OSOGBO – 31/10/2024 – osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke while chairing the Treasury Board meeting for the 2025 budget, has issued a strong admonition to Ministries and Agencies to sustain budget performance on all fronts.

Members of the Treasury Board include the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye; Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina; Attoney General/HCJustice and HC Finance; the Accountant General; Chairman of State Internal Revenue Service among others.

The Governor scrutinised proposals of various Agencies submitted through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The State Governor noted that presentations by the agencies are encouraging but called for a more innovative approach to Revenue and Expenditure process and practice in line with the fiscal procedures and extent laws.

According to the State Governor, the real value of federation allocations to the state has dwindled despite the slight increase in the nominal value but to have a sustainable budget performance for the good of the citizens, political heads and accounting officers should think out of the box by emphasizing high priority projects and programmes.

“I task heads of ministries and agencies to focus on high priority projects. The resources are limited, and our needs are much. So we have to balance both ends by avoiding frivolous programmes and emphasizing areas promoting the five point agenda of this administration.

“You are to conduct full due diligence on your various sectors and programmes. Revenue generation must be driven with vigour but with a human face. Value for money is also key in state expenditure”, the State Governor charged the various ministries and agencies led by the Commissioners and Special Advisers.

Earlier in his presentation, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Moruf Ademola Adeleke assured that the report of the Treasury Board will be submitted to the State Executive Council for approval as a draft budget for presentation to the State Assembly.

He informed the Governor and other state officials that the budgetary process is on schedule to meet the timeline for final processing and approval by both the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly.

Sectors already covered by the Treasury Board meetings include Education, Solid minerals and infrastructure sectors. The board sitting continues today with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Yetunde Esan, coordinating the process

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

By Sarafa Ibrahim

On Monday, something remarkable that will change the trajectory of Osun finances forever happened. The Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed announced that Thor Exploration Limited, the parent company of Segilola Gold Project, has conceded to the plank of the Osun State Government dispute with it and that Governor Ademola Adeleke will soon be “hosting the federal meditation team for the formal presentation of the share certificate to the state government..”

It is a cheering news because this is a victory not just for today but also the future. However, this victory did not come easy, and in fact, was possible basically because of the character of Governor Adeleke, who chooses not his personal benefit, but the collective interest of the entirety of Osun people. This was the highlight of the Governor’s message that was conveyed by Mallam Rasheed.

“Our dedication not to do under the table deal with Thors Explorations has paid off. From the beginning, I said I don’t want gold bars for myself or my family, I want Osun shares as asset of the state and that the taxes be paid into her treasury,” Governor Adeleke noted. What Governor Adeleke clearly indicated, is unusual, and indeed, will leave many, especially those who are conversant with Nigerian politicians attitude to collective interest of the people, speechless.

But the thing with Governor Adeleke is that, he is different, and this truth about him continues to manifest in all his conducts since assuming office nearly two years ago. While some other interest holders settled for “cash and smelter during the acquisition by Thors”, Governor Adeleke chose the side of the people, fighting fiercely to ensure that Osun is not cheated of what actually belongs to it.

That was a resolve from Governor Adeleke and a moment, I tried to picture what the scenario would have been if someone other than him is seating in the state’s top seat at a time like this. Just imagine a Governor who prioritizes personal benefit was presented with an opportunity to look the other way and maneuver the system to fill his own pocket at the detriment of the people.

Your guess is as good as mine. Segilola Gold Project is a multi-billion investment and a 5% stake is a whole lot, and the benefit will extend beyond the administration of Governor Adeleke. This is why I could not understand what the main opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, was thinking when it chose the side of a firm that tries to deny Osun what belongs to it.

This can never be politics because what Governor was fighting for was not for himself but the Osun people. Infact, the question that must agitate minds would be that what could the outcome had been if Governor Adeleke was not the Governor. And, if the past should be the guide, the outcome is better not imagined because it will be unpleasant.

By all measures, Governor Adeleke has done well and history will be kind to him. This is not just because he retrieved Osun shares in Segilola Gold Project, but also demonstrating the immense benefits that comes with having the right leadership. Governor Adeleke did not just press for Osun to get its due financial entitlements from the firm, he was critical about pollution caused by mining activities, which undermines the environment.

“We will submit our environmental inspection report. We will show the world that even a billion dollar cannot achieve the remediation and rehabilitation of our damaged environment. It is actually worrisome that an internationally quoted mining company will neglect and attempt to evade the care for environment it violated,” Governor Adeleke noted.

For quite sometime now, there has been concerns on the environmental impact that the operation of Segilola Gold Project has on the people. In a 2022 report, Aljazeera provided an idea on how deep the problem is, quoting Anthony Adejuwon, head of Osogbo-based civic advocacy group Urban Alert as noting that “In Osun, the contamination is through water which flows through communities with over two million people.” The paper added that separate physiochemical test conducted by it and Urban Alert on water samples on the area revealed the presence of high levels of heavy materials.

By making the protection of the environment a core of his objective, Governor Adeleke is making sure that natural resources doesn’t turn to harm the people. That is the purpose of leadership and Governor Adeleke is showing not to only understand this, but also working towards that direction.

● Sarafa Ibrahim is a Special Assistant to the Osun State Governor on Print Media and writes from Osogbo, Osun State

OSOGBO- 16/04/2024- osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved the appointment of Dr Wale Bolorunduro as chairman of Living Trust Mortgage Bank Plc.

The letter of appointment, dated 8th April 2024 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye reads as follows:

“I present to you the very warm compliments of the government and people of Osun State. I am pleased to inform you that the executive governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has graciously approved your appointment as a director and chairman designate on the board of Living Trust Mortgage Bank Plc.

“It is believed that you will employ your wealth of experience as an experienced banker and finance consultant to steer the bank in its next growth stage.

“The current economic climate of the country and recent development in the banking sector would pose challenges to banks, hence the state government’s decision to be proactive in ensuring someone with your wealth of banking and finance experience leads the bank. Wishing you well in your onerous assignment”, the letter reads.

In a separate letter addressed to the bank’s Company Secretary, the appointment was to take effect from Friday, 19th April 2024.

Dr. Wale Bolorunduro is a banking and finance consultant with over 35 years industry experience in the Financial Service Sector.

He obtained a PhD from the University of British Columbia. He served as commissioner for finance in the state and later as the bank’s chairman, until 2016. He led the team to raise the capital that saved the mortgage bank from losing its license.

Living Trust Mortgage Bank is owned by Osun State Government, Corporate and private individuals. The bank is quoted on the NgX with its shares trading at N3.27 on the last trading day.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

OSOGBO- 29/12/2024 – Osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke has signed the budget 2024 bill into law with a promise to ensure full implementation for the benefit of the state and her people.

The total approved budget is Two Hundred and Seventy Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand Naira and Four Hundred and Ten Kobo (273,908,997,410)

In a short statement after signing the appropriation bill into law, Governor Adeleke said the budget tagged “Budget of Reconstruction and Recovery” is crafted to fast track the revitalisation of the various sectors of the state economy.

“Our focus is to put the state on the path of sustainable development, hence we are rebuilding all the sectors namely education, health, sports, roads, agriculture, creative industry, digital economy ,general infrastructure alongside women and youth focussed programmes and policies.

“I commend the State Assembly for prompt processing of the appropriation bill. I also laud my team for their cooperation with the various assembly committees in the budgetary process.

“We will ensure implementation as stipulated to reconstruct the society and ensure recovery of critical sectors”, the Governor noted while signing the bill into law.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor