**Pledges trust fund for victims' of violence
** Gets rousy welcome from workers
By Shina Abubakar Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday received his certificate of return as governor-elect after the August 15 governorship election in the State.
The Governor in brief ceremony at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, headquarters in Osogbo, was presented the certificate by the INEC commissioner in charge of Osun State, Professor Kunle Ajani.
Speaking after receiving the certificate, Governor Adeleke said his election victory is dedicated to the people of Osun, who stood by him throughout the process.
While stressing that the election victory calls for sober reflection over the many lives that were lost, he said the State Government will establish a N500million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support verified victims.
This certificate does not belong to Ademola Adeleke alone. It belongs to the people of Osun State: our workers, market men and women, youths, traditional and religious leaders, and every citizen who participated in this democratic process. I am deeply humbled by the confidence you have renewed in me.
But even in victory, we must be sober in reflection. Citizens were injured, properties and livelihoods were destroyed and, most painfully, precious lives were lost.
"We remember Ezekiel Olapade, Aderogba Ajayi, Remi Abass, Kolade Eluyera, and every other victim of electoral violence. Regardless of political affiliation, they were first our brothers, sisters and fellow citizens. To their families, your pain is our pain, and your loved ones will never be reduced to mere statistics.
The Osun State Government will also establish a ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support verified victims and affected families. A Verification and Relief Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, will oversee the transparent identification of victims and equitable distribution of support.
This is not a political intervention. It is a humanitarian responsibility. No eligible victim will be excluded because of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, gender or social status. In grief, there is no political party. In our common humanity, we are one people", he said.
The Governor, later at a reception organised by the workers, disclosed that the Adeleke family, through its foundation, will provide scholarships to the children of those who lost their lives due to the electoral violence in the State.
"The Adeleke family, through the Springtime Development Foundation, will provide full scholarships up to university level for the children and dependants of those who lost their lives", he added.
While emphasising the need for unity among the people, the governor said the period of campaign is over, hence, the time to govern and unite for the development of the State.
"The election is over. The campaign is over. The contest is over. Now is the time to govern, unite, heal and build.
"We shall continue to advance infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and economic development, with accountability, inclusion and transparency", he added.