In Nigeria, this isn’t just a challenging period, it is the most trying for many. To echo the sentiments of Jamaican reggae icon, Peter Tosh, the people are in distress, with bills and budgets wailing, inflation biting, Naira depreciating and unemployment on the increase.
Deeply alarmed by these harsh socio-economic conditions throwing many into complex situations, the current administration in Osun State, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, has been formulating a comprehensive plan to tackle these issues.
Drawing inspiration from the plights of Osun people, whose mandate he earned through the ballot, Adeleke is aiming to inject a humongous N100 billion infrastructure fund into education, health and infrastructure, among others.
To do these, the people’s governor wants to construct flyovers and bridges, renovate six secondary schools, begin the quarterly Imole medical and surgical outreach in six state hospitals, build boreholes to quench people’s thirst, construct and dualise roads for efficient movement.
Just as he promised while addressing a mammoth crowd at a rally held in Osogbo before his election, these imminent projects are solid evidence to prove that the former senator is working to ensure that Osun residents benefit from their taxes – a practice which was not the norm.
For instance, in his commitment to improving the state’s welfare, he highlighted during the campaign: “Boosting state economy by business partnering and support for the business class; Osun money serving Osun people through homegrown infrastructure policy; people-focused social policy through skill-based education, affordable healthcare, state security, and social security support; and agro-based industrialisation for wealth and job creation for youths and women.”
Today, the strategic focus of the N100 billion infrastructure fund in these areas is aimed at uplifting the state’s economy, enhancing infrastructure, ensuring social welfare and creating employment opportunities that align with his vision for a better, more prosperous Osun State.
Adeleke, who is gradually acquiring for himself the title, The Performer, is by no means a stranger to governance. And with an uncommon belief that education is crucial for the success of a state, his plan is to upgrade six schools – Ede Muslim Grammar School, Ifeoluwa C&S Grammar School, Oranmiyan Memorial Grammar School, N.U.D. Grammar School, Baptist Grammar School and College High School – all in strategic zones in the state.
Renovating these six secondary schools is needed to make them better and more comfortable for students and teachers because when schools are fixed, with better classrooms, labs and facilities, students feel happier, learn better and are primed to do well in their studies. It is important to give students a good place to learn and grow.
Also, for a state that is fast becoming one of Southwest’s economic hubs, the construction of flyovers and bridges is integral as it would help in making the roads less crowded and safer. The flyovers and bridges would help cars move faster and more smoothly as well as make traveling easier and help prevent accidents, making the roads safer for everyone, especially business trucks trying to meet deadlines.
For the medical and surgical outreach, it is not only crucial but could be a lifesaving scheme as it would aid people in keeping a constant tab with their health status, especially in places where there are not many hospitals or doctors. These programmes will also bring doctors and medical help to communities that don’t have easy access to hospitals, helping everyone get treatment and stay healthy for the long-term benefit of the state.
Clean water is necessary for drinking, cooking and keeping clean. The boreholes will help prevent diseases and keep people healthy. For communities where there is unavailability of water, these boreholes are needed because they will provide clean and safe water to them.
For a state known for its ailing transportation system, the dualisation and construction of roads are important to make the transportation system better. These expanded roads will help people travel faster, make it easier to go from one place to another and help goods move more efficiently. Better roads also bring more opportunities for businesses and trade, which helps the state’s economy grow.
Restoring roads like the Otan Ayegbaju Iresi road and Ede-Egbedi-Erin Osun roads is crucial for connecting different parts of the state, making it easier for people and goods to move around. The projects would assist in connecting schools, hospitals and help businesses to easily transport their products.
For emphasis, Adeleke’s forthcoming projects will help convince the public that their taxes are being used wisely, and he already has a lot of praise for his distinctive style of constantly updating the public on this matter.
As he said at the grand finale of the 2022 Ede Day, he believes in accountability, transparency and prudence. To that end, there would be a feedback mechanism to consistently keep in touch with Osun people, who are the beneficiaries of these wonderful projects.
