Immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has attributed the success of his political career to President Bola Tinubu and Former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Aregbesola, while paying a homage to the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, to mark his homecoming reception in Osun, noted that the support of the two leaders of the country, enabled his success in the roles.
He expressed gratitude to family, friends, colleagues, and associates for standing by him throughout his sojourn as Commissioner, Governor, and Minister praising them for their support.
He used the occasion to enumerate some of the interventions and projects he attracted to Ijesaland during his tenure as Minister.
His words: “We thank God for how far he has brought me.
“Again, I must thank President Muhammadu Buhari for counting me worthy to be made a minister and also President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for counting me worthy to be a commissioner in Lagos. Because from there, God continued to uplift me to where I’m today.
“If you recall, when I left government in November 2018, I came here to pay homage and thanked God for a successful tenure.
“After my tour of duty as Minister in Abuja, I felt it was proper for me again to come and pay homage as a worthy son of Ijesaland.”
“Some of the projects God used us to achieve and facilitate to Ijesaland are the Fire Service Zonal Training School, 3,000 capacity custodial centre under construction, Passport front office, Regional passport production centre, Covid-19 crisis intervention fund Hospital, Ilesa and the National Institute of Domestic Security.
“The institute is a research and training centre for all paramilitary agencies in Nigeria and all over Africa,” the former Governor of the State of Osun stressed further.
In his remarks, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran praised the Minister for being a worthy son of the Ijesas.
The monarch recalled with nostalgia the myriads of projects and achievements recorded while the former Minister governed Osun, and his imprints, which stands him out as a worthy ambassador of the state.
He prayed for higher responsibility and God’s continued benevolence on Ogbeni Aregbesola.
Aregbesola, after leaving Ilesa, arrived Osogbo the state capital where he met the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun and his chiefs at his palace.
There was wild jubilation in Osogbo, as residents of the town erupted in jubilation, singing and dancing as they sighted the convoy of the former Governor.
There were shouts of “Ogbeni,” “Symbol,” “Aregbesola,” “Baba Niyen,” as he moved through Ilesa Garage to Oke-Ijetu, Oke-Ayepe, Ita-Olokan to the Ataoja’s Palace at Oja-Oba.
While presenting his compendium of achievements to the Ataoja of Osogbo, the former minister recalled when he first arrived the town after the progressive government had lost power in the state stating that after four years in government, people started eulogising him for his contributions to the turnaround of the state capital.
Aregbesola noted that: “I’m happy to say that between then and now, the eulogies have not stopped. Between Ilesa and Osogbo this morning, the people trooped out in their numbers to welcome me.
“It was because of my promise to the then Ataoja of Osogbo that I picked my deputy from Osogbo. It is never my desire to leave any of them, but now that they have gone the way they did, I beseech you, our royal father, to plead with them. I would always wish them well and always desire to work with them.
“I hold no grudge with anyone in Osogbo or Osun. My hands are wide open to work and receive anyone. Anyone who have issues with me have their reasons, but I hold no grudge against anyone.
“On the Ministerial assignment, please thank President Buhari for giving me the opportunity to serve in his government.