In line with his commitment during the recent national protests, Governor Ademola Adeleke has issued a series of policy directives aimed at alleviating the economic hardships faced by residents of Osun State.
Governor Adeleke, who assured protesters of ongoing efforts to address their concerns, instructed various government agencies to expedite the implementation of programs and policies related to food security, internal security, minimum wage, and fuel affordability.
“I am committed to fulfilling our promises, particularly those related to the recent national protests that fall within our mandate. Our welfare agenda remains the top priority of our governance programs,” the Governor stated.
He continued, “In this regard, I direct the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food Security Committee to begin implementing our action plans without delay. We must set clear timelines to achieve our goals of ensuring food access, farm security, and affordability.”
Governor Adeleke announced that next week, he will kick off the distribution of farm equipment, seedlings, and other inputs, including fertilizers and tractors. He emphasized the need to “hit the ground running” with these initiatives.
The Governor also instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to finalize plans for cultivating hundreds of hectares across local governments under the Young Agropreneurs Incubation program.
This initiative will include state assistance for farm preparation, tractor services, and mechanisms to ensure market access for farmers.
Additionally, Governor Adeleke promised to hold expanded consultations with stakeholders such as civil society groups, students, and youth.
He also tasked the Ministry of Science and Innovation with developing an implementation plan for the recently approved State ICT and Innovation policies, aimed at creating jobs and engaging the youth.
“Our government recognizes the importance of ICT for job creation and youth engagement. We have recently approved state ICT and Tech Innovation policies, and we expect the relevant ministry to prepare for their implementation, particularly in job creation,” he said.
Governor Adeleke also mentioned ongoing efforts to support students, including the completion of the first phase of bursary payments and plans for a talent hunt program in collaboration with student leaders in the state.
“We continue to address the half-salary and pension debts inherited from previous administrations, and we remain committed to easing the burden on our senior citizens and workers,” he added.
Regarding the minimum wage, Governor Adeleke noted that an implementation committee has been established, including relevant stakeholders, to ensure an inclusive process.
“As a labor-friendly government, we are dedicated to improving the lives of our workers and pensioners,” he said.
While acknowledging that inflation is a significant factor in the rising cost of food, the Governor expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts by the Food Security Action Committee will help mitigate the impact of food inflation.
He also directed the state task force on petrol monitoring to engage with fuel marketers across the state, urging them not to hoard products or exploit the situation for personal gain.
“The State Task Force must act immediately. We must engage the fuel marketers and ensure the pain of our people is not compounded,” he emphasized.
Governor Adeleke assured the public that his administration is committed to addressing the demands of various interest groups, including those who organized the recent national protest.
“Our government is by the people, for the people, and dedicated to delivering good governance and democratic dividends to our dear state,” he concluded.
