‘INL award, proof of Aregbesola’s visionary leadership’

Chairman of the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government of Lagos State, Kamal Ayinde Bayewu, said on Sunday that the Daily Independent Man-of-the- Year award 2013 bestowed on Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State is a further confirmation of the Governor’s giant strides in the land of virtue.
Bayewu, who described Aregbesola as a courageous, intellectual and visionary leader, said the Governor has demonstrated to aspiring politicians that political office should be for rendering selfless service to the people and not accumulation of transient wealth.
“Ogbeni’s nomination as Man-of-the-Year by one of the leading national newspapers in this country is a further testimony to his commitment and doggedness towards bringing about positive and radical change to all facets of life in the State of Osun,” the council boss said.
He added: “For those of us who know him, Aregbesola’s life is all about service to God and humanity. He is a fearless, courageous and committed progressive whose transformation programmes has placed Osun on the world map as one of the fastest developing state in the world.
“As a loyal disciple of our highly revered and respected National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Ogbeni’s tutelage under this great man has distinguished him as a visionary leader who has impacted positively in the lives of the residents of Osun.
“From Opon-Imo, to O-YES, to improved security and healthcare, it has been one positive story to another. Four more years for him in the saddle is another four years of positive and remarkable transformation for the good people of Osun state.”
On the protest that greeted some of the Governor’s reform programmes, the council boss said people are prone to resist change but urged the Governor to forge ahead, adding that those resisting him now will come to reason with him in no distant time.
“It is normal for some people to resist change. People are used to staying in their comfort zone and anybody who tries to take them away from that zone, even to a better place will be resisted.
“But I will encourage the Governor to be focused and avoid distraction. No reasonable leader will expect 100 per cent cooperation from his people.
“If 80 per cent are appreciative of what you are doing, don’t bother about the remaining 20 per cent,” he said.