By John Dike, Osogbo
The Orangun of Oke-Ila in Osun State, ona Adedokun Abolarin, has warned against corruption, urging political leaders, public office holders, and community stakeholders to embrace transparency and prioritise grassroots development for the benefit of future generations.
He made the call on Wednesday during the official launch of Community Development Plans covering six local government areas across the three senatorial districts of the state. The initiative was spearheaded by the Community Life Project in collaboration with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
Speaking at the event, Oba Abolarin expressed deep concern over the pervasive nature of corruption in governance, describing it as a major obstacle to sustainable development and socio-economic progress.
“Stop siphoning public money, I beg all of us. Corruption is killing us. They are mortgaging our children’s future because of corruption,” the monarch said, stressing the urgent need for a collective change in attitude among leaders and citizens alike.
He further emphasized that Osun State possesses the human and material resources required to become a model of development in Nigeria, if only leaders at all levels demonstrate sincerity of purpose and long-term commitment.
“We must work towards the development of our state for the next 50 years, and it is achievable. Osun State can be the leading state in Nigeria if all of us are committed to the state’s development,” he added.
The Community Development Plans unveiled at the event are designed to serve as strategic blueprints for development over a four-year period in Boripe, Ede North, Ejigbo, Ifedayo, Ife South, and Oriade local government areas.
According to the organisers, the plans were developed through extensive consultations with community members, ensuring that they reflect the real needs, priorities, and aspirations of the people.
In his remarks, the Senior Programme Manager of the Community Life Project, Francis Onahor, highlighted the importance of adopting data-driven and participatory approaches to development planning, particularly at the sub-national level.
He noted that many local governments face challenges related to poor resource allocation, weak implementation frameworks, and lack of continuity in development programmes, stressing that the newly launched plans are designed to address these gaps.
“We strongly encourage state ministries and local governments to institutionalise the use of these plans within their annual budgeting and planning cycles, ensuring a more coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable development process,” Onahor said.
He further stressed that the success of the initiative would largely depend on effective implementation, transparency, and accountability mechanisms. According to him, the launch of the plans marks only the beginning of a long-term process that requires commitment from all stakeholders.
“As we launch these plans today, we must remember that this is not the end of the process — it is the beginning of action,” he stated.
Onahor also called on local government authorities, state ministries, civil society organisations, and development partners to actively integrate the plans into policy formulation, project selection, and budget preparation processes.
He urged community leaders and residents to take ownership of the initiative by monitoring progress and holding duty bearers accountable for results.
The initiative has also received backing from international development partners, including the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which has been supporting governance and grassroots development programmes across Nigeria.
Stakeholders at the event commended the initiative, noting that aligning development planning with community-identified needs would not only improve service delivery but also strengthen governance structures at the grassroots level.
They observed that many communities in Osun State continue to grapple with inadequate infrastructure, limited access to basic social services, and insufficient economic opportunities.
They expressed optimism that the Community Development Plans, if properly implemented, could help bridge these gaps and foster inclusive growth.
The event brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society groups, traditional institutions, and community-based organisations, all of whom reiterated the need for collaboration, transparency, and sustained commitment to achieving meaningful development outcomes across the state.
Observers believe that the monarch’s strong stance against corruption, combined with the introduction of structured, community-driven development frameworks, could mark a turning point in efforts to reposition Osun State on the path of sustainable growth and good governance.
