Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, has been notified to receive ‘Governor of the Year 2024’ award from Leadership newspaper.
The management of the newspaper led by its Vice Chairman, Mr. Michael Okpere, presented the letter to Adeleke at the Government House, Osogbo, Thursday.
He said, “We didn’t call this Leadership Governor of the Year, we call it Governor of the year, in other words, what we say, with this recognition will give you an insight and encouragement to do a second term.
“As a newspaper company, we don’t endorse governors but when we see something we say it,” Okpere said.
Responding, Adeleke promised that the accolades he had been getting would not get into his head, but rather spur him to strive harder.
He promised to remodel Osogbo City Stadium to an international standard and create sport commission.
He made the promise on Thursday while receiving a letter from top management of Leadership newspaper to present him award as Governor of the Year, 2024.
He noted that he had been conferred with several awards across the sectors, Adeleke promised that he would not allow the praise to enter his head.
Adeleke boasted that he had delivered a four year task within two years, noting that he had reduced the infra deficit by over 40 percent.
“In the last one year, our government has been conferred with several awards across the sectors. Aside from reputable newspapers like the leadership stable, we have received accolades from several federal agencies and non-governmental bodies. The consensus from those reviewing our performance and service delivery is that we are true agents of good governance.
“I am not allowing the praises to enter my head. While it may be true that I have delivered a four year task in under two years, I am propelled to do more because Osun has been left behind on many fronts. As I have reduced the infra deficit by over 40 percent, my real target is higher.
“As I have bridged access to primary health care, my ambition is to also expand health access at medium and tertiary levels. While our records across the sectors are laudable as your newspaper has acknowledged, the ultimate goal is to accelerate infra upgrade alongside the boosting of soft investment for the well being of our people.
“Our huge governance records are undeniable facts especially in workers welfare, infrastructure delivery, educational expansion, health care access improvement, solid mineral sector reforms, digital economy initiatives, agricultural mechanization among others.
“I want to assure the public that our administration is not slowing down. Very soon, I will flag off ongoing remodeling of Osogbo stadium to assume international standard. Prior to the ongoing stadium project, we have engineered the creation of Osun Sport Commission and Osun Sport Fund through appropriate legal and policy framework.
“Very soon, I will be flagging off the dualisation of phase one of Odoori – Post office road at Iwo. The contractor for Iwo-Osogbo road has mobilised to site. We plan to complete the two projects within the life of this administration.
“Meanwhile, the dualisation project at Ilesa is progressing while the flyover bridge at Ile Ife is ongoing with appreciable progress. 2025 is billed to be a year of further expansion of good governance for the good of man and humanity,” Adeleke said.
The Director, Leadership Group, Mr Abraham Nda Isaiah, said the newspaper decided to present the award to Governor Adeleke because of his achievement in payment of salary without affecting infrastructure.