Our budget will reflect citizens’ needs, Oyebamiji assures Osun residents

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, has promised that his administration will prepare budgets based on the needs and priorities of the people if elected governor.

Oyebamiji gave the assurance during a visit to the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup, where he said public funds would be spent on projects that directly address the needs of residents rather than on unnecessary ones.

“I want to assure you that we will do well for Ilesa. We won’t deprive you of your entitlement, and we won’t deprive other monarchs in Ijesaland. Our budget will be based on citizens’ needs. We will give the people what they want, not what we want, like building a bridge where it is not needed,” he said.

Oyebamiji said former Governor Rauf Aregbesola brought him into public service after his banking career by appointing him to lead the Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL), a move he described as destiny preparing him for greater responsibilities.

He said he revitalised the company after assuming office and also played a key role in efforts to protect workers’ welfare during the financial crisis under the Aregbesola administration.

According to him, instead of retrenching workers, the government adopted a salary-sharing arrangement that allowed junior workers on Grade Levels 1 to 7 to receive full salaries, while senior officers on Grade Levels 8 to 17 received 75 per cent of their pay.

The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland appealed to Oyebamiji to support the proposed Obokun University, initiated by Senator Francis Fadahunsi, if elected governor, expressing hope that the project would become the third university in Ijesaland.

Oyebamiji assured the monarch that his administration, if elected, would prioritise policies and projects that directly improve the welfare of the people.