‘Ige’s Spirit Still Hunting His Killers’

The Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, said on Thursday that the spirit of the late Chief Bola Ige, was still tormenting his killers almost 14 years after he was murdered.
Aregbesola said this at Esa Oke, Ige’s hometown, at the inauguration of the Bola Ige Mechatronics Institute at the Osun State College of Technology.
The institution was established to immortalise the late politician, who was the first executive governor of the old Oyo State.

Ige was the Attorney General and Minister for Justice when he was assassinated at his Bodija residence in Ibadan on December 23, 2001.

Aregbesola said those who killed Ige were the same set of people who had attempted to plunge the state into crisis.
He said, “Though Ige was brutally murdered by those who thought they could silence him, his spirit has been restless and has been tormenting his killers who have been sinking deeper in the quagmire of infamy.

“The spirit of the late Chief Bola Ige will not sleep until the killers are brought to book. These are the same individuals that have fruitlessly attempted to plunge the state into chaos and bring about a change of government through conspiracy and subterfuge in the recent past.
“While the killers drink from the cup of shame, we shall continue to honour the memory of Ige as he is ensconced in the pantheons of departed Yoruba leaders.”
He noted that the Bola Ige Mechatronic Institute was a dream come true with the equipment alone costing N875m.

Aregbesola said the institute was a befitting legacy in honour of the slain politician, who he described as a leader, a national icon and a citizen of the world.
The governor stated that the institute would train street mechanics and workers from the automobile companies.

He noted that the institute would also admit holders of Ordinary National Diploma and Technical College graduates for skills acquisition and industrial training.
The Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Aminu Jallaal, while speaking said the establishment of the institute was an evidence of the development initiative of Aregbesola.

A former Special Adviser to the governor on Federal Matters, Ms. Idiat Babalola, stated that the centre was designed to create employment for the youths and generate revenue for the state.
Copyright PUNCH.