The Governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has asked for the collective efforts of residents and people of the State towards realising the dream of its founding fathers.
Governor Aregbesola made the demand at a ceremony held on Saturday to mark the state’s 25 year after it was created.
It was a display of aesthetics, as about 4,000 pupils of Osun State middle schools gathered to display calisthenics at the Osogbo sports Stadium to mark the grand finale of the 25 Years Anniversary of the State.
The celebration, which attracted dignitaries from across Nigeria was also witnessed by a large number of residents of the state.
Addressing the people, the State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola acknowledged that it was tough for the State, but maintained that there was every reason to celebrate.
On the calisthenics display, the Governor commended the pupils for their dedication to the programme.
He said “We are being treated here to beautiful and breath-taking callisthenics display by Osun school pupils.
“Today’s display involves 4,000 pupils between the ages of nine and 14, drawn from 17 Middle Schools in Osogbo and Olorunda Local Governments.
“We began this programme in 2012 with the assistance of Cuban duo, Francis Rodriguez and Raiza Guerra, who trained the first set that performed during the 21st Anniversary of the creation of Osun.
“The importance of physical exercise to the development of a healthy human person cannot be over-emphasised.
“Calisthenics, for example, has been known to have the substance of unity, harmony, balance and teamwork and thus presents one of the best engagements for teaching young pupils the cooperative spirit in a simple, delightful and interesting way.
“In other words, virtues such as teamwork, esprit de corps, which are highly desirable in society and social interactions are also derived from and fostered by calisthenics”.
He said that the calisthenics were beneficial to the body in different ways – flexibility, physical strength, agility and the capacity for endurance.
“Indeed, modern researches into health and diseases have established the incontrovertible fact that physical exercises accrue health benefits and keep many a harmful disease away from the body.
“An added advantage of this programme, especially in our own peculiar situation, is that, by providing a platform for fraternisation and positive integration and engagement in a worthwhile endeavour, it makes the students unavailable for potentially destructive out-of-school activities, such as political brigandage and other criminal activities,” he stressed.
In their goodwill messages, two former military administrators of the State, Retired colonel Theophilus Bamigboye and Retired Navy Captain Anthony Udofia agreed that there have tremendous development in the last 25 years.
They urged residents of the State to continue to give the present administration necessary support to take the State to a greater height.
The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers, thanked God for sustaining the State till now despite several challenges.
Oba Aromolaran urged the State government to work towards reducing hunger and poverty in the society.
Others who spoke at the event include representatives of Lagos, Ogun and Kano States. They congratulated the government and people of the State on the silver Jubilee Anniversary.