The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has stunned his critics, and left many residents of the state in a deep emotional state when he recently surprised a puff-puff seller, Oluwatosin Adeyemo in Osogbo, the state capital by paying for all her puff-puff snacks with ₦50,000 and offering her immediate employment as a chef at the Government House.
The touching encounter happened during an appreciation solidarity rally organised by civil servants in Osun State. Thousands of workers had gathered in the capital city to commend the governor for his welfare policies and support since assuming office.
In a video widely circulated on social media, Adeleke, who was seated inside a bus, beckoned on the woman selling puff-puff by the roadside. He asked her how much it would cost to buy all the snacks in her bowl. To the vendor’s surprise, the governor handed her a bundle of ₦50,000 cash, sparking loud cheers from the excited crowd.
Onlookers quickly rushed to share the puff-puff, while the visibly shocked woman was invited into the governor’s vehicle. During the brief interaction, one of Adeleke’s aides asked about her academic background, and she revealed that she holds a Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE).
Governor Adeleke then inquired about her cooking skills. When she listed several dishes she could prepare, the governor instructed his aides to take down her details for immediate employment as a chef in the Government House.
Addressing the crowd, Adeleke said the gesture was a way of giving hope to hardworking citizens. “What I did today is a reminder that the government sees ordinary people. This woman was struggling by the roadside, but today her story has changed. We will continue to support our people and lift them up whenever we can,” he stated.
The incident drew immediate reactions from both officials and residents. Commissioner II at the Osun State Civil Service Commission, Olaniyan Taofeek, confirmed the development in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, “The moment Gov. Adeleke turned the life of a puff-puff seller into a Government House chef.”
Also reacting, Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Media, Oni Gbenga Lawrence, said, “This was not only about ₦50,000. The governor went further to employ her as a chef in the Government House. This is true leadership with a human touch.”
The video has since gone viral, attracting thousands of comments from Nigerians who praised the governor’s compassion. Many described the act as life-changing, while others said it highlighted the importance of leaders paying attention to everyday struggles.
Residents at the rally said the governor’s action captured the mood of the day. A civil servant, who gave his name as Tunde, said, “We came out to thank him for supporting us, but he ended up showing love to someone who was not even part of the rally. This is leadership by example.”
For the puff-puff seller, whose identity is yet to be made public, the moment marked a dramatic turnaround. What began as an ordinary day of roadside trading ended with a ₦50,000 gift and a prestigious new job in the Government House kitchen.
The event has further strengthened Adeleke’s reputation among his supporters as a governor who connects with the grassroots and values the welfare of ordinary citizens.
