Adeleke suspends foreign trips by top officials

…hosts state exco meeting on 2024 budget

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has directed the immediate suspension of foreign travels by top officials, urging application of virtual meetings for attendance and participation at international business and investment events.

Adeleke, gave the directive on Monday when he hosted the State Executive Council meeting with key focus on treasury board decisions as it affects preparation for budget 2024 and landmark pronouncements on state governance.

Adeleke in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said, “Foreign trips for top officials for the rest of the year is hereby suspended unless there is a direct emergency to be authorized by the Governor.”

He further instructed that state expenditure should henceforth be focussed on implementation of critical projects across the sectors.

“We must sustain the momentum of our service delivery by avoiding excessive spending on recurrent and overheads,” the governor added.

Adeleke also called for personal sacrifice on the part of cabinet members, positing that cabinet members and all members of the administration must demonstrate readiness to sacrifice in the face of the state’s harsh financial situation.

“Our needs from office to accommodation are much but our resources are limited. So we have to devise a coping mechanism pending the time our funding situation will improve” , he affirmed.

As a way of enforcing efficiency in the governance process, the Governor also directed the Head of Service to prepare a memo to streamline the relationship between the Commissioners and Special Advisers.

“While memos by Special Advisers must pass through the Permanent Secretary to the Commissioners, the Commissioners must ensure fair play and accommodating spirit” , the Governor declared in a move to pre-empt possible rivalry among top appointees.

“Members of the Council are to also note that I will be unveiling the Administration’s N100 billion Infrastructure Plan by Thursday. The plan covers roads, health, water, housing among others.

“I invite us all to note that this Treasury board deliberations are critical to the achievement of our governance goals. We must take it with all seriousness,” the Governor affirmed.

The State Executive Council meeting attended by all members of the executive council deliberated on 2024 budget proposals from the Ministries, departments and agencies as a prelude to the submission of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework to the State House of Assembly.

Adeleke called for due diligence on the budget preparation process, reading out key policy directives on the governance of the state.

The Council meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; the Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Akinleye; the Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina, commissioners and the ten cabinet ranked special advisers.