Adeleke’s one year in office, a testimony of good governance through cooperatives and empowerment
By Jeleel Olawale
Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Monday clocked one year in office as the 6th executive Governor of Osun State. Sen. Adeleke, whose triumphant entry into the political landscape of Osun State was miraculous.
His dynamic and visionary style of governing the state in the last one year in office is remarkable, especially his achievements in the State’s Cooperatives and Empowerment Ministry. Since he assumed office, the Governor has pursued a vigorous agenda aimed at transforming the lives of the good people of Osun State through various empowerment programmes and initiatives in the ministry.
Prior to this administration, Cooperatives and Empowerment sectors were mere departments under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It was Sen. Ademola Adeleke who, because of his interest in empowering the citizens, established a full-fledged Cooperatives and Empowerment Ministry, headed by Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe, the Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment.
Sen. Ademola Adeleke also appointed Hon. Durojaye Isaac as the Special Adviser to assist the Honourable Commissioner in fulfilling his mandate of using the ministry in reaching out to good people of Osun through the various empowerment programmes of his administration.
The Ministry has become a beacon of hope for the people of Osun State, focusing on poverty eradication, job creation, and economic growth. Through strategic planning, effective collaboration, and commitment to grassroots development, the ministry has made significant strides in achieving its set missions.
Some of the key accomplishments of the Ministry in the last one year, are the successful support given to various cooperative societies across the state. Recognising the potential of Cooperative Societies in fostering economic development, the Governor provided financial assistance, training, and infrastructure support to these Cooperatives. This has enabled them to thrive and contribute to the growth of the local economy.
In addition to engaging the existing Cooperatives, Governor Adeleke’s administration has also been supporting the establishment of new cooperatives geared towards reaching out to different segments of the society.
These initiatives range from agricultural cooperatives, aimed at empowering farmers with modern techniques and equipment, to women-led cooperatives, aimed at promoting gender equality and financial inclusion.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe said, the Governor’s focus on youth empowerment has led to the establishment of youth-oriented cooperatives focused on skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and mentorship.
He said the programme is not only targeted to empower young people with the necessary tools to become self-reliant but is also focused towards the reduction of youth unemployment in the state.
“Under the Cooperatives and Empowerment Ministry, extensive training programs and capacity-building workshops have been organised to impart essential business skills and financial literacy to cooperative members.
“Through these initiatives, beneficiaries have developed a strong entrepreneurial spirit, resulting in increased productivity and profitability.
“Governor’s commitment to development has brought about tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens by providing access to credit facilities and micro loans. The ministry has promoted economic growth at the grassroots level, allowing individuals and small businesses to flourish,” Ogungbangbe said.
The Commissioner posited that establishment of Cooperatives and Empowerment Ministry over the last few months within this first year reflects Senator Ademola Adeleke’s strong leadership, progressive vision, and dedication to improving the livelihoods of the people of Osun State, stressing that his unwavering commitment to Cooperatives and Empowerment has brought about positive change and renewed hope among the state’s residents.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Cooperatives and Empowerment, Hon. Durojaye Isaac commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for his vision of creating a Ministry such as the Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment, purposely aimed at using her in reaching out through various empowerment programs. This is a feat worthy to be emulated for successive administration to follow, said the Special Adviser.
He noted that as a result of the giant strides of the Governor in the Cooperative Sector, the Governor was recently awarded the “Most Outstanding Governor of the Year” by the Cooperative Rating and Award Society of Nigeria (CRASoN) in Lagos last weekend.
Durojaye affirmed the state government’s continued commitment to policy reforms, increased funding, and support for cooperative societies to further unlock their potential for socio-economic development.
He said under the Governor’s visionary leadership, numerous cooperative societies have thrived, leading to increase in economic participation, job creation, and improved living standards. “Cooperatives are an essential tool for empowering our people and fostering inclusive socio-economic development.”
Governor Adeleke’s decision to establish the Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment reflects his understanding of the significant impact that cooperative societies have on grassroot economy. This has boosted micro-credit and small scale businesses in the state.
The Governor has made an impact in the sector even as a new ministry. The citizens would soon smile home with palliatives of the state government and this would reduce the economic hardship occasioned by the subsidy removal by the federal government.
Truly, Sen. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has within the last one year started on a good note and hopefully, lives would be impacted and transformed using the ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment.
Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe and Hon. Durojaye Isaac therefore commended the Governor for his unwavering support towards good governance and delivering of dividends of democracy to the people of Osun State, urging him to continue his people oriented programmes and policies geared towards economic prosperity of the state.
