Politics
How We Are Delivering Good Governance In Osun – Gov Adeleke
The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has opened up on his style and strategies in the governance of Osun State, noting that the approach is producing “a productive and pleasing outcome across the sectors”
Addressing the grand reception and induction night organised by the Osun Development Association in Lagos on Friday, Governor Adeleke who stressed the importance of non-governmental organisations said his passion to deliver within a short period of time compelled his current governance agenda.
According to the State chief executive, “our first focus was to craft an unorthodox governance agenda, the five point agenda namely workers’ welfare, financial inclusion, localisation, people centered infra upgrade, social sector upliftment and agro-industrialisation.
“To implement the above, we equally deviate from the many well-known pontifications on governance delivery. We put people at the centre and cut most scraps that create deep gulf between the people and state policies. We deliver by upstaging the traditional structures without breaching state laws and due process.
“We enforce localisation in project design and implementation to enhance local skills and create jobs for our people. We effect drastic cuts in project costs to deliver more with little resources. Our projects and programmes also evolved from strict need assessment across the three Senatorial districts. Our vision is holistic in terms of addressing developmental challenges from people’s aspirations and needs.
“To drive these plans and agenda, we demonstrate a very high degree of transparency and accountability. As a man of means before coming into office, I ensure our contractors have no kickbacks to pay and they work with an eye to deliver the public good. The zero tolerance for corruption is combined with an ambitious infra agenda that is accompanied with a soft infra focus so that as we are building the roads, we are also building the people.
“Our government also adopted the mantra of government as a continuum. We live it and act it. I retained all contractors inherited from my predecessor. None of those contracts were terminated. No contractor was fired. My only insistence was that they must deliver on what they signed with the state.
“I am also completing most abandoned projects inherited from my predecessor. The Ikirun-Osogbo dualisation is completed and I am going to complete the road up to the border with Kwara state. The Osogbo ring road is being completed while the Osogbo-Iwo road is ongoing. In the infra sector, we insist on salvaging state assets without undue political considerations.
“Several external reviewers have rated our approach as highly successful. We also have our positive internal assessments. Within one and half years in office, we have achieved what the previous administration could not attain in four years. We have constructed over 90 kilometers of roads alongside several bridges and channelisation projects. Another 80 kilometers of roads are presently under construction. The multi billion naira infra projects which include four flyover bridges, dualisation of several roads, rehabilitation of several schools and health centers are currently ongoing. Osun is indeed a huge construction site as attested to by many visitors.
“Our fixation on soft and hard infrastructure stems from our belief that we cannot grow Osun economically unless we address the huge infra deficit. We inherited more than 80 percent infrastructure deficit when we took over in 2022. Hence, we target a quick reversal of that sad statistics before the end of our first tenure. The positive results are there for all to see.
“We then injected a huge dose of soft social focus by the gradual repayment of half salary and pension debt inherited from the previous government. We are paying back the diverted contributory pensions of our senior citizens. Our pensioners are registered for a health insurance scheme with the state paying the bills. We reform the public service and ensure regular payment of salaries, promotion arrears. In Osun, there is a nexus between the formal and informal workforce. For now, taking care of public servants boosts, enlivens and strengthens the informal workforce in the state.
“The state’s investment promotion agency moribund for a long time is now up and running. A one stop desk is being created to facilitate investment into the state. And of course, very soon, you can fly directly into Osun state as we are working to deliver a functional state airport”, the Governor told the gathering of eminent Osun indigenes at the event.
He told the audience that the state government is open to collaboration in the various forms of public private partnership” adding “we clearly need the indispensable collaboration with associations and groups like the Osun Development Association.
“Presently our government is working on the Alumni-Government partnership Board for school development. We are restrategising on partnership to grow the state digital economy, education, health and agriculture.
“I therefore extend hands of developmental partnership to the ODA and other related associations. Join hands with us to transform Osun for the better. Our doors are open”, the Governor told the ODA chaired by Dr Segun Aina.
Edo State’s Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo has presented his certificates of return to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Special Adviser, Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga made the disclosure in a statement on his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X.
According to Onanuga, it was a family thing as Senator Okpebholo and his deputy governor-elect Rep. Dennis Idahosa were joined by leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to present the certificate of return to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Onanuga in a photo statement on his X handle wrote, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with APC governors and APC officials, receives Edo State governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo and the deputy governor-elect Rep. Dennis Idahosa during the presentation of their certificates of return at the Presidential Villa Abuja.”
he gave the photo credit to Taiwo Okanlawon.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Tuesday hosted fellow citizens of Osun State in Abuja and delivered an extensive brief on his stewardship in a mini – ‘Ipade Imole’ hosted by the Ministry of Federal Affairs in Abuja.
The event attended by leaders of various towns and professional associations witnessed advice, suggestions and questions on governance issues to which the Governor responded in detail.
ALSO READ: Adeleke On How To Strengthen Democracy, Good Governance
Leaders of the Association of Osun State Indigenes in the Civil and Public Service, Osun State National Assembly Staff Association and Osun Indigenes Association commended the Governor for his unprecedented records of achievements since assuming office.
According to the leaders, the Abuja event is the first of its kind by any Governor since the creation of Osun State, declaring their being proud of the records of achievements of the Governor under two years in office.
Question from the participants range from agriculture, workers’ welfare, technical education, airport project, yuletide transportation, and good governance to which the Governor responded in details to the applause of the audience.
Gov Adeleke expressed appreciation for the unwavering support from the citizenry at the inception of his administration as well as the commendation on his performance in office from leaders present at the occasion.
The Governor said the peoples’ trust and confidence in his five-point agenda has been a driving force behind the concerted efforts to reposition Osun State, asserting that “Osun state is undergoing a remarkable transition from well-known civil service state to a vibrant industrial hub which is open to investors worldwide.
“We just concluded an industrial investment summit in Osun. We hosted investors from far and near. Osun is open to investment in agriculture, mining, digital economy as well as tourism and entertainment industry.”
Tasking Osun diaspora to become investment agents for the state, the Governor reaffirmed his determination to extend dividend of democracy to Osun in the diaspora to the wide applause of the audience.
“As a token of our appreciation, we shall be presenting cooperative loan cheques to registered Osun associations that are resident here in Abuja. This gesture mirrors the benefits that our cooperative societies have received back in Osun State.
“Our Government recognises the importance of expanding opportunities, hence our resolve to ensure that our indigenes, regardless of location, partake in service delivery.
“As great ambassadors of Osun State, I urge you to continue to showcase good conduct wherever you reside and keep spreading the word about the investment opportunities that are ever available in Osun State.
“It will also be pleasant to let your friends, associates and networks know that Osun is open for business. Our state boasts of vast potentials and we welcome partnerships that foster growth and development”, the Governor told the cheering crowd.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Federal Affairs, Hon Adenike Adeleke commended the Governor for embracing the idea of inclusiveness for Osun indigenes in state governance space, noting that “the Governor has demonstrated unparalleled administrative effectiveness amidst commitment to infrastructural development, healthcare, education, and tourism reforms.
“As you approach two years in office, your current achievements are monumental. We are grateful for your dedication to the people of Osun State. Your leadership has earned recognition from esteemed individuals, including Former President Obasanjo, who praised your joy and work ethic, and commended your developmental projects.
“Recently, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations ranked Your Excellency amongst the top nine performing governors in Nigeria for the Reputation Perception index Governance Report.
“The rating by NIPR indicated that Governor Adeleke secured the high ratings because of his visionary and tremendous strides in transforming the state since assuming office through implementation of various initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, education, healthcare, tourism, and youth development”, the Commissioner stated.
In the same vein, the Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe narrated how the Adeleke administration has disbursed over N4 billion-naira cooperative revolving loans to strengthen small businesses while also commending the Governor for extending the gesture to Osun residents in Abuja.
The major highlights of the occasion include the presentation of multi-million-naira cooperative business loan cheques to the three associations representing Osun indigenes in the federal capital territory.
The Governor was accompanied to the event by the three senators, six members of the House of Representatives, the House Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, several state lawmakers including some members of the State Executive Council.
In the aftermath of the offseason Edo State gubernatorial election, Prof Pat Utomi has declared that “The news is not good”.
Prof Utomi’s assessment, shared in a statement on his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, painted a bleak future fordemocracy because “the people think their votes don’t count”.
ALSO READ: #EdoDecides2024: Wailers Increase Volume, As APC Takes Prize
He cautioned that “those who have power and are deploying it, … without conscience saw Kaplan’s projections in the coming Anarchy.”
Utomi wrote, “As the people of Edo state were going to the polls I was reflecting on a privileged sneak preview I had the day before of the most recent Afrobarometer surveys that provide longitudinal tracking of how people feel about Democracy in Africa.
“The news is not good. If the people think their votes don’t count and that Kakistocracies are well in place, with capture of institutions draining elections of legitimacy, what can be expected in Edo state and elsewhere on the continent?
“I hope those who have power and are deploying it so without conscience saw Kaplan’s projections in the coming Anarchy.
“Whatever one may say of Goodluck Jonathan recognizing, as Biden did in the US, that the collective good trumps our temporary personal valor, his decision separated the really strong from those that pretend to be in crude abuse of those powers.
“History shows that the ‘reward’ eventually comes”
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