Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke’s approval of N678 million for the reconstruction of the Sango-Timi Shrine and Grove in his hometown, Ede, has sparked criticism over alleged misplaced priorities.
The project, listed on the state government’s official website, was awarded to Atomhans through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The Sango-Timi Festival is an annual event in Ede that celebrates Sango, the Yoruba god of thunder, and showcases the cultural heritage of the Timi of Ede.
Reacting to the development, the Osogbo Development Action Group (ODAG) faulted the project, arguing that the state’s resources should be directed toward initiatives with sustainable economic value rather than what it described as politically motivated ventures.
The group’s coordinator, Omosola Olabode, in a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo, urged the governor to focus on the Osun-Osogbo Festival, the Sacred Grove, and the Olumirin Waterfalls—sites that he said have consistently attracted visitors and generated revenue for the state.
Olabode reminded Governor Adeleke of his campaign promise to upgrade the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He noted that proper investment in its preservation, infrastructure, and promotion could create jobs, boost local businesses, and elevate the state’s global profile.
He also highlighted the Olumirin Waterfalls in Erin-Ijesa as a natural attraction capable of generating significant revenue if provided with improved access roads, modern facilities, and adequate promotion. He compared its untapped potential to that of internationally acclaimed tourist destinations.
Olabode added:
“Instead of spending close to a billion naira on the Sango Shrine and Grove in Ede—which have no measurable economic benefits for Osun State, let alone Nigeria—such funds could be more productively channeled into sustainable assets like the Osun-Osogbo Festival, which has consistently proven to be a reliable source of revenue for both the government and the people of Osun State, as well as the Osun Grove and Olumirin Falls.
These sites have the potential to generate revenue year after year, long after the glamour of one-off projects or politically motivated festivals has faded. The call is simple: spend where it matters. Protect and invest in the Osun-Osogbo Grove, Olumirin Waterfalls, and other heritage and tourism assets that can put Osun—and indeed Nigeria—on the global map for the right reasons.”
