By Sunday Oguntuyi, Osogbo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the August 15 election in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has declared that he possesses the experience, competence and leadership capacity required to govern the state effectively if elected.
Oyebamiji made the declaration on Thursday while addressing traditional rulers from the Ijesa South Federal Constituency, comprising Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Ilesa East and Ilesa West local government areas.
He said the past 16 years had equipped him with the practical experience and administrative skills necessary for the state’s top job, citing his three decades in the banking sector and his public service career as General Manager of the Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL), Commissioner for Finance and, more recently, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
According to him, his experience in both the private and public sectors has prepared him to provide purposeful leadership and transform the state.
“Osun needs a versatile governor with the capacity to transform the state in all ramifications without nepotism,” he said.
Highlighting his achievements, Oyebamiji said one of the largest filling stations in Osun was established by OSICOL during his tenure as the company’s General Manager.
“One of the biggest filling stations in Osun State today was established by OSICOL under my leadership. I achieved that without borrowing a kobo,” he said.
The APC candidate also pointed to his record at the National Inland Waterways Authority, where he said he initiated measures that significantly reduced boat accidents across the country.
“I inaugurated a committee to investigate the causes of boat mishaps and obtained data from the National Bureau of Statistics for comparison with international standards. Before I left the agency, we had achieved over an 80 per cent reduction in boat accidents,” he said.
Oyebamiji further assured residents of Ilesa that his administration would complete the Ilesa Water Project if elected governor.
Earlier, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, commended the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu for the ongoing dualisation of the Ibadan-Ilesa-Akure Road.
The monarch also praised the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, for his role in facilitating the project, describing it as a major intervention that would boost economic activities and improve connectivity in the region.
Oba Haastrup stressed the importance of synergy between state and federal governments in delivering development, prayed for Oyebamiji’s success in the forthcoming governorship election and urged the people of Osun State to support his aspiration.