Osun State governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, was on Friday made Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper’s Man and Best Governor of the Year 2021 respectively, by the newspaper organization.
The event was held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
He was presented with the awards by former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who himself was an award recipient on the occasion, on behalf of the newspaper organisation.
Tinubu was represented on the occasion by the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, while Oyetola was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola.
Responding, Oyetola described the awards as a recognition of the modest achievements and transformation the Administration has recorded since assumption of office over three years ago.
He further said “for us, these past years we have spent in the saddle, have provided us an invaluable opportunity to put our people first and build a legacy that will endure.
“This legacy is anchored on a Development Agenda that is passionately focused on putting the Osun economy on a sure footing of sustainability via radical economic diversification and development of requisite human capital.
“Whether it is the revolutionary transformation of the health sector that has seen us construct and revitalise 332 Primary Health Centres across all wards of our State, to the purposeful reform or the sanitation of the mining sector which has seen our State produce its first set of gold bars in commercial quantity, or the rural urban infrastructure renewal that is now characterised by over 300 kilometers of road projects, or our deliberate investment and market development programme that is being widely commended for re-enacting the glory of our State as a hub for business development, among other multi-sectoral achievements, it is to put our people first and to build a prosperous society that works not only for today, but for tomorrow.
“We have, in discharging our responsibilities, realized that our people are invaluable partners in progress and as such, their voices must be heard and factored into our development efforts.
“So, aside our preliminary consultation tours since the inception of the Administration, we have consistently run an inclusive and participatory model in a manner that enhances the quality of governance in our State; for we believe that no government can be deeper and more meaningful than being an expression of the collective will of the people.
“We are grateful today that despite being a State widely noted for its present financial limitations, we have done far more with little resources
than most of our contemporaries.
“And the glory must be returned to God who constantly gives the wisdom, my team and the Osun people who constantly provide the fillip and the inspiration to serve. It is to them therefore, I dedicate this illustrious award, assuring that with your collective support and God’s Grace, we shall do more for our people.
“I thank you once again and heartily congratulate the management of Nigerian NewDirect on this important anniversary celebration. May you go from strength to strength, “Oyetola added.
The Osun delegation to the event are: Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Abdulah Binuyo; Deputy Chairman-Elect, Osun State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) Hon. Lawal Tajudeen; Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Hon. Olalekan Badmus; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Femi Akande; Special Adviser to the Governor on Revenue and Tax Matters, Barrister Oluwatosin Falomo; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ismail Omipidan; among others