Gov Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has stated that the economy of the state is not as bad as being painted by critics of his administration.

Aregbesola who spoke through Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. Adebisi Obawale at a farewell programme for the 2017 pilgrimage to Mecca  said that intervention of the administration in various spheres of people’s lives since 2010 when it came on board had been impact-full.

He also said that Osun oversubscribed the 917 slots allocated to the state by National Commission on Hajj for the 2017 pilgrimage.

While the state was initial awarded 917 slots for pilgrims, the state demanded for an extra 48 slots which were also filled up by intending pilgrims from the state.

Apart  from this , there are requests from several others which the state is still considering.

The Governor said the development is a sign that the economy of Osun is not as precarious as being made to look to outsiders.

“Pilgrims to Mecca paid a sum of N1,180,000 last year while pilgrims are paying a sum of N1,548,153.43 for the 2017 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

“A total of 724 pilgrims performed hajj last year from Osun while the year 2017 has recorded 1,065 pilgrims with the possibilities of other additions.”

“I have been made to understand that some states even could not fill about one third of the slots given to them because their people have no capacity.

“But in Osun, where some of our traducers would want the world to think is in such a precarious and irredeemable economic situation, our people are able to sponsor themselves for this journey at a time the government has no capacity to sponsor a single pilgrim.

“This is to confirm that our interventions in the various spheres of people’s lives have been impactful and this economic independence is a major indices.

“So, if you want to measure the results of our performance, this is one clear indication,” the Governor was quoted as saying.


Governor Aregbesola, who used the occasion to specifically urged pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state gave them prayer points while performing hajj rites.

He urged them to pray for peace of mind, better economic prosperity in Osun, peace in Yoruba land, Nigeria, quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari, and above all, a place of comfort for his mother, Alhaja Saratu Asabi Aregbesola, who died last Tuesday.

Speaking earlier, the Ameer Hajj, Barrister Dhikrilah Hassan said Osun has also perfected its strategies towards making hajj comfortable, a situation he said has earned Osun commendations from the Saudi Arabian and Nigerian authorities.

He assured the governor that just as his team had done in the past, the 2017 exercise would also witness good conduct by pilgrims and that the state would maintain its place as good ambassador of Nigeria.