APGA Open Letter to Governor of Osun State, On the State of the State

 

OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF OSUN STATE, ON THE STATE OF THE STATE

 

Your Excellency,

1.      The Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) extends its warm greetings to you. As a critical stakeholder in the development of our dear State, we deem it imperative to express our concerns, observations, and recommendations on various critical sectors impacting the lives of Osun citizens under your administration.

2.      First and foremost, we commend your administration's efforts in improving workers' welfare. Timely payment of salaries and pensions has brought notable relief to many homes. However, we urge your government to intensify efforts in clearing the outstanding backlog of gratuities owed to retirees, many of whom are languishing under the weight of unmet entitlements.

3.      On the economic front, Osun State remains heavily reliant on federal allocations. This poses a risk to sustainable development. We strongly advise the initiation of aggressive Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drives through industrialization, encouragement of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and leveraging the state's vast tourism potential without placing undue tax burdens on the struggling populace.

4.      Politically, we believe in the sanctity of democracy and multiparty inclusiveness. We urge Your Excellency to allow a level playing ground for all political actors and to discourage any form of intimidation or suppression of opposition voices. Democracy thrives when there is mutual respect among stakeholders.

5.      The security of lives and property is paramount. Recent isolated reports of criminal activities, including kidnapping and cult-related violence, demand urgent attention. We call on Your Excellency to empower local security networks, collaborate with federal agencies, and ensure that intelligence-led policing becomes the norm rather than the exception.

6.      Health is wealth, and a healthy population is key to sustainable development. We acknowledge some investments in primary health care, but many rural communities still lack access to basic medical facilities. We appeal for a comprehensive health sector reform that prioritizes rural outreach, the recruitment of medical personnel, and the upgrade of health centers across the 30 local government areas.

7.      Infrastructure remains the backbone of economic prosperity. The rehabilitation of major roads within the state is commendable. However, many township roads, rural access roads, and critical bridges remain in a dilapidated state. We encourage your administration to prioritize infrastructural development equitably across the state, particularly in neglected communities.

8.      Agriculture, which ought to be the mainstay of Osun’s economy, has been grossly underexploited. The State has vast arable land begging for attention. We call on Your Excellency to revisit agricultural programs that can empower farmers, create jobs for youths, and boost food security. Initiatives like farm settlements and agro-processing hubs should be aggressively pursued.

9.      Your Excellency, the issue of youth unemployment cannot be overemphasized. While we note some empowerment programs launched, their scope and reach remain limited. We urge you to widen these programs and ensure they are merit-based, transparent, and accessible to youths across all local governments.

10. Education remains the bedrock of national development. Osun’s educational system requires holistic reform. The deplorable state of public schools, coupled with a dearth of qualified teachers, is worrisome. We advocate for massive investment in infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum review to equip our students with 21st-century skills.

11. We cannot overlook the plight of artisans and small business owners. These vital engines of grassroots development suffer from lack of access to credit and modern tools. We suggest the establishment of a special microcredit scheme specifically tailored to artisans, traders, and market women.

12. The civil service is the engine room of governance. While your administration has shown commitment to their welfare, we call for a transparent and merit-based promotion process, provision of adequate working tools, and training to enhance productivity in the civil service.

13. In the area of housing, affordable and accessible housing schemes for low and middle-income earners are urgently needed. We urge Your Excellency to consider public-private partnerships to drive mass housing projects that can reduce the housing deficit in the state.

14. Climate change and environmental degradation are real threats. Flooding, soil erosion, and illegal mining are issues that require robust policies and enforcement mechanisms. We encourage the establishment of a functional State Environmental Protection Agency and the revival of forest reserves to protect Osun’s natural resources.

15. Culture and tourism hold enormous potential for Osun. Osogbo Sacred Grove, Oranmiyan Staff, and other heritage sites can be marketed better to attract both local and foreign tourists. We call for a coordinated tourism master plan that can generate revenue and create employment opportunities.

16. The welfare of traditional rulers and the preservation of our cultural heritage must not be undermined. Our royal fathers are custodians of our traditions and critical partners in grassroots governance. We advocate for regular engagement with the traditional institution to enhance community development initiatives.

17. Women and girls in Osun deserve special focus. Programs promoting gender equality, girl-child education, women's health, and economic empowerment should be mainstreamed into the state's policy architecture. No society can progress without uplifting its womenfolk.

18. In conclusion, Osun is blessed with human and natural resources capable of transforming it into a model state in Nigeria. What is needed is visionary, transparent, and inclusive leadership. We encourage Your Excellency to write your name in gold by adopting policies that place the people first in every decision.

19. The Osun State Chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) assures you of our readiness to support every policy and program genuinely designed to uplift our people, regardless of political affiliation. Constructive criticism and collaboration are the hallmarks of true democracy.

20. We pray for divine wisdom, strength, and courage for Your Excellency as you continue to steer the ship of our beloved state. May Osun State under your leadership witness unprecedented peace, prosperity, and progress.

Signed,

Wole Adedoyin

State Chairman,

Osun State Chapter, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)