TELL Magazine

The employment of 20,000 youths and the new education policy introduced by Rauf Aregbesola, governor, state of Osun, have earned him the Yoruba political living legend of the Century award.
Ogbeni, as Aregbesola is fondly called by political followers, was presented the award in Lagos at an event organised by the O’Odua Nationalist Coalition, ONAC, a Pan-Yoruba Group.
Adewale Adeoye, coordinator of the event, described the governor as a very honest leader with one of the highest sense of moral responsibility to his society and his immediate family.
“The employment of 20,000 youths, massive building of new school structures and Opon Imo, an innovative teaching material and learning aid had given enough indication of the readiness of his administration to restore people’s hope,” Adeoye said.
He added that, “It is a record-breaking achievement; employing 20,000 youths in one go. This feat has never been achieved by any government anywhere in Africa before now. Aregbesola has restored hope and self-esteem to these youths.”
Speaking at the event, Aregbesola thanked the organisers for honouring him. While promising the people of Osun State more dividends of democracy, the governor said, “This is just the beginning as we are poised to show our people that leadership is all about service. And people must also realise that in them, power resides. Without the people, leadership has no meaning. It is for that reason that we in the new administration have promised that we shall not let them down.”