By John Dike, Osogbo
Spokesperson to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, has criticised the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, urging him to focus on what he described as his principal’s “ministerial failures” rather than attacking the Osun governor.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Rasheed said Akinola should explain the ministry’s alleged inability to curb rising fatalities on Nigeria’s waterways, claiming deaths have continued to increase without clear short- or long-term strategies to address the situation.
The governor’s aide further alleged that challenges in the sector reflect what he described as poor performance at the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) during previous leadership, adding that similar issues persist at the ministerial level.
He also challenged the minister’s media adviser to clarify what he termed gaps in marine economy reforms, referencing scrutiny faced by the ministry during recent budget defence sessions at the National Assembly.
According to Rasheed, rather than engaging in Osun politics, Akinola should focus on providing solutions to challenges within the Blue Economy sector, which he claimed many industry observers consider one of the most troubled segments within the federal economic structure.
The statement highlighted Governor Adeleke’s participation at the Mining Indaba conference, noting that the visit reportedly increased investment commitments to Osun’s mining sector from about $50 million to nearly $150 million.
Rasheed credited the administration with reforms in the state’s mining industry, including licence revalidation, investor attraction, and securing Osun’s participation in the Segilola Gold Project.
He maintained that the governor’s performance across sectors has earned widespread public approval in the state, contrasting it with what he described as the shortcomings of previous administrations.
The statement said that political criticism from the minister’s camp should give way to accountability and improved performance at the federal leveli
