#OgbeniGovtAt7: We Have Laid A Solid Foundation For 50 Years – Aregbesola

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said that his administration has laid a foundation that will stand the test of time arguably for the next fifty years to come

Aregbesola stated this on Monday in his broadcast laced with tributes to all stakeholders to mark his seven-year anniversary as the helmsman of the state.

The Governor noted that several achievements of his administration are enduring legacies that will in years to come be a reference point for citizens and residents.

Reeling out his government’s successes on the engagement of Youths, Provision of Critical Infrastructure, economic advancement among others, Ogbeni Aregbesola pointed out that the next 365 days will be of greater efforts committed to the course of the people.

He however paid glowing tributes to the state workforce for their perseverance, sacrifice, diligence to duty and hardwork which has kept the government going in spite of the financial challenges.

Governor Aregbesola added that his principle of Omoluabi Ethos has also impacted positively just as he stressed its importance in line with the glowing traits of the Yorubas.

“That investment has paid off. From the elders to school children, Osun people now conduct themselves with the consciousness of Omoluabi, in business transaction, interpersonal relations, warm reception of strangers and even examination conduct in schools.”

“We know the relevance of education in development. It is established wisdom that the acquired knowledge of today determines the future of the people, just as their knowledge base of yesterday is responsible for the state of things today.”

The Osun Chief Executive explained that “With mathematical certainty, our 11 mega high schools, in 50 years to come, would have produced 550,000 world beaters, occupying strategic positions nationally and globally, by the grace of God.”

“We have engaged more than 40,000 youths in public works through the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES). Most of them eventually got soft-landing in teaching, agriculture, information and communication technology and several others. For this reason, Osun has one of the lowest crime incidents in the country and has been adjudged the second least poor state in Nigeria by credible rating agencies.”

The Governor said in the last seven years, “Our administration has also invested in road transport infrastructure. We have constructed more than 1,500 kilometre of roads in the nooks and crannies of the state, including 10 kilometres in each local government area in the state. Besides the township roads in Osogbo, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Ede, Gbongan, Iwo, Ejigbo and other towns and a network of several intercity roads, these four roads: Omoluabi Motorway from Gbongan to Akoda with Abdulkareem Adebisi Akande Trumpet Interchange, Osogbo to Ila-Odo, Gbongan-OrileOwu to Ijebu Igbo and Oba Adesoji Aderemi East Bye Pass, stand out and are iconic road projects that are befitting legacies we are leaving behind by the time we complete our term.”

He also underscored the importance of taxes to the economy saying if the state reaches its tax projection; its recurrent financial obligations will be met without recourse to federal allocation.

“At our level of development, all it takes for our state to be solvent and prosperous is for at least one million, out of the over four million population in Osun, to pay a tax of N250 every day for 20 days in a month. That will bring N5 billion, which is enough to pay salaries of our workers, run the government and develop our state in every area.”

He commended his team (past and present), members of the All Progressives Congress APC and all stakeholders for supporting his vision to develop the state promising to ensure a worthy successor to sustain his legacies.

“In these past seven years, I have been privileged to work with and be supported by a host of people. The first of which are the wonderful, dutiful and godly workers of the state government. Your sacrifice, understanding and commitment to duty made it possible for our administration to make much impact. I am very grateful,” Aregbesola concluded.