Former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, on Tuesday, described the first 16 years after he left office as governor of the state as traumatic.
Between 1999 and 2003, he served as Ogun State Governor before he handed over to his successors, Gbenga Daniel, and Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
Osoba spoke in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta at the inauguration of a press centre named after him by the state government.
“I never came back as I became a snake that doesn’t go back to where it has shed its skin.
“This premises became a no-go -area for me by Daniel’s government, and every symbol of the projects that I did was removed in all parts of the state.’’
Osoba said, “The first eight years, I was virtually declared persona non grata in Ogun State, well, that is settled, those involved have come to apologise.
“My name was sent to EFCC so many times and the agency investigated me severally, but found nothing.
“I couldn’t come to Abeokuta, not to talk of visiting the office of the governor.
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He said, “Mr Governor, you will not know how many hours you have added to my life with this action today. It may be hours, weeks, days, or years, but you have added something very great to my life today.”
The governor however lauded Osoba as “an encyclopedia and a veteran journalists”,
“Chief Osoba is a statement, a respectable icon in the pen pushing profession, and he also symbolises the birth place of the first newspapers in Nigeria, established in 1859,” Gov. Abiodun said.
The governor said Osoba operates three major newspapers in Nigeria, namely; Daily Times, Herald, and Daily Sketch.
He said Osoba was known for a unique brand of investigative journalism saying, “he is a brand ambassador of Ogun”.
Gov. Abiodun said the Press centre is important to increase the speed and quality of journalism in Ogun state.
Journalists should be accountable for their report and recommend to work to the integrity of the nation, he said
