Adeleke’s mid-term stewardship: From outrage to upgrade
By Jeleel Olawale
When Senator Ademola Adeleke was inaugurated as the 6th Executive Governor of Osun State on November 27, 2022, there was scepticism that the governor may not perform in governance as many see him as a dancing senator, which he is known for.
It is the belief of many that he may not surpass his predecessors’ achievements and understanding the art of governance, that governance is not a tea party affair. But the governor surprised his adversaries through his unsurprising achievements.
The outlook of things was uninspiring that only a few people gave him a chance of turning things around for the better, alleviating the pains of the people and setting the state on the course of meaningful development.
In the past 24 months, the Governor has surpassed the expectations of critics, delivering on many areas that are hitherto seen as impossible, transforming not just the infrastructural landscape of the state, but also the lives of the people.
From road constructions across the state, to building bridges, enhancing medical access to improved welfare of the people, Governor Adeleke has demonstrated an outstanding delivery in governance in the last two years, putting the state on the path of enviable progress.
Governor Adeleke’s incredible approach to governance and tireless efforts in transforming Osun state has successfully steered the state to the path of unprecedented progress and contributing meaningfully to the lives of residents.
Upon assumption of office, Governor Adeleke initiated the Imole Surgical and Medical Outreach to provide immediate reprieve to the people suffering various health challenges. No fewer than 50,000 residents of the state have benefited from this initiative, contributing significantly to a healthy population.
Adeleke rehabilitated 345 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in the state. The intervention, which is ongoing, has delivered at least 200 rehabilitated PHCs with the installation of a 24/7 power source and water facility, and the balance of 145 PHCs are undergoing rehabilitation.
The Governor may have finally found the key to resolving the challenges faced by small scale businesses in the state in accessing credit. In two years, life has been breathed into cooperative societies in the state, making it possible for them to bridge the wide gap in accessing credit by businesses.
The Governor created the Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment on July 19, 2023. This was followed by the renovation and upgrade of the structures of Osun State Cooperative College in Ode-Omu, Ayedaade local government.
The Ministry has disbursed N550 million credit to ward cooperatives in the 332 wards in the state, benefiting a total of 11,952 individuals. Another N450 million revolving loan was disbursed to conventional registered cooperative societies in the state under Federation of Osun State Cooperatives Limited (FOSCOOP).
A total number of one hundred and forty-two (142), cooperative societies have benefited so far. Osun indigenes in Abuja and other parts of the North got N50 million credit support to be utilised for their various businesses.
The governor has built a total of 631 classrooms with offices in 125 basic schools and has been rehabilitated while 323 new classrooms with offices, hall and laboratories in 96 basic schools have been built.
In order to fill vacancies in public schools in the state, the Adeleke administration set out to recruit 5000 teachers on need-based assessment and successful candidates would soon receive letters of engagement.
In tertiary institutions, Governor Adeleke funded the completion of a 52 office complex, making him the first Governor since 2011 to execute a project in the institution of learning. He approved the engagement of over two hundred and thirty (230) temporary staff from the defunct College of Education, Ilesa, to permanent staff at the UNILESA.
Adeleke administration has built more than 90 kms of road with more than 100km more roads at various stages of completion. In addition to this is the construction of overhead bridges in strategic locations and dual carriages to improve connectivity and drive economic growth.
Notable of the infrastructural projects embarked upon by the Adeleke administration is the 10-span Oke-Fia overhead bridge, which will connect with the Old Garage-Lameco dual carriage road in Osogbo, the state capital. In Ile-Ife, Governor Adeleke is building the first ever overhead bridge in the cradle of Yoruba civilisation, with some road features that will link the Oni of Ife palace just as the Ilesa.
Governor Adeleke unveiled 31 new tractors acquired by the State Government in its effort to ease farming operations in the state. Through the Osun CARES RA2, a total of 8,060 farmers have received agricultural inputs and services, out of which 3,972 were females and 4,088 were males.
The inputs distributed consists of improved seed varieties, fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides among others. In two years, at least 80,000 hybrid cashew seedlings were raised and distributed to Osun farmers just as poultry farmers were empowered with several millions of naira through the Osun Broiler Outgrowers Production Scheme.
Governor Adeleke implemented the installation of a motorized borehole in each of the wards in Osun state, making a total of 332 motorized boreholes in the state.
On power project, the governor flagged off the relocation and construction of Obokun 33kv Feeder Line will surely improve the socio-economic activities of the four affected Local Governments namely: part of Ilesa West, Atakumosa West, 95% of Obokun Local Government Area and Igbajo in Boluwaduro Local Government of Osun Central.
Adeleke made the welfare of workers and pensioners the first on his list of priority. Barely two months after assuming office, Governor Adeleke outlined plans by his administration to offset the 30 months half salary owed by the previous administration.
The Governor had paid seven months out of the 30 months, signaling commitment to pay the rest within the highlighted timeframe. Within twenty-four months, he has released over N16 billion in bond to pensioners on the contributory pension scheme, an amount that is by far greater than the about N12 billion that the two successive administrations of the APC released in twelve (12) years.
The Adeleke administration also expended a total of N2.74 billion on the payment of wage awards to public workers and pensioners, underscoring commitment to their welfare.
In addition to clearing salaries owed by the previous government, Governor Adeleke in April 2023 affected the cash backing of promotions done by the past administration.
Speaking on the midterm stewardship of Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Cooperatives and Empowerment, Hon. Durojaye Isaac, said the achievements of the governor within two years are equivalent to four years.
He noted that all these are achieved without borrowing a dime to execute the laudable projects of the present administration, adding that the governor has delivered his five-point agenda to the people of the state.
“Before the end of the governor’s first term, Osun will become the toast of other states. The governor has recorded a significant milestone in the history of the state,” he declared.
