The profound quote, “I have a dream”, is credited to the late civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr.
Like King’s famous quote, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s visions for Osun State are being unveiled through its N100 billion infrastructure fund.
Given that Adeleke, who is now being referred to as “The Performer”, campaigned on a platform of responsive governance, honesty, integrity, caution, teamwork and promise to end people’s suffering, this initiative shows his creativity in leadership and his dedication to enhancing the state’s socio-economic prospects.
For a state blighted by infrastructure deficit, the scheme, which includes the construction of five flyovers and 45-kilometre roads across the 30 local government areas and rehabilitation of health centres and schools would animate the state of the “Living Spring.”
Considering that the governor had installed boreholes in each of the state’s 332 wards, built 20 km of roads, gave communities N518 million for infrastructure development, carried out rural electrification projects and provided medical and surgical care to 18,000 people, the N100 billion infrastructure fund is yet another important step towards the state’s complete transformation.
Speaking on the idea behind the scheme during the flag-off ceremony, the governor said the projects would boost the confidence of investors – public and private partners, adding that it would also address the deficit in various sectors and strengthen the economy of the state.
Adeleke, who promised to prosecute the project with the use of local contents, materials and workers, said his administration is interested in bolstering the regional economy.
He added that the five flyovers would be constructed to ease traffic bottlenecks and installation of street lights in Osogbo to enhance security in the state capital.
He said: “Rehabilitation of 345 health centres in the 332 wards in Osun State. Rehabilitation will include provision of potable water, new toilets, bathrooms, beds, mattresses, bedsheets, renovation / painting of buildings, new curtains and solar panels/inverters for 24 hours electricity.
“Our approach is to take medical services to the doorsteps of our people wherever they may be. Phase two of portable water provision in 332 wards of Osun State includes overhead tanks, dispensing taps, generators, or solar panels.
“Under phase, one as you have seen, 332 water projects were completed. They are all functioning. Under the new plan, another set of underserved areas across the 332 political wards will be served with water projects.
“Phase two of rehabilitation of 31 schools in the 30 mother local governments and area councils of Osun. These include portable water, new roofs, new toilets, renovation / painting of buildings, and provision of desks and chairs.
“As you have seen in phase one of the school rehabilitation, our approach is to take a school and rehabilitate the buildings completely with desks and other learning facilities.
“As a follow-up to the completed rehabilitation of select schools, the government has commenced the process of recruiting new teachers to address the teachers’ shortage in our schools.
“Currently, a need assessment is ongoing to determine the teachers’ requirements across subjects and schools. This will help to determine the number of teachers to recruit.
“Construction/rehabilitation of 45 roads of at least one kilometre in each of the 30 mother local governments, making a total of 45 kilometres.
“As you saw in the preview, we have earlier completed about 45 kilometres of roads across the LGAs. These new roads are fresh projects for phase two.
“Dualisation of Roads: In a bid to ease traffic jams and reduce road accidents, we are dualising some roads in some major towns to start with. The listed towns include Osogbo, Ede and Ilesha.
“Construction of five flyovers to ease traffic accidents and traffic jams. The identified projects are as follows: two locations in Osogbo – Okefia and Lameco junction; one each in Ikirun, Ife, Mayfair and Owode Ede.
To be sure, improving access to potable water is a commendable strategic initiative, as many Nigerians, particularly those in Osun, struggle daily to obtain clean water and better sanitation facilities.
The plan would raise the living standard of the Osun people throughout the 332 wards by mitigating the high prevalence of waterborne infections that pose a threat to individuals’ livelihoods. His objective is to get sustainable and clean water sources to satisfy the needs of the local population and offer a steady supply of safe drinking water.
Another thing is that the Imole Medical and Surgical Outreach, which only helped 18,000 people in the past, may now help more people because it will now take place every three months at six state hospitals and will be overseen and coordinated by the Osun State Ministry of Health.
Having earned the people’s support on account of his notable accomplishments within a short period, Governor Adeleke’s visions for Osun are taking shape. And with the people at the heart of it all, Adeleke, The Performer, represents the true servant-leader.