The Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has commended his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for putting the state on the world map of socioeconomic, political, commercial and infrastructure developments.
Ganduje lauded the Aregbesola’s leadership style that has helped the state to witness a total turn-around in all aspects of life.
Governor Ganduje gave the commendation on Saturday while paying a courtesy visit to Aregbesola at Government House, Osogbo.
He held that the present administration in the state has brought genuine leadership to governance and as well steered the ship of Osun successfully, despite the financial constraints that affected not only the state but the entire federation.
Governor Ganduje was accompanied by his Special Adviser on Water Resources, Alhaji Muwtari Ishaq; Special Adviser on Media, Mallam Alihu Tanko Yakasahi, Managing Director Kano State Zoological Wildlife, Alhaji Lawan Kew-Kew, among others. He said he was in Osun to pay homage to a senior colleague, discuss governance and national issues with Governor
Aregbesola and tap from his repository of knowledge on how he has been managing the state in the last seven and half years.
Ganduje hailed Arebesola’s government for striving hard in its effort to give to the people the required dividends of democracy, regardless of the economic downturn in the country.
He held that in spite the downturn in the national economy, the present administration has succeeded at bringing the needed development to the state.
Ganduje congratulated Aregbesola for the successful conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary in the state, which according to him, could be described as a political innovation that gives room for popular participation.
He expressed optimism that APC will emerge victorious in the forthcoming governorship election in the state. This is premised on the party’s faith in democracy, rule of law and the economic development the APC administration has brought to the state.
“The purpose of our coming is to discuss the issue of governance and other national issues, especially with a brother who has been the governor for almost eight years.
“As we know, I have been on the seat for just three and half years, and for that reason, I see the need to come to my brother and learn some things from him as regards governance.
“I congratulate you for the good governance that you have offered for almost eight years in the state and for the quality of infrastructural projects that you have successfully executed for the benefit of the good people of the state.
“You have brought genuine leadership to the state and there is no doubt that you have steered the ship of Osun successfully, despite the financial constraints that affected not only the state but the entire federation.
“The reality is that the federating states are financially starved but in your own case, your administration has successfully turned around the socioeconomic fortunes of the state for the benefit of all.
“In spite the starvation in the national economy, your administration still strives hard to bring the needed development to the state and today God has used you to rebirth the state with good things in all sectors.
“I must also congratulate you for the successful conduct of the APC governorshipl primary election in the state which could be described as a political innovation that gives room for popular participation”, Ganduje stressed.
In his remarks, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola expressed profound gratitude to Governor Ganduje for extending his hands of fellowship to the state.
He described the visit as an indication of the cordial relationship existing between them, saying the visit will further cement the spirit of brotherhood.
Governor Aregbesola called for unity, love, peace and political stability in Nigeria, saying the nation could only grow if the people speak with one voice.
Aregbesola who described Governor Ganduje as a genuine nationalist, patriot and true democrat, acknowledged the transformational projects Kano has witnessed through him in the last three and half years.
“We must thank Governor Ganduje for the labour of love, hands of fellowship and commitment extended to us to be here today.
“There is no doubt that he (Ganduje) remains one of the few genuine nationalists and patriotic leaders who by the circumstance of their position impacted meaningfully on the lives of the people.
“To me, to build a very strong, united and formidable Nigeria, we must see the need to be our brother’s keeper and be sensitive to the plight of one another.
“I have been to Kano State too and I have seen the wonders in terms of infrastructural development which Ganduje’s administration has made in the last three and half years.
“I am also a witness of the giant strides going on in Kano, which will be difficult to rival in Nigeria”, Aregbesola added.
Packaged by Rahman Salami
