(http://www.osundefender.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Seal-of-osun-state-government-300x292.jpg)
Recently, one of Nigeria's senators rated states in Nigeria in lieu of their financial status. Funny enough, the senator rated Osun as one of the distressed states in the country.According to a referendum conducted by OSUN DEFENDER on the issue, the senator missed it all by underrating the State of the Omoluabis. Why? You may ask. The fact remains that since the emergence of the current governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the state has been witnessing a new turn-around and many visible developmental projects have been put in place.
Many people are of the opinion that after Lagos, comes Osun State in the South West as far as governance impact is concerned. OSUN DEFENDER even quoted a source who said; If Fashola could turn Lagos to a Small London, then Aregbesola would turn Osun into a Small Paris. These are things that should have been put into consideration by the senator before going publicly to declare Osun State as a poor state.
Though, considering the revenue allocation the state gets from the federal government, it should have been cost effective for any sane governor to embark on meaningful projects execution, but Aregbesola who had once served as a commissioner for works in Lagos State took it as a responsibility to satisfy the yearnings of his people and ensure the total relief from the past administration, which had nothing to offer the people.
The recent signing of MOU between the state government and Julius Berger Plc on road rehabilitation and construction is a pointer to the fact that the governor is serious about fulfilling his promises and ensuring the delivery of pledges on his 6-point agenda. No doubt, Julius Berger Plc remains one of the biggest and most successful construction companies in the world and past contracts executed by the company attest to its huge status, hence, Aregbesola's resolve in partnering with the company.
Finally, what the people of Osun State believe is that if a man could emerge as a governor, less than two years and ensure better life for his citizenry, then such a man should be commended and praised rather than being condemned.
It is advised thereby, that next time anyone tries to rate states financially, projects embarked upon should be considered first before the ratings is considered right.
Kehinde Olubunmi, Ile-Ife, Osun State
Osun Defender