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 Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured that his administration would do everything within its powers to take care of Edo State civil servants and make them happy.
He made the pledge on Friday when he received Executives of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, led by its Acting State Chairman, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide.
Egwekhide said they were in Government House to congratulate the Governor on his recent victory at the governorship election tribunal that affirmed his victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
On his part, the Governor said whatever Edo State workers are enjoying in the state is the responsibility of his administration to do because it is worker friendly.
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Okpebholo said, “Whatever we are doing, which is favouring Edo workers, is done because it is our responsibility as a government. Edo people voted for us to work for them, and that is what we are doing to ensure life is made better for our people, including the workers.
“We embrace transparency in all what we do as a government to enable the people to trust us as we are not afraid of criticism. Positive criticism will put us on our toes to work harder for Edo people.
“The renewed hope agenda of the president has given us room and platform to perform and serve Edo people better as we embark on practical governance.
“We are doing everything in the State to ensure peace, unity, growth, and development. That is why we ensure smooth collaboration amongst the three tires of government. In all we do in the State, we ensure the three Senatorial zones are carried along.”
The NLC acting chairman, Egwekhide, commended the Governor for his developmental strides and the friendly environment created for Edo State workers to operate.
He said the visit was necessary as the body had come to congratulate the Governor for his deserved victory at the election petition tribunal in Abuja.
According to him, “Workers in Edo State are proud of you for the developmental strides in the State. You have created a friendly relationship between your administration and Edo workers as you have always taken steps to favour Edo State workers.
“Without asking, workers received their 13th month. You raised the subvention of Ambrose Ali University (AAU) from N41 to N500 million. You regularized casual workers in Edo State. You increased what is due pensioners monthly from N50 million to N1 billion naira for both local and State pensioners.”
He noted that a committee has been set up to look into the compulsory pension scheme, which has become a burden on retired civil servants, adding that the report will be submitted to him for his action.
“We thank the governor for several employments given to our people in the very short time in office,” he added.
In a related development, Gov Monday Okpebholo also received the new branch controller, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Edo State, Apanke Utande who was on a courtesy visit to Government House, where the Governor urged him to collaborate with his administration to improve the lives of Edo people.
Sir Jude Idimogu, a former two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has strongly stated that there will be “no vacancy” in Aso Rock come 2027, reaffirming his commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
Idimogu, who served as the representative of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II from 2015 to 2023, shared his views during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
His comments followed the recent declaration from an opposition group promising to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
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A steadfast member of the APC and deputy leader of the Ndigbo socio-cultural group in Lagos, Idimogu dismissed the opposition’s chances of defeating President Tinubu in 2027, asserting that no coalition of opposition leaders could pose a significant challenge to the president’s second-term aspirations.
“The ruling party has strong leadership and unwavering grassroots support that will carry us through to victory in 2027,” Idimogu stated, branding the opposition’s efforts as “futile.”
He further noted that power rotation between the North and South made it clear that it was the South’s turn to complete its eight years in office.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2027, and I am appealing to all Northerners in the APC to support the president in completing his eight years,” he added.
In his assessment of the current administration’s progress, Idimogu lauded President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, citing positive developments such as better power supply, the strengthening of the naira against the dollar, and the implementation of policies that have helped reduce food prices and boost agricultural output.
“With the restoration of the naira-for-crude deal and the export drive, we are seeing tangible results. I don’t see any opposition candidate who can present a policy better than what Tinubu’s administration is already doing,” he explained.
Looking ahead to 2027, Idimogu expressed his firm belief that he would be among those advocating for President Tinubu’s re-election, given the progress already made under his leadership.
Idimogu concluded by urging the opposition coalition to reconsider its stance, suggesting that they join forces with the president for the greater good of the nation.
The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) under Julius Abure has been vindicated by the content of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgement between Nenadi Usman and the party.
This was contained in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X on Wednesday night.
According to the National Publicity Secretary
Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh
As promised earlier, we warned that Senator Nenadi Usman and her cohorts have been in the voyage of misleading Nigerians with wrong interpretation of the judgement of the apex court.
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There is no where it stated that the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure led executive has elapsed or that Nenadi Usman and her National Caretaker Committee has been directed to take over the leadership of the Labour Party.
The Supreme Court emphatically stated that issues within the political party are internal affairs of the party and that party supremacy must be observed.
It is pertinent for us to state clearly that there is no vacuum in the leadership of the Labour Party. The highest organ of the party, the national convention has in March 2024 elected its leaders in line with the constitution of the party and electoral act and their tenure is subsisting.
Consequent upon that, any meeting convened in disregard to the constitution of the party is illegal and the outcome null and void. We are therefore warning all those involved in the illegal meeting holding in Abuja to refrain from further factionalising the party and respect the constitution of the party as we will not fail to activate the provision of the party on disciplinary actions.
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