₦7.5bn Budget Targets Infrastructure, Healthcare, Youth Empowerment in Oriade

The Executive Chairman of Oriade Local Government, Hon. Olubunmi Ezekiel Obeisun, on Tuesday formally presented a ₦7.5 billion (₦7,500,000,000) Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Legislative Arm of the council, describing it as a “Budget for Sustainable Development.”

Presenting the budget before the Legislative Council on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Hon. Obeisun said it was a privilege to appear before the distinguished lawmakers to lay the 2026 Budget Estimates for consideration and approval.

“The size of the 2026 budget being presented today is ₦7.5 billion,” the chairman stated. “This budget, christened Budget for Sustainable Development, is designed to address the critical needs of our people and drive inclusive growth across Oriade Local Government.”

According to him, the proposed budget is anchored on key sectors including infrastructural development, potable water supply, primary healthcare delivery, environmental sanitation, educational support, youth empowerment, agriculture, security, and other social amenities. He also assured that staff welfare would remain a top priority of his administration.

“Beyond the prompt payment of salaries and statutory benefits, the training and retraining of staff will receive adequate attention to enhance service delivery,” he added.

Hon. Obeisun emphasized that extensive planning and consultations were undertaken to ensure that the budget is realistic, implementable, and beneficial to the people. While acknowledging expected revenue from the Federation Account, he disclosed that the council would pursue an aggressive internally generated revenue (IGR) drive.

“Our strategy is to widen the tax net rather than increase rates. We will also block all loopholes in revenue collection and remittance to boost IGR,” he said.

The council chairman further assured the legislature of strict budgetary discipline, noting that all expenditures in the 2026 fiscal year would strictly align with the approved budget.

“I will not allow any distortion in budget implementation. All programmes and expenditures will be guided by the provisions approved by this Honourable House,” he pledged.

Aligning the proposed budget with national priorities, Hon. Obeisun stated that the administration would implement people-oriented projects in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing the critical role of local governments, especially with the recent financial autonomy granted to councils.

He also called for collective responsibility, noting that the success of the budget would depend on the cooperation of residents through the prompt payment of taxes and statutory fees.

“I sincerely appreciate the support of this Honourable House since the inception of this administration, and I am confident that our relationship will grow even stronger in 2026,” he said, before formally presenting the ₦7.5 billion budget for legislative scrutiny and approval.

The budget presentation was witnessed by several councillors and principal officers, including Hon. Fatunde Boluwaji Olaniyi (Ward 7, Chief Whip), Hon. Aluko Dele Bolanle (Ward 4, Vice Chairman – represented), Hon. Seidu Alani (Ward 1, Majority Leader), Hon. Itaniyi Oluwabunmi (Ward 2, Deputy Leader), and Hon. Awotayo Dewumi, Council General Secretary.

Other councillors present were Hon. Adeyemi Jimoh (Ward 11), Hon. Abe Taiwo (Ward 6), Hon. Olowookere Abiodun John (Ward 4), Hon. Famakinwa Wale (Ward 5), Hon. Peter Kehinde (Ward 9), Hon. Adesina Toyese (Ward 8), Hon. Ojewoye Omolayo Margaret (Ward 3), Hon. Sulaimon Rasaq Ajibola (Ward 10), and Hon. Olasupo Olumide (Ward 12), alongside Special Advisers and Executive Assistants.

Prominent political leaders in attendance included Ijesa North APC Leader, Baba Emiola Ogunsanya (FEG AGRO); former House of Representatives member Hon. Rufus Oluwatayo; APC State Woman Leader Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde; former Council Chairman Hon. Komolafe; former Deputy Senatorial Leader Ade Ajibola; Oriade APC Chairman Gbenga Ajewole; Oriade APC Secretary Osunmakinde Yinka; Oriade Leaders’ Secretary Hon. Oriogun Emmanuel; Hon. Ajimati Adedeji; Lasun Ogunsanya; APC Ward 3 Chairman Elder Alake Samuel; former House of Assembly member Hon. Goke Awotunde; Oriade Council Treasurer Mrs. Alake; former APC Local Government Chairman Leader Siyan, party stakeholders, and APC members.

Also present were representatives of local government workers, including State Concern General Secretary, Comrade Akin Adepoju (Alakin), Comrade Gbemi Owolabi, Comrade Engr. Iyabo Aluko, among others.

Signed:
Media Unit, Office of the Chairman, Oriade Local Government Secretariat, Ijebu-Ijesa.