The Osun State Government has formally inaugurated the newly elected executives of the Community Development Council (CDC), with Alhaji Agbajelola Salam assuming office as the Chairman.
The event, held at the Government House in Òkè fia, Osogbo, was attended by top government officials, community leaders, representatives of various local government councils, and other stakeholders committed to grassroots development in the state.
Alhaji Salam, in his inaugural speech, emphasized the crucial role that the CDC will play in fostering development across Osun State’s urban and rural communities.
He described the council as an assemblage of committed individuals with a shared passion for community development and improving the lives of residents at the grassroots level.
“The Community Development Council is not just another organization; it is a vital partner in ensuring that the government’s developmental agenda reaches every corner of the state,” Salam stated. He explained that the CDC would actively engage in supporting the state’s efforts to deliver key projects such as road construction, electrification, healthcare services, educational infrastructure, and agricultural initiatives.
He also reiterated the CDC’s dedication to working alongside the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke to drive sustainable development across all 30 local government councils, local council development areas, and administrative offices in the state.
Salam assured that the council would focus on ensuring that the dividends of democracy are delivered to the people through community engagement and active participation.
Alhaji Salam expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Rural Development and Community Affairs for its role in facilitating the formation and inauguration of the CDC. He specifically acknowledged the efforts of Alhaji Gani OlaOluwa Asejere, the Honourable Commissioner, and Alhaji Lateef Adedapo, the Acting Permanent Secretary and Director of Community Affairs, for their support and dedication to the council’s successful establishment.
As the CDC begins its work, Salam emphasized that the council is ready to collaborate with local leaders, community members, and government officials to address the pressing needs of Osun State’s grassroots communities. He outlined plans to engage in initiatives that would enhance security, education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
The newly inaugurated Chairman assured that the CDC would remain dedicated to delivering meaningful development and pledged that the council would work tirelessly to ensure that the state’s most marginalized and underserved communities are included in the government’s developmental plans.
Governor Adeleke, who presided over the inauguration, congratulated the newly appointed CDC executives and stressed the importance of their role in complementing the government’s efforts to improve living conditions across Osun State. He outlined his administration’s commitment to grassroots development and expressed confidence that the council would serve as a valuable partner in achieving these goals.
Governor Adeleke highlighted some of the key achievements of his administration since taking office, noting that his government has prioritized infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and social welfare. Among the notable projects mentioned were the completion of the Osogbo-Ikirun dual carriage road, the construction of road networks in major towns across the three senatorial districts, and ongoing projects such as overhead bridges at Oke-Fia, Lameco Osogbo, Ilesa, and Ile-Ife.
“Our administration has made significant strides in transforming Osun State, but there is still more work to be done,” the Governor stated. He called on the CDC to leverage its experience and expertise to support the government’s vision and to actively participate in driving projects that would uplift the socio-economic status of residents, especially those in rural communities.
Governor Adeleke urged the people of Osun State to offer their unwavering support to the CDC and other development initiatives of the government.
He assured that his administration would continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to achieve its five-point development agenda and deliver more dividends of democracy to every resident in the state.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Rural Development, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa expressed appreciation to the Governor for his relentless support for grassroots development in Osun State.
“We appreciate the state Governor for purchasing operational vehicles for community development councils. We particularly put on record the strong performance of Mr Governor on rural projects and programmes”, the Commissioner noted.
