Assumption of office: Adeleke kicks off, freezes Osun Govt accounts
…Reverses Aregbegola’s ‘State of Osun’ slogan
…Vows to strengthen State’s security architecture
…Boost wealth creation, job opportunities, food security through agricultural reforms
…Laments State bottom national educational ratings
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, following his swearing-in on Sunday kicked off with an order freezing all government accounts with banks and other financial institutions.
Adeleke, gave the executive order on Sunday during his inaugural speech, shortly after he was sworn in as the sixth Governor of the State alongside his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Adepele Ojo at the Osogbo Township Stadium.
He also reversed the policies of the fourth executive governor of the state and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola which recognised Osun State as State of Osun.
He noted that the slogan of the State will remain ‘State of Living Spring.’
The Governor said his government will constitute a panel that would review all appointments and major decisions of the immediate past administration taken after the 17th July, 2022.
He said, “I hereby issue the following directives which will be backed up with appropriate Executive orders; immediate freezing of all government accounts in banks and other financial institutions; immediate establishment of a panel to carry out an inventory and recover of all government assets.”
He, however, vowed to strengthen the security architecture of the state by ensuring operational linkage between local hunters and the Amotekun Corps.
“The Amotekun Corps will be strengthened while our administration will ensure operational linkage between local hunters and the Amotekun Corps. A ‘Know Your Neighbour’ security initiative will be implemented. By the grace of God, very soon, Osun will return to its old nature of being a haven of peace,” he said
The Governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for allowing a conducive atmosphere for a peaceful, free and fair governorship election in Osun state.
Speaking on agenda of his government, he said, “We regard as critical the need to boost wealth creation, job opportunities and food security through innovative agricultural reforms covering all the agricultural value chains.
“Aside the introduction of modern agricultural practices, we will shift attention to agriculture for export to take advantage of global markets. While we target agriculture export earnings, we will establish modern farmers’ markets where producers and off takers can transact businesses.
“It is disheartening to see our State at the bottom of the national educational ratings especially in public primary and secondary schools examinations.
“My administration will launch reform with direct focus on improvement of learning environment and outcome. Our target is to reverse the poor performance of students in public examinations within the next few years.
“To achieve this target, we will prioritise in-service training and welfare of teachers, enhancement of school environment, entrenchment of discipline in the school system as well as involvement of the Parents-Teachers Association in our school administration system. Our administration will soon convene an emergency Education Conference to articulate our blueprint on the restoration of the state’s education glory.
“Women and youths are important segments in our development programme. I had earlier set up a youth advisory council which has produced an impressive blueprint for youth development in Osun State.
“I plan to ensure speedy implementation of their recommendations. More importantly, let me assure our women that our administration will be gender–sensitive in all appointments.”
This is just as he has appointed Mr. Kassim Akinleye as the Chief of Staff to the Governor and Mr. Teslim Igbalaye as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Mallam Rasheed Olawale as the Spokesperson to the Governor; all with immediate effect.
