The Osun State government has showcased its governance and development blueprint as a shining example of resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth, as the state marks its 34th anniversary.
Speaking at the anniversary celebration in Osogbo, the state capital on Wednesday, Governor Ademola Adeleke hailed the courage and patriotism of the founding fathers, describing their vision as the bedrock of the state’s transformation into a model of progress and stability.
He said; “The dream of a unified, resilient, creative, and enterprising community planted decades ago has today matured into a reality that inspires governance models across Africa.”
He further paid tribute to the state’s pioneers, saying: “We salute the heroes of our past — the visionaries, the activists, and the leaders who led the charge for the creation of Osun State. These men and women, from all walks of life, demonstrated extraordinary resilience in their pursuit of justice and equality. Their actions were fueled by love for their people and a desire to build a state where progress, peace, and prosperity would reign supreme.”
He further stressed that the contributions of traditional rulers, community leaders, and citizens remain at the heart of Osun’s governance journey.
Governor Adeleke said: “We owe a debt of gratitude to our elders, traditional rulers, community leaders, and every citizen whose contribution, visible or unseen, shaped our history.”
Highlighting milestones under his administration, the Governor pointed to investments in education, healthcare, water supply, and infrastructure that align Osun with global standards of sustainable development.
Governor Adeleke said: “My government has provided potable borehole water in each of 332 electoral wards in Osun State; a good number of roads have been constructed and rehabilitated across the state; infrastructure on roads and modern flyover across our urban cities in the state. Rural electrification has been implemented by provision of numbers of transformers and other electrical materials to communities without electricity.”
He also emphasised achievements in healthcare.
“We have put in place Imole surgical and medical outreach across the state in which about 18,000 beneficiaries have been recorded; Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) has enrolled over 3,332 Osun indigenes on the OHIS program, also on healthcare, with complete renovation of 332 Primary Health Facilities across the State,”Governor Adeleke said.
He noted that his administration has ensured regular payment of salaries, supported agricultural productivity, and promoted food sufficiency as part of Osun’s inclusive development model.
The Osun leader urged citizens to see anniversaries as moments for renewed action.
He said; “Anniversaries are not just about remembrance; they are calls to renewed action. The Osun of our dreams — prosperous, peaceful, inclusive, and self-reliant — is within our reach. But it will take the collective hands of all government, private sector, civil society, and ordinary citizens to build it.”
Former Governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, represented by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, also reflected on the contributions of the state’s founding fathers while commending the present leadership.
Oyinlola said: “We all must join hands with the government. The Government cannot do it alone. Growth, prosperity and development require all hands to be on deck.”
The 34th anniversary celebration, which drew dignitaries from across Nigeria and abroad, reaffirmed Osun’s position as a state advancing governance and development models with continental and global relevance.
PIAK