was when I started paying. I paid the WAEC fees of all the students. So whether your parents were able to pay the WAEC fees or not, the government took care of the payment of the WAEC.”

Osoba also urged state governments at all levels to adopt continuity as a governance principle, saying the absence of sustained policy implementation has been a major setback to Nigeria’s development.

He further appealed to Nigerians to embrace farming as a national survival strategy and called on governors to invest more resources in agriculture to tackle food insecurity.

Speaking about successes recorded by his government, Osoba said, “I never brought anyone outside the state to work with me while I was the governor, not even a messenger.

“So whatever modest success we recorded during our administration, it was the civil servants that were used and till today many of them are still very close to me.

“Even if you are talking about technocrats, they are in the civil service. I didn’t bring in anybody from any field, I worked with all the civil servants that I met on ground. So, when you talk about success of my administration in rural electrification, construction of rural roads, housing, give it to the civil servants.

“For instance, the Abeokuta Hilltop housing estate that we have today, which is perhaps the most expensive, the most secured and the best estate today is another success story of the expertise of the civil servants and they are still with me till today.

I stand here today feeling highly fulfilled because no matter what honour and achievements one might have received, the greatest one is the one from your root.

“Egba is my root, Abeokuta is my root, so your honouring me today is the greatest honour I ever received and I am saying that I will always be ready to serve and contribute my quota to further enhance the socio-economic development of Egba land”.

Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, described the honour bestowed on Osoba, as a fitting recognition of his enduring service and influence.

Isola who spoke with newsmen after the investiture, said the former governor’s commitment to public service did not end when he left office.

“As governor, he played a significant role, and even when he left office, he is still taking interest in the service of the club,” he noted.

Isola described Osoba as a “colossus,” stressing that recognition from one’s home community carries exceptional significance.

“The honour at home is what we all cherish, no matter the honour you have received outside, because it’s usually said that a prophet is not honoured at home,” he said.

He added that the latest honour was both a commendation and encouragement. “When you are honoured at home, it’s a way of saying, well done, you are doing well, please do more,” Ishola submitted.

In his welcome address, the Life President and Chairman, Board of Trustees and Elders of the Club, Prof. Afolabi Soyode, said the lives of the two honourees “reflect the values we cherish – dignity, service, integrity and unwavering commitment to society”.

“First,we celebrate Chief Olusegun Osoba, a towering figure in
journalism, a pathfinder in national media, and a statesman whose contributions to governance remain indelible”.

“As a two-time Governor of Ogun State, he served with distinction and left footprints of progress. A man of courage, clarity of thought and devotion to his roots, Chief Osoba stands as one of Abeokuta’s finest gifts to Nigeria. His rise, influence and legacy continue to inspire generations”.

“Alongside him, we honour Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, CON, a corporate leader of enviable stature – steady, ethical, visionary. His stewardship in industry, his exemplary corporate governance and his lifelong commitment to community development make him one of Nigeria’s most respected boardroom personalities”.