CONVOCATION SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF OSUN STATE AND VISITOR TO OSUN STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY, ESA-OKE, AT THE 8TH COMBINED CONVOCATION ON THURSDAY 12TH DECEMBER 2024.
Category: Government
Amidst dancing and singing among Otan Ayegbaju and Iresi people of Boluwaduro local government of Osun Central, Governor Ademola Adeleke today commissioned the intercity road between the two towns, breaking a 44 years’ jinx of abandonment.
TEXT OF A SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE REHABILITATED COOPERATIVE COLLEGE, ODEOMU TODAY DECEMBER 11, 2024
OSOGBO – 09/12/3024 – osunstate.gov.n
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, Nigeria has congratulated the newly elected president of Ghana, John Mahama, describing him as “a true democrat and a genuine friend of Nigeria”
Governor Adeleke in a statement on Monday said since his path crossed that of the new Ghanaian leader, “we have been sharing deep thoughts about the true essence of democracy and the imperative of respect for people’s will as the bedrock of virile democratic state.
“All through his days in the opposition, he adopted the best of democratic model with unbending faith in the capacity of voters to decide and the necessity of the system to accept the voters’ will as expressed without any equivocation. His faith in the electorate amidst hard work of electioneering campaigns paid off with a resounding victory at the polls.
“I further commend the ruling party for conceding defeat without attempting any electoral hijack. This was a demonstration of electoral maturity worthy of emulation by actors within the Nigerian space.
“I rejoice with my dear brother as our dreams come true by the grace of God and the people. As he prepares to return to the State House, I have no doubt that he will take Ghana to greater heights.
“I call for a closer, more robust relationship between Nigeria and Ghana. Both countries must deepen cooperation under mutual respect and opportunities. Our brotherly relationship should extend to the subnational level for the benefits of citizens and residents of our dear nations”, Governor Adeleke was quoted as saying.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.
OSOGBO -20/10/2024 – osunstate.gov.ng
Osun State Government has again debunked fake news being peddled by the opposition alleging that Governor Ademola Adeleke is collecting security votes, asserting once again that the Governor is not, has and will not collect security votes in line with his avowed declaration on assumption of office.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi made the clarification in a statement on Sunday, explaining that the opposition is spreading falsehood because it has no hole to pick in the superlative performance of the state governor.
According to the Commissioner, the opposition is either ignorant or mischievous by deliberately misinterpreting state spending to support security operations and services by security agencies such as the police, Department of State Services among others.
“The state government statutorily supports security agencies when they conduct security operations on a regular basis such as quelling communal violence, joint security operations in troubled spots as well as deployment during mass demonstrations.
“Such expenditures are formally accounted for in line with the due approval process. The state support in such situations are referred to as expenditure for security services as different from the concept of security vote which does not pass through formal due approval process.
“The opposition needs to be educated that there are differences between security votes and security services. Security votes are widely known as slush funds expended at the discretion of the Chief Executive without passing through formal accountability and due processes.
“In Osun state, Governor Adeleke is not, has not and will not take such security votes. Mr Governor is however committed to supporting the security agencies with their logistics needs under security services expenditure which are fully applied for and processed through the office of Special Adviser to the Governor on Security matters.
The present administration in Osun State therefore wishes to state, emphatically that, Governor Adeleke approves funds to address security issues only when occasion demands for such and there are always record to justify such expenditure as opposed to being latched on as a free money to be expended at will by any sitting Governor as was the tradition with the past administration.
It must be stated that in his almost two years old administration, Mr Governor’s probity and accountability is remarkably unbeatable in the history of Osun State and by extension, in the Nigerian federation.
While the present administration wishes to state for the umpteenth time, that it is not averse to being criticized constructively when the need arises by the right and unbiased free minded members of the public, it is however, incongruent for a person or group of persons to throw cautions to the wind in going about it as exemplified by some opposition operatives.
E Signed
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi
Honourable commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment.
PROTOCOLS
It is with gratitude to God and the universe that I warmly welcome you to this commissioning event. This is another key milestone in our administration’s drive to upgrade the capital city of Osun State.
I appreciate the presence of my dear brother, Governor Seyi Makinde, to witness the outcome of good governance in the state of the living spring. Today’s gathering is another manifestation of the strong bond of brotherhood between Oyo and Osun states. Your Excellency, welcome to the cradle of Yoruba race, Osun state.
I must also pay tribute to my brother, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola. His administration started the Osogbo Ring Road project before it was abandoned by the previous government. Today, Ogbeni Aregbesola must be happy at the final completion of the project.
At the inception of our administration, I had promised my God and the people of Osun state that I would not abandon projects inherited from my predecessors. It is my considered view that public projects are public assets which must not be wasted on the altar of political vendetta. I followed my conviction by directing my team to compile a list of all abandoned projects and submit a plan of completion.
Based on the plan of action, our administration has completed several projects across the sectors. In under 100 days, we completed the Osogbo – Ikirun road dualisation with full solar street lights. It has been open to use since then. We expanded the inherited reconstruction of Iwo – Osogbo road to include dualisation of a major internal road inside Iwo. We completed several abandoned projects inside Osun State University including the one at Isale Osun which was neglected for almost eleven years.
Aside from our resolve to complete inherited projects, the road we are about to commission has important significance for the economic well being and safety of our people. Before our assumption of office, we had reports of multiple fatal accidents and traffic gridlock on this road. Many voters actually demanded completion of the road during our electioneering campaign.
I thank God that today we fulfill our promises to the people of our dear State. The completion of the dualisation within record time has expanded economic growth of the capital city. It will save our people from untimely death and injuries.
I must however advise against reckless driving and breaching of driving safety protocols. We are recording increasing accidents on many freshly completed roads due to over – speeding and one way driving. I appeal to road users to be safety conscious.
I am therefore directing security agencies and road safety authorities to enforce safety codes on our brand new roads. The Ministry of Works should also consider the possibility of constructing speed breakers where necessary. We must secure our people as we are providing better roads and services across the sectors.
As I earlier promised our people, the commissioning of several completed projects continues to mark our two years in office. From over 150 kilometers of completed roads, the commissioning crew moves to Iresi town next week to be followed by other towns.
I reassure Osun people that our administration will not relent in our desire to satisfy their developmental needs. We will not relent until our infrastructure is fixed and until collective prosperity is achieved in our dear state.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honour to invite my brother, Governor Seyi Makinde to commission this completed dualisation project.
I thank you for listening.
HE, GOVERNOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE,
DECEMBER 4TH, 2024.
OSOGBO – 31/10/2024 – osunstate.gov.ng
Governor Ademola Adeleke while chairing the Treasury Board meeting for the 2025 budget, has issued a strong admonition to Ministries and Agencies to sustain budget performance on all fronts.
Members of the Treasury Board include the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye; Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina; Attoney General/HCJustice and HC Finance; the Accountant General; Chairman of State Internal Revenue Service among others.
The Governor scrutinised proposals of various Agencies submitted through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
The State Governor noted that presentations by the agencies are encouraging but called for a more innovative approach to Revenue and Expenditure process and practice in line with the fiscal procedures and extent laws.
According to the State Governor, the real value of federation allocations to the state has dwindled despite the slight increase in the nominal value but to have a sustainable budget performance for the good of the citizens, political heads and accounting officers should think out of the box by emphasizing high priority projects and programmes.
“I task heads of ministries and agencies to focus on high priority projects. The resources are limited, and our needs are much. So we have to balance both ends by avoiding frivolous programmes and emphasizing areas promoting the five point agenda of this administration.
“You are to conduct full due diligence on your various sectors and programmes. Revenue generation must be driven with vigour but with a human face. Value for money is also key in state expenditure”, the State Governor charged the various ministries and agencies led by the Commissioners and Special Advisers.
Earlier in his presentation, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Moruf Ademola Adeleke assured that the report of the Treasury Board will be submitted to the State Executive Council for approval as a draft budget for presentation to the State Assembly.
He informed the Governor and other state officials that the budgetary process is on schedule to meet the timeline for final processing and approval by both the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly.
Sectors already covered by the Treasury Board meetings include Education, Solid minerals and infrastructure sectors. The board sitting continues today with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Yetunde Esan, coordinating the process
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.
By Sarafa Ibrahim
On Monday, something remarkable that will change the trajectory of Osun finances forever happened. The Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed announced that Thor Exploration Limited, the parent company of Segilola Gold Project, has conceded to the plank of the Osun State Government dispute with it and that Governor Ademola Adeleke will soon be “hosting the federal meditation team for the formal presentation of the share certificate to the state government..”
It is a cheering news because this is a victory not just for today but also the future. However, this victory did not come easy, and in fact, was possible basically because of the character of Governor Adeleke, who chooses not his personal benefit, but the collective interest of the entirety of Osun people. This was the highlight of the Governor’s message that was conveyed by Mallam Rasheed.
“Our dedication not to do under the table deal with Thors Explorations has paid off. From the beginning, I said I don’t want gold bars for myself or my family, I want Osun shares as asset of the state and that the taxes be paid into her treasury,” Governor Adeleke noted. What Governor Adeleke clearly indicated, is unusual, and indeed, will leave many, especially those who are conversant with Nigerian politicians attitude to collective interest of the people, speechless.
But the thing with Governor Adeleke is that, he is different, and this truth about him continues to manifest in all his conducts since assuming office nearly two years ago. While some other interest holders settled for “cash and smelter during the acquisition by Thors”, Governor Adeleke chose the side of the people, fighting fiercely to ensure that Osun is not cheated of what actually belongs to it.
That was a resolve from Governor Adeleke and a moment, I tried to picture what the scenario would have been if someone other than him is seating in the state’s top seat at a time like this. Just imagine a Governor who prioritizes personal benefit was presented with an opportunity to look the other way and maneuver the system to fill his own pocket at the detriment of the people.
Your guess is as good as mine. Segilola Gold Project is a multi-billion investment and a 5% stake is a whole lot, and the benefit will extend beyond the administration of Governor Adeleke. This is why I could not understand what the main opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, was thinking when it chose the side of a firm that tries to deny Osun what belongs to it.
This can never be politics because what Governor was fighting for was not for himself but the Osun people. Infact, the question that must agitate minds would be that what could the outcome had been if Governor Adeleke was not the Governor. And, if the past should be the guide, the outcome is better not imagined because it will be unpleasant.
By all measures, Governor Adeleke has done well and history will be kind to him. This is not just because he retrieved Osun shares in Segilola Gold Project, but also demonstrating the immense benefits that comes with having the right leadership. Governor Adeleke did not just press for Osun to get its due financial entitlements from the firm, he was critical about pollution caused by mining activities, which undermines the environment.
“We will submit our environmental inspection report. We will show the world that even a billion dollar cannot achieve the remediation and rehabilitation of our damaged environment. It is actually worrisome that an internationally quoted mining company will neglect and attempt to evade the care for environment it violated,” Governor Adeleke noted.
For quite sometime now, there has been concerns on the environmental impact that the operation of Segilola Gold Project has on the people. In a 2022 report, Aljazeera provided an idea on how deep the problem is, quoting Anthony Adejuwon, head of Osogbo-based civic advocacy group Urban Alert as noting that “In Osun, the contamination is through water which flows through communities with over two million people.” The paper added that separate physiochemical test conducted by it and Urban Alert on water samples on the area revealed the presence of high levels of heavy materials.
By making the protection of the environment a core of his objective, Governor Adeleke is making sure that natural resources doesn’t turn to harm the people. That is the purpose of leadership and Governor Adeleke is showing not to only understand this, but also working towards that direction.
● Sarafa Ibrahim is a Special Assistant to the Osun State Governor on Print Media and writes from Osogbo, Osun State
OSOGBO- 21/10/2024 -Osunstate.gov.ng
Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to ban heavy duty trucks from plying the Olaiya bridge at the state capital, citing safety reasons arising from the technical reports on the state of the bridge.
The Governor who presided over a security council meeting at Osogbo said the decision became necessary to protect the bridge from possible collapse and avoid untoward happenings with continuous passage by heavy trucks.
Describing the decision as a preemptive step, Governor Adeleke said the Ministry should erect barricades across the bridge to allow only cars and buses to ply through the road.
As a step towards implementing the directive, the Governor also instructed the Ministry to issue a travel advisory with radio jingles to sensitize members of the public and the transport ecosystem.
The Governor assured the public that the decision was taken to protect the public and state assets while a long lasting review of the technical status of the bridge is being conducted by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.
OSOGBO- 13/10/2024 – Osunstate.gov.ng
Several diaspora groups have described the mining reforms and other good governance initiatives of Governor Ademola Adeleke as “impressive” and “unprecedented” since the creation of Osun State.
The Governor who was on transit to Nigeria in the United Kingdom after attending a livestock conference in Northern France hosted several leaders and indegenes of Osun in London with many listing several sectors for which the Governor has placed the state on global map of good governance.
A group called Osun UK. Professionals led by Bimbo Adekemi expressed surprise at the fast pace at which the Governor is pursuing infrastructure upgrade across the state at a time of tight economic situation across Nigeria.
The group noted that pursuing infra upgrade is a smart way of jumpstarting the local economy and ease environment of doing business to attract investment into the state.
The group particularly commended the courage of Governor Adeleke for demanding Osun’s rights from mining companies operating in the state, citing ongoing faceoff with Thors Explorations Limited as “a courageous move by selfless leader.
“We note the demand notice on the Thors Explorations as a bold move by a state Governor. Where others pursue under the table deals, Governor Adeleke is seeking due payments into the coffer of Osun state. This is about the first time we will see a Governor not asking for gold bars from mining companies but is seeking validation of state shareholding, payment of PAYE as demanded by law and calling out mining firms on degradation of the environment.
“We salute the courage of Mr Governor in his drive to secure state economic assets. Please don’t give up in your multiple efforts to deliver good governance. Many of us here are encouraged to look back home for home bound investment”, Mrs Adekemi noted.
Another group, named Osun UK Royal Group led by Timileyin Oluyemi Ajayi from Ijesaland said Governor Adeleke has raised the hope of many Osun indigenes in Europe by his delivery of good programmes in digital economy, health, education, agriculture, climate change and infrastructure.
“Your Excellency, we praise your commitment to public service and your visionary approach to governance. We read all you are doing and our members visited home and also came back with reports of your touching so many areas , towns and villages. We are proud to call ourselves Osun indigenes.
“You have given Osun new tech policy, new energy policy, new procurement policy, new cocoa and cashew initiatives among others. You are doing so much in empowerment and cooperatives with billions being disbursed to grassroots businesses and artisans.
“You are paying billions of naira in pension and salary debts. Workers welfare is a priority areas you have delivered so excellently well. To imagine you have done so much under less than two years is an amazing testimony. We will head home to register to vote ahead of the 2026 governorship election, Prince Oluyemi posited on behalf of the group.
While receiving the various Osun indegenes in London, Governor Adeleke expressed delight at the positive feedback from the diaspora community, assuring that his administration is poised to do more in service of the people.
Describing his main goal as selfless service, Governor Adeleke repeated that leadership is about service and that he is running a race to uplift Osun and her people as quickly as possible.
“We are less than two years in office. We are running a good governance race. I seek to deliver a four year plan within less than alloted time. The reason is Osun demands urgent actions to fill in the massive developmental gap.
“We need you to join hands with us. Be agents of development by marketing Osun in the diaspora. Set up your business at home. Give back to the community. I promise to ramp up delivery of programmes and projects even as we near two years in office by November 27”, the Governor was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke has since returned to Nigeria.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke