Governor Ademola Adeleke, Hon. Tomiwa Babalola Alatunse, Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Akinyode Abidemi Oyewusi, and Executive Chairman of Ife North Local Government, Hon. Michael Akande, have joined other residents in celebrating the 35th anniversary of the creation of Osun State, with calls for peace, unity, good governance and sustained development.


In his anniversary broadcast, Governor Adeleke expressed gratitude for the commitment and passion of Osun residents towards the growth and development of the state, while acknowledging the pains and sacrifices experienced by residents in recent months, particularly those arising from the recent governorship election.


The governor sympathised with families who lost loved ones and residents who sustained injuries, assuring that their sacrifices would not be in vain. He commended the people for maintaining faith in democracy and the rule of law despite what he described as serious provocations and violence.


Adeleke said the people demonstrated courage by turning out to exercise their voting rights and defending their votes despite the difficult circumstances surrounding the election. He described the election as one of the toughest tests of the character of Osun people in the 35-year history of the state, saying their conduct demonstrated commitment to democracy, courage and integrity.


The governor pledged to use his renewed mandate to heal wounds, unite the people and promote equity and fairness. He promised that his administration would remain inclusive and receptive to constructive criticism while building on its programmes in infrastructure, digital economy, sports, agricultural mechanisation, education and healthcare.


He also promised increased attention to youths, women and students, industrialisation, workers’ welfare, rural development, ease of doing business, wealth creation and poverty reduction.


As part of measures to address the aftermath of the recent election, Adeleke announced the setting up of a Commission of Inquiry into election violence. According to him, the commission will receive memoranda from victims and residents affected by the violence, identify the causes of the incidents and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.


He also announced the establishment of an election victim compensation fund headed by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, to cushion the effects of the violence on affected residents.


The governor urged residents to remain law-abiding and avoid reprisal attacks, stressing the need for the state to move forward in peace and unity.


In his anniversary message, Hon. Tomiwa Babalola Alatunse congratulated the people of Osun State, describing them as resilient and vibrant people with a rich cultural heritage, a tradition of peaceful coexistence and an unwavering spirit of progress.


Babalola said the anniversary was an opportunity to honour Osun’s roots while looking forward to a future characterised by unity, growth and prosperity for all citizens. He expressed hope that the milestone would bring renewed hope, development and togetherness across communities in the state.


Similarly, Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Akinyode Abidemi Oyewusi, said the anniversary provided an opportunity to honour individuals, administrations, institutions and citizens whose contributions had shaped the growth and development of the state.


Oyewusi particularly commended Governor Adeleke for what he described as laudable strides since 2022 in infrastructure, education, healthcare, workers’ welfare and grassroots development. He said the confidence reposed in Adeleke’s leadership by the electorate reflected a shared desire for continuity and sustained progress.


The Deputy Speaker wished the people of Osun a happy 35th anniversary, reaffirming the state’s identity as the State of the Living Spring.


The Executive Chairman of Ife North Local Government, Hon. Michael Akande, also joined political leaders and residents in marking the 35th anniversary, reflecting on Osun’s journey and the contributions of its people to the state’s growth and development.


The anniversary offers Osun residents an opportunity to reflect on the state’s achievements and challenges over the past 35 years, while renewing their collective commitment to peace, unity, democratic values and sustainable development.