Climate change appointment sparks ethnic allegation in Osun

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun state has responded to accusations of ethnic bias following the appointment of Professor Chinwe Obuaku, a non-indigene, as the state’s climate change consultant.

Critics alleged that Mr Adeleke’s decision was influenced by his maternal connection to the Igbo ethnic group, an allegation the governor denied.

In a statement released on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the government described the claims as “bigot-laden” and said the appointment was based on merit.

“We affirm that the engagement of Professor Chinwe, a United Nation Certified Climate Change Expert, by the State Government followed all due process and manifest the efforts of Mr Governor to place merit and nationalism above all considerations and to support the climate sector process in Osun state,” the statement read.

The government argued that the appointment of non-indigenes to key roles is not new in Osun.

“Osun state had in the past engaged hundreds of consultants and even many now across the sectors, some of which are indigenes and some, non-indigenes. Our major priority as a Government is to ensure that they are qualified professionally and academically with the capacity to deliver on assigned mandate,” the statement said.

“In Osun, there are non-indigenous voters, including Hausa, Igbo, and others, running into several thousands,” the statement continued, stressing that the state does not discriminate based on ethnicity.

Professor Obuaku’s expertise in climate change and renewable energy, according to the government, was crucial to her selection. The consultant was part of a six-member Osun State delegation to the German-Nigeria Business Forum, led by Commissioner for Energy, Festus Adeyemo.

The governor’s office reiterated that the appointment of consultants in Osun state, whether indigenes or not, is based on professional qualifications and academic merit.

“Osun represents a model of best practice where inclusiveness and good governance take priority over primordial thinking and assertions,” Alimi concluded.

Million Trees

Separately, the Osun government says it plans to plant one million trees with approval already given for 100,000 in the first phase to control deforestation and increase the state’s forest coverage.

Gov. Adeleke stated this on Wednesday while hosting the national and state leadership of Forestry Council of Nigeria.