Abiodun Promises Renewed Focus on Economy in 2025

•Pays end of the year bonus to pensioners

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has promised that his administration would continue to foster an economy that promotes growth, equity, and resilience through sustainable development plans.

The governor also admonished the people of the state to set aside their differences and continue to coexist with one another for the peace and development of the state and the country at large.

In another celebrated development, the governor approved immediate payment of N20,000 across all strata as end of year bonus to pensioners in the state, sequel to requests by pensioners that the payment be extended to them.

Confirming the kind gesture, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, in a letter addressed to the governor and jointly signed by its chairman, Alhaji Waheed Oloyede and Secretary, Comrade Bola Lawal respectively, said the development is first of its kind in the history of the state.

Governor Abiodun elaborating on his administration’s in his New Year address, stressed the need for the people to come together in the new year with renewed vigor and work for the good of society.

He said: “As we journey together in 2025, let us continue to come together as one, with a renewed sense of purpose, regardless of our differences, and work towards the betterment of our beloved state.

“This New Year is an opportunity for us to reflect and remind ourselves of our responsibilities to each other as we are determined to start anew in the New Year.

“I wish to enjoin you that as we step into this New Year, let us do so with renewed hope, determination, and more focus. Let us strive to make Ogun State a beacon of progress, development, and prosperity.”

He said his administration has made a positive, inclusive, and lasting impact on the lives of the people through the construction of roads, provision of affordable housing, human capital development, youth and women empowerment, qualitative healthcare, and food security.

Other sectors in which the administration has made significant progress, according to Abiodun, include transportation, security, education, and energy.

“In the energy sector, with the recent constitutional amendments removing the provision of electricity from the exclusive to the concurrent list, we have passed the Ogun State Electricity Law.

“Consequently, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the transfer of regulatory oversight to the Ogun State Electricity Commission (OGERC), thus allowing Ogun State to regulate the generation, transmission, and distribution of power,” he added.

The governor pointed out that the administration leveraged the state’s comparative and competitive advantages, as well as diverse economic potentials, to create an adaptable, evolving and capable system that absorbs shocks.

He maintained that the ISEYA mantra, acting as a compass for his administration’s developmental drive, has helped to enhance speedy growth in all sectors.

He acknowledged that there is still more to be done, adding that the government would continue to address issues that affect the people, such as economic realities, unemployment, and inadequate social amenities.

While pledging to remain focused, deliberate, committed, and inclusive by keeping his promises and sustaining the implementation of the ISEYA mantra, the state helmsman emphasized that his government, in the new year, would continue to work tirelessly to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Abiodun further said: “Despite numerous challenges, both as a government and as individuals, God’s mercies have seen us all through. It is my sincere prayer that this new year brings improved living conditions for all of us and ushers in further development for our dear state.

“This past year has been a testament to our collective resolve to build the Ogun State of our dreams. Our state has weathered both literal and metaphorical storms but has emerged stronger.

“Through acts of kindness, community initiatives, and the tireless work of our public servants, we have proven that when we stand united, no challenge is too great to overcome.

“As we welcome the new year, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering progress and prosperity for every resident of our state.

“Let us embrace this year with renewed hope, striving to achieve even greater milestones in terms of infrastructural development and individual prosperity.

“As a responsive and responsible government, our vision for prosperity is rooted in a robust and diversified economy capable of navigating current challenges.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, described the Governor Abiodun’s love to them as “unquantifiable and of sincere goodwill”, urging him to approve the consequential adjustments of pensions in the new year.

The letter read: “The Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, led by Comrade (Chief) W.O. Oloyede and the entire membership of the Nigeria Union Of Pensioners, Ogun State Council, hereby applauds and express our heartfelt gratitude to our loving and compassionate Executive Governor, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, CON.

“This is for your kindness and benevolence and for counting us, the aged Senior Citizens, worthy for the end of year, N20,000 (Twenty thousand naira) bonus across all strata. The is the first of its kind towards Pensioners in the history of Ogun State.

“Your Excellency, a peep into the platforms of the pensioners, show different accolades: praises, appreciations and prayerful supplications towards you and your team for God’s protection and multiple blessings over you all.

“You are indeed wonderful.  You are Godly and also a humanist. Your love towards us, the Elderly is unquantifiable and of sincere goodwill.

“The executive and the entire body of Ogun State Pensioners, immensely appreciate your sincerity of purpose, your love, friendliness and Godliness towards us the elderly at all times.

“Your Excellency, we are now hopefully assured by your love to us, that the actualisation of our much-awaited consequential adjustment of pensions would in this new year 2025 be approved by you in no distant time to encourage the long-standing aged retirees to at the long last “breathe an air of relief” before the final bell comes tolling.

“May you continue to receive the favor and mercies of the Almighty God towards your household and your undertakings. May you be granted the favor to successfully and faithfully place the Good People of Ogun State on the remarkable map of fame and to a much enviable greater height.

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