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11 Days to Go: Countdown Begins for Osun Youth in Governance Conference 2026

 Oriontimes News Desk| April 14, 20246 With just 11 days left, anticipation is building across Osun State as the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Osun State Chapter, intensifies preparations for the highly anticipated Youth in Governance Conference 2026. The countdown is no longer gradual, it is accelerating. Stakeholders, young leaders, and aspiring changemakers are being urged to seize the moment as registration remains open but limited. Organizers describe the conference as more than just a gathering. It is a platform where ideas are expected to evolve into tangible action, where emerging voices will be amplified, and where the future of governance in Osun and beyond will be actively shaped. “This is where conversations turn into action, where young leaders step forward, and where the future is not merely discussed but decided,” a statement from the council emphasized. The event is scheduled to hold on April 25, 2026, at 9:00 AM, at the Osogbo Grammar School Conference ...
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EDITORIAL: Osun State Governance, An Objective Reflection





In the ever-shifting terrain of Osun State politics, calm and objective reflection is not only rare, it is essential. It is in this spirit that we revisit the legacy of His Excellency, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Asiwaju Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola, a statesman whose tenure as governor marked a disciplined, development-focused chapter in Osun’s democratic evolution.

While political icons such as Pa Bisi Akande and Prince (Gen.) Olagunsoye Ishola Oyinlola left indelible footprints in the sands of Osun’s history, Oyetola’s style of governance offered a refreshing blend of prudence, professionalism, and peace, values that became all the more significant in the face of national instability.


In any objective comparison between Oyetola, his predecessor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, the difference is not just a matter of party lines, it is striking. 


Oyetola's approach to governance was defined by deliberation, discipline, and dignity. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the EndSARS protests, his administration recorded measurable accomplishments.


Key Highlights of Oyetola’s Tenure:

Zero borrowing, even amid national economic strain.

Infrastructure expansion, coupled with steady servicing of inherited debts, particularly those from the Aregbesola era.

Non-nepotistic leadership, unlike the current administration, where the Governor doubles as Commissioner for Works.

Youth-focused employment policies, notably the recruitment of teachers and professionals into the civil service, many of whom were later dismissed without replacement by the present government.


Today, Osun receives substantial federal allocations, yet its dividends are unevenly distributed. Apart from high-visibility flyovers in Osogbo, Ife, and Ilesa, Governor Adeleke’s impact remains curiously concentrated around his hometown of Ede. Governance is not local philanthropy, it should be statewide justice.


Even more telling is the growing silence among some of the Governor’s early allies, a political distancing that should not be ignored. Should he remain blind to this quiet shift, 2026 may bring more than a political upset, it may usher in a reckoning.

Looking Ahead:

As the APC prepares for the 2026 gubernatorial race, aspirants must balance ambition with proven capacity. If Oyetola chooses to run, his track record alone makes him the party’s most credible and unifying figure, not by imposition, but by merit.

Osun deserves more than dancing and slogans. Governance should be about strategic development, equitable growth, and competent leadership. In 2026, Osun must not merely elect a leader, it must choose a legacy.

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