STATE BROADCAST ON THE 34TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF OSUN STATE BY HIS EXCELLENCY, ASIWAJU, SENATOR (DR.) ADEMOLA JACKSON NURUDEEN ADELEKE ON 27TH AUGUST, 2025.

My Dear Good People of Osun State,

 It is with immense joy, gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility that I address you today to commemorate the 34th Anniversary of the creation of our beloved Osun State.   

Today, we stand united in celebration of a journey that began three decades and four years ago. On this day in 1991, our dream of having a state that we can call our own was realized. The achievement was through the courage, vision, and unwavering determination of our founding fathers and mothers. Osun emerged from the old Oyo State,as a testament to the determination and unity of our people, to chart our own path towards progress, unity, and prosperity.

It was as a result of years of advocacy, sacrifice, courageous efforts, and aspirations of visionary men and women. The founding fathers believed in the power of self-determination and fought for the opportunity to chart a new course for the people of this land.

Going down the memory lane, the struggle for the creation of Osun State started as early as 1950” s with a series of Commission of Inquiry in the old Oyo State. The creation of Osun State in 1991 was a fulfillment of the hopes and aspirations of our people. It was the result of years of unwavering commitment and sacrifice by those who believed that our unique cultural heritage, resources, and potential deserved recognition and development.

My dear people of Osun State, today marks a significant milestone in the history of our great state, a day of pride, reflection, and celebration for all sons and daughters of this great land. Today, we remember and honor those who championed the creation of Osun State. Their labor was not in vain, they fought tirelessly, not for themselves, but for the future generation yet unborn. Their sacrifices remain the foundation upon which we stand today. We owe our gratitude to those courageous agitators, community leaders, traditional rulers, and political actors who fought for our identity. 

Their determination, unity, and sacrifices remain the bedrock of the Osun we cherish today. Their dream was of a land where fairness, opportunity, and progress would flourish — a dream we are still committed to fulfilling. We owe them deepest gratitude and we are forever grateful to their resolve, advocating for a state where the voices of our people could be heard and their potentials fully harnessed. 

It would be recalled, last year we honored some of the heroes and my government promised to continue honoring and remember them, and may their good work continue to live after them.

My Good people of Osun State, since our state’s creation, we have faced both triumphs and challenges. Our state has grown in leaps and bounds. We have every reason to be proud of our achievements. In the past 34 years, our state has made significant strides. We have nurtured talents that have excelled in education, culture, sports, innovation, and enterprise. We have invested in infrastructure, expanded opportunities for our youths, and strengthened our systems of governance. Though the journey has not been without challenges, the spirit of resilience that birthed Osun still lives in all of us.

Today, it is a matter of pride that my government is committed to deepening our democratic values and promoting the welfare of our people. We are building a strong, virile, and resilient democratic governance for delivering sustainable value to our citizens based on good governance.

As we reflect on our state creation experience, we acknowledge the progress we have made and the challenges we still face from National to Local level. We recognize that democracy is not just a system of government, but a way of life that values the rights and dignity of every citizen.

In line with my five (5) points action plan, my government has made significant progress in deepening good governance across the state, and I promise to continue working tirelessly to improve and do more to make life more meaningful for the good people of Osun State. 

On infrastructural and developmental projects, my government has provided potable borehole water in each of the 332 electoral wards in Osun State; a good number of roads have been constructed and rehabilitated across the state; infrastructure on roads and modern flyover across our urban cities in the state. Rural electrification has been implemented by provision of numbers of transformers and other electrical materials to communities without electricity.

On Healthcare, we have put in place Imole surgical and medical outreach across the state in which over 60,000 beneficiaries have been recorded; Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) have enrolled over 30,000 Osun indigenes on the OHIS program. We completed renovation of over 200 Primary Health Facilities across the State.

On Socio Economic Development, we have ensured regular payment of workers’ salary and inherited half salary from the past administration. We support farmers on fertilizers subsidies, purchase of tractors and other farm inputs to boost food security. We have equally strengthened our institutions, promoted transparency and accountability in all areas, and empowered our citizens to participate in small scale business across the state.

We have seen progress in the education sector with renovation of schools across the State, from the development of our infrastructure to the empowerment of our youth, from the preservation of our rich cultural heritage to the promotion of peace and security, Osun State has continued to evolve, becoming a model for other states in the Federation.

Our cultural heritage remains a source of pride, and our people continue to excel in various fields, contributing to the growth of not only our state but Nigeria as a whole.

As we celebrate the birth of Osun State today, it is also a clarion call to action. We must remember that the work is not yet done. Our administration remains committed to building a stronger economy, improving education and healthcare, boosting agricultural productivity, and ensuring that the dividends of democracy reach every home.

The Osun of our dreams is one where no citizen is left behind — a state that shines as a model of unity, innovation, and good governance. This vision and reality will only be achieved when the government and citizens work hand in hand, with honesty, dedication, and love for our homeland.

On this 34th anniversary, let us draw inspiration from the struggles of our heroes' past, and renew our commitment to building an Osun State that future generations will be proud to inherit.

The journey ahead requires that we continue to work together irrespective of the political affiliation in the spirit of unity and purpose that has brought us this far. Our challenges are not insurmountable; they are opportunities for us to demonstrate our resilience, our innovation, and our commitment to building a prosperous state for all.

Fellow Osun Citizens, anniversaries are not just about remembrance; they are calls to renewed action. The Osun of our dreams — prosperous, peaceful, inclusive, and self-reliant is within our reach, but it will take the collective hands of all; government, private sector, civil society, and ordinary citizens to build it.

As your Governor, I reaffirm my unwavering dedication to transparency, accountability, and people-centered governance. I invite every citizen to join in this noble journey; our traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil servants, artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs—to continue to play your part in the development of our state. Let us reject divisions, embrace unity, and place the interest of Osun above all else.

On this 34th anniversary, let us rededicate ourselves to the ideals of hard work, honesty, and mutual respect. Let the spirit of our ancestors — the spirit of Omoluabi — continue to guide our steps. We can make Osun a model of excellence and progress.

In the face of challenges, we must remain steadfast. Together, we can overcome any obstacle that stands in our way. Our strength lies in our unity, our diversity, and our shared vision for a prosperous and peaceful Osun State.

In conclusion, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every citizen of Osun State. Your support, your contributions, and your unwavering belief in the potentials of our state have been the driving force behind our progress. Let us continue to walk this path together, hand in hand, towards a brighter and more prosperous future.

Thank you for your steadfastness and support for my government.

Happy Anniversary to us all. 

May God bless Osun State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.