In a significant move to strengthen ties with the diaspora, the President of the Association of Yoruba in Diaspora South Africa (AYIDSA), Dr. Olusola Agbeniyi, has thrown his weight behind the transformation agenda of the Osun State Governor, Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke.
The endorsement came following a high-level, three-hour closed-door meeting held in Cape Town.
Governor Adeleke was in the South African capital to attend the prestigious Investing in African Mining Indaba, which ran from February 9th to 12th.
According to a statement by AYIDSA’s Media Unit, Dr. Agbeniyi used the session to commend the Governor for the rapid socio-economic shift witnessed in Osun State since he took office. He specifically highlighted the “Imole Osun” (Light of Osun) vision, noting that the administration’s impact is being felt even by those living abroad.
During meeting, AYIDSA President cited some developmental strides of Adeleke’s administration to include the ongoing massive infrastructural development across the state’s three senatorial districts.the consistent payment salaries, pensions, and the clearing of debt backlogs inherited from previous administrations.
Dr. Agbeniyi also commended the Osun state government under Governor Adeleke for the successful drive to attract new investors to the state’s burgeoning economy.
In the health sector, Dr. Agbeniyi expressed happiness over the recent donation of a ₦34 billion research hospital by renowned philanthropist and billionaire, Folorunso Alakija,calling it a testament to the administration’s ability to partner with the private sector to solidify the state’s health sector.
The meeting also touched upon Osun’s growing reputation for excellence in public health,resulting to the state being recently honored by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the best state in the provision of Primary Health Care in South-West Nigeria for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025).
The feat according to the AYIDSA President came with a combined cash reward of $1 million USD ($500,000 for each year), earmarked for further healthcare improvements.
Expressing his admiration for the Governor’s resource management, Dr. Agbeniyi remarked that Adeleke has achieved “extraordinary results” despite Osun being among the states with lower federal allocations.
“If Nigeria had just ten leaders like Governor Ademola Adeleke, the country would be in a far better state than it is today,” Dr. Agbeniyi stated. “He has proven that with transparency and passion, even a state with modest resources can lead the way in development.”
Responding, Governor Adeleke who promised to continue his commitment to the overall development of Osun state, commended the Executive and members of AYIDSA for committing themselves to the promotion and preservation of Yoruba language, cultural heritage,especially the annual Yoruba Heritage Day Celebration, and promotion of Omoluabi ethos in South Africa.
He charged the group members to remain good ambassadors of Nigeria and to always contribute their quota towards the development of their various communities back home, and the nation at large.
The meeting concludes a productive week for the Governor in South Africa, as he continues to market Osun State as a prime destination for global mining and agricultural investment.