It was Warren Bennis that said, “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”
By Olubunmi Omoogun – One Governor that has been applauded for providing the much-needed leadership for his people as well as thinking out of the box, is the forward thinking and upwardly mobile Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Sen. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.
The Osun State Governor also known as Asiwaju Adeleke, is building a solid foundation, with renewed sense of excellence, dedication, and commitment to public service. After his political stint as an erudite Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he distinguished himself as a public administrator, whose impact on Osun State and the federal front remains indelible.
Now as a gentleman Governor his innovation and creativity has made him one of the most outstanding, revered and talked about Governors for a good reason today in Nigeria.
Addressing critical issues and working to bring about positive change, Governor Ademola Adeleke has been doing everything to provide unique opportunities to the teeming youths of Osun State, ramping up government activities that will propel development in the state.
The governor, coming from a family of visionary leaders, successful entrepreneurs who have contributed immensely to the development and growth of the state, also have a clear understanding of the future and what he wants to achieve for the state.
He emphasizes that leadership is about taking that vision and transforming it into tangible actions and results.
Sen. Ademola Adeleke does not only have a clear vision, but also the ability and skills to make that vision a reality. That is why he is marketing Osun to the world.
In an effort to further enhance trade and investment opportunities for the state, the dependable Governor recently facilitated investment partnership with the United Kingdom when he met with Rt. Honourable Florence Eshalomi MP, UK Prime Minister’s Envoy to Nigeria on Trade and Investment.
During the interaction with the Prime Minister’s Envoy, Rt. Hon Florence Eshalomi MP, Governor Ademola Adeleke urged the United Kingdom government to prioritise the best interest of the subnational investment focusing on Osun State, a state that is peaceful, welcoming and safe for foreign investors.
The Governor said that, “Aside from binational collaboration, we advocate a further linkage between the British economy and subnational entities in Nigeria. The openings and prospects are too much to be ignored”.
Many said that the Governor has demonstrated without a shadow of doubt that Osun people’s wellbeing is uppermost in his mind.
In fact, so actuated is his vigour, zeal, positivity and his duty of care that he has his footholds across the local government areas of Osun State.
That explains why many governors, coalition groups, support groups, student bodies and National Assembly members have been urging him to run for a second term in office.
His welfarist interventions also give a window into the philanthropic soul of the Governor, a man majority of people have come to love and admire for his selfless service.
His Imole Free Train ride ran from the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo to Lagos. This has lifted financial burden in the transportation of Osun indigenes who reside in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States. The train which operated during the Eid period will continue during the forthcoming Easter celebration.
The Governor has impacted positively across all segment of the society in the state, especially in areas of infrastructure, legislative reforms, housing, finance, rails, roads, agriculture, power, social investment and poverty alleviation, sports, youth and creative industry, education, health, bilateral relations among others, for the greater and overwhelming good of the people of Osun State.
In his bid to further drive investment to Osun State, he embarked on a working visit to London, in April 2025. During the trip, Governor Adeleke engaged the management of the British Museum on cultural tourism to propel Osun State’s creative industries through modern, innovative and strategic initiatives.
At another gathering of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce organised Trade Mission, Governor Adeleke informed delegates, business executives from Nigeria and the United Kingdom that subnational investment in states like Osun holds the key to collective prosperity, describing such investment as low hanging fruits between Nigeria and UK private Sectors.
While commending the chair and members of UK Chambers of Commerce and Industry; the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Hon Florence Eshalomi; and Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Governor Adeleke said “his love for closer partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom is evident here in London and back at home.
“The global economic situation compels both nations to deepen partnership. We must leverage on our historical ties to unlock a mutually beneficial investment inflow. The Chamber of Commerce provides a meeting point for the organised private sector from both countries to strike deals and partnership”, he reiterated.
Marketing the state to the top ranking audience, the Governor said Osun has huge potentials for investment in mining, agriculture, digital economy, free trade zone, creative economy, and others, adding “we have a well trained labor force and a commendable investment environment.
“Osun boasts of being the most peaceful Nigerian state with a high rating in the ease of doing business. Our investment environment is boosted by a 45 days window for processing of Certificate of Occupancy, elimination of multiple taxation through a unified tax system, and operation of a one-stop shop for investment processes.
“Above all, we have a strict system for the protection of investment and investors. We enhance business climate by reducing the state infrastructure deficit by over 50 percent. By the 2025 intervention plans, the deficit reduction is targeted to be over 70 percent.
“Our government will deepen partnership with the joint UK-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce to boost investment and business partnership. We will also align members of the Osun state Chamber of Commerce and industry to enter into a closer relationship with the UK-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry”, the Governor promises.
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