The Executive Chairman, Sakiwest Local Government, Area of Oyo State, Engr Sharafadeen Ahmed Omirinde has narrated his stance on migratory elephant to Onigbongbo Village of the ancient town and however debunked rumours of alleged #13M he was said to have collected from the management of University of Ibadan, UI in exchange of the said elephant.
This was contained in Omirinde’s reaction shortly after a letter of petition, written by Concerned Saki Youths alleging him of collecting such amount of money in exchange of the elephant for UI.
According to the reaction,”On the 16 of February 2022, The Executive Chairman Saki West Local Government Engr Sarafadeen Omirinde Ahmed who doubles as Vice Chairman ALGON Oyo State led the Director of Zoological Garden,University of Ibadan and his team to Onigbongbo village to convey an Elephant ? to a new environment where it could be secured.
“The elephant which was sighted at ONIGBONGBO/GOBO Community, the border between Oyo to Kwara state in couple of months ago, was reportedly died Early on Friday 17 of February 2022 at the University of Ibadan zoological garden premises. It was very saddened and disheartened our mission that led to conveyence of the elephant in view of change the environment to keep it secured and be healthy by getting proper Care and maximum medication from Vetinary expert was in futility, we got to realize that the residents of the community brutalized the animal and as well abuse its presence despite being friendly to everybody and accomodating people paying it a visit.
“Our initial actions towards the evacuation of the elephants into University of Ibadan after a series of consultation to Executive Governor of Oyo State through the channels of Commissioner for Environment Hon Oni, The Traditional ruler, Wewe LCDA and others were to keep elephant away from people who might have had negative mind to harm the animal; It’s true the elephant is a friendly creature indeed
“To contain the bad intentions towards the animals, no one knows when it might change attitude to people because with the just period elephant spent at the area, it had destroyed many properties and may still do more if care is not taken as people are planning to set up their available land for their farming work ahead of raining season.
“The sudden death of the elephant as reported to us on Friday is indeed very heartbroken in which everybody of us feel so bad about it despite all the struggle which was later accounted in vein.
“However, let’s us disregard the rumoured information which has circulated on all Social Media for some days about the deaths of the elephant which was spreading by some of our Youths. The LG authority doesn’t have any plan to sell the elephant to University of Ibadan secretly.
I want to enjoine all and Sundry, the citizenry of Saki West Local Government that whose aims are to promote the status of this present administration at all cost in which nothing of such happened, we know the elephant is not just an animal, it has its own value. Let just accept the fact that the elephant died as planned by its destiny
“The Director of Zoological Garden, Dr Kehinde Popoola has assured us that the Tusk of the elephant is saved and kept at where security is tight, he also maintained that the skeleton of the elephant would be put into any FG’s museums”, the statement ended
