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.

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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”.

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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”

Public outrage continues trailing the offseason Edo State gubernatorial election held last weekend.

Legal practitioner and activist, Effiong Inibehe is among those lamenting the conduct and outcome of the Edo guber.

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He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, to declare that it is ‘depressing’ for legal practitioners that people who ‘undermine the electoral process are,’ are the first to recommend litigation.

He wrote, “Practicing law in a country where those who undermine the electoral process are always quick to urge their opponents to seek redress in court is depressing.

“Members of the legal profession in Nigeria should feel a sense of indignation over the affront of electoral bandits who continually taunt their opponents to “go to court”.”