Today, the blind can see, the deaf can hear, and the crippled is jumping up joy over Adeleke’s steller performance
Exactly this day, in 2022, Senator Ademola Adeleke was sworn in as the sixth executive Governor of Osun state after defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) Goyega Oyetola who was seeking a second term.
At start, it was a rough path for Governor Adeleke who had earlier, controversially, lost the Governorship to Oyetola during the first contest. As expected in a democracy, the opposition gave him sleepless nights as virtually all programmes and policies he embarked upon were faulted, making the people to be doubting whether they’ve not entered a one chance vehicle.
Not deterred by the mirage of criticisms from opposition, the Ede-born politician from the popular Adeleke family, whose father, uncle had earlier played similar role in the past forged ahead.
Today, the blind can see in Osun, the deaf do hear while the lame is jumping up for joy. From the provision of infrastructure, to regular payment of salaries, gratuity to pensioners and respect for the traditional institution, Governor Adeleke has cut an image of an achiever who is in politics to make the people happy.
As part of activities to commemorate his administration’s mid term, Adeleke distributed cheques worth N1.9 Billion to retired Civil Servants in Osun State.
Elated Adeleke declared at the ceremony that “Today, we are gathered here for the distribution of bond cheques to our contributory pensioners.
“As part of our determination to settle pension indebtedness, today we are paying out a total sum of One Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eight Seven Naira (N1,999, 908,887.33). This is a combination for both state and local governments.
“I am happy to inform our senior citizens and the general public about what each administration from former Governor Rauf Aregbesola to date has paid in the pension sector.
“Former Governor Aregbesola’s payment as at 2018 was a total sum of Seventeen Billion, One Hundred and Fifty Two Million, Six Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty One Naira (N17,152,662,351.26).
“Former Governor Oyetola’s payment as at 2022 was a total sum of Seventeen Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty Five Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eight Naira (N17,255,424,708.51).
“The total for the two previous administrations under a 12 year period was Thirty Four Billion, Four Hundred and Eight Million, Eighty Seven Thousand and Fifty Naira Naira ( N34,408,087,059.77)
“For our administration in the last two years plus what we are paying out today, the total payment is the sum of Twenty Two Billion, Six Hundred Seventy One Million, Two Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety Three Naira (N22,671,217,893.24). While for local government pension stand at N25 billion. Making out payment in two years to over N47 billion.
“Our administration paid almost 70 percent within two years of what the former APC administration paid in 12 years.
“We added a life changing policy, the enrolment of pensioners in the health insurance scheme. This has eased access to health care for our senior citizens. Our love, care and support for pensioners is therefore not a political gimmick. It is about doing the right thing.
It was celebration galore for the physically challenged persons in the state that thronged venue of the commissioning of the roundabout in Osogbo as they came to display wheel chairs distributed for them to enhance their mobility.
Various groups were at the ceremony to praise Governor Adeleke for the two years feat of his administration. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who commissioned the project promised to continue to give support for the administration as long as it continues to meet People’s expectations.
Obasanjo pointed out that “Despite that he is dancing, he concentrates on his duties as Governor, which has made him to perform more than his predecessors within two years. I will continue to support you.”
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues at the sixth Senate that graced the occasion, Dino Melaye who sang praises in honour of the governor, noted with satisfaction the development strides in Osun state since assumption of Adeleke as Governor.
The administration has also moved to approved the new minimum wage for civil servants in the state with a promise to them to always be a workers’ friendly governor.
In a broadcast to mark the second year anniversary on Wednesday, Governor Adeleke stated that ” I am aware of what Osun was before I took over. Bad roads, dilapidated structure, flaw education, agriculture and commerce. There was a deep gap between the leadership and people.”
In the area of health, the administration has been able to make people have access to health with the provision of bore holes and solar powered lights to 212 health Centres, while emphasis is now on the six general hospitals.
To encourage mechanized farming in the state, 31 tractors have been purchased by the administration in addition to provision of farm inputs for farmers. The administration plans to bring back the farm settlements while youth agro preneur will soon come up.
The new University in Ilesa has been assisted to fully take off while the one in Osogbo is enjoying work on four new projects ongoing.
The governor disclosed that not less than 120 kilometers of road have been completed. He made a revelation that since the administration started, it has not borrowed any form of loan. “What we do is that we block leakages, and explore local content in executing projects. All contractors inherited from previous administration are still in site.”
On plans for the remaining two years, Governor Adeleke stated that “we plan to complete all ongoing projects, address needs of our people by reopening consultations with them.”
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