Osun State has been in the news a couple of days ago especially since the inauguration of the sixth Executive Governor of the state, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Sunday last week.
Shortly after his inauguration, the new Governor grabbed headlines with the announcement of the immediate reversal of the name of the State, from the ‘State of Osun’, to ‘Osun State’; reversal of its appellation, from ‘The State of the Virtues’, to ‘The State of the Living Spring’; immediate freezing of all government accounts; establishment of panel to recover all assets; and establishment of panel to review all appointments since July 17th and others.
However, the state is in the news again, this time the attention focusing on the first family. NewsClick Nigeria gathered that Governor Adeleke’s two wives, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke and Chief (Mrs) Titilola Adeleke are doing everything possible to outdo each other as the officially recognised First Lady of the state.
NewsClick Nigeria reports that the Office of the First Lady is technically non-existent being unrecognised by any extant law or the Nigerian constitution. But in a culture that identifies the imperative of family, the ceremonial relevance of leaders’ spouses has conceded unwritten recognition to the office both at the federal and state levels. And since the military era till the present, spouses of the Heads of State, Presidents and Governors have had more than superficial influence in successive administrations.
Globally, the First Lady’s office finds relevance in ceremonial state functions, care for children, women and the vulnerable that could have been forgotten or inadequately addressed by the exigencies of day-to-day governance. It is for that reason that the First Lady is often referred to as the mother of the nation and the kindheartedness of an administration.
Osun’s distinct case of two First Ladies
NewsClick Nigeria notes that while this is not the first time that a man married to two or more wives will emerge as President or Governor in Nigeria, however, the wives are always coordinated in a way that only one is seen in public glare and addressed as First Lady while others work underground or simply maintain a low profile throughout the tenure. That of Governor Ademola Adeleke appears different as his two wives released official statements as ‘First Ladies’ congratulating women for their roles after a successful inauguration.
See two unedited statements below as obtained by NewsClick Nigeria:
PRESS RELEASE
Osun First Lady, Mrs. Adekele lauds women’s turnout during husband’s inauguration
Wife of the new Governor of Osun State, Her Excellency, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, has commended the women of the State for coming out en-mass to grace the inauguration of her husband, His Excellency Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, as the Executive Governor of the State.
Adekele, a former Senator, was inaugurated as the 6th Executive Governor of Osun State Sunday morning in Osogbo, in a well attended event made up of dignitaries of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders, supporters and guests from all walks of life, with great support from the women.
ERELU NGOZI ADELEKE, in a statement signed by her media aide, Ms. Nwaru Caroline Oluchi, on Sunday, described the large turnout of women during the event, as a mark of love and honour for her husband.
She also said, Osun women contributed greatly to her husband’s electoral success, “during the campaigns, the election and after the election, which led to the total defeat of APC and other parties’ candidates”.
“The first lady assured Osun women that the new government under her husband would take them along in the new government”, the statement reads in part.
She described women as “the pillar of the society”, promising that, the new administration would initiate policies that will benefit women across the state.
ERELU NGOZI ADELEKE, assured the women of the state that her husband would be just and serve with fear of God in carrying out his responsibility.
While pledging total support to her husband as he settles down to administer Osun State, Mrs. Adekele also pledged her commitments to ensure the administration delivers on its promises on education, youth and women empowerment, improvement of Osun State Health Sector, amongst others.
Signed:
Ms. Caroline Oluchi Nwaru
Media Aide to Osun State First Lady
27th November, 2022.
Osun First Lady Sends Gratitude; Assures Osun Women, Youths, Children Of Commitment To Development
“It is with immense gratitude that I express my thanks to the great people of Osun state for their trust and belief in my husband, the 6th Executive Governor of Osun State, Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, and his deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi.
“I am deeply moved by the expression of confidence and support of the party leaders, Osun PDP caretaker Committee, campaign committees in different Capacities, transition committee, and the Inauguration committee, Various Women and Youth Support Groups, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“Also, my appreciation is extended to the PCC National Women Campaign Council under the able leadership of our incoming first Lady, Chief Mrs. Titi Abubakar. More so, to our family and the Adeleke Political Dynasty, Our Dear Patriarch Dr Deji Adeleke, our Mother and strong Pillar of Support, Yeyeluwa Dupe Adeleke-Sanni, friends, Osun women, youth, and children who so generously contributed their time and effort to our campaign during this very long election season.
“Being the First Lady involves listening to women, youths, Persons with disabilities, children and translating their concerns into workable proposals. It also involves building consensus to make them workable. I can’t possibly do this job without the involvement and openness of the people. You have taken the time to share with us your ideas, your concerns, and your aspirations, and I sincerely appreciate your willingness to discuss what really matters to you. Not only have you entrusted us with the responsibility to govern, but you also continue to provide us with the ideas and feedback I need to do it as it should be done.
“We have promised and will deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Osun and in my capacity as the First Lady, I will serve as a mother for all and represent the interest of the women, youth and children of Osun state. The commitment of the State government to the welfare and wellbeing of people with disabilities, stressing that the present administration is determined to ensure Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) achieve their full potentials in life.
“It is our collective duty as a people to promote and integrate them to be part of the larger society, we must eschew all practices that tend to segregate people at all levels. We will continue to work hard to ensure that children have access to education and a top-notch learning process.
“Your Prayers, Advices and credible Constructive criticisms will help us succeed greatly in the discharge of my Duties, I’m always Open, Accessible and Approachable.
“God bless Osun State, God bless All her Citizens, God bless the People’s Governor.”
Meanwhile, neither the Governor nor his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed have cleared the air on the status of his wives as First Lady of the state since assuming office on Sunday, November 27th.
