Osun govt. acquires N51million land to build church

The Osun State government has acquired parcels of farmlands in Atakumosa West local council of the state for the construction of a church.

The interdenominational worship centre, to be named ‘Open Heaven Worship Centre,’ would be sited at both Odo Iju and Ibodi communities.

The state government’s plan to build a church somehow weakens the argument by critics of Governor Rauf Aregbesola that he was islamising the state.

The state government said, Tuesday, that it had paid N51 million as compensation to farmers whose lands would be used for the church.

While presenting cheques to farmers, Muyiwa Ige, the state’s Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, said that compensation was done on humanitarian grounds and the government’s commitment to the welfare of the people.

Another N11 million was paid to 243 farmers whose lands were affected by the ongoing construction of the MKO Abiola International Airport, Ido-Osun, Egbedore Local council.

Mr. Ige said that the government’s acquisition of the lands was for the development of the state in order to attract foreign investors.

While assuring that the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led government would not hesitate in compensating those with genuine land papers, Mr. Ige called for the people’s support in developing the state.