Ademola Adeleke, the incumbent governor of Osun State has called on the public to submit their ideas for a reimagined state logo.
From now until Friday, April 26, interested parties have the opportunity to submit their entries, marking a brief timeline for participation.
The decision to solicit new entries follows public and opposition backlash against the design revealed by the state government’s social media account on Wednesday.
In July 2023, the Osun State House of Assembly repealed the State Anthem, Crest, and Flag Law of 2012, replacing it with legislation empowering the executive branch to devise a fresh emblem for the state.
Governor Adeleke’s signing of a bill on Wednesday to formalize the adoption of the state’s new logo was met with considerable backlash due to the design.
An opposition party in the state, Allied Peoples Movement, described the new logo as a waste of taxpayers’ money.
The Osun State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party also said the new logo fell short of the standard.
In a release signed by its state chairman, Dr Tosin Odeyemi, obtained in Osogbo on Thursday, NNPP wondered if the governor saw the new design before assenting to its bill.
“The new logo is an embarrassment to us in Osun. To whom did they award the contract? Didn’t Governor Adeleke see it before assenting to the bill? With an array of technologically-inclined youth we have in Osun State that can come up with good designs, how could a state government unveil such a poorly designed logo? Osun has become a laughing stock on social media since the unveiling of the design.
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“What happened to the original logo being used since the creation of Osun State? We all spoke against it when the administration of Rauf Aregbesola designed a new logo for the state and abandoned the one in use before he came into office as governor. The one we have now is, however, worse compared to the one given the state by Aregbesola.
“For those that have ears in this government, a drastic step needs to be taken. The logo should be withdrawn from public to save Osun State from this unnecessary bashing.”
The governor, however, said the state would allow for more entries to compete for the logo design.
In a release by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday, the governor said holding of the logo crafting competition would be held between April 19 and April 26.
“As a listening leader, I have asked that we open the change of logo to more public input, through this one-week competition,” the statement read.
It further stated: “Those submitting a design are to take into account the prototype logo in terms of its contents and style. The submission can be made in person, both soft and printed copy, to the Office of the Commissioner, Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment.
The announcement of the top design is scheduled for April 28, with the grand reveal set for April 30 during the upcoming Ipade Imole edition. The three most outstanding designers will receive invitations and appropriate remuneration.