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May 25, 2014
Aregbesola Bags Nigerian Of The Year Award, Says If Not For Miscreants In Politics, Election Period Should Be A Celebration Period For Performing Political Parties
Aregbesola dropped the hint on Saturday May 24, 2014, at the 3rd Babatunde Jose Lecture on Media and the Society, organized by National Infinity Magazine in Osogbo, where he was given an award as “the Nigerian of the Year, 2013”.
He said, what makes a difference between good and bad performance in government is simply the consciousness of recognizing responsibility as priority and sacred by political leaders.
The governor added that leadership is define by what a leader does to improve the lives of the people through people’s oriented policies at a particular point in time.
According to him, many of his people’s oriented policies in the state, which include the revolution in the health sector has greatly reduced the menace of Malaria unprecedentedly to a barest minimum.
‘’All my policies as a governor of the state is sincerely tailored towards improving the lives of my people, which was evident in the drastic reduction of the menace of Malaria to a very low level in the state,’’ he stated.
He held that there is no part of the state that something new has not been done and that the growth of Osun is the main reason why he sought to be elected into office.
“For me, leadership is defined by what one does for the people, by the fact of whose existence one is in a position of leadership”.
“Leadership is all about making a big difference in the lives of the people we claim to govern”
“Indeed, it is my belief that leadership offers a golden opportunity to serve the people and bring improvements to bear on their lives and existence of the people.”
“I also do hold the view that leadership is a core pillar upon which a viable and successful human society can be built.”
“In effect, when I sought the leadership of the state of Osun as Governor, I was fully aware of the implications and well prepared to face the responsibilities.”
“It is a result of this, and to the glory of God that my leadership of the state has been able to make a difference in the lives of the people of Osun because as a leader, I constantly seek for ways of bringing about progress and advancement for my people in every area of their lives.”
Aregbesola who noted that journalism is not only about reportage but about asking questions with a view to moulding the society stated that leadership is a core pillar upon which the growth of a society can be built.
The state helmsman stated further that his vision for growth is the reason why he has painstakingly focused attention into development of infrastructures such as the construction of good roads, building of good school, improving the health sector as well as other areas of human life.
The Governor then stressed that he is accepting the award with the promise to continue improve the state while donating the cash reward attached to the award to the “SERI CARE” foundation.
The Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Femi Adesina, who is the President of the Guild of Editors in Nigeria, emphasized the need to resuscitate the tradition of integrity in the media industry.
Adesina berated the junk type of journalism that is so common in the online media, which according to him continued to threaten the integrity of the profession in no small way.
The Guest Speaker, Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, who is the editor-in-chief of Premium Times, opined that the media remains a veritable tool of turning the fortune of the society around while acting as illuminator.
He stressed that the media plays a pivotal role of providing civic oversight for both public and private institutions, which bring about accountability that strengthens democracy as a form of government.
Olorunyomi made a case for investigative journalism which he said will guarantee democratic accountability.
Presenting the award, Editor in Chief, National Infinity Magazine, Mr Jide Ige stressed that the process of selecting the Nigerian of the year is done on a monthly basis throughout the year were Nigerians carrying out remarkable achievements in their areas are placed on a scale and some of them are knocked off.
“Ogbeni Aregbesola emerged after a careful process which we do on a monthly basis throughout the year.”
“At the end of the twelve months of 2013, Aregbesola emerged the winner”
“This award is our own little way of giving back to the society as this award comes with a cash prize of 100,000 naira and we want the Governor to donate the money to any NGO of his choice” Ige stressed.
Present at the occasion were Members of the state Executive councils and among others.
