Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has cautioned politicians against playing politics with the welfare of citizens, stressing that governance must remain people-centred.

Naijaonpoint reports that the governor gave the charge on Tuesday while addressing dignitaries at Adolak Hotel, Osogbo, during events marking the 34th anniversary of Osun State’s creation.

In his early morning broadcast and subsequent speech, Adeleke described the welfare of citizens as the highest goal of governance.

“It is anti-God to hurt the public through state power. We task other political actors to respect the rights and wishes of the people. We must never play politics with the welfare of the public. Osun is our common state. It is not politics to wilfully punish voters and the public,” he said.

The governor promised never to trade the interest of the Osun people for anything, insisting: “As we have the people and God with us, our administration remains unshaken and undisturbed.”

Call for Release of Withheld Allocations

The chairman of the anniversary celebration, former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, represented by the House Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, praised Adeleke’s developmental strides.

He also called on President Bola Tinubu to release withheld federal allocations due to Osun, noting that such funds would accelerate the state’s progress.

Reviewing his administration’s trajectory, Adeleke commended past leaders for laying foundations, while asserting that his government had tackled what many considered impossible.

“Our administration has stabilised the public service by granting civil servants and pensioners their due entitlements. Osun workers and pensioners appreciate our deep care and obsession with their welfare,” he said.

Adeleke lamented that Osun inherited an 80 per cent infrastructure deficit in 2022, which hindered economic growth.

“No society grows economically without strong infrastructure. Osun cannot industrialise or exit civil service status without building her infrastructure. We are building sustainable roads and bridges across the state. The goal is to open up the state to investors across the sectors,” the Governor said in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Wednesday by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The governor highlighted reforms in taxation, land certification, and digital platforms to improve the state’s business environment.

He announced new ICT and tech innovation policies, the creation of a Digital Economy Advisory Board, and a new electricity market law to license power producers and regulate distributors.

“Our target is to enhance power generation and ease the burden on businesses,” Governor Adeleke explained.

Mining, Environment and Climate Action

Adeleke revealed that Osun had become a shareholder in the Segilola Gold project while upgrading 16 mining licenses.

He stressed that environmental protection was now a top priority, with enforcement and remediation measures in place.

“That is why Osun has taken the national centre stage in climate change and renewable energy. For our work in recycling, climate action, and renewable energy, we have been awarded many medals,” he said.

The governor said work was ongoing on a five-star stadium, while new laws were being drafted to establish the Osun Sport Development Commission and Sports Development Fund.

In tourism, he noted that Osun had reclaimed ownership of Adire fabric with a major festival planned for November.

“We are building strong public-private partnerships for tourism and creative industries,” he added.

Adeleke said his administration had rehabilitated schools, strengthened universities, and improved teacher capacity, resulting in better performance in national exams.

On healthcare, he disclosed that Osun was ranked the best state in the South West for access to primary health care, with plans to upgrade general hospitals and expand insurance coverage.

“Osun loves good governance and we will not relent in delivering democratic dividends across board,” he affirmed.

The governor was joined at the event by his wife, Chief (Mrs) Titilayo Adeleke; the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye; the Olojudo of Ido-Osun, Oba Jokotola Olayinka Tunde; commissioners, special advisers, traditional rulers, top civil servants, and other invited guests.