It was an epoch-making last Friday as the Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola was pronounced as the Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper’s Man and Best Governor of the Year2021 at the Federal Palace Hotel.
The twin awards were presented by the former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who also received an award at the occasion.
Bola Hamed Tinubu was ably represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for the Environment, Lagos State, Mr Tunji Bello while the Chief of Staff to Governor Oyetola Dr Charles ‘Diji Akinola stood -in for Osun State Governor.
In his response, Governor Oyetola described the awards as a recognition of the modest achievements and transformation his Administration has attained since its inception over three years now.
‘’For us, these past years, we have spent in the saddle, have provided us with an invaluable opportunity to put our people first and build a legacy that will endure’’.
‘’This legacy is anchored on a Development Agenda that is passionately focused on putting the Osun economy on a sure footing of sustainability via radical economic diversification and development of requisite human capital’’
‘’Whether it is the revolutionary transformation of the health sector that has seen us construct and revitalize 332 Primary Health Centres across all wards of our State, tp the purposeful reform or the sanitation of the mining sector which has seen our State produce its first set of gold bars in commercial quantity or the rural-urban infrastructure renewal that is now characterized by over 300 kilometres of road projects, or our deliberate investment and market development programme that is being widely commended for re-enacting the glory of our State as a hub for business development, among other multi-sectoral achievements, it is to put our people first and to build a prosperous society that works not only for today but for tomorrow’’.
‘’We have, in discharging our responsibilities, realized that our people are invaluable partners in progress and as such, their voices must be heard and factored into our development efforts’’.
‘’So, aside from our preliminary consultation tours since the inception of the Administration, we have consistently run an inclusive and participatory model in a manner that enhances the quality of governance in our State; for we believe that no government can be deeper and more meaningful than being an expression of the collective will of the people.
‘’We are grateful today and despite being a State widely noted for its present financial limitations, we have done far more with little resources than most of our contemporaries.’’.
‘’And the glory must be returned to God who constantly gives wisdom, my team and the Osun people who constantly provide the fillip and the inspiration to serve. It is to them therefore, I dedicate this illustrious award, assuring that with your collective support and God’s Grace, we shall do more for our people.’’
I thank you once again and heartily congratulate the management of Nigerian NewsDirect on this important anniversary celebration. May you go from strength to strength’’ , Oyetola said.
The eminent delegates from Osun State include the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Abdulah Binuyo, Deputy Chairman-Elect, Osun State Chapter of All Progressives Congress(APC) Hon. Lawal Tajudeen, Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Hon. Olalekan Badmus, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Femi Akande, Special Adviser to the Governor on Revenue and Tax Matters, Barrister Oluwatosin Falomo, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ismail Omipidan and other notable personalities.