OSOGBO – 01/10/2023 – Osunstate

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has called on Nigerians to pray for the continuous peace and prosperity of the country.

The Governor stated this in his message to the people of Osun State and Nigeria to commemorate the 2023 Independence Day celebration.

Governor Adeleke while acknowledging the unfavorable prevailing economic and security situation across the country urged all political, religious, traditional and business leaders to unite purposely to find lasting solutions in line with the vision of the past heroes who fought hard for national independence.

“We are currently in a difficult situation; the precarious economic situation is affecting everyone. This is our reality and we must face it. As leaders, we must collaborate to find lasting solutions irrespective of our cultural, religious, political and social affiliations. We must also seek for divine intervention from God, I believe in prayer so I will always urge us to continue to pray”

“We must look back to find the purpose behind the vision of our founding fathers who fought for our independence. The leaders must be committed to the progress of our society and the followers must be responsible to hold the leaders accountable. We must all play our roles for the sake of prosperity.

“As the Governor of the people, I have enshrined the culture of transparency and accountability in the governance of the affairs of Osun state, I have assembled a strong team of professionals from different fields. In fulfillment of my open governance agenda, I will be hosting the first edition of IPADE IMOLE in the coming days”

“At IPADE IMOLE, I will be giving a full report of my stewardship directly to the people of Osun state. I shall be opening the governance book of the state for everyone to see. I am determined to run an all inclusive government that is owned by the people and truly for the people.”

“On my part as the leader of the government of Osun state, I am determined to repay the faith reposed on me by the people of Osun with their votes. By voting overwhelmingly for me, Osun people sought for a more responsive and more accountable leader, one who sees the office as a privilege.

“In the spirit of celebrating the Independence Day, I urge the people of Osun state to continue to pray for the success of our administration while we remain steadfast in our development agenda that is pro people and pro good governance” the statement concluded.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed
Spokesperson to the Executive Governor

OSOGBO – 27/09/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

NEWS RELEASE

The state government has an infrastructure plan that has a sustainable funding model and which targets facilitation of economic growth and development of the state.

Commissioner for Information, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi made this clarification in response to advocacy of non governmental groups such as the Osun Masterminds and the Coalition for Good Governance(C4GG) on planned flyover bridges, dualisation of roads and pension matters in the state.

The Commissioner who commended the civil society groups in Osun state said the government is opened to counseling and advice especially when such are dispassionate and devoid of political partisanship, assuring that “the ship of state is progressing to deliver on good governance.

“On state of security, Governor Adeleke has ensured robust response by regular hosting of the state security council meetings, by forging inter agencies collaborations and by the ongoing reform of the Amotekun corps.

“Not minding that police and other outfits are federal bodies, the Governor has created a security architecture that integrates formal and informal security bodies for the urgent task of securing Osun state.

“On the state of infrastructure , this administration inherited a huge infrastructure deficit which it is working hard to bridge and which has led to the construction of over 50 kilometers of roads and rebuilding of several bridges.

“Federal roads are however particularly challenging because of the scale of the job and because the Federal Government of President Bola Tinubu is also just settling down.

“Governor Adeleke is however committed to addressing the road crisis, hence the revival of the state road maintenance agency which has become more active in the last few months.

“On the issue of flyover in Osogbo, we assure the public that the project design is such that it will not create an unbearable burden on the state even as the state needs to upgrade her infrastructure to achieve economic growth.

“At the Ipade Imole coming up on October 5th, Governor Adeleke will unveil full details of dualisation of roads and flyover bridges which other towns other than Osogbo will also benefit from, all under a financially and environmentally sustainable model.

“On subsidy palliatives, we clarify that the state government is not shrouding the distribution process in secrecy as a public committee comprising various sectors of the society successfully handled the exercise.

“We also want the public to note that Osun is already under an emergency with almost N100 billion debt while still paying half salary and pension debt alongside pressing needs from all sectors such as infrastructure, education, health among others.

“Aside from the palliatives, the Government is also set to unveil details on the disbursement of the N2 billion which was part of the N5 billion promised by the Federal Government.

” On pension matters, we are glad to report that a meeting between the pension stakeholders and the government has produced positive results with common template in place to ensure that all segments of the pensioners’ population are duly covered

The government including the Honourable Commissioner for Information has the greatest respect for the pensioners as our senior citizens”, the statement noted.

According to the commissioner, the only plea which all stakeholders have accepted is the need to refrain from playing into the hand of some politicians whose goal is to derail the ongoing strong push to resolve the N56 billion naira inherited pension debt.

Signed
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Honourable.Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment

OSOGBO– 27-09-2023– Osunstate.gov.ng

NEWS RELEASE

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has called on Muslims in the state to use the occasion of the birth of Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to further sow the seed of peace and unity, noting that the key to a sustainable world is harmony and cohesion.

The Governor who referred to the birth of Prophet Muhammad as a moment of profound significance for the Muslim ummah, said the guiding light which the Holy Prophet serves to humanity must not be lost on every Muslims.

While congratulating Muslims in the state on the commemoration, Governor Adeleke charged them to be guided by the exemplary life of compassion, justice, giving, kindness and humility that defined the Holy Prophet in all conducts.

He urged Muslims to take note of the message of love, peace and unity that characterized the life of Prophet Muhammad, adding that “we must work on ourselves to embrace our individual differences and pursue a harmonious coexistence with our neighbours, irrespective of colour, faith, and tongue.”

The Governor called on Osun people to use the moment of the commemoration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad to pray for Allah’s divine intervention in overcoming all personal and collective challenges so that Osun will thrive in line with our expectations.

He prayed that this celebration shall herald renewed commitment to peace and progress of not just our communities, but also Osun state and Nigeria as a whole.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor

osunstate.gov.ng

The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has decried the dwindling number of experts in the medical field as a source of worry even as he described them as life-savers.

The Governor made this known today at the 9th Annual International Oncology Multidisciplinary team symposium organized by the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Science, College of Health Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The Governor who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr Akindele Adekunle further reiterated its readiness to support any innovative ideas that can stem the wave of increasing cancer related diseases in Nigeria.

” It gives me joy to be here today in the midst of life savers – The Surgeons. It also gives me greater joy that this brainstorming event is holding in our dear state and in this prestigious citadel of learning, the great Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

” It is an interesting time for surgical oncologists in the country and especially in our dear state. The rate of cancer related cases, as you must be aware, is becoming troubling and more troubling is the dwindling number of experts in the medical field to combat the menace.

” Going by the experience of the state government in the recent medical outreach initiated by our government, in which about 55 thousand Nigerians in Osun State have benefitted, we cannot but begin to raise a toast to our doctors, especially the surgeons —to pay tribute to them, for your painstaking lane of service to humanity.

” Many who have resigned to fate of early grave were revitalized through surgical interventions performed by our valuable medical officers,

” Many have unconsciously played around with life-threatening lumps until some of your colleagues came to their surgical aide through our government support and bailed them out of their helplessness.

” Therefore, if the state government was able to achieve the target goals so far in the medical outreach or even to do more in days to come in the health sector, it is because we are standing on your shoulders” the Governor stated.

Governor Adeleke further eulogies and commended surgeons, medical specialist and oncologist for being a life-saver and contributing immensely to the sustainance of humanity through the discharge of their duties and responsibilities and further said the state is ready to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve healthcare service in the state and give attention to sensitive medical issues like cancer and other related terminal diseases.

” We salute the oncologists, the cancer specialists, be it medical, radiation, or surgical oncologists. Like I mentioned earlier, this brainstorming assembly wouldn’t have come at a better time than now.

” Osun State government under our healthcare agenda, would leave no stone unturned to partner with life saving institutions like this great body, to breath life to dying cells” Dr Akindele reiterated onbehalf of the Governor at the event.

The Governor thereafter challenged the gathering to use the 3Day symposium to center their deliberations around breaking barriers of opportunities for training and grooming more capable hands in order to stem the dearth of medical experts and brain drain in the health sector and also to reduce medical tourism of Nigerians.

Among notable dignitaries at the event is the former Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole.

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO– 24/09/2023– Osun state.gov.ng

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba (Dr.) Adedokun Omowumi Abolarin, on the auspicious occasion of his birthday, eulogizing him for unparalleled dedication to peace and stability of the state and Nigeria at large.

Governor Adeleke who described Oba Abolarin as a fountain of inspiration for diligently working for the good of the people, noted in a congratulatory message signed by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, that the royal father is one of his greatest motivations in touching lives.

The Governor acknowledged Oba Abolarin’s many impacts in the society, regaling his roles in promoting peace, inclusivity, stability, and mutual understanding in his domain, and the unceasing support for the economic growth of Osun state.

“I celebrate Kabiyesi, the Orangun of Oke Ila on the occasion of his birthday. Oba Abolarin is a revered voice not just in our state, but Nigeria as a whole, going by his depth of contributions,” the Governor was quoted as saying in the message.

” I am a titled Chief of Oke Ila. Kabiyesi is also a very close family friend with decades of interaction and relationship. I cherish his intellectualism and his very deep philosophical outlook on humanity and governance

“On this day, I join the multitude of your admirers in acknowledging your incredible leadership, and note your efforts in upholding our culture and traditions while not ruling out the place of modernity in effectively impacting subjects.”

Governor Adeleke prayed for Oba Abolarin’s good health and sound mind so as to continue to enjoy his wise counsel and unparalleled commitment to the growth and progress of our society.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has sought the support of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to strengthen the infrastructural development of tertiary institutions in the state.

Adeleke made the request during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono in Abuja.

The Governor noted the educational decline of the state, saying “The visit was necessary to ensure education takes its pride.”

While commending the fund on its role in giving tertiary education a face, Governor Adeleke said that hardly would there be any development in tertiary institutions that would not be traceable to TETFund.

He said; “In Osun state, we are enjoying Tetfund in the areas of infrastructure.

” I am here for the support from TETFund for Osun State and to come and ask for more because we still need a lot of support as our education has really dropped.”

Responding, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono said that tertiary education played special role in the affairs and even the destiny of any country.

Echono said, “This is because tertiary education is where the greatest level of production, creativity, and the greatest impact happens, especially in terms of new ideas, new products and services, and also better ways of doing things, thus must be given the needed attention.”

He said; “We believe strongly that tertiary education plays a special role in the affairs and even the destiny of any country because that is the level where greatest level of production, creativity, and the greatest impact happens.

“Whether it is in terms of new ideas, in terms of new products and services, in terms of better ways of doing things, it is at that level that innovation is at its highest, that creativity and enterprises are at its highest.

“And it is that body of knowledge of expertise that services the various sectors of every economy whether it’s health, media in any field.

“So if we get our tertiary education right, we can even export that to other African countries and indeed other parts of the world because Nigerians are known and we are endowed by God-very intelligent and hardworking people.”

Echono explained that when Nigerians were equipped with the best facilities and the enabling environment to excel, they do better in every field.

“The task before every one of us is how do we prepare our people, how do we improve on their living standards, how do we give them the necessary tools to transform to the end of other places in the world.

“And as a state, we see you as one who can give this.

“Osun has taken a lot of lead even at technical levels called STEM, trying to promote technical education and the Governor has been talking to me on how we can work together to take this beyond the basic and secondary education to the tertiary level,” he said.

Echono, therefore, commended the state Governor for paying attention to education while also underlying how important it is to lay a solid foundation so that collectively the country could be developed.

The three day education summit recently organized by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration is aimed at resuscitating the education sector in Osun state from its current poor state

Chairman of the state teaching service commission, TESCOM, Mr Temitope Mustapha stated this on IMOLE AYO, a sensitization programme promoting the activities of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration on OSBC Radio and Television channels

The weekly simulcast Yoruba programme is put in place by the office of the spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed to highlight the achievements of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration in Osun state

Mr Mustapha said the Governor while receiving the report of the education summit from the organizing committee promised to study the report and implement the recommendations therein to revamp the sector

He added that Governor Ademola Adeleke has mapped out strategies to provide incentives for teachers working at the grassroots to make the villages comfortable for them to live and reduce their quest for transfer to urban areas

On the issue of teachers recruitment, he said stakeholders are already brainstorming to work out modalities to ascertain the number of subject teachers needed to be employed and posted to schools where their services are required across the state

The TESCOM chairman urged parents and guardians to support the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke by paying necessary dues on the education of their children and wards regularly, saying such money is being used for the maintenance of schools as government alone can not do it.

PRESS STATEMENT

ABUJA – 23/09/2023

Osun State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Chairman for the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has assured the people of Kogi State that development will be restored in the state when Senator Dino Melaye is elected as governor.

Adeleke, who stated this when he met the elders and stakeholders of the Kogi West chapter of the PDP in Kabba, Kogi State, on Thursday, said Kogites had proud accomplishments when the party governed the state.

“Kogites know that when PDP was in office, their lives were better than now. Their business concerns were doing well, their salaries were paid in full and things generally moved smoothly.

“I’m Imole (light) and Dino is Imole too. Together, we are bringing light to Kogi State and I implore the people of Kogi State to unite and rescue the state.

“I have told Governor Yahaya Bello that Imole is coming to Kogi State. Our campaign will be issue based and we shall repeat the Osun feat in Kogi State by God’s grace.

He called on the people of Kogi State not to be deceived again by the machinations of the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that, “if you go to APC, they will use you and dump you, no matter who you are. Let us join hands together and move both the PDP and Kogi State forward.

The Chairman, contact and mobilization committee of the national campaign, Professor Jerry Gana, told the people of Kogi West that they “have a golden opportunity to produce the next governor of Kogi State.

“You must pull all your political capital together to ensure that the opportunity of producing a governor this time does not elude you.

Also speaking, the secretary of the national campaign council, Senator Biodun Olujimi, said the people of Ekiti State share close affinities with Kogi West and it is their great desire to see PDP restored to power in the state.

Those present at the meeting were the Kogi State PDP deputy governorship candidate, Hajia Habibat Mohammed Deen; PDP National Vice Chairman (North Central) Mr Dakas Shan; Hon Tajudeen Yusuf; Hon Shaba Ibrahim; Dr Steven Olorunfemi; Hon Abiodun Ojo; the Director General of the Dino/Habiba Campaign Organisation, Prince Inuwa Iyodo; Prince Richard Akanmode; Kola Ologbondiyan; Hon. Mohammed Etudaiye; Hon Adakole Ijogi; Hon Soji Olumorin; Hon S.K Adekunle; Hon Adams Olorunmo, among others.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Osun State Governor

Threat of Legal Action, Interloping Actvism Usurping Union-Employer Rights

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 21/09/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

Our attention has been drawn to a threat of legal action by an Ibadan based legal practitioner, Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, to sue the Osun state government for non-payment of allowances owed judicial officials by the previous administrations. The action does not only amount to meddlesomeness but a misrepresentation and misinterpretation of employment relationship between employees and the employer.

As much as we will not wish to attribute the threat of legal action to politicization of service matters, we must remind the public that the lawyer expressly affirmed that the allowances were owed by Aregbesola/Oyetola administration. We can add for him that the Adeleke administration inherited from the two previous governments of the All Progressive Congress a whopping salary, pension and employment related debt to the tune of 100 billion naira. This is outside another state debt of over 400 billion naira.

The Adeleke administration has however commenced payment of such salary and pension debt amidst cash crunch and equally competing demands for state expenditure. The public is aware that Governor Ademola Adeleke has deployed strategic ingenuity and uncommon resource management options to administer the state, delivering on various sectoral targets and also attending to the welfare of workers.

It is on record that the Adeleke administration ensures payment of salary as at when due and is also working to pay up inherited employment related debt from the previous administrations. Many would wonder why the Ibadan lawyer did not sue those who created the mess while they were in office. We are even shocked that the barrister in question chooses to attack a Governor who is doing all within his powers to correct fundamental errors of the last 12 years and set the state on the path of sustainable growth.

We must also put on record that Osun judicial workers have their unions and it is not in doubt that the union leadership is capable and able to advance the interest of their members. The Unions are also not unmindful of the inherited rot and ongoing efforts of the government to holistically address their issues.

We are constrained to therefore urge the lawyer to avoid distractive and interloping activism. As we believe he is not politically recruited, he should adopt other dignifying route rather than usurping labour dispute question which only the unions and their employers can undertake.

As we assume the lawyer has good intention, he can rework his threat into an appeal to the State Governor to continue his ongoing phased payment of outstanding liabilities inherited from the previous administrations. He may further commend the Governor for acting for all Osun people by devising strategies to complete abandon projects and gradual payments of outstanding liabilities.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor