Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola has expressed happiness that traders have adopted the “Osunwon Omoluabi” launched by the government as the official measuring scales in markets.
He said he was delighted that after two years of the launch, traders and others had embraced the scales.
Aregbesola spoke after being given the “Golden Merit Award in Infrastructural Development”, by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, in Osogbo, as part of activities marking the Press Week.
He stressed the need for residents to display the “Omoluabi ethos” in their day-to- day activities.
The governor said the revival of good character was one of the greatest achievements of his administration.
He said of the achievements of the present administration, the most fulfilling was the rebranding of Osun as “The State of the Virtuous” and the success in making residents behave in such manner.
Aregbesola, who urged residents to show good character wherever they found themselves, said that was the only way human beings could make headway in life.
The grand patron of the NUJ, who expressed happiness at the infrastructural development his administration had put in place, said no matter how good or long lasting a road or building might be, it would wear off sooner or later, but the good character in an individual would forever remain.
He appealed to reporters to imbibe the spirit of developmental journalism, to help the country grow.
The governor said: “They should see themselves as major stakeholders, who will determine whether the country will be peaceful and experience growth.
“It is good to know that you have given me an award because of the achievements of our administration. Roads are good, school buildings are fantastic, but I want to tell you that my greatest joy today is that this administration has revived the Omoluabi virtues among our people.
“I am happy that we have rebranded our state and our people are acting accordingly with good characters, which we have been preaching all along.
“The only thing that can follow a human being wherever he or she goes is the Omoluabi virtue he or she possesses. This can open doors of opportunities for such a person anywhere in the world.
“We are proud of our infrastructural developments as a government, but the truth is that no matter how beautiful and long lasting those structures may look, the truth we must all accept is that they will eventually wear out, but character will remain.
“I want to dedicate this award you have given me to our market women, who after two years of appealing to them, have decided to start making use of the “Osuwon Omoluabi” for their businesses. This is part of what I am talking about. I am proud of that even more than the roads we have built.”
NUJ National President Alhaji Waheed Odusile, represented by the Vice-President, B Zone, Comrade Cosmas Oni, while congratulating the governor on the award, said his achievements were unprecedented, hence the award.
He said journalists would ensure that democracy thrived.
NUJ Osun State Chairman Mr. Abiodun Olalere said the union would support good governance, which was why they were proud to be associated with Governor Aregbesola, who had raised the bar of governance.
Other personalities given awards included the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Akanbi, Telu 1, who got the “Evergreen Award for Humanitarian Services”, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, who was decorated with the “Distinguished Professional Award” and Alhaji Najeem Yasin, the national president of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), who was given an “Award of Excellence in Administration”.
Journalists and media houses were also given professional awards.