By Funmi Ojo
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, says governance is measured by the positive impact on citizens’ lives, not by appearances or authoritarian posturing.
The Governor stated this while addressing the Iwude Ijesa Carnival in Ilesa, where he insisted that effective leadership was not and should not be a master–servant relationship.
Governor Adeleke said governance would soon make a direct positive impact on the lives of the people.
”Judge me on my records, outputs and agenda as a governor. That is the globally accepted parameter for measuring leadership.”
The Governor maintained that his administration has delivered across all sectors and touched every federal constituency in the state over the past three years, describing his achievements as proof of his capacity and competence to continue leading Osun State.
He dismissed criticisms of his administration, urging detractors to assess his leadership based on verifiable records and tangible outcomes, rather than personal style or perceptions.
Governor Adeleke, who congratulated the Ijesa people on the Iwude celebration, said his government carried out extensive assessments of development challenges in Ijesaland upon assumption of office in late 2022, which he alleged had suffered years of environmental degradation and revenue loss due to illegal mining activities and lack of accountability under the previous administration.
According to him, underground water across Ijesaland had been declared polluted as a result of unchecked mining, while revenues from the sector were diverted into private pockets.
He noted that his administration has since embarked on comprehensive mining sector reforms, secured Osun State’s shareholding in the Segilola Gold Project, intensified the fight against illegal mining, and commenced continuous environmental remediation, including a professionally managed river clean-up initiative.
The Governor also said that the controversial Ilesa Water Project, had been reviewed, cleaned up, and repositioned for continuation following anti-corruption measures and processing support from the Islamic Development Bank.
He announced that the road dualisation project in Ilesa had been completed with the installation of solar streetlights, while the University of Ilesa has become a reality, boasting close to 100 accredited courses.
Governor Adeleke who described Ilesa as a hub of entrepreneurship, revealed plans to partner Owa’s Palace on a holistic industrialisation agenda through public-private partnerships.
He also made known that Osun’s proposed airport would have a component located within Ijesaland, a move expected to boost trade and commerce.
