Former Speakers of the Osun State House of Assembly over the weekend passed a vote of confidence on Governor Gboyega Oyetola and expressed their belief that he has what it takes to develop the state and make life meaningful for the people despite the lean resources of the state.
The former speakers, in particular, expressed their appreciation to the governor for remembering their constituency in the massive road rehabilitation going on in the state, adding that the governor is doing exceedingly well.
Career ambassador-designate, Rafiu Adejare Bello, told Tribune Online that “I am happy to say that the governor is doing exceedingly well. Let me give you some statistics; I am from Ede in Ede Federal Constituency comprising of north and south Egbedore and Ejigbo local government. In the last 20 years, the three speakers in quick succession in the state are from that federal constituency. From 1999 to 2003, Prof Mojeed Alabi was the speaker and I was the minority leader, 2003 to 2011, for eight years, I was the speaker; from 2011 to 2019, another eight years, Dr Folasayo Salam from Ejigbo was the speaker.
So speakership of Osun House of Assembly was rotated within the same constituency, unfortunately, the road from Ede to Ejigbo became completely impassable, the only governor that bailed us out is Gboyega Oyetola in 16 months of his administration; the road was awarded in February this year and completed in May. As I speak to you, the road is 90 per cent completed, the only part remaining is not up to a kilometre. When the road was awarded, I made a passionate appeal o the governor that there were important points left out, he agreed and from 23km, what was done was 25km in Ede federal constituency alone, also, Osogbo township road was awarded; it was the first to be completed, from Alekuwodo to WAEC office to Akindeko. There are others going on at present; moro junction to Ife-Ibadan road, Ilesa and Ada to Igbajo, Modakeke, Agbaa township road are ongoing in addition to the federal roads, the governor facilitated so many impassable roads, To say the least, the governor in less than two years has done marvellously well.
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“Even the health facilities are being upgraded in all the 332 wards with 278 already completed and being used currently. Before now, the state hospital in Ejigbo was completely abandoned, the governor took it up and it became the first isolation centre in Osun, he has done very well. How will I not be happy about it, for 20 years despite being the constituency of the speakers, we couldn’t do anything about it and fro Ede to Ejigbo, it was a journey of one hour but now, at 100km/hour, it is a journey of 17 minutes. I am not saying governors before him didn’t do well, I served under Oyinlola, Aregbesola and Chief Bisi Akande, they all did well but I want to say the speed with which Oyetola is developing the state is amazing. We are lucky to have him,” he stated.
Also speaking, Prof Mojeed Alabi, said no right-thinking indigene of Osun state will not appreciate what governor Oyetola has been doing in terms of infrastructural development especially the upgrade of roads since he came into power, particularly for his community, Ejigbo where for upward of 17 years, they have not had the fortune of the government paying attention to our their roads.
“I remember that the last time a major construction was done in my community was during the era of Chief Bisi Akande in 2001 when Iwo-Ejigbo road was constructed but it was neglected by subsequent governments and was not reconstructed, all roads leading to the community were bad. So we are grateful to the government of Oyetola for remembering our community. We have sent emissaries to thank him on our behalf, despite the lean economy of the state, he has been able to ensure that the dividends of democracy get to us. The roads will enhance development in the community and there will be improved security but like Oliver Twist, we won’t cease to ask for more,” he said.