You have done well for Osun, Akeredolu praises Oyetola

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has praised his Osun State counterpart, Gboyega Oyetola for standing tall despite daunting challenges he faced in running of the affairs of the state.

Akeredolu, who gave the commendation at the inauguration of the iconic Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo on Thursday said that Oyetola has left his mark in the sands of time.

His words: “I’m not new to Osogbo. I’ve followed the history of this state to the last couple of years, I want to say without mincing words that Governor Oyetola has left his mark in the sands of time. 

“I’m overwhelmed with joy for the opportunity given to me to partake in history. This will be the first flyover in Osogbo, the capital city of Osun.

“I congratulate you, Governor Oyetola for your resilience in the face of daunting challenges. You have faced challenges even from those who are supposed to be your friends. We know what you met in the state and where you have taken the state to. I’m not afraid to say the truth. You have tried. We were here when salaries were owed for several months but when you came in, you paid salaries.

“I thank you for making the interest of your people the primary consideration of your administration. You’re paying pension and gratuities. In Ondo State, we are owing salaries. We confess that, there is no problem but we will pay everything before we leave.

“For me, development is about people, this is what you have shown. All efforts geared towards the amelioration of the suffering of the people must be appreciated. Any government that relegates the interest of the people is an organised banditry. 

“The role which infrastructural development plays in any society is key. It opens up the environment. We know what you have done. The Lord will reward you. We cannot reward you but God will. Those that are not residents of Osun will also benefit from this and the people will not forget.”

In his remarks, Oyetola attributed the success of the project to the innovative approach to governance adopted by his administration, saying despite the current socio-economic realities, his government was not deterred in providing the best for the people of the state in terms of infrastructure development.

He noted that he has no regret coming to serve the state, adding that his mandate to serve for the second term in office will be reclaimed as nothing promised by God goes unfulfilled.

He said: “Let me welcome my brother in whom I am well pleased, to Osun. I feel highly honoured to see my brother coming here today. We feel highly honoured coming here. He is our Commander and he has been able to pilot the affairs successfully. 

“I am particularly happy you came here. What is important is to serve. Whether you like it or not, you have been bestowed to serve. We are not restricted by the meagre resources at our disposal but we decided to apply Alternative Project Funding Approach. 

“I have no regret coming to serve. We see how we can bring innovation to the system, we have been creative enough, because we are coming from the private sector; it assisted us. 

“People doubted when we said we wanted to construct the flyover, which was completed within 12 months, but I can see that the doubting Thomases were the first to ply the road and the flyover. 

“I have invited immediate past Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to inaugurate a number of roads too, as part of efforts to celebrate our colleagues. Every southwest governor has done very well. 

“I have every hope that I will reclaim my mandate, it is a covenant from Almighty God and it will come to pass.”