The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has reassured the citizens of the state of his government’s commitment to position the state towards socio-economic and political advancement and prosperity.
 

 
Governor Aregbesola said the central point of his administration’s agenda is to steer the affairs of the state in a right direction that will continuously bring genuine succor and dividends of democracy to the good people of the state, saying he is determined to place the state to a prosperous economic vantage that has never known in history.

 
Aregbesola made the statement while addressing people at a conference organized in honour of a veteran activist, Professor Biodun Jeyifo at Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, State of Osun.

 
Governor Aregbesola who flayed at the way and manner at which one of a section of the press reported his statement where he was quoted to have said he wanted to apply the civil service rule against some of the state health workers, admonished journalists to always verify and scrutinize any information before it being reported.

 
Aregbesola also frowned at the industrial action embarked upon by a section of the state health workers, saying their action has caused unnecessary damages and irreparable loss to the sector.

 
He said “It is unfortunate that a section of media portrayed Osun as a failed state and that we were unable to pay salaries but I challenged whoever sponsors that come out with fact be are the only state at the best of time that implemented 13 month salary across the length and breath of civil service.

 
“I know it is not possible for someone like me On the issue of doctors strike, how will a sodmasse preside over a state and critical element like doctors would be on strike and he will not solve.

 
“In the first instance not all doctors in the state are on strike. It is only a section of about 200 doctors that resident in Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital and some doctors at the state hospital that refused to work.

 
” All the doctors at our primary healthcare centre at the local level are fully operational and other health workers in all our health facilities both primary and secondary are working.

 
“All the consultants in our secondary health facilities are on duty.

 
“Before it became practically impossible for us to meet our salaries obligations to our workers, we invited the workers to tell them that in sixty days time the state might not be able to pay salaries and we later to be paying in accordance with whatever we receives as we have been doing.

 
“So, since July 2013 our allocation has been short by N2billion. But since then the state has been coping based on our initiative to raise the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) until last year when the shortfall started to be on a free fall which later snowballed into the present economic situation.

 
He call called on the striking health practitioners to jettison their differences with government in the interest of the state as well as the people.

 
Governor Aregbesola who further lamented over the continued dwindling revenues to the state said the time has come for everybody to be more innovative, productive and creative.

 
According to him, unless we see the need to work harder and remain productive individually and collectively by  contributing our quota through tax payment for the development of our state, there is no other option to avert this economic menace.

 
He said Nigerians must equally embrace, resuscitate and explore the potentials embedded in the long-abandoned agriculture, solid mineral resources and industrialization.

 
Aregbesola added, “the solution to this abnormal economy is for us to be concerned and interested in production. We must be creative, innovative and as well ready to work and work.

 
“The era of free crude oil has gone and there is no sign of it coming back again, while the season of free money from the Federation Accounts has also gone.

 
“Agricultural production is the best solution to this economic insurgency and I implore all the intellectuals to join others to ensure that the nation is rescued from this menace.

 
“We must refocus our attention to enhancing the productivity of Nigerian people in a way that we no longer depend on a commodity that has already faded out.

 
“To avoid being remained in a huge economic mess which the reality of the current economic situation has posed on us, we must as urgently as possible genuinely diversify our economy in consonance with the present economic reality for the greater socio-political and economic development of our state.

“All hands must be on deck to develop our state at this period of economic hardship.
 

Governor of the state of  Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has inaugurated Community Based School Management Committees, tasking the members to ensure that the schools under their superintendence function effectively.
 

 
 
The use of such committees, Aregbesola said, was one of the best strategies to providing sustainable and functional education at the community level.
The governor stated this during the inauguration of the 14, 000-member Community Based School Management Committee in Osogbo. The committee members are to work in elementary, middle and high schools in the state.
The governor, while hailing the approach, noted that it was a convenient global practice of managing schools.

According to him, those imbued with the right sense of ownership are in the best position to drive an organisation or possess it for it to be successful.
The governor added, “Education is critical to every society because it is an area where any society cannot afford to fail. It is through education that every society renews itself by socialising its new members into its past, present and the future. It is through education that the intellect is cultivated, character is built and an individual becomes adjusted to society.”
The Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, also noted that education was the pivot of development.
She, therefore, urged the committee members to contribute positively to the success of the schools.
The Permanent Secretary of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Fatai Kolawole, said the essence was to rejuvenate elementary, middle and high schools in the state.

The Governor Of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, has notified the State House of Assembly of the restructuring of the state’s machinery of government reducing the state’s ministries to 12 in the process.

He has also announced the creation of a new ministry while merging some existing ones.
In a letter of notification forwarded to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, Governor Aregbesola stated that while there will be 12 ministries, nine agencies and bureaus will be under his office for direct supervision.
The governor stated in his letter which was dated January 21 that the decision to restructure was arrived at after a reappraisal of the machinery of government.
The letter titled: “Notification of the Restructuring of Some Existing Ministries and Creation of a New Ministry in the State of Osun” listed the 12 ministries in the letter to the House of Assembly:

1. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Youths Engagement
2. Ministry of Industries, Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment
3. Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development
4. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
5. Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Physical Planning,
6. Ministry of Finance
7. Ministry of Health,
8. Ministry of Information, Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture,
9. Ministry of Justice
10. Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, Water Resources, and Community Affairs
11. Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Affairs
12. Ministry of Works and Transport
 
The letter also listed nine agencies and bureaus that will be operating directly under the office of the governor. The agencies are:
1. Office of Regional Integration
2. State of Osun Sports Council
3. Department of Social and Grassroots Mobilization and Guidance
4. Office of Policy Coordination
5. Osun Job Centre
6. Bureau of Lands,
7. Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing)
8. Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing)
9. Office of Forestry, Natural and Mineral Resources
The governor while urging the Speaker to communicate the development to members of the House, also explained that the decision was taken to reduce the cost of governance as well as enhance service delivery.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has  commiserated with the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, over the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade.
 

 
The Governor described the late monarch as fatherly, quiet, peace-loving, progressive and a bridge-builder during his time.
 
In a statement by the Director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, Governor Aregbesola said the death of the first class monarch has left a huge vacuum in the traditional rulers’ council in Oyo State and by extension in Nigeria.

He lauded the late monarch for always championing peaceful co-existence as well as fostering cordial relationship among diverse ethnic nationalities residing in the ancient city.
 
According to him, the monarch’s reign was peaceful, remarkable and progressive even though his reign was brief.
 
The statement added: “Indeed, the exit of Olubadan is a sudden one, yet it was also a glorious one at the time it came.

“Olubadan’s reign was remarkable and peaceful. The people of Ibadan and Oyo State as well as its government have certainly lost one of Yoruba’s foremost traditional rulers.
 
“I, on behalf of government and people of Osun, commiserate with the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Ibadan Elders’ Council, the entire people of Ibadan and Oyo State in general.
 
“We pray that the Lord repose the soul of our dearest monarch in paradise.”

The Governor of the state of  Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, and the newly installed Oluwo of Iwo, Abdu-Rasheed Akanbi at the weekend said that the first basic requirement for any citizen to make demands from the government is the fulfilment of their civic responsibility to the government by payment of taxes.
 
The Governor identified the importance of tax in governance at the occasion of the presentation of staff of office and instrument of appointment to the Oluwo of Iwo.
 
 

 
Also at the event was the Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, Deputy Governor of Osun State, Grace Tomori, and many others.
 
‎Governor Aregbesola stated that taxation is the heartbeat of any government and that the primary way people can demonstrate loyalty to the state is by supporting it through payment of tax.
 
He held that people must return to payment of tax like before, saying what states of the federation gets from the federal allocation can no longer sustain them in meeting their responsibility to the people.
 
Governor  Aregbesola called on people of the state, most especially young school leavers to be productively engaged in farming.
 
According to him, “with the precipitous fall in oil price, an end has come to this and by necessity, we must earn our own money, if we must tide over this special and challenging time.
 
“Every able-bodied person, most importantly the youth and school leavers, must be productively engaged, especially in farming. This should not be difficult to do in Iwo because the people are predominantly farmers.
 
“We are rolling out a new programme with huge incentives for all interested persons to participate in farming, in a way that will make them rich and yield huge revenues to the government,” the governor stressed.
 
‎‎Mr. Aregbesola charged the monarch to lead by example, saying leadership naturally comes with certain privileges and that a good leader must convert privileges to resources of governance.
 
He also admonished that the monarch must rule with wisdom and fear of God, noting that the people over whom he presides are diverse politically, ideologically, temperamentally, socially and by moral disposition.
 
“Not all of them will readily agree with you and many of them will say or do things you will consider abhorrent. But they are all your subjects and you are required to preside over them with tact and wisdom in a way that will enable you to get the best out of them.
 
“A leader must also be a unifying person and must never constitute a divisive agent. There are two kings whose reign the Yoruba never forget. These are the king whose reign is peaceful and the one whose reign is characterised by turmoil and scattering.
 
“May your reign be peaceful and usher in prosperity for the people in the realm,” the governor said.
 
In his acceptance speech, the Oluwo said he is in the total support of government’s tax efforts and that state and the communities making it up will witness tremendous progress.
 
He then joined the call by the governor to all well-meaning citizens to carry out their civic responsibilities by promptly paying their taxes.
 
He lamented that this was not the situation in the past as “our fathers used to fulfil their obligation to government and thus expected good governance.”
 
The monarch enjoined the people of Iwo and Osun in particular that they must publicise the necessity for tax payment to all and sundry.
 
He said: “What then has happened that we must turn away from taxes and at the same time expect wonders from the government.
 
“Please, as you stand here today, say it loud to the hearing of the next man or woman to you “Emi o sanworii temi, Iwo nko? (Meaning I will pay my own taxes, what about you?”
 
The monarch also advocated for the use of local resources in the economic production process for the development of our own God-given potential, saying this will guarantee economic well-being of the people of the state.

 

Promising that his reign would focus on the development pursuit of economic liberation of his people, he stated that he would continue to advocate for a massive utilisation of locally sourced materials for the production of those articles and goods being massively consumed by the people.
 
He continued: “I am here to serve my people. I am here to take my homeland to that height that it deserves among the comity of modern cities of the world. ”
 
In his remark, the Chairman of the occasion, Wale Babalakin, described the coronation as the most singular notable event in recent history of the town and the state.
 
He commended the people of Iwo Land for the maturity they employed in choosing the monarch without any rancour.
 
He noted that Osun has the most concentration of cities in the country, which presents any monarch and government both challenges assets.
 
He stated that the peaceful selection of the new monarch would be a harbinger of good things to come to the town and state.
 
“This is a singular notable event in the history of presentation of staff of office to a king in the state.
 
“Very remarkable and done in the most mature way, the people of Iwo must be congratulated for this achievement.
 
“They people have done well in chosen a popular, we’ll educated and we’ll exposed man as king.
 
“This is a great asset as well as a challenge to the town and the state; challenge to progress and population as asset. If the state’s natural and human endowments are annexed, today’s event will be a harbinger of good things to come,” Mr. Babalakin said.

The Osun State Government has given an assurance that it would continue to create an enabling environment for investors to thrive in the state.

The Acting Chairman of the Osun Internal Revenue Service, Dayo Oyebanji, stated this in Osogbo the Osun State capital, at a meeting where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with a foreign gaming company.
He stated that the gaming initiative was not only to create employment for many youths, but to also boost the state’s revenue generation through entertainment.
He explained that creating an enabling environment for investors would in turn improve the economic base of government to help meet its statutory obligation of providing basic needs for its citizens.
Describing the initiative, which is a landmark for Osun State, he added that the project would also empower people to make money for themselves.
The Internal Revenue boss maintained that in order to achieve the objectives of the partnership, the gaming would be automated thereby enhancing zero tolerance for leakages of revenue.
One of the project partners, John Kamara, had earlier pointed out that aside from building and discovering new talents, the entertainment industry in Osun state would also be developed.
Kamara promised to deliver on the MoU signed with the Osun State government to boost the state’s economy as agreed.
While assuring them of success, he said that the company, through gaming and entertainment, had partnered with many countries to build their economy.

Osun State government yesterday said 55 contacts traced to the index case of Lassa Fever in the state have been placed under surveillance.

Addressing newsmen in Osogbo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Temitope Oladele, said the state could not be said to have recorded case of Lassa fever, because the confirmatory test that would have confirmed that the index case died of the disease, could not be run.

He explained that, so far, none of those being monitored have shown symptoms of the disease, adding that the state is in contact with the hospital where the doctor died to be abreast of new development on the matter.

According to him, the 33-year-old doctor that died in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, OAUTHC, on Monday, whose blood sample proved positive in first test, lived in an unnamed neighboring state and only came to Osun on visit.

He added that second sample that should have been used for confirmatory test could not be taken from the index case before he died.

But in preparation for any eventuality, Oladele said monitoring room has been set up in the state ministry of health with mobile lines giving out to people to report any suspicious case.

He added that doctors working in all local government areas in the state have been put on red alert, while other health practitioners have been mobilised to prepare ground in case any incident of Lassa is reported.

Oladele further averred that massive sensitisation is being embarked upon by government for people, especially in the grassroots on how the disease can be contacted.

Pictures of the First President, Academic Staff Union of Universities {ASUU}, Professor Biodun Jeyifo with the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Chairman of the Occasion, Barrister Femi Falana (SAN), and the Keynote Speaker, Professor Attahiru Jega,during the 70th Birthday of Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, at the International Conference  Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday 20/01/2016.

First President, Academic Staff Union of Universities {ASUU}, Professor Biodun Jeyifo, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Chairman of the Occasion, Barrister Femi Falana (SAN), and Keynote Speaker, Professor Attahiru Jega,during the 70th Birthday of Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, at the International Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday 20/01/2016.

From Left- First President, Academic Staff Union of Universities {ASUU},Professor Biodun Jeyifo, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Chairman of the Occasion, Barrister Femi Falana (SAN), Keynote Speaker, Professor Attahiru Jega,and Professor Kole Omotoso during the 70th Birthday of Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, at the International Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday 20/01/2016.

From right- Lead Speaker and Chairperson, Dr. Edwin Madunagu, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Professor Kole Omotoso and Comrade Chido Onumah, during the 70th Birthday of the first President, Academic Staff Union of Universities {ASUU},Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, at International Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday 20/01/2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, exchanging greetings
with Dr. Seinde Arigbede,during the 70th Birthday of the first President, Academic Staff Union of Universities {ASUU},Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, at International Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday 20/01/2016.

Photos of the Director, Primary Health Care/Disease Control, Ministry of Health, State of Osun, Dr.Kayode Ogunniyi and others during a press briefing on the situation report on suspected case of Lassa Fever in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, at the Ministry of Health on Thursday 21-01-2016

…as the Varsity sets to establish its Distance Learning Education in the State

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Micheal Adikwu has commended the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his untiring commitment and passion towards the provision of an improved, quality and functional education.

Professor Adikwu also commended the State Government for remain focused and determined in spite the present enormity of economic challenges facing the entire country.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution gave the commendation while addressing people during a courtesy visit to the Governor in his office by the management team of the university.

Professor Adikwu who was represented by his Deputy on Administration, Professor Sanni Mashi said the current government in the state has displayed a genuine commitment towards the promotion of modern public education with prompt financial interventions and  provision of needed facilities aimed at aiding the teaching and learning process.

Professor Mashi said the State has placed itself at the front burner of quality and effective education thus earned the state several commendations, accolades and encomiums and as well made it the model among its peers in the country, africa and the entire world, saying the state education’s policy had been found worthy and copied by government at various levels locally and internationally.

He disclosed that the management and staff of the university in line with the constitution guiding the activities of Nigerian University deemed it fit to establish its Distance Learning Education in Osun which according to him if completed will be the first in the entire Southwestern region.

Professor Mashi stressed that the centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education of the University was established in its continuous efforts to reach out to the teeming population of Nigerians to have the opportunity of formal education.

Professor Mashi said, “the aim of Distance Education is to increase access to education to a large number of citizens interested in furthering their education.

“Unlike the formal systems, however, Distance Education is designed to democratize and liberalize education to facilitate the pursuit of knowledge without sacrificing ones career.

“It also enables studies to be combined with work by those that are interested in involving themselves.

“One of the objectives of the system is to make life-long education the hallmark of Nigeria’s educational policy.

“Osun is the first state in the Southwest zone where the Centre wishes to establish its presence.

Professor Mashi who also attributed the visit of the management of the institution to the state to what he described as timely educational partnership and projection, said the establishment of the Distance Learning in the state will add more value to the education strides of the current government and as well boost its economic potentials.

“Our visit to Osun is to intimate Mr. Governor of our decision to establish a Distance Learning in Iragberi, Egbedore, Local Government area of the state.

“Our University has expressed its commitment to Distance Learning Education through involvement in the activities of the National Universities Commission and other strategic partnership dedicated solely to Open and Distance education advancement in the Commonwealth and Africa”, Professor Mashi stated.

Professor Mashi who extolled the administrative acumen of Governor Aregbesola, however vowed to give the current administration the necessary supports and collaboration.

“While we appreciate the enormity of the problems which government at all levels face these days, we equally demand for your support to enable us take off successfully in the state.

“To be specific we need an office space and facilities where preliminary work of the service centre will commence.

“We promise and assure that the activities of the centre in the state will impact positively on a large number of people in the state and contiguous states especially the youths and public servants.

“We wish your administration a successful accomplishment in your efforts to reposition the state as we look forward to partner with your government in the development of education sector in the state”, he said.

In his remarks, Governor Rauf Aregbesola commended the management of the institution for counting the state worthy  of hosting such academic centre and for situating first of its kind in the state.

He added, “We appreciate the authority of UniAbuja for deeming it fit to pursue a cause that was almost dead and for building this monumental edifice in our state.

“Our state will continue to appreciate the economic benefits of this kind gesture, as host community will in no doubt be forever grateful to this.

Analyzing his commitment towards education, Governor Aregbesola said his administration prioritized education having understood the fact that education is the only heritage that one could live on and be so sure of, saying  it is also the only patrimony that can never be joked with.

“To understand education both in philosophical and practical essence, education is beyond secondary level because it is the greatest tool for the advancement of every human community, society and organization.

“Therefore the difference between developed and under developed nations, is the degree of application of knowledge.

“No efforts should be spared in getting education to be properly disseminated and passed on.

“Though we are constrained with the economic tragedy that has befallen our nation by the phenomenal decline in our oil revenues which unfortunately is the mainstay of the economy, but we will do everything within the limit of our resources to support this project and ensure its success and realization”, Aregbesola stated.

He therefore urged the institution to support the state by situating science related courses that will meet the needs of the state, saying Information and Communication Technology ICT is the major area where the state needed most in energizing the youths towards the realization of independent life.

He said, “ICT is the tool for rapid transformation of any society, for this reason, our government needs university knowledge to advance our society in the area of ICT, sciences, administration and management.