On Saturday, some states like Osun, Abia, Adamawa, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Taraba, and Yobe celebrated the 31st anniversary.
Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State said that the state had upheld the intention of its forefathers to sustainably build “the state of virtue.”
The governor said this in a statement issued by Ismail Omipidan, his chief press secretary.
On August 27, 1991, the military government led by the dictator General Ibrahim Babangida divided the former Oyo State into 10 other states, creating Osun State.
Oyetola praised the state’s founders for creating a strong foundation that subsequent administrations have continued to build upon.
He congratulated Osun people on the anniversary and declared that having celebrated the 30th anniversary in a grand style in 2021, it was reasonable to mark the 31 anniversary in a low key.
Senator Ademola Adeleke, the state’s incoming governor, pledged to restore government with a focus on the welfare of the populace, accountability, and efficient service delivery.
In a statement he personally signed on Saturday, Adeleke acknowledged that Osun was facing difficulties in all areas of administration but pledged to restore the citizens’ faith by providing responsive leadership.
The statement read in part, “I applaud previous leaders of the state, both military and civilian, as the cumulative outcome of their labour accounted for the successes recorded so far in state-building.
“I, however, dare say that the dreams of the founding fathers are yet to be realised as conceived. Our infrastructures are in bad shape. Osun just recorded 36th WAEC grade among the 36 states and Abuja. Youth unemployment is deepening. Insecurity is a fact of daily life. Our state remains heavily indebted. We must change the narrative and I am set with God and our people to take up this consecrated assignment.