Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has rekindled hope of a greater Nigeria, even as he advised revival of the core values underpinning the foundation of the nation-state.
In his anniversary speech, he passionately appealed to all Nigerians to be more committed to the core values that define Nigeria as a great nation, including unity, progress, and unwavering belief in “our collective ability to shape a brighter future.”
Adeleke said: “We must reflect upon the journey of our nation since attaining sovereignty on October 1st, 1960.
“We remember the struggles, sacrifices, and the unbreakable spirit that have brought us this far.
“Today, as we celebrate, we also look to the future, filled with hope, aspiration, and the determination to make Osun State a beacon of excellence within our nation.”
He promised that Osun State under his watch would continue to be a shining example for other states to emulate
His words: “What can be achieved and my government is highly committed to the welfare and development of its people. My administration has made remarkable strides in a short period of almost two (2) years.
“We took over power from the governance of the past. Our state has grown in leaps and bounds, and we have every reason to be proud of our achievements.
“From the development of our infrastructure to the empowerment of our youth, from the preservation of our rich cultural heritage to the promotion of peace and security, Osun State has continued to evolve, becoming a model for other states in the Federation.
“We have seen progress in the education sector with renovation of schools across the State, healthcare with complete renovation of 332 Primary Health Facilities and full stocking of drugs.
“Infrastructure on roads across the state and modern flyover across our urban cities in the state, and economic development, public service reform and timely payment of monthly salary with payment of palliative allowance to all civil servants to ameliorate the suffering of workers from fuel subsidy removal.”
Adeleke said that the welfare of the civil servants is one of his administration’s priorities, stressing “Our cultural heritage remains a source of pride, and our people continue to excel in various fields, contributing to the growth of not only our state but Nigeria as a whole.”
According to him, “These achievements are a testament to the dedication of our public servants, the resilience of our people, and the support of our esteemed partners.
“As we stand here on this historic occasion, I am filled with immense pride in the strides we have made as a state and as a nation.
“Our unity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to progress have carried us through challenges and propelled us towards a better tomorrow. Together, we have overcome obstacles that once seemed insurmountable, as we continue to strive for excellence in all facets of our lives.
“As we know, Osun State, with its rich cultural heritage, vibrant communities, and committed citizens, has always played a significant part in Nigeria’s progress. Our state has been a shining example of unity in diversity, where people from various backgrounds come together in harmony to build a brighter future.
“We are celebrating our collective achievements and the milestones we have reached as a Nation and State. Our resolve to build a better Osun State, where every citizen has access to quality education, infrastructural development, healthcare, and economic opportunities, remains steadfast.”
He said “education is the cornerstone of any prosperous society, and nurturing the intellectual growth of our youth is a responsibility that we take very seriously.”
Hiscwords: “My five points agenda, and in line with this commitment, the Osun State government initiated the 2024 Debate Competition among our students, and today, we have the privilege of appraising the successful completion of this competition.”
While stressing the importance of having a greater hope for this nation, the governor urged all and sundry to be active participants and great players in re-building the nation for the betterment of all .