ACCORDING to her, these parties do not only have equal stake in the centre, they must be carried along in any matters that concern the centre.While she acknowledged the right of the state government to amend the law governing the centre, as they claimed to have done in this matter, Katagum insisted that the amendment must be justified before UNESCO and other parties for it to have effect on the centre. She said Culture and Tourism Minister, Chief Edem Duke was being contacted in order to find the best way to resolve the crisis.MEANWHILE, an aide to the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, described as mere hogwash, the protest by Oyinlola against the appointment of Soyinka as the Chairman of CBCIU.Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, in a statement said Oyinlola's claim that the CBCIU did not belong to Osun was wrong.If the centre did not belong to Osun, the statement queried, 'how was the law that set it up passed' How has it been funded since its establishment' Just in case Oyinlola has forgotten, he delivered a speech on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at the commissioning ceremony of the centre where he stated as follows: 'As you all may be aware, we have taken delivery of the archival materials which is (sic) forming the nucleus of this centre. The collections procured from Ulli and Georgina Biere at a cost of Six Hundred and Eighty Thousand United States Dollars was provided by the Government of Osun State.'He continued, 'it must be stated here that for Oyinlola to have personalized the centre by making himself the chairman either in or out of office through the law setting it up was another height of impunity for which his administration was notorious.'This was a major odium that was yanked off the law passed under Oyinlola through an amendment signed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola on July 31, 2012, now called State of Osun Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (Amendment) Law 2012.'The choice of Soyinka as the new chairman, has been described as a well-thought decision as it reflects 'the genuine commitment and determination of the current administration to the promotion of our people's heritage. The choice is already generating unprecedented commendations as one that will enhance the profile of the centre and assist it realize its full potential,' Okanlawon noted.However, Secretary, CBCIU Board of Trustees under Oyinlola, Mr. Femi Adelegan has faulted the accusation of converting the centre to personal property levied against the former governor.'Oyinlola has never attempted to illegally convert CBCIU, an NGO and cultural property which was established by the Federal Government to his property as he has always acted dispassionately and patriotically through the Board of Trustees.'He continued: 'Oyinlola even went to the extent of writing to Ogbeni Aregbesola to seek audienceto educate the governor on the position of things at CBCIU but his correspondence was ignored! These are the facts of the matter. Indeed, thepath of truth may be long but arrival at its destination is definite.'No amount of propagandacouldreplace truth which is always constant. It is certainly wrong for anybody to unilaterally alter the composition of a BoT of an organization that is legally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission without following the provisions of the constitution of the organisation.'THE unfolding scenario looks much like a re-launch of hostilities pointedly directed at the soul of the CBCIU similar to what transpired for several months leading to the inauguration of the centre in Osogbo and its parent Institute for African Culture and International Understanding (IACIU) in Abeokuta on January 7, 2009.Now that forces are building up and strategies being perfected to prosecute latest expedition by both camps, it will be instructive to reminisce on remarks and statements made by Soyinka and Oyinlola concerning their roles in the whole saga.Those materials published in The Guardian, August 24, 2008 will not only refresh memories and illuminate thoughts on the birth of the centre, they may provide the leeway through which to resolve the present crisis with no or minimal casualties.
Click here to read full news..
