NEWS
New Year Message: Adeleke Assures Osun, Lauds Tinubu
The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has assured the citizens that he will continue to strive to deliver the dividends of democracy.
The governor took to his new year message, a statewide address delivered in Osogbo on Monday, monitored by Biztellers to count his achievements and share his vision for the state.
While lamenting the level of economic hardship confronting the people, the governor lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and assured the citizenry that he would remain focused on the implementation of the 2024 budget.
Sen Adeleke expressed appreciation for the mass support and high approval ratings he enjoyed among the populace and posited that he and his team are challenged to expand delivery of good governance across the sectors of the state.
He said, “Our administration has big ambitions to develop our dear state. We seek to bridge the developmental gap, to combine human and physical development. We are in a hurry to achieve both human and capital growth. My people, it is achievable. It is doable.
“In the new year, we will refocus attention on cushioning current economic hardship while at the same time building the state’s economic base. Both goals are achievable as we have demonstrated in the last one year.
“We seek your continued support to achieve our common agenda for collective prosperity. We promise to continue to be a listening and responsive administration, a government of the people, by the people and for the people.”
On the ambitions and plans for the state, Gov Adeleke told the people that his “dream is for an Osun economy that gradually moves away from its civil service status to a modern agro – industrial based, creative industry focussed economy”, stressing that such “diversification with a functioning cargo/commercial airport will grow Osun as an export oriented economy as well as a global tourist destination, being the host of important Yoruba cultural assets.
According to the Sen Adeleke, “we remain firmly focused on the Five-Point-Agenda under which you, Osun people, elected us into office. We reaffirm our faith in the principles guiding the five-point-agenda which are transparency and accountability, open government, localisation, responsive leadership and attunement to citizens’ aspirations”
He maintained that his administration achieved a lot in the last one year by ensuring belt tightening, reducing cost of governance and denying ourselves many perquisites of office, adding that “as a Governor, my official expenditures are covered through the approval process rather than security votes, thereby assuring transparency and accountability.
“As of today, our administration is struggling to purchase official vehicles for the state cabinet because the officials of the previous government bolted away with state vehicles. So our cabinet and other top officials have been using their private cars since we appointed them into office. Also, we are still working to renovate the official quarters vandalized by the officials of previous governments. Many of our top officials still operate from their private houses.
“Despite the above handicap, our team is determined to continue to deliver on our electoral promises. I am glad to report with gratitude to God that we have remained responsive to the will and aspirations of our people. We get positive feedback and we are satisfied with our high approval ratings.
“We are challenged to do more. We are prepared to make corrections where necessary as much as we will remain uncompromising when it comes to anti-corruption drive, transparency and accountability as well due process. As I always affirm, our tenure is married to due process, rule of law and fear of God”, Gov Adeleke stated.
He assured of his administration’s willingness to intervene to ameliorate the economic hardship confronting the masses.
While lamenting the harsh economic challenges facing Nigeria, Gov Adeleke commended President Tinubu for his concerted efforts to solve the knotty questions of high inflation, high cost of living and general dislocation in the national economy,which he described as “macro and micro economic issues largely beyond the purview of the state governments.
“We, as a state government, commend President Bola Tinubu for his relentless actions towards economic restoration. But as we all know and as we are still experiencing, the economic crisis continues unabated despite the best of efforts. Osun, through the National Economic Council, is collaborating with the central government to support federal initiatives targeted at reducing inflation, cost of living and stabilising the national economy”, he stated.
Gunmen have killed a former staff member of Ogun State Television, Mrs. Kitan Oyesiku, popularly known as “Aunty Kitan,” alongside her security guard in a violent early morning attack in Agodo community along the Abeokuta–Siun–Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, threw residents of the area into panic and mourning as news of the killings spread across the community.
The victims were reportedly attacked inside their residence by unknown armed men who stormed the compound and carried out the operation before fleeing the scene.
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The security guard on duty was also killed during the invasion.
The attack took place within the Abeokuta axis of Abeokuta, raising fresh concerns over insecurity in parts of the state.
The bodies of the deceased have since been deposited at the morgue of the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta.
As of press time, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, while security agencies are expected to launch a full-scale investigation into the incident.
An anonymous source who spoke on the development said the incident was discovered after concerned church members went to check on the deceased when she failed to appear at church service.
The source said: “They had come around to check on Mrs Oyesiku when they did not see her in the church. On getting to her residence, they found out that the security officer had been killed, and they later also saw that the assailants had also killed Mrs Oyesiku. That was how they raised the alarm in the community.”
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident and said an official statement would be issued after preliminary investigations.
Mrs. Oyesiku, a former broadcaster with the state-owned television station, was well known in media circles before her retirement.
Her death has sparked grief among colleagues, friends, and residents across Ogun State, as calls mount for improved security in the area.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State on his re-election, describing the outcome of the governorship election as a clear affirmation of the people’s trust in continuity, stability, and development-focused leadership.
Tinubu also called on opposition parties in the state to accept the results of the election and work with the re-elected governor to strengthen governance and accelerate development across Ekiti.
His message was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following the official declaration of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission).
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The president said the victory represents a strong endorsement of Oyebanji’s performance during his first term in office, noting that the people of Ekiti have reaffirmed their confidence in his leadership.
He urged the governor to remain humble in victory and ensure inclusive governance that carries all stakeholders along in the next phase of administration.
“President Tinubu urges Governor Oyebanji to remain magnanimous in victory and to carry all Ekiti people along as he consolidates on his achievements in the next four years,” the statement read.
Tinubu further appealed to candidates who participated in the election to prioritize peace and unity, stressing the importance of collaboration in moving the state forward.
He noted that the election outcome should mark the beginning of broader cooperation among political actors in Ekiti rather than division.
According to him, Oyebanji’s first term witnessed notable progress in key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and rural development under the BAO agenda.
The president described the renewed mandate as a reflection of voters’ confidence in stability and continuity of governance.
“The renewed mandate is therefore a clear vote of confidence in continuity, stability, and people-centred governance,” Tinubu stated.
He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to partnering with the Ekiti State Government to deepen development and ensure the delivery of democratic dividends under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu praised the conduct of voters during the election, describing the process as largely peaceful, and commended security agencies for maintaining order throughout the exercise.
Meanwhile, Biodun Oyebanji was officially declared winner of the poll after securing 319,224 votes across all 16 local government areas of the state.
The victory makes him the first governor in the history of Ekiti State to win consecutive re-election, marking a significant milestone in the state’s political history.
U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will step down from office, accusing the Labour leader of failing on two critical issues — immigration and energy policy.
Trump made the remarks on Sunday in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he claimed Starmer’s leadership had fallen short in addressing challenges facing the United Kingdom.
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“Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom,” Trump wrote. “He failed badly on two very important subjects — IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!”
The U.S. president did not provide any evidence to support his claim, nor did he reveal the basis for his prediction that Starmer would leave office.
Starmer, who leads the Labour Party, became Prime Minister after securing victory in the UK’s general election.
Since taking office, his government has faced criticism over a range of issues, including migration policies, energy security, and the cost-of-living challenges confronting many Britons.
Trump’s comments come as debates over immigration and energy continue to dominate political discussions in the UK.
However, there has been no official statement from Starmer, his office, or the British government suggesting that he plans to resign.
As of the time of filing this report, Starmer remains in office and continues to lead the government despite the claims made by the American president.
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