Newly-sworn in governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has admitted that the challenges ahead of him are enormous and daunting, but assured that he will be devoted to the welfare and security of the people.
He said this during his inauguration, on Sunday, just as he declared that he will be the governor of all indigenes of the state, irrespective of religious creed or political party affiliations.
Governor Adeleke said he would need the support and cooperation of everyone to turn his “grand vision” for the state into a reality and also extended a hand of fellowship to the other two arms of government, saying he appreciate the importance of collaboration among the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.
“Today, I stand on the podium of history with a sacred pledge to God and the good people of Osun State that my intellect, passion and strength will be devoted to nothing but the welfare, peace and security of our people.
“As I accept the mantle of leadership entrusted upon me by the people of our dear state, I am conscious of the enormous challenges and responsibilities ahead of me and will, beginning from this hour, work day and night with deep sense of purpose to be a servant to you all.
“Our gathering here to witness the materialisation of a new era is not an accident of history. We are all programmed by the Almighty God to be what we have been, what we are and what we will be in future.
“I am well aware of the fact that my responsibility as the Governor and Chief Security Officer of Osun State entails meeting the legitimate expectations of our people.
“Therefore, I promise that those expectations of the workers, traders, artisans, farmers, business owners, students, pensioners, traditional and religious leaders and, indeed, all residents of Osun State will be met by the grace of God and the cooperation of everyone.
“I call on all political parties to unite in the best interest of the state. Election is over. Now is the time for governance. We are open to fresh ideas in line with our manifesto.
“For the purpose of emphasis, I will be a governor for all Osun people, regardless of differences in language, faith, political affiliation or any other considerations.
“Your governor will be a people’s governor. I will be accessible, responsive, consultative and proactive in handling small and big matters of state governance.
“I know that as a product of the collective will of you my people, there is a heavy weight of history on my shoulders and I accept the urgency of your expectations, the depth of your aspirations and your conviction in me to build a better state,” Governor Adeleke said.
The new helmsman in Osun State however did not hide the fact that he will step on toes as he declared: “Under my watch as the governor of Osun State, I will boldly correct all past injustices, corrupt acts or policies by any previous administration which are against the collective interest of our people.
“Let me state here that from the education, health, mining sector, agriculture, road infrastructure and supply of portable water, let it be known to all that it is no longer going to be business as usual. And I repeat, it is no longer business as usual.
“Our administration will demonstrate a high sense of urgency, transparency, justice and innovation to tackle and solve the problems of poverty, illiteracy, disease, and poor infrastructure,” he said.
He said his development agenda for Osun State would be based on the five-point agenda his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), used to campaign for the 2022 governorship election in the state.
These, he said, included welfare of workers and pensioners; boosting the state’s economy; home-grown infrastructure policy; people-focused policy on education, affordable health care, security and social welfare; and agro-based industrialisation for wealth and job creation.
Adeleke said his policy direction would be focused on priotising education, agro-industrial development, tourism, women and youth development, health, climate change, ICT development, local government reforms, restoring integrity of the civil/public service and security.
Governor Adeleke also emphatically declared that he will reverse some last-minute appointments and official decisions made by his predecessor, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola.
“Let me therefore announce an immediate return to status quo of all fresh appointments, placements and other major decisions taken by the immediate past administration with effect from the 17th of July, 2022.
“I wish to assure all labour unions in the state of our administration’s willingness to protect workers interest and promote their welfare at all times. We will be a labour-friendly government,” he said.
He said: “My good people of Osun, since you elected me as your governor on the 16th of July 2022, which the INEC announced on July 17th 2022, the former governor, Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola, maliciously started putting road blocks to make things difficult and almost impossible for the new administration to serve you.
“Mass employment were carried out without budgetary provisions for salary payments for the new employees; even when the state was struggling to pay salaries and deliver other services.
“Various hurried and criminally backdated contracts were awarded and again without budgetary provisions. Appointments of several obas were hurriedly done without following due process, just to mention a few.
“All efforts to get the governor set up a transition committee and submit hand-over notes in line with best practices proved abortive.
“It is therefore my desire to ask for your patience and understanding to give my administration a few weeks to review and sort out all the actions and malicious confusions which the immediate past administration has created since July 17th 2022.
“Those actions were indeed vindictive measures against the people of Osun State for voting them out of office.”
Governor Adeleke consequently issues some directives which he said will be backed up with appropriate Executive Orders, including: “Iammediate freezing of all government accounts in banks and other financial institutions;
“Immediate establishment of a panel to carry out an inventory and recover all government assets; an immediate establishment of a panel to review all appointments and major decisions of the immediate past administration taken after 17 July, 2022 and;
“An immediate reversal to the constitutionally-recognised name of our state, Osun State. All government insignia, correspondences and signages should henceforth reflect Osun State, rather than State of Osun which is unknown to the Nigerian Constitution.”
