Noah Oderinu Colloquium: Our legacy of fiscal transparency, accountability in public finances still profiting Osun till date – Oyetola

…Cautions politicians on false electoral promises

The immediate past Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola on Thursday disclosed that the indelible legacies that his administration left behind in all sectors of the economy would continue to profit the state till eternity.

He said the administration’s prudent financial management initiative which led to a drastic reduction in the state’s debt profile, and improved fiscal responsibility while in office remains the fulcrum of current allocation and improved revenue of the State.

This is even as Oyetola cautioned the politicians on false electoral promises while seeking political offices.

The former Osun Governor made the statements in his short presentation, at the Noah Olawuwo Oderinu Colloquium organised by a popular radio broadcaster, Adedayo Oderinu which was held in Osogbo, the state capital.

Oyetola whose presentation centered on the theme of the colloquium: “Nigeria’s Democratic Evolution: The Gains and Opportunities for the Future”, said it is a thing of joy that since the return to democratic dispensation in 1999, Nigeria has made series of gains in its democratic journey.

According to him, Nigeria has made frantic efforts at strengthening and improving its electoral process, enhancing the credibility of the electoral system at every election period in the last two decades of democratic dispensation.

Represented by his former Senior Special Assistant on Students’ Affairs and Social Mobilisation, Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji, Oyetola attributed peaceful transition of power and political stability from 1999 till date; increased civil liberties and respect for the rule of law; economic growth and diversification; media freedom among others as part of the noble gains that the country had recorded since the return to democracy.

While relating same to the impacts made by his administration while serving the people of Osun, Oyetola expressed satisfaction in his ability to initiate reforms which impacted positively on the fiscal transparency and accountability in public resource management of the State.

He noted that his determination to redefine the economy of the state while in office tremendously helped to move Osun from a state on the verge of insolvency to being one of the fiscally and financially viable states of the federation.

Oyetola added that Osun came top in efficiency of public expenditure by the World Bank’s States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) in November 2022 under his watch saying, “it was the monetary compensation for our prudent management of resources that came into state coffers shortly after we left office.”

According to him, the state government under his leadership made several efforts to deepen and sustain democracy in Osun State through various initiatives and policies between 2018 and 2022.

“Throughout our tenure, we worked to provide transparent and accountable governance by ensuring that the people’s needs were prioritised and met efficiently. We ensured the spread of dividends of democracy to all parts of the State while making sure that projects and policies were influenced by the needs and demands of the people of Osun. It was this demand that led us into reviewing the single uniform policy, reclassification and renaming of schools to the admiration of Osun citizens. We have no regrets doing what the people wanted.

“On fiscal responsibility, we focused on prudent financial management, which led to a reduction in the state’s debt profile, and improved fiscal responsibility. We initiated reforms which impacted positively on the fiscal transparency and accountability in public resource management of the state, moving Osun from a state on the verge of insolvency to being one of the fiscally and financially viable states of the federation.

“Our administration introduced social welfare programmes to support vulnerable populations and alleviate poverty in the State and this noble gesture involves the monthly food support scheme introduced by us to support vulnerable households in the state just as we also prioritised the timely payment of civil servants’ salaries and pensions to retirees.

“From the outset of our administration, we worked towards improving healthcare facilities and services in the state to enhance access to quality medical care for all residents hence the need to embark on revitalisation of Primary Healthcare Centres across the 332 wards of the State as we equally renovated some selected comprehensive health centres and general hospitals across the state.

“We prioritised the security of the state through regular support for security agencies including the Amotekun Corps, which we played significant role in its formation as part of efforts to curb crime and create a safe environment for residents and businesses.

“Our administration promoted transparent and inclusive governance which helped in fostering trust between the government and the people, this was why throughout our tenure, there was no record of public agitation or civil unrest in the State, apart from the ENDSARS protest that was a nationwide affair at that time”, Oyetola recalled.

While enumerating some of the opportunities for the future of Nigeria’s democracy, the former Governor said, the time has come for government at all levels to work out modalities capable of strengthening democratic institutions, tackling endemic corruption, increasing investment in youth development, promoting inclusive governance, protecting rule of law and human rights among others.

Oyetola who attributed false electoral promises as a bane to democratic advancement in the country frowned at the way and manner some unscrupulous politicians chose to promise heaven and earth while seeking political offices at all levels of government.

He said politicians must begin to learn decency in politics and reflect integrity in character by ensuring that they are bound by their words under whatever circumstance.

He urged them to always walk their talks and fulfil whatever promise made to the people during the electioneering period.

Oyetola stated further: “Although, Nigeria is still confronted by plethora of challenges including corruption, electoral integrity, false electoral promises, poverty, rising youth unemployment, security, among others, the country has no doubt made significant progress in its democratic evolution since the end of military rule in 1999.

“However, there are opportunities for the country to shape its future, and build a more prosperous and sustainable democratic society, this we can achieve by building on the gains of democracy.

“We must strengthen our democratic institutions, foster inclusive governance, tackle corruption, address rising youth unemployment, promote rule of law, social cohesion, and national unity. Ultimately, our democracy will become a shining example for other democratic countries in Africa and beyond.”

At the event, the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle Makama was installed as the Patron of Noah Oderinu Foundation lunched to sustain the charity legacy of late broadcasters Father.

Dignitaries at the occasion include, Professor Siyan Oyewoso, Prince Dotun Babayemi, Mr Dele Adeleke, representative of the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon Wale Egbedun, Hon Tunde Olatunji among others.