Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, on Saturday maintained that regardless of the present economic challenges his administration has maintained its popularity, love and acceptability from the citizenry.
He said this has been demonstrated by the number of people who usually troop out to receive and cheer him whenever he has cause to mingle with the citizens of the state.
Aregbesola disclosed this while addressing a gathering shortly after an endurance trek organised in commemoration of his 60th Birthday Anniversary.
Majority of the residents of the town engaged in nothing less than three hours endurance trek with Mr Governor as part of efforts to demonstrate their solidarity and love to the present administration.
The train of the 9.5km endurance trek commenced around 9:00am at Government House and terminated at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo at few minutes after 12:00pm.
Aregbesola’s friends, political associates and sympathisers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were among the people that accompanied him through the routes designated for the trek.
The governor, who led the endurance trek alongside his Deputy, Mrs Titilayo Laoye Tomori, Speaker Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, his Deputy, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
Others are: Head of Service, Mr Sunday Owoeye, Chairman Osun Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Gboyega Famodun, members of the newly confirmed State Executive Council, APC loyalists, Aregbesola well-wishers among others.
The trek was held through several routes in the state capital which include; Okefia, Alekuwodo, Olaiya, Odi-Olowo, Jaleoyemi junction, Asubiaro, Isale-Osun, Oja-Oba, Plantation area, hamaddiyah area, Sabo area, Ayetoro, Igbonna, Ajegunle and Old garage, all in Osogbo.
While describing the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state as unparalleled, he said his administration had enjoyed full support from the good people of the state.
He said his government had engaged in several endurance treks running to 101km since inception, a feat which he described as unprecedented in the socio-political history of the black race.
According to Aregbesola, “the number of people who often troop out to receive us each time we have the opportunity and privilege to identify with the citizens remain a clear testimony to unparalleled love and acceptability enjoying by our administration.
“I am always amazed each time I see myself in the midst of people showing their loves and supports to our administration. To me, it beyond human imagination. But I know it is God because we are the only government in Nigeria and Africa that has ever maintained closest relationship to the people.
“Our popularity and acceptance had been put to test through this activity which we designed not only to improve healthy living but to restore hope in our people and as well as identify with their challenges and needs.
“We have successfully incorporated masses into all our policies and programmes as many of our projects are designed to banish poverty, hunger, unemployment and as well make life more meaningful and abundant for the citizenry”, he added.
Aregbesola who promised to complete all the ongoing projects in the state, said, “We will not relent to ensure that our legacies projects (ongoing and already completed) are put into use before the expiration of our administration.
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