Thread by @OpeBee

A VICTIM OF SILENT TRUMPETERS: I write this because I feel obliged to tell the other side of Oyetola’s story. He is a man that has been judged unfairly. Notwithstanding his political and administrative failings, I strongly believe he is A victim of silent/ voiceless trumpeters.

When Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola became the governor of Osun state in Nov 27 2018, he knew he had an uphill task to reposition Osun. To make matters worse, he had to also battle poor IGR, humongous debt profile and reduced FAAC allocation due to plummeting oil prices. Rather than

complain, he got to work immediately. Brought his knowledge on finance to bear and re engineered Osun state finances. He understood that a government ready to work must prioritize revenue generation.
A testament to his administrative prowess is raising Osun state IGR from less

than 10 billion naira to 20 billion naira. That is Over 100% in less than 4years. A feat only El Rufia of kaduna can boast of amongst his contemporaries. Most state governors struggle to raise IGR by over 100% in 8 years. He did this despite Covid crisis and the aftermath effect.

This tremendous fiscal feat dint go unnoticed, as he was honored both locally and internationally. He was awarded the Best Governor on Efficiency of Public Expenditure by the World Bank’s States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS), just as Osun State

also clinched award of Excellence for being the “TOP” performer on Domestic Revenue Mobilisation. Not forgetting Businessday and Vanguard newspaper governor of the year(2020 and 2021 respectively). What were some of his achievements despite paucity of funds and the sheer

discipline of not borrowing a dime ? . His focus on mining led to the the first-ever gold refinery plant in ilesha. With regards to infrastructural drive, it is public knowledge that Oyetola govt oversaw the construction of hundreds of kilometers of road. E.g Gbongan–Akoda road,

Ikirun-Iragbiji road, Osogbo- Kelebe-Iragbiji road, Idi-Odan-Anaye-Araromi road, Ada-Igbajo township road, Ede-Ara-Ejigbo road, Moro-Yakoyo-Ipetumodu-Asipa road, Akindeko-Awosuru-Alekunwodo road, Osogbo-Kelebe-Iragbiji road, Ikirun-Ekoende road;Aagba road,and Modakeke-Famia road.

To cap it all, he started and completed the Ola Iya Flyover virtually within one year, to aid the free flow of traffic and curtail accidents in the State’s busiest road junction, where major roads from various states converge. He upgraded the state college of education to

full-fledged university. Even The burnt Atakumosa market in Ilesa is now wearing a new look. Just to mention a few. Oyetola’s achievements in the health sector are even more remarkable. He constructed or renovated and also equipped 332 primary health centres, one in each ward in

the State, thereby bringing healthcare closer to the people. At the same time, he improved significantly on the State’s major referral hospital, the State Specialist Hospital in Asubiaro, Osogbo. What he accomplished in this Hospital is beyond ordinary: In addition to a 120-bed

ward, he constructed a new Children’s Ward; a Surgical Ward; a Trauma Centre; a Blood Bank Building; and 30 units of Doctors’ Quarters. He also renovated the General Hospitals in Ejigbo and Ifetedo. Not also forgetting the Osun health insurance scheme for workers he instituted.

In education: oyetola started the renovation of several schools, invested in digital literacy, reviewed the education policy that was praised by Christian association of Nigeria(CAN) Osun chapter to have reduced tension between Christian schools and Muslim schools.
With regards

the lies about non payment of Salaries; Workers’ salaries were promptly paid. Osun state is one of the few states that have implemented the minimum wage. Similarly, about 40 billion naira was disbursed for pensions and gratuities, including the backlog of arrears at the State and

Local Government levels. As a remarkable act of nobility, It is on record that at the climax of his administration, he had paid N 97 billion debt. Left (N14 billion + N8 billion from World bank due to Osun state performance in SFTAS and the IGR + $72 million from RAMP 3,NG-CARES,

Nigeria for Women Project and Ease of Doing Business) for Adeleke.
What I then find unconscionable is how Osun state moved from a man with an MBA to a man with forged B.sc and NECO results. How did they move from a man that was Executive Vice Chairman, Paragon

Group of Companies between 2005 and 2011. He was also Chairman of Ebony Properties Limited. Director of Pyramid Securities Limited, until 2011. Associate Member, Chartered Insurance Institute in London and Nigeria. member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM),A former COS;

to a man visibly bereft of ideas with no prior notable stewardship.
Since Adeleke took over Osun state, he has supervised over a Revenue of over 90 billion naira; N67.44 billion revenue to the state; N22.8 revenue billion to the local governments. What then has Adeleke achieved

with this money at his disposal?. In Osun state you can’t move freely without being intimidated by thugs. govt money is now accrued into personal accounts of “mr lekan Salau”. The Osun health insurance scheme was suspended for 5 months denying Osun state workers affordable health

care leading to the death of many. Ilesha is now the hottest spot for criminal activities in SW region. Adeleke is currently fleecing the state account with a kangaroo borehole project in all 332 wards in Osun state at a rate of N14 million naira each. Safe to say Adeleke is

plundering Osun state account with reckless abandon. This is a miscarriage of governance at an immorally proportional level. No right thinking person should glorify / hype the charade called governance happening in Osun state.
For Oyetola, my simple prayer for him is

“Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem; Siraatal-lazeena an’amta ‘alaihim ghayril-maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-daaalleen( May God Guide him to the straight path; The path of those upon whom He bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked his anger or of those who are astray).

May posterity be kind to him. I wish him the very best in his future endeavors. I also in the same vane wish Osun state residents all the best while I personally expect no good from the Atrocious leadership of Senator Ademola Adeleke.