SPEECH OF HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR ADEMOLA JACKSON NURUDEEN ADELEKE AT THE 2ND EDITION OF IPADE HELD TODAY AT OBA ADEKUNLE AROMOLARAN EVENT CENTRE, ILESA
PROTOCOLS
I am elated to welcome leaders and representatives of the good people of Osun to this second edition of Ipade Imole. This is an accountability forum, an occasion for the elected to give account of our stewardship.
It is now approximately 16 months since I assumed office as your Governor. We are some months away from midterm. I am here to lay my records before you all and to listen to your feedback, your counsel and your alternative proposals.
I know people assembled here are representatives of our larger society. My charge to you all is to ensure delivery of our stewardship to your associations and bodies. I expect micro ‘Ipade Imole’ after this general ‘Ipade Imole’. I charge you to pass details of our deliberations here to members of your associations.
From the last Ipade Imole till date, a lot of accomplishments have been recorded by our administration. The implementation of our five point agenda is proceeding unabated. From infrastructure to the social sector, we are recording great advances.
The major plank of our policy design and implementation is continuity and expansion of inherited state assets. We have refused to abandon uncompleted projects inherited from the previous administration. We are not just completing such projects but we are expanding and adding value.
In our upholding of governance as a continuum, we initiated our landmark infra agenda alongside a multi-sector social investment programme. We have so far maintained a fair balance between what our people have come to regard as ‘stomach infrastructure’ and hard capital infrastructure. We have come to accept that as we build the road, we must intensify the strengthening of the body.
In all our governance activities so far, let it be known that we have never borrowed a kobo. This is in line with our pledge to govern.within our available resources as we manage the huge liabilities we inherited from the previous government. If anybody tells you this administration has borrowed money, tell the person he is a liar.
Additionally, I task us to ignore false labeling of the intentions of this administration. I am committed totally to equality of treatment and fairness to all segments of the state. Our programmes and appointments are designed without favoritism irrespective of which parts of the state you hail from. The facts and figures are out there to prove that our government is for all and sundry.
I also wish to restate our commitment to patronizing local contractors in line with our policy of local content. The agenda is to boost the local economy as noted in our five point agenda. We are convinced that Osun money should revolve within the Osun economy and the best tool to accomplish such is to ensure localisation in procurement practices.
I must however note that in our upholding of local content, we will never and we are not compromising quality and standard. Additionally, we operate within the spirit and letters of the procurement laws and due process. We have a sacred duty to patronize local contractors to deepen the state economy, create jobs and enhance technical skills.
Having made the above submissions, I invite this assembly to note our accomplishments in selected sectors as follows:
SOLID MINERAL SECTOR
Our administration is repositioning the solid mineral sector. Some of our successes so far include
●Clearing of all outstanding service charges inherited from immediate past Governors on the state mining licenses;
● Ongoing step towards converting our the state’s exploration leases to Mining leases;
● Securing Osun shareholding with Segilola Mining Company. We are at the trial end of getting our claims from the company;
● Our Government is working on low cities, towns and villages housing mineral titles that will benefit from the Solid Minerals Funds. The results will soon be coming;
●We have directed Segilola to tar Ipernido-Ilesa Road as part of her CSR (Corrupt Social Responsibility );
●We have directed Segilola to put more effort in giving scholarships to host communities where they operate;
● Our government is setting up taskforce to curtail illegal mining across the state;
●Our government is also holding a Stakeholders’ Conference of the Osun Mining Sector.;
● Our Government is putting pressure on the Federal Government to remit the share of solid mineral states from the mining royalties being paid to the Federal Government;
HEALTH SECTOR
Within our mantra of health is wealth, our government is pursuing a policy of total transformation of the health sector. We have the following landmarks to report :
●Ongoing renovation and upgrade of over one hundred Primary Health Care Centres across the state;
● Quarterly hosting of Imole Medical Outreach with over 50,000 beneficiaries;
● The free enrolment of 29,000 pensioners in the State Health Insurance Scheme, the first of its kind in Nigeria;
●Millions of households in Osun State received 3.5 million Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITN) that were bought and given out by the government free of charge.
●The government Procured Family Planning Commodities, HIV kits, and RDT and distributed them across health facilities in the State.
●Also, the government launched HIV/AIDS treatment surge for effective treatment and monitoring of HIV/AIDS cases thereby reducing the incidence /prevalence of the disease;
●Screening of over Four Hundred public servants and giving out free glasses to the people of Osun state at the World Sight Day held on the 12th of October 2023;
●Approval of and payment of 100% hazard allowances for State health workers as approved by the Federal Government;
●Approval of Grade level 10 as entry point for Nurses in the state.
●Construction of a Modern Primary Health Care Centre at Sabo, Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State (under the CSDA)
● Construction and equipping of a Modern Primary Health Care centre at Araromi Olowu in Atakunmosa East Local Government Area of Osun State (under the CSDA);
●Ongoing construction of Modern Primary Health Care Centres in the following locations: Ogbaagba, Odo-Otin (Iwo LG), Oluode (Iwo LG) and Agurodo (Ejigbo LG) all under the CSDA programme;
●Approval of comprehensive renovation and upgrading of 345 Health Facilities across the State (100-billion-Naira Infrastructure building). This is ongoing;
● Approval of residency training fund for the Uniosun Teaching Hospital;
● Release of funds to procure equipment and make the outreach centers at Oke Onitea and Iragbiji functional.
Water Sector Revival
Our administration inherited a water crisis in the state. From the last Ipade Imole till date, we have taken active steps to further address the challenge of water supply in Osun. We have devised a programme of rehabilitation of the water works on a hard basis. The following are our scorecards in the water sector:
● Award of a N1.3 billion water contract for the rehabilitation of Ora Water works scheme servicing the Igbomina area of the state. The process of contractor mobilization is almost finalized;
● Water works at Ede, Iwo, Osogho and Ekoende are undergoing targeted rehabilitation which will be fully unfolded under the second phase of our infra upgrade programme;
● Selected small water schemes across the state have been reviewed in terms of needed intervention to make them operational. The Ministry of Water Resources has commenced intervention works.
●There is strong hope for the revitalization of the Ilesa Water Works following our marathon meetings with the Islamic Development Bank and federal officials in Abuja. Our administration has reached an understanding with the stakeholders on what to do to complete the water treatment plant which is still at 10 percent completion stage. I assure Ijesa people that our government will get to the root of the matter and deliver on the project ;
● Our government has also Interfaced with the Federal officials on the abandoned Ile Ife Water projects. We have secured understanding that the projects will be revived for early completion;
● As an immediate step on water provision, the administration is pursuing the phased borehole provision for the 332 wards in the state. The second round of the borehole project will soon commence statewide;
Education Development
I am happy to report that significant successes were recorded in the period under review:
●The University of Ilesa has fully taken off under our watch with more than 40 accredited programmes of study. We put in place a strong management team and secure accreditation of several courses. We have approved the rehabilitation and reconstruction of all internal roads within the University as well as the expansion of the road leading to the university. Ilesa is now a university town.
● Osun State University continues to enjoy infrastructure expansion under our administration. We have approved several projects for the university while inherited projects are being completed. We are strengthening the university as the best state university in Nigeria;
● Our administration has reformed the state polytechnics and College of Education. We put new management in place to put an.end to corruption and ensure effectiveness in the running of the state tertiary institutions;
● We have also approved the recruitment of 5, 250 new teachers and school officers to strengthen teaching and learning in our schools. The process of recruitment is almost finalized. The new teachers will soon be announced to the whole state;
● We are not just employing new teachers, we have approved a plan to train them be able to deliver in the classrooms;
● As part of our infra upgrade plan, several schools have been penciled down for complete renovation. Several school renovations are ongoing as noted in the documentary. This is an ongoing initiative.
● To support the student population in Osun State, I have directed a study to revive bursary awards in our tertiary institutions. The Ministry of Education is to work on the details for a decision by the State Executive Council;
Infrastructure Development
Osun is currently a construction site as evidenced by massive ongoing works across the state. We are pursuing the construction of flyover bridges and dualisation of roads as announced in December. The first phase is billed for delivery later this year. I kick started the second phase this morning with the flag off of the Brewery – Palace road dualisation project. I will be going to Ile Ife to flag off the flyover bridge project at Mayfair in the next few days. I want to assure the state that in the execution of our projects, due process and compliance with procurement laws are compulsory observance.
Additionally, our administration is working to deliver on our promise of State Airport. Osun is the only state in the South West without an airport. We are sorting out all technical hindrances. Very soon, construction will start on a new site. The old site is adjudged by the Aviation authority to be non-compliant with aviation a.d Airport standard.
Our administration has also secured the resolution of the National Automotive Council to commence the implementation of the Mechatronic center at Esa Oke. The center has remained largely undeveloped for a long time. We have interfaced with the Federal agency for the commencement of actual work;
On Iwo-Osogbon Road , It is now over 18 months since the contractor handling the project commenced work. The phase of work has not been satisfactory and I am therefore directing the Ministry of Works to assess the contractor fulfillment of agreement reached with the government. Our administration will soon decide the status of the contract. We will not allow any impediment to stop the realization of our promise to deliver on Iwo -Osogbo road in the life of this administration.
On Gbongan-Ikire-Iwo-Oyo road, contacts have been established with relevant federal ministries and a revival plan is underway. I commend Senator Lere Oyewumi for following up on this project.
Agricultural Development
As we are all aware, the administration is set to implement a cocoa revival plan. The plan has received local and international support. The Ministry of Agriculture has finalized a plan of action which the government is implementing.
Additionally, we are working to unveil a tractor leasing programme to satisfy the needs of our farmer ahead of the new farming season. Aside the leasing programme, the state is billed to purchase new tractors as a major intervention to support the farming community.
I am equally elated to announce that the food security committee I set up has finalized its report. The Committee under the Commissioner for Agriculture recommended many innovative steps to secure our farmers on their farmlands as well make farm produce available at affordable rates to our people. The recommendations will be fully attended to.
Women Development
Our administration places high premium on women development. Osun is the first state to act on the resokution of the Nigeria Governors Forum for mobile courts on sexual harassment. The Executive and the judicial arms of government are working to make this a reality.
Our government has also entered into collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to jointly implement several women empowerment programmes.
We recently hosted the First Lady of Nigeria. We receive commendation ls for our attention to issues affecting women development.
Youth Development
I have called for the file on Imole Youth Corps. In a very short time, we will unveil the new Imole Youth Corps. Issues that delayed the start of the programme have been resolved.
For the youth sector, I will soon commence a ‘Chat with the Youth Session” with youth stakeholders across across the state. Youth leaders in school and out of school are the target. Our government is also setting up Youth Professional Engagement programme. All these are to Empower our youth and develop their capacity as leaders of today and tommorow.
Creative Industry Development
Culture and Tourism are the new fold mine across the world. As the cradle of Yoruba people, we have huge cultural assets to capitalise on. I want to assure our people that our government is implementing a creative industry programme. We are listing for upgrades all our tourist attraction centres. The Federal Ministry of Tourism is joining us in this endeavor. We are creating an inland beach resort in this state. You will soon have the details. We are partnering with local and international private sector groups to make this a reality.
Sport Development
The sport sector under the Deputy Governor is undergoing commendable revolution. Aside promoting games under the proposed sport development commission, our stadium at Osogbo is billed foe major upgrades. Details will.soon be unfolded.
Traditional Institutions
Our administration inherited multiple crisis in the traditional sector. I am happy to report that through due process, most flash points have been resolved. We are not and we will not compromise due process. Towns with Obaship question will be subjected to due process, chieftaincy and local tradition. Our government will ensure the right things are done at all times.
Workers welfare
To this great assembly, we all remember our administration has workers welfare as the number one priority on our five point agenda. We have delivered long before we reached mid term.
Our records of achievements in this sector is outstanding. We are clearing the backlogs of half salaries and pension running into billions of naira. We have cash backed inherited promotions and also promoted personnel with right placement. We are reforming the public service for professionalism. I want to reiterate our continuous commitment to workers’ welfare. I will speak more on our records at rhe May Day event happening tommorow.
General Observations
Ladies and gentlemen, our administration os less than two years in office and we have gone so far in fulfilling our electoral promises. By Midterm in late November, I will host the state to marathon unveiling and commissioning of projects and programmes.
We are committed to the five point agenda.
We are focused on both physical and stomach infrastructure
We are passionate about ewual treatments of zones and Senatorial districts;
We are running a pan-Osun government that is committed to the revival and prosperity of our dear State.
Thanks for listening. Once again, I welcome you to this interactive session.
HE, Senator Ademola Adeleke,
Executive Governor of Osun State.
