The Oluwo of Iwoland in Osun State, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, at the weekend described the Governor of the State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as a blessing to the people of the state.
Oluwo said Aregbesola has never disappointed the people of the state since coming to office as most of his campaign promises to citizens have been fulfilled to a reasonable extent.
He stated this at the occasion of his 50th birthday and second year anniversary celebrations on the throne as Oluwo.
Oba Adewale commended the Governor’s sense of commitment to serve God and humanity by using his office to turn around the economic fortunes of Osun in spite of the economic challenges the country is facing.
The traditional ruler expressed satisfaction in the leadership quality of Aregbesola, saying he (Aregbesola) has not in any way disappointed the people of the state.
Oluwo stated that the state government under Aregbesola’s watch has mustered the political will to rewrite the history of the state as manifested in the progress and development the state has witnessed in the last seven years.
According to him, “I am neither a praise singer nor a sycophant, but to say the truth, the current Government in Osun led by our dear brother, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has not disappointed us.
“I have been following the evolution of events in his administration since I became Oluwo and to a greater extent I am convinced with the quality of his governance because I can see his legacy projects all around the state, not only in Iwoland.
“I have personally assessed his government and I have seen the quality of his prudence in all he does. Aregbesola is a leader per excellence. Aregbesola is a diligent and prudent manager of public resources.
“I have tested him and I have seen in him an extreme commitment not only to turn Osun to a must-be-visited state by anyone desirous of good things, a state that will be economically, socially and politically sustainable and self-reliant.
“We all knew the status of our state prior to Aregbesola’s government and we also know the pace of development we have witnessed so far through the present administration. To me, these among other things, are the testimonies of good governance brought to the state.
“I don’t want to mention any of the intervention programmes made by the current government, but all I know is that Aregbesola is a good leader, who loves his state and his people sincerely.
“As a monarch, I don’t tell lies. And my people know me for this. Thus, I can beat my chest on this fact and for me to come up with this judgment on the state government, then I am saying what I saw and perceived.”
Oba Akanbi expressed profound gratitude to Aregbesola for honouring him with his presence, noting that his presence and that of the state’s executive council show the love government has for him.
While advocating the need for Nigerian leaders to champion good governance, Oluwo said power is responsibility and the essence of leadership is service to humanity.
He therefore called on those at the helms of affairs to dedicate themselves to serving the people.
In his remarks, the Governor congratulated Oluwo for aging graciously in spite of the huge task attached to his position as one of the famous traditional rulers.
He appealed to the monarch to slow down, noting that at 50 years old, he (the monarch) must begin to see things of the world as ephemeral.
Aregbesola rejoiced with the monarch’s family, Iwo indigenes and the entire people of the state on the occasion of the Oluwo’s 50th birthday anniversary.
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
