A SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF OSUN STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY ASIWAJU, SENATOR (DR.) ADEMOLA JACKSON NURUDEEN ADELEKE, ON THE 33RD ANNIVERSARY OF OSUN STATE

Protocols,
It is with immense pride and gratitude that I stand before you today, on this historic, as we celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the creation of our beloved Osun State.

This day marks not only the birth of our state but also the realization of the dreams, hopes, and aspirations of countless men and women who fought tirelessly for our identity and autonomy.

On this momentous day, August 27th, 1991, a new chapter was written in the history of our people—a chapter borne out of the dreams and determination of those who yearned for a state that would reflect our unique identity, culture, and aspirations.

On this day, in 1991, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in response to the fervent calls and unrelenting demands of the people of Osun, granted us the status of a full-fledged state. This historic milestone was not achieved by mere chance, but through the sacrifices, dedication, and courage of those who believed in the potentials of this great state.

On this special occasion, we gather to honour and remember the sacrifices of those who led the struggle for the creation of Osun State. These visionary leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, and activists worked with unwavering determination and commitment to ensure that our voices were heard and our aspirations recognized. Their perseverance, against all odds, laid the foundation upon which our state stands today.

We owe a debt of gratitude to these heroes and heroines, some of whom are still with us, while others have passed on. Their legacy is the thriving, vibrant Osun State we are proud to call our own. As we commemorate this day, let us pledge to uphold the values they stood for—unity, progress, and development.

We salute the heroes of our past—the visionaries, the activists, and the leaders who led the charge for the creation of Osun State. These men and women, from all walks of life, demonstrated extraordinary resilience in their pursuit of justice and equality. Their actions were fueled by a love for their people and a desire to build a state where progress, peace, and prosperity would reign supreme.
Such names include leading traditional rulers like the late Ooni of ife, Oba Okuade Sijuwade,Owa Obokun of Ijesaland HRM Oba Adekunle Aromolaran; Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin; late Timi of Ede, Oba Tijani Oladokun Oyewusi; late Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba oyewale Montanmi, late Orangun of ila, Oba Williams Ayeni Ariwajoye ii; late Aloko of iloko ijesa, Oba Olasore Oladele; late Olokuku of Okuku, Oba Moses Oyinlola and other prominent traditional rulers.

Top bigwigs deserving of commendations include Chief Bola Ige (late), late Chief SM Afolabi, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa (late); my father, Senator Raji Adeleke (late), Pa Samson Adeola Siyanbola, Chief Diran Fagbohungbe; Hon Dosu Oladipo ; Late Chief Abolade; Chief Kolawole Balogun, Chief Aiyelaagbe Laogun, Professor Olu Aina, Alhaji Rasheed Igbalaye, Chief Bisi Akande, Dr. Olu Alabi, Alhaji Tunde Badmus (TUNS), Chief Gunju Adesakin, Hon. Jonathan O. Awofisayo, General Alani Akinrinade, Engineer Tunde Ponle; my brother, the first executive governor of Osun state, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, Justice Adewale Thompson; Barrister Tunji Aboyade and many others. They stand tall in the annals of our history.

They were driven by an unyielding belief that Osun had the resources, the culture, and the people to thrive independently. Today, we reap the fruits of their labour, and we are forever grateful for their contributions.

To the great people of Osun State, I say thank you. Your resilience, your commitment to the development of our state, and your unwavering belief in our collective potential continue to inspire us every day.

Since its creation, Osun State has grown from strength to strength, overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities to build a prosperous future for all its citizens. We have witnessed remarkable achievements in education sector with renovation of schools across the State, in health sector with complete renovation of 332 Primary Health Facilities, infrastructural development on roads across the state and modern flyover across our urban cities in the state, and economic development, empowerment of youth across the state, on-going recruitment of teachers to both primary and secondary schools across the state, public service reform and timely payment of monthly salary to state workers, welfare of the civil servant is one of our administration priorities.

Our cultural heritage remains a source of pride, and our people continue to excel in various fields, contributing to the growth of not only our state but Nigeria as a whole. These successes are a testament to the resilience and hard work of the people of Osun State.

However, as we reflect on our past, we must also look to the future. The challenges we face today require the same courage and determination that our forebears displayed. We must continue to work together, regardless of our political, ethnics, religion differences, to ensure that Osun State remains a beacon of hope and progress in Nigeria.

As your Governor, I am committed to building on the foundation laid by our predecessors. My administration will continue to prioritize the welfare of our people, ensuring that every citizen of Osun State has access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. We will also work tirelessly to improve our infrastructure and create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

As we honour the memory of those who made this day possible, let us renew our commitment to the ideals they stood for—justice, equity, and progress. Let us work hand in hand to build a state that future generations will be proud of. The foundation has been laid, and it is now up to us to build upon it.

In conclusion, I want to express my gratitude to the people of Osun State for your continued support and trust in this administration. Together, we will keep the flame of progress burning brightly, ensuring that the legacy of our forebears endures for generations to come.

May God bless Osun State.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.