● Lists Achievements in the last one year
● Dwells on Ambitious Vision for the State
● Laments National Economic Challenges & Commend Tinubu
● Highlights Landmark Projects in Budget 2024

OSOGBO – 01/01/2024 – osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state has opened up on challenges and progress of governance , listing multiple achievements and assuring the residents of more delivery of democratic dividends.

In a statewide address delivered this Monday morning, the State Governor 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.

“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 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”, Mr Governor reassured the people of the state.

AMBITIOUS PLANS/ PROGRESS FOR THE STATE

The State Governor 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 Governor, “we remain firmly focussed 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”

The Governor stressed that his administration since assuming office introduced a wholesale approach to governance which involved dismantling bobby traps planted by our predecessor, blocking leakages in public finance, addressing the corruption and revenue diversion in the solid mineral sector, restoring local government administration for grassroot development, embarking on mass water project provision, executing 91 kilometers of road construction, implementing free medical surgeries with over 50,000 beneficiaries, total renovation of 31 schools,launching sport sector reforms, reviving the major commercial and industrial projects of the state,pushing for implementation of agric processing zone in Osun state; paying strong attention to workers’ welfare; tapping into tourism, entertainment and cultural potentials of the state; ramping up efforts for a cargo and commercial airport for Osun state, among others.

He noted 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”, Governor Adeleke

“We are implementing an ambitious state agenda which targets infrastructure upgrade, diversifying the state economic base and deepening the revenue structure of the state.

“For the infra upgrade, we are convinced that the state economy cannot attract required investment to realise its industrial potential unless the problem of infrastructure deficit is addressed. Hence, we have started the implementation of the multi-billion naira infra plan that I launched a few months ago.

“For economic diversification, we are growing the creative industry; we are opening up the industrial sector; we are attracting investors in key sectors; and we are re-skilling our youth through the soon to be unveiled Imole Youth Corps.

“To deepen the revenue base, we are tapping into the solid mineral sector; we are reforming the tax sector to eliminate multiple taxation while widening the tax base.

INTERVENTIONS ON ECONOMIC HARDSHIP

While lamenting the harsh economic challenges facing the nation, Governor Adeleke commended President Bola 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.

He assured the people of the state that the various intervention funds received from the Federal Government and development partners are being carefully applied for various purposes as designed, ranging from infrastructure, wage award, transport logistics to social investment as manifested in the many completed and ongoing grassroots development projects in Osun state, adding “Our administration ensures strict compliance with due process, procurement laws and public service financial regulations.

“Beyond supporting federal initiatives, our government is also ensuring judicious application of intervention resources for maximum impact. Unlike the practice in the past, our government is focussing on groups with a likely multiplier effect on the larger society. We are aware of the strong nexus between formal and informal sectors of Osun society.

“To this end, our interventions is an holistic one that emphasise the following: regular, full payment of workers’ salaries as at when due; phased payment of half salary debt as a form of palliative; phased payment of pension debt; free enrolment of all pensioners in the health insurance scheme; quarterly Imole free medical surgeries; wage award to pensioners and public workers; introduction of Imole bus service; boosting local economy through strong local content in project implementation; and a system of direct labour for localisation.

HIGHLIGHTS OF BUDGET 2024

Calling attention to Budget 2024, Governor Adeleke said “it encompasses our plans and agenda for the new year. It is a year of reconstruction and eventual recovery.

The infra projects slated for implementation this new year under the multi-billion naira programme include the following:phase 2 of the reconstruction and furnishing of schools,making a total of 35 schools; phase 2 of the water projects: 332 water projects, one in each ward of the state; renovation, and in some cases, reconstruction and furnishing of primary care health centers. 345 in number with at least one in every ward of the state; phase 2 of rehabilitation and Construction of roads across the State of about 1.5 Kilometers in each LGAs, totalling 31 kilometers of roads; dualization of Old Garage – Okefia – Lameco road, Osogbo;

Others include dualization of Ilesa/Akure -Brewery – Palace road, Ilesha; dualization of Akoda-Baptist High School – Oke Gada road, Ede; construction of flyover Okefia Roundabout, Osogbo; construction of flyover at Lameco Roundabout, Osogbo; construction of Flyover at Alamisi Junction roundabout, Ikirun; construction of flyover at Mayfair Roundabout, Ile Ife; construction of flyover at Owode market, Ede; completion of rehabilitation of Inter-city roads such as Osogbo-Iwo Road plus dualisation from Odo Ori to Odo Oba River; rehabilitation of Otan Ayegbaju – Iresi road; and rehabilitation of Ede-Egbedi-Erin Osun road among others.

He re-emphasised that his administration is implementing all the above projects without borrowing a kobo, adding “we are relying on savings from various earnings, blockage of revenue leakage and reduction in the cost of governance and projects through localisation and direct labor”

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Osun State Governor.

OSOGBO- 29/12/2024 – Osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke has signed the budget 2024 bill into law with a promise to ensure full implementation for the benefit of the state and her people.

The total approved budget is Two Hundred and Seventy Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand Naira and Four Hundred and Ten Kobo (273,908,997,410)

In a short statement after signing the appropriation bill into law, Governor Adeleke said the budget tagged “Budget of Reconstruction and Recovery” is crafted to fast track the revitalisation of the various sectors of the state economy.

“Our focus is to put the state on the path of sustainable development, hence we are rebuilding all the sectors namely education, health, sports, roads, agriculture, creative industry, digital economy ,general infrastructure alongside women and youth focussed programmes and policies.

“I commend the State Assembly for prompt processing of the appropriation bill. I also laud my team for their cooperation with the various assembly committees in the budgetary process.

“We will ensure implementation as stipulated to reconstruct the society and ensure recovery of critical sectors”, the Governor noted while signing the bill into law.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor

osunstate.gov.ng 21/12/23

It has come to our notice some mischievous information being peddled on social media concerning the planned termination of the lease agreement between our company, Osun State Investment Company Limited, the owner of the Mega Station at Abere, Osun State and NNPCL
Osun State Investment Company Limited, a limited liability company set up under the Company and Allied Matters Act entered into a 10-year leasing agreement with NNPCL in 2018 for the running of the company’s newly built Mega Station at Abere.

The new management of the company, in line with best practices did a general review of the businesses and all contractual agreements considering the poor state of the business and to shore up the revenue base.

This is how we discovered to our dismay that the leasing contractual agreements done was lopsided in favour of the Lesee and our company at a financial disadvantage. It’s like the notorious P&ID contract.

Those that did the agreement from our side must have agreed to the poor terms for reasons best known to them but definitely not in the interest of either the company, state or the citizens.

Very ridiculous money was paid for the ten years’ leasing, with NOTHING coming to the company either monthly or annually. And out of this paltry sum, OSICOL is still the one paying the annual insurance on the property.

The mega station is also poorly operated as they hardly have petrol to sell to the people. Most times, sales are done through one pump with long queues of buyers.

After our letter, as expected, the local management of NNPC had a meeting with us and promised to have a second look at the agreement and come up with favorable terms that would ensure a win-win situation between the two organisations.

So, the issue of selling is in the figment of the imagination of the social media servants of those that have been exploiting our organisation in the past five years.

Those that benefited from the previous terms are the ones that are jittery and paying for this campaign of calumny.

E-Signed
Taofik Kolawole Alimi
Managing Director
Osun State Investment Company
(Subsidiary of Omoluabi Holdings Limited)
December 20th, 2023.

Osogbo. osunstate.gov.ng 27:11:2023

OSOGBO – 26/11/2023 – Osunstate.gv.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared that his administration surpassed the annual good governance target it set while assuming office in November 27, 2022.

The Governor made this assertion in a special interview granted to some journalists before embarking on a working vacation.

“When I assumed office, we had benchmarks and deliverables according to each sectors. Our team sets milestones to achieve in health, education, infrastructures, ICT, agriculture, youth, women among others. I looked back and I can tell you we performed beyond our plans.

The opposition APC is still nursing the wound of their electoral defeat. So the party is ashamed to see the positive changes we are recording in the state. Our achievements are there for all to see.

“In the road sector, we reconstructed a total of 90 kilometers of roads with another 45 kilometers ongoing. We completed key intercity roads like the Ikirun-Osogbo road while Iwo-Osogbo is ongoing. We completely rehabilitated 31 schools with another 31 in the pipelines. We built 332 water projects while major water works at Iwo, Ede, Osogbo, Eko ende are under rehabilitation.

“We focused on the health sector through Imole medical outreach which provides immediate surgeries with over 50 000 beneficiaries so far. We address welfare needs of doctors and we have selected 345 health centers in the state for complete rehabilitation.

“In science and technology, we introduced a digital economy agenda with new ICT and tech innovations policies. We developed a bill to domesticate the Nigeria Startup Act and launched programmes to deepen internet penetration of the state through broadband fiber optic projects.

“I reformed the public service by ensuring professionalism. I launched a phased payment of inherited pension and half salary debt. I just enrolled all pensioners in the health insurance scheme. We have done a lot in just under one year.

“I am repositioning the tourism sector into a tourism and cultural industry. A lot of work is ongoing into raising the sector as a major revenue source for Osun state. In my advocacy for positive change, I’ve emphasized the power of entertainment. Our administration is actively creating an environment for the thriving of our creatives.

“The sport sector is undergoing major reform. We are setting up a sports commission and expanding into other games beyond football. In agriculture, we are working on the establishment of agric processing zones as well as further support for mechanization of farming in the state. And of course, we have restored the local government system with elections to hold in a year or so. Grassroot government is now ongoing.

“For the mining sector , like I recently stated, we are recording an increase in revenue generation. Accumulated service charges on our licenses have been cleared. We are at the tail end of upgrading our exploration leases to mining leases. We are now operating an environmentally friendly operation. EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and EMP ( Environmental management plan) is now a must before mining operation”, the Governor noted in the interview.

While thanking the people of Osun state for their support and prayers, Governor Adeleke assured them of his steadfast commitment to deliver on his five point agenda , adding “Osun is on the path of sustainable growth and development.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

OSOGBO – 16/11/2023 – osunstate.gov.ng

The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Osun State,Mr Wole Jimi-Bada has cleared Governor Ademola Adeleke of involvement in the stepping aside of Mrs Adepele Ojo, which was predicated on a petition that prompted her being ask to step aside from office.

In a statement issued on Thursday evening, the Commissioner narrated that a strongly worded petition was sent to the State Judicial Service Commission and the State House of Assembly, which lead to the hearing and eventual resolution of the State House of Assembly to ask the the Chief Judge to step aside.

The House further launched investigation into the allegation contained in the said petition and even summoned the Chief Judge to appear before its investigative committee.

As part of its investigation, the House passed a resolution recommending that the State Governor should ask the Chief Judge to step aside and appoint an acting Chief Judge pending the outcome of the investigation by both the House of Assembly and the NJC to which the matter has been referred.

As the Governor believes so much in due process, rule of law and fear of God, he approved the recommendation with a caveat that if the Chief Judge is found to be innocent, she should return to her position.

According to the Commissioner, Governor Adeleke only acted to ensure that there is no vacuum by appointing an acting Chief Judge as a temporary measure.

We want to assert that the Governor was not the writer of the petition nor is the Governor the retinue of persons who provided multiple evidence as regards the conduct of the Chief Judge, as contained in the petition.

By appointing an acting Chief Judge, the Governor only acted to ensure there is no vacuum and there is no tampering with potential evidence while the investigation lasted.

Signed
Hon Wole Bada,
Hon Commissioner for Justice/Attorney General

OSOGBO– 15/11/2023– osunstate.gov.ng

Osun State Government has lambasted the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for the misconceived notion on the running of the state owned institution, Osun State University, (UNIOSUN), saying the rudderless opposition cannot pretend to be what it is not.
The Government notes with disgust the mischief that the position of the Osun APC on UNIOSUN clearly portrayed, recalling the huge neglect that education sector, particularly UNIOSUN suffered throughout the ruinous years of the APC led administration in Osun state.

We are quick to note that UNIOSUN was left in a shambolic and ruinous positions by the APC administration to the point that it had no capital project or meaningful interventions over the years, which obviously weighed negatively on the growth of the institution, until the intervention of God sent administration of His Excellency, Senstor Ademola Adeleke.

We are using this medium to quickly cast the mind of the general public to the open admission of the Vice Chancellor of UNIOSUN, Professor Clement Odunayo, on the intervention of the Adeleke administration in the institution, resulting in the completion of many impactful projects for the university community within a short period of time.
With this open acknowledgement of no less a person than the Uniosun Vice Chancellor, we are particularly irked and benumbed by the toothless APC misgiving regarding this citadel of learning as it invested no dime on in it since 2010.
The only visible infrastructures in UNIOSUN were either those erected at the point of commencement or those solely sponsored by the TETFUND.

Yet, the APC that made no contribution whatsoever in that school is accusing the Adeleke administration of taking steps that would have negative bearing on the institution.
The public is already in the know that APC as a political party is composed of nothing but irredentism that no right thinking person should take serious.
We want to ,therefore,affirm the commitment of the Adeleke administration to giving the needed support, not just to UNIOSUN, but all other public institutions owned by the state. We also want to assure the general public, particularly the good people of Osun state , that this administration will not trade their interests as the APC did in the case of LAUTECH University and still not account for whatever come from such ignoble act.

Signed:
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment.

OSOGBO- 15/11/2023 – osunstate.gov.ng

The attention of the Osun State Government has been drawn to a doctored video being circulated on social media by agents of the opposition and fake news peddlers.

Governor Ademola Adeleke and Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II enjoy the best of relations as evident by the cordial exchange of pleasantries at the Palace of Osemawe of Ondo at the coronation of Senator Olubiyi Ajagunla.

We are by this medium appealing to members of the public to disregard the doctored video in its entirety while we have uploaded the original videos for public consumption.

Signed:
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment.