Ooni, IGP, others storm Osogbo for Ex-Amotekun commander, Amitolu Shittu’s 60th birthday, book launch

By Oluwadamilare Emmanuel On Dec 30, 2024

Cross section of dignitaries at the 60th birthday and book launch in honour of Ex-Osun Amotekun field commander, Comrade Shittu Amitolu in Osogbo on Sunday

The ancient town of Osogbo, the Osun State capital was on Sunday agog with celebrative activities as a former field commander of the Western Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun, Comrade Amitolu Shittu held his 60th birthday celebration.

In what appeared like a two-fold celebration, Shittu also launched six books to commemorate the 6oth age milestone. The colourful event held at Adolak Event Hall, Osogbo.

The event had in attendance over 20 royal fathers including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Araba of Osogbo land, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon; Minister of Blue Economy and former Governor of the State, Gboyega Oyetola ably represented by Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji; Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbedokun ably represented by the State Commissioner of Police, Bzigu Dali Kwazhi; President of Association of Corporate & Marketing Communication Professionals of Banks (ACAMB), Rasheed Bolarinwa.

Others include National Secretary of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru who was Guest Speaker; renowned labour leader, Comrade Issa Aremu, Director General of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko and host of other dignitaries.

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NewsClick Nigeria reports that the human rights activist was one of the few who stood vehemently against the Governor Ademola Adeleke-led Osun State Government attempt to cede a significant portion of Government Technical College’s land to developers to build a private estate.

Shittu had in an exclusive interview with NewsClick Nigeria said rather than build a private estate which wouldn’t be of any economic value or benefit to both the state and citizens, the government should instead convert the facility for educational or other beneficial purposes. if truly it

“Osogbo the only accredited WORLD HERITAGE CENTER in Yoruba Land, the only one in the entire Southern Nigeria ranking as number 2 after Egypt in the whole of Africa recognized by the UNESCO as an ancient town of Osun Sacred place. The landmass of Osogbo Technical College is enough to accommodate a university Campus.

Private Estate is not what ÒṢOGBO needed on a land that can be good for economic development than a mere personal ESTATE in the name of development that a core Òṣogbo will never benefit from. Òṣogbo Technical College Land is too big to be thrown to dustbin. This is far far beyond politics. Òṣogbo please don’t take things for granted,’ he said.

The former Osun Amotekun field commander also spoke on his consistency over the years as a human rights crusader who will never trade his conscience for appointments or financial inducements.

‘I’ll be 60 soon and I’m very contented with how far God has brought me in life. I once pulled down my parents’ house and built a befitting one when it was almost collapsing. I have children abroad that are doing well for themselves. There’s nothing else that I want that God has not done for me. However, I can never trade away the only heritage we have as a people. I can’t be induced by financial favours or government appointment. This is how I’ve led my life from birth and I’m not ready to throw those values away now.