By Solomon Odeniyi
Politicians, technocrats, workers’ unions and residents of the State of Osun have assessed, showered encomiums and commendations on Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the state as he marks his 61st Birthday today.
While some said the successes recorded by the Aregbesola administration in its seven and half years have proven the celebrator to be a man of integrity due to his prudent nature of leadership, some based their assessments on the fact that the Governor has changed the face of the state for the better in the area of infrastructural development.
The labour unions, through the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun chapter, Comrade Jacob Adekomi said that Aregbesola’s government has done so much for the state workforce interms of welfare and human capital development.
According to him, the administration has kept his promises with workers inspite the economic crisis, regretting that the crisis did not allow him to do all he would have wanted for the workers.
He said, even after the administration of Aregbesola, the workers in the state would continue to remember that there was a governor who showed so much commitment to their welfare and their development inspite the obstacles.
“Governor Aregbesola’s performance will continue to linger in the mind of the Osun labour movement, especially for resisting temptations to disengage workers despite daunting economic challenges, we all knew what applicable in other states where some state governors resulted to mass sack”, he said.
Congratulating him on the celebration of his 61st birthday, the labour leader urged the governor to ensure that the government offsets the salary arrears that had been creating issues between him and the civil servants in the state.
The Accountant-General, Mr Kolawole Akintayo said that the successes recorded by the Aregbesola administration were based on his prudent nature, saying, his achievements have been unprecedented in the history of the state.
According to him, “Osun is lucky to have Governor Aregbesola because, the state would have gone bankrupt during the economic crisis that hit Nigeria few years ago if not for his financial sagacity and sense of commitment.
“No doubt, the Aregbesola’s administration changed the face of the state, economically, educationally, and politically and that is to tell you that he is a committed man who want the best for the people of the state”, Akintayo stressed.
Also, the Managing Director, Omoluabi Holdings Limited, Dr Tunde Faleye described Aregbesola as a man of the masses who has demonstrated unrivalled commitment to better the lots of the people, saying that his commitment has actually paid off.
According to him, the state was battling infrastructure decay and there was poverty in the land before the administration of Aregbesola, but his intervention programmes have drastically reduced the level of poverty in the state.
Faleye specifically identified youth empowerment through series of interventions as one major area that the Aregbesola administration has made a lot of impact, saying that the private industries that have been attracted to the state under the administration have helped the system to create more jobs for the youths.
According to him, there must be insistence by the people of Osun through their votes that whoever going to take over from Aregbesola must be somebody who understands and ready to carry on the developmental strides started by the administration.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti said the people of Osun would continue to remember the name of Aregbesola for bringing unprecedented development to the state, saying that the state has never been so lucky.
Adeoti, who is one of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in the state, noted that ever since his path crossed with that of Aregbesola, he has seen a man with commitment to change the orientation of the black people for the better, saying his promises to the people of the state have been fulfilled.
Also, Ileri Oluwa Group, a campaign group canvassing support for the Chief of Staff to Osun Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola said going by the unprecedented development that had been achieved by his administration, Aregbesola when leaving office as governor would leave a legacy that would take extra-efforts to surpass.
He was optimistic that a footprint for development has been developed and would assist the incoming government to make headway in its efforts for development.
Also, the Forum of Council Chairmen in the state has described Aregbesola as a governor with unusual commitment to development, saying, the council chairmen across the state were happy to be part of the success stories of the administration.
The Chairman and Secretary of the forum, Hon. Omoboyede Jaiyeola and Hon. Sekinat Halid said that Aregbesola has left a mark that would be difficult to erase, urging the people to continue to support his course which has paid off.
