The governor took a swipe at those accusing his government of not having human face, noting he had not only achieved tremendously in cleaning the environment, but also in putting smiles on the faces of traders sent away from the streets by building a befitting shopping complex and empowering them with N20 million to trade with.

According to the governor, his government had also given N300 million to 6,000 traders and artisans at N50, 000 each, noting that his stomach infrastructure policy had been in practical terms and not just about propaganda.

The governor pointed out that it was under his administration that roads were dualised in Oyo, Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun areas of the state, while revealing that three housing estates are under construction for all levels of interested buyers in the state.

The estates according to him were being built at Nihort, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Agodi G.R.A.

The governor also said the problem of water is about 82 per cent over in the state and would be totally solved in a matter of months.

The urban renewal programme of the administration, according to him, had been pursued vigorously than any other administration in the state, adding that the administration had also been able to attract major investments into the state, due to the prevailing peace.

Speaking on his visit to the media house, Ajimobi commended the resilience of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, for its over 65 years of existence, noting that the company reflects the image and philosophy of its founder and sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who he said, “epitomises integrity, hard work and forthrightness.”

Ajimobi noted that he shared a common destiny with the newspaper which, he said, was established one month before he was born, stating that “every time I look at Tribune or read about Tribune, just like all those forthright people; you always have those who love you keenly and those who hate you passionately. But in the end, with all the travails, you have always succeeded.

“So, I pray that my entire life, social, political and spiritual will be like Tribune’s. Tribune has a thousand and one lives. Each times it goes down, it comes back with such a meteorite force that it bounces to the highest point above all others. By and large, we are happy to be here.”

The governor also noted that each time he had ambition for an elective office, he had always made Tribune his first port of call and had always succeeded, thus his visit to intimate the newspaper of his ambition to seek re-election in 2015.

Abdulai, who stood in for the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the company, Mr Edward Dickson, welcomed the governor, informing him that the organisation had weathered many storms and survived many hardships, just as he noted that Tribune “has helped to bring Ajimobi’s government closer to the people.

“Tribune was founded by the best politician to have ever come out of Nigeria; it is the only newspaper that can tell the story of Nigeria accurately.

“We have fought many battles and survived many wars. We were part of the Independence struggle and fought the military and tyrannical governments. We are the voice of the voiceless,” Abdulai said.