Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has taken the decisive step of suspending foreign trips for top government officials for the remainder of the year.
This decision was announced in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
Governor Adeleke underscored the imperative of financial prudence and directed that state expenditures should now be exclusively allocated to the implementation of vital projects across various sectors. He stressed, “We must maintain the momentum of our service delivery by curbing excessive spending on recurrent and overhead costs.”
The suspension of foreign trips applies to top officials, with the exception of direct emergencies authorized by the governor. In response to this change, he also encouraged the use of virtual meetings as a viable alternative for international business and investment events.
Furthermore, during the State Executive Council meeting held last Thursday, Adeleke emphasized the significance of due diligence in the budget preparation process and shared key policy directives concerning the state’s governance. He acknowledged the financial challenges faced by the state and called for personal sacrifice from cabinet members, urging them to be prepared to make sacrifices in light of the state’s challenging financial situation.
Adeleke highlighted the stark contrast between the state’s extensive needs and its limited resources, underscoring the need to devise coping mechanisms until the financial situation improves.
In a move to enhance governance efficiency and prevent potential rivalries among top appointees, the governor directed the Head of Service to prepare a memorandum aimed at streamlining the relationship between Commissioners and Special Advisers. He emphasized the importance of fairness and fostering a spirit of cooperation throughout this process.