Aregbesola Pledges Commitment To Development

Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development of infrastructure of the state.
He disclosed this while addressing the Historical Society of Nigeria during its 56th Annual conference, with a theme: Economy and Society in Nigeria:
The Challenges of Infrastructural Development in Nigeria, held at Osun State University main campus Osogbo. The governor, whose speech was delivered by his deputy, Chief (Mrs) Titilayo Laoye-Tomori disclosed that his major vision was to re-enact the glorious days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the South-Western region through his six-point integral programme.
He stated that infrastructure can only be developed through people, whom he described as the bedrock of development.
Aregbesola added that addressing the issue of infrastructural development is a complex issue in modern Nigeria, saying that it requires patience, professionalism, effective management and sheer determination. According to him, first it is the most basic organisation level of organisational structure in a complex body or systems that serve as a foundation for the rest.
Secondly, it refers to the large scale public systems, services, and facilities of a country or region that are necessary for economic activity, including power and water supplies, public transportation, telecommunications, roads and schools.
He further disclosed that infrastructure cannot survive without improving the status of people that put it to use, adding that the issue of hunger must first be addressed among the people.
“Our institutions, which include infrastructures, cannot survive without addressing the comfort of our people. If our people feed well, they would run our institutions better than it was done in the past. We must therefore develop the capacity of our people in such areas as agriculture, vocation, education and in practical engagements that would generate immediate benefits for their livelihood,” he said.
The governor added that those in position of authority who regulate the institutions must show care for the people that work under them.
“Also we in government, composed of men and women, regulate and control those institutions. Therefore we must make sure we treat those working with us with utmost concern. That is why we were one of the few states that responded positively to the welfare challenges of our civil service. Today, our governing structures are better off”.
He challenged the society to come up with new innovations that would be of value to the state and the country, with a view to sustaining its nascent democracy.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Sola Akinrinade disclosed that the two major problems the country faces today is security and infrastructural development, saying the society would do its bit by continuously
providing adequate information for the policy makers to address infrastructure deficit in the country.
He also emphasised the need for partnership with the private organisation for effective infrastructural development.
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