Osina Town Union (OTU) Lagos Branch made history when on Sunday, December 8, 2024 organised an End of Year Party/Historic Award which was the first of its kind in the annals of the ancient kingdom.
The event which took place at the main Auditorium of Ozubulu Event Centre, Festac Town was not just the gathering of creme de la creme in Osina Ancient Kingdom; it was noticeably a loud recognition of the unique and obvious importance of the community by friends and well-wishers who thronged the venue to show commitment to the cause of the town.
Highlight of the event was the celebration and honouring of a worthy friend of the community, a complete gentleman and General in the Nigerian army, Brigadier General SOG Aremu who was recognized and honoured as the Friend of Osina Ancient Kingdom for his commitment, contributions, mentorship and uplifting of youths of the town in general and Lagos Branch in particular.
Giving the occasion more colour, the Brigadier
General graced the award ceremony in company of his friends, they include the Commander 81 Division Intelligence, Brig Gen Hassan,
Commander 81 Division Garrison Brig Gen Bukar, and Director Army Works Brig Gen
Jungudo, amongst other dignitaries.
Brigadier Aremu was formerly Commanding Officer 14 Field, Nigerian Army Engineers Military Cantonment Army Barracks Onitsha. He was also President Mess Committee Military Cantonment Onitsha where he became friend to Osina Ancient Kingdom through Nnaoma Cyriacus Udum. Presently Brigadier General Aremu is at the Army War College Abuja, Brigadier General S.O.G. Aremu was honoured with double award, one by OTU Lagos Branch and secondly His Royal Highness, Eze O.S. Ben Igwilo, Ezedioramma of Osina Ancient Kingdom as friend of Osina Ancient Kingdom despite being a Yoruba man.
Of course, friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between two people; it is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an acquaintance or association, in friendship there is intimacy and a fellow feeling. As George MacDonald put it, a true friend is forever a friend, and to Taylor Coleridge, friendship is a sheltering tree.
The mutual and symbiotic friendship between
Aremu and Osina people is a demonstration of the imperative of cultural
integration and peaceful national co-existence. The relationship between
Brigadier General SOG Aremu, a highly detribalized and patriotic Nigerian and
the people of Osina Ancient Kingdom is such that should be encouraged in
Nigeria especially at this time the country is going through national identity crisis,
a time the nation needs patriotism and love among her citizens irrespective of
tribe.
Therefore, General Aremu was honoured by the
good people of Osina Ancient Kingdom in recognition of his virtuous
characteristics as a true Nigerian and a soldier whose detribalized mien is good
for emulation; he is a gentleman soldier who has contributed his quota in
securing the nation and keeping it habitable. To the youth of Osina Community, Brigadier General SOG Aremu is an
institution and a role model.
Chief Chukwudi Emeh (Okadigbo 1 of Osina), while handing over the award to Brigadier General Aremu said, "We are members of OTU Lagos Branch, you are a great friend of Osina Ancient Kingdom, we have observed with interest the long standing friendship between you and our people, all the wonderful things you are doing in our town. Also you know that Lagos State is a pacesetter, the centre of excellence, so OTU Lagos Branch, we decided to invite you today to show appreciation for all you are doing and all that you are still going to do for Osina Ancient Kingdom.
"This
is an Award of Merit in the Diamond Award Category, in recognition of your
commitment, contribution, mentorship and friendship with Osina Ancient Kingdom.
Lagos Branch appreciates you sir.”
Receiving the award, Brigadier General SOG Aremu put on display his characteristically
humble mien and disposition by thanking Osina Town Union (OTU) Lagos Branch for
the honour and award. He said the award is a concretization of his friendship
with Osina people. "This award is a sign of appreciation of our friendship
and I will never take it for granted. Thank you so much, I appreciate."
Brigadier general Aremu was so appreciative as he recalled the long standing relationship that have existed between him and the people of Osina Ancient Kingdom right from Onitsha where he served and since then the mutual relationship has been further been upgraded to a level where it is now.
He thanked the people of Osina Town and also appreciated in a special way, His Royal Highness Eze OS Ben Igwilo, Eze Osina of Osina Ancient Kingdom for honouring him with an award as friend of Osina ancient kingdom and also OTU Lagos Branch for honouring him in the Diamond Award Category.