NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 17/11/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

The Government of Osun State has opened up on the leadership issue within the Osun State Judiciary, informing the public that the petition and preliminary actions on the Osun state Chief Judge have been sent to the National Judicial Council (NJC), affirming that Governor Adeleke has not defied any court order.

It should also be noted that the Osun State House of Assembly that confirmed the appointment of Mrs Adepele Ojo and asked her to step aside is not a party to any ongoing case or Court Order.

It is safe to assert that all that are being posted online are mere stunts as the government is not aware of any pending case at this material moment.

We also call the attention of the public that the misappropriated money over which investigation is being carried out were appropriated by the State House of Assembly and the body has constitutional right to inquire how money it appropriated was applied.

The staff of Osun State Judiciary, who are being denied their right by the Chief Judge and some of who joined in the petition, are employees of the Osun State Government under the authority of OSHA.

We re-assure the public that appropriate representation has been made to National Judicial Council, over the development and we affirm that the Chief Judge was not suspended by the Governor, as being mischievously represented by some sections of the media.

Rather, it is the State Assembly on the premise that an official cannot be on the seat whilst investigation is ongoing, that asked the Chief Judge to step aside . The Governor only acted on the resolution of the House.

To ensure there is no vacuum, the Governor appointed an Acting Chief Judge, as prescribed by the Constitution in a situation like this.

It is therefore the responsibility of the State Assembly to inform the public, NJC, and the Governor about its findings, on the conclusion of its investigation, and also make resolutions on the next line of action.

We want to put it on record that the Governor is a law-abiding person and will not do anything to compromise the rule of law.

Whenever the court processes are served on the persons listed as Defendants in the alleged suit ( if any), they would take appropriate steps to react.

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

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 16/11/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved the resolution of the Osun State House of Assembly asking the Osun State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo to step aside pending investigation of allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, corruption and disregard for rule of law against her by the House of Assembly.

In the resolution of the Osun Assembly sitting today 16th November, 2023, the House resolved that the Executive should be informed of the House resolution and that the next in order of seniority to Justice Adepele Ojo be sworn-in immediately to avoid any vacuum in the third arm of government in Osun State.

The House had earlier resolved as follows:

“Having received various petitions against the Chief Judge of Osun State bothering on gross misconducts, abuse of office, corruption and lack of respect for due process and rule of law, this Honourable House, in performance of its oversight functions and exercise of its investigative powers vested by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) hereby resolved as follows:

1. The the Executive should immediately notify the National Judicial Council and the State Judicial Service Commission of the resolutions of this House immediately for their awareness.
2. That the Clerk of this House should forward the resolutions of this House to the Executive, the National Judicial Council and the State Judicial Service Commission
3. That the Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions and Legal Matters investigate the petitions against the Chief Judge of Osun State, Honourable Justice Adepele Ojo, by inviting the Chief Judge and report to the House within 7 days from today.
4. That pending the outcome of the investigation, the Chief Judge of Osun State, Honourable Justice Adepele Ojo should step aside, not for any disciplinary action, but to allow for proper investigation of the allegations
5. That while she steps aside pending the investigation, the Executive Governor should immediately swear-in the next judge in order of Seniority as the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State.

Meanwhile, following the approval of the resolution of the House by the Governor, the Deputy-Governor has been directed by the Governor to perform the swearing-in ceremony of the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State which will be held tomorrow at the Executive Lounge, Governor’s Office, Osogbo.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 16/11/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has directed all public officials, appointed and elected, to start wearing Adire Osun every wednesday to boost the industry and enhance cultural strengths of the state.

In a circular issued by the Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina, Governor Adeleke noted that the directive affected all categories of public servants across ministries, departments and agencies of government including tertiary institutions, local governments, local development council and area office.

Consequently, every Wednesday is adopted as Adire Osun day with all accounting officers and heads of agencies expected to comply with the directive.

Additionally, all political appointees are also expected to comply with the directive from the State Executive Council to special advisers, and other categories of appointees.

Governor Adeleke had presented the subject at the last state Executive Council meeting with a unanimous approval and adoption.

The Governor noted that Adire actually has its source from Osun state, noting that the new decision will reassert the traditional claim of Osun to the adire genre.

The Governor recalled his bilateral meeting with the Ogun state Governor , Dapo Abiodun where both Governors resolved to host an annual celebration of Adire Day.

Governor Adeleke further announced his administration’s plan to create mini-industrial clusters to support the Adire industry and other craft sub-sectors in the state.

“Our administration is working on the creation of SME industrial clusters. The Adire and other craft sub-sectors will be supported to grow and flourish.

“By this decision, we are determined to rebuild the Adire industry that is under threat from foreign mass producers. We are poised to breathe life into our culture with Osun as the cradle of the Yoruba nation”, the Governor stated.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO– 13/11/2023– Osunstate.gov.ng

The attention of the Osun State Government has been drawn to a ludicrous claim of workers discontent with the State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke. We believe the concoction, which has the fitting of the distraught opposition, was pushed through a non-existent labour body, promoting false information against the government.

It is worth pointing out for the public enlightenment that the only known and recognized body for workers in Osun state and by extension Nigeria as a whole are the NLC, TUC and JNC, all of which enjoys cordial relationship with the administration of Governor Adeleke.
We want to affirm that, after carrying out due investigation, that the so called Osun Workers Union (OWU) is a fictitious group, that mischievously exists only on paper with the sole objective of misleading the public, most especially, our loving, diligent and dedicated workers whose love and solidarity for Adeleke led government can not be over emphasised .

To set the record straight, the supplementary budget sponsored by Governor Adeleke was to fund meaningful projects across sectors of the state. It is only in the realm of the empty and unsavory imagination of the cheap opposition members and blackmailers that Governor Adeleke allocated N10bn to his office. We are quick to say that no such thing exist in reality.

It is against every sense of reasonability that Governor Adeleke who forfeited security votes to free more money for the benefit of Osun people will vote N10 billion for his office. But it is obvious that those behind the latest round of lies are beyond reasoning, otherwise, they would have realized the emptiness of their thinking which is nothing but a mere political propaganda and balderdash taken too far.

The Adeleke administration values and respects the contributions of all workers in Osun state and using every available opportunities in appreciating their service by prioritizing their welfare.
To buttress its position in this regard,the present worker-friendly administration of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has initiated numerous measures to enhance workers working conditions in addition to ensuring fair compensation,aimed at passionately addressing the evolving needs of its existing workforce.

Osun state government wants to repeat for the umpteenth times that In a matter of days, it will be rolling out well packaged transport scheme to assuage the pressure that fuel subsidy removal wrought on its workforce.

Additionally, the state government under the watch of Senator Ademola Adeleke is also in the process of determining the appropriate financial support for civil servants in line with the economic realities of the state.

To this end,patrticularly in sealing the mouth of the toothless and baseless opposition,who on a daily basis are winking in the dark in a desperate bid to bring the worker-friendly administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke into disrepute, we passionately and respectfully invite the public to discountenance the falsehood in circulation as it was never the position of our workforce, who share the goal of Governor Adeleke in moving Osun forward.
Additionally and with all sense of openness and transparency , we also stress that every fund that accrued to the state, including the N2bn subsidy fund and N7bn refund from the Federal Government, are used in line with the need of the state.

As we had disclosed before, the N2bn subsidy fund will be used for the procurement of vehicles and rehabilitation of public health centres, while the balance will be used to buy food to share for the people. As for the N7bn refund, we emphasize that it will be used to fund infrastructural projects and enhance the living standards of the people of the state.

Finally, while we continue to re-emphasise our avowed commitment to make life better for all and sundry, we also use this opportunity to restate our commitment to the wellbeing of all.
And to our dedicated and peace loving workers,who,we are sure will not be part of any shenanigan aimed at dragging the good name of the present administration into mud, we reassure of our continued commitment to all acts that will continue to put smiles on their faces in line with our 5 point integral action plans.
We must however stress the reality of the financial capacity of the state, and that we would be careful not to repeat the carelessness of the past that is responsible for the current challenges.

Signed:
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO– 13/11/2023– Osunstate.gov.ng

The attention of the Osun State Government has been drawn to a ludicrous claim of workers discontent with the State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke. We believe the concoction, which has the fitting of the distraught opposition, was pushed through a non-existent labour body, promoting false information against the government.

It is worth pointing out for the public enlightenment that the only known and recognized body for workers in Osun state and by extension Nigeria as a whole are the NLC, TUC and JNC, all of which enjoys cordial relationship with the administration of Governor Adeleke.
We want to affirm that, after carrying out due investigation, that the so called Osun Workers Union (OWU) is a fictitious group, that mischievously exists only on paper with the sole objective of misleading the public, most especially, our loving, diligent and dedicated workers whose love and solidarity for Adeleke led government can not be over emphasised .

To set the record straight, the supplementary budget sponsored by Governor Adeleke was to fund meaningful projects across sectors of the state. It is only in the realm of the empty and unsavory imagination of the cheap opposition members and blackmailers that Governor Adeleke allocated N10bn to his office. We are quick to say that no such thing exist in reality.

It is against every sense of reasonability that Governor Adeleke who forfeited security votes to free more money for the benefit of Osun people will vote N10 billion for his office. But it is obvious that those behind the latest round of lies are beyond reasoning, otherwise, they would have realized the emptiness of their thinking which is nothing but a mere political propaganda and balderdash taken too far.

The Adeleke administration values and respects the contributions of all workers in Osun state and using every available opportunities in appreciating their service by prioritizing their welfare.
To buttress its position in this regard,the present worker-friendly administration of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has initiated numerous measures to enhance workers working conditions in addition to ensuring fair compensation,aimed at passionately addressing the evolving needs of its existing workforce.

Osun state government wants to repeat for the umpteenth times that In a matter of days, it will be rolling out well packaged transport scheme to assuage the pressure that fuel subsidy removal wrought on its workforce.

Additionally, the state government under the watch of Senator Ademola Adeleke is also in the process of determining the appropriate financial support for civil servants in line with the economic realities of the state.

To this end,patrticularly in sealing the mouth of the toothless and baseless opposition,who on a daily basis are winking in the dark in a desperate bid to bring the worker-friendly administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke into disrepute, we passionately and respectfully invite the public to discountenance the falsehood in circulation as it was never the position of our workforce, who share the goal of Governor Adeleke in moving Osun forward.
Additionally and with all sense of openness and transparency , we also stress that every fund that accrued to the state, including the N2bn subsidy fund and N7bn refund from the Federal Government, are used in line with the need of the state.

As we had disclosed before, the N2bn subsidy fund will be used for the procurement of vehicles and rehabilitation of public health centres, while the balance will be used to buy food to share for the people. As for the N7bn refund, we emphasize that it will be used to fund infrastructural projects and enhance the living standards of the people of the state.

Finally, while we continue to re-emphasise our avowed commitment to make life better for all and sundry, we also use this opportunity to restate our commitment to the wellbeing of all.
And to our dedicated and peace loving workers,who,we are sure will not be part of any shenanigan aimed at dragging the good name of the present administration into mud, we reassure of our continued commitment to all acts that will continue to put smiles on their faces in line with our 5 point integral action plans.
We must however stress the reality of the financial capacity of the state, and that we would be careful not to repeat the carelessness of the past that is responsible for the current challenges.

Signed:
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 13/11/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

New members of state statutory commissions including those of the State Judicial Service Commission have been sworn into office by the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Prince Kola Adewusi.

The swearing in followed the confirmation of the nominees as forwarded to the State Assembly by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Those confirmed and sworn in include chairmen and members of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, Osun State Judicial Service Commission, Osun State Civil Service Commission and Osun State House of Assembky Service Commission.

The Deputy Governor who represented the State Governor tasked the appointees on the need for dedication and committment to duty, tasking them to act always in comoliance eith due process and extant laws.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokespersom to the State Governor

The recent reforms and repositioning of the state civil service operations in Osun state under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke continue to bear positive fruits as Osun State emerges the top state alongside two other States among the 36 states of the federation and the FCT on Audit compliance rating according to the accountability index of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN) as of October 2023.

The ICAN’s rating on state’s compliance with audit rules scored Osun, Ekiti and Lagos state as ‘Excellent’, seven states were scored ‘good’ while 26 others were rated ‘fair’.

ICAN commenced audit rating for states to assess financial management and accountability of state governments. The assessment focuses on compliance with audit rules and regulations and the quality and timeliness of audit reports, resulting in a rating of Excellent, Good, Fair or Poor for each state.

According to Innocent Okwuosa, the 59th president of ICAN, “the rankings suggest an overall trend of improving compliance with the constitutional requirement to audit state and local council accounts since the introduction of the ICAN accountability index.

An “Excellent” ranking for Osun state by the ICAN rules means “the Osun state government under Governor Ademola Adeleke has an excellent level of compliance with audit rules. Ensuring timely submission of audit reports with high level of quality and ensuring full implementation of audit recommendations.

This impressive performance of Osun State is another testimony of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to due process, transparency and accountability in the governance affairs of the state.

In conformity with the existing laws which stipulate that the draft Budget of the State should be presented to the House for approval before the end of the year, I am pleased to present to the honourable members of Osun State House of Assembly through the Honourable Speaker, the Draft 2024 Budget of Osun State.

I sincerely thank the Hon. Speaker and all the Honourable members of the Assembly for your mutual understanding, cooperation in our collective effort and desire to take our dear State to greater heights. Without iota of doubt, whatever achievement we have recorded so far could not have been possible, but for your support.

I therefore, on behalf of the Executive Arm express our gratitude to the entire House and hoping to receive more of such support in the coming years.

Hon. Speaker, I am highly delighted to present to you and honourable members of the Assembly, the 2024 draft Budget tagged “BUDGET OF RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY” in the sum of Two Hundred and Seventy- Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety -Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Ten Naira (N273,908,997,410.00).

This figure is made up of recurrent expenditure of One Hundred and Sixty – Five Billion, Six Hundred and Fifty – Four Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy – Six Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira (N165,654,976,700.00) and capital expenditure of One Hundred and Eight Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty – Four Million, Twenty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ten Naira (N108,254,020,710.00).

The tag for this budget reflects our current focus of rebuilding the battered state we inherited. It is a sign we are targetting recovery after successful revamping of all sectors of Osun society. I assure honourable members that the executive arm has the will and the determination to ensure achievements of budgetary goals once this proposal is passed into Appropriation Act.

Today, I am reassured of our collective partnership for a new Osun of our dream. You have in me a Governor with firm belief in executive-legislative collaboration for development.

Thanks for listening

HE, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke,
Executive Governor of Osun State

PRESS STATEMENT

OSOGBO – 05/11/2023- osunstate.gov.ng

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke is devoting all his attentional resources to due process and the rule of law in the business of governance in the State, Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters, Hon Hashim Abioye has declared.

Responding to insinuations by the superimposed National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru about the state of due process in the state, Abioye lampooned the APC chieftain as a politician suffering from delusional depression over the superlative performance of the Governor and the administration’s deep commitment to due process and observance of procurement laws amidst rule of law.

The Special Adviser said Bashiru who, out of perpetual pain of his electoral loss, has unceasingly embarked on verbal attacks on Governor Adeleke and his family, painting a false picture of the Governor being under the influence of his family, especially Chief Mrs Dupe Adeleke-Sanni, the Governor’s elder Sister.

In a statement issued in Osogbo on Sunday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters, Hon. Hashim Abioye, cautioned the Osogbo-born former Lawmaker to drop his insolence and to respect his present Office into which he was hurriedly packaged after he disgracefully lost his return bid to the National Assembly.

It is clear that Basiru was bitter at the peace and tranquility that is reigning within the Adeleke family, hence his many unfounded allegations and vituperations at a Governor who is delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Osun State.

Abioye also stated that since the coming on board of the Adeleke’s Administration, the Governor has not for once erred on the side of due process and rule of law. His statement reads:

“I wonder why the man popularly called SRJ who is notorious for insolence and uncouth words against elderly people doesn’t process his words properly before making his presentations in public, especially when it comes to the issue of Osun under Governor Adeleke. He has been so obsessed with hatred for Governor Adeleke and his family to the extent of desperately causing violence on an Eid Day, flagrantly disobeying protocols and obviously disrespecting the Governor. Since his plan to launch violence on Eid Day at Osogbo Prayer Ground failed, he has resorted to unjustified verbal attacks on Mr. Governor and his family.

While the man SRJ reserves the right to criticize the Adeleke’s Administration as a member of the opposition in Osun State, he should for once be constructive and objective instead of his usual arrogant rigmarole”.

Speaking further Abioye states that “Senator Ajibola Basiru was part of the Aregbesola’s Administration for 8 years in Osun who sat as a key member of the State Executive Council under his former Boss with whom he has now ungratefully picked a fight. This is someone who is reasonably expected to know that it is not possible for an individual to hijack the Governance of a State except under an indolent State Executive Council, and all democratic institutions in the State are no longer functioning. This is not the case with Osun.

“Governor Adeleke in his well-thought-out plans for the State always consults with his formidable team of experts in relevant fields and seeks necessary legal advice in line with due process before embarking on any program for the State. Doesn’t the man SRJ listen to Government Officials from various Agencies of Government about how transparently efficient and consultative-ly alert Governor Adeleke has been in running the affairs of the State?”

Abioye then advised Ajibola Basiru to come out open if he has any personal problem with the Governor’s Elder Sister, Yeye Dupe Adeleke-Sanni, especially with the kind of affectionate bond and love among the Adelekes who are renowned for always rallying around and supporting members of their family in all walks of life. “If SRJ treats his own family members with disgusting distancing like COVID-19, he shouldn’t expect reasonable people like the Adelekes to loathe their family members as SRJ does to his own family members”.

The Governor’s Aide therefore finally cautions Ajibola Basiru to change his petty style and find reasonable, constructive, and sensible means of criticizing the present Administration if his criticism will have any meaning.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO- 02/11/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state has commended the positive response of the new leadership of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC) over the arrest of some students of Obafemi Awolowo University, calling for expedited due process in the handling of the matter.

The Governor described as commendable the immediate amendment of the commission’s operational code by its leadership which prohibits night sting operation.

The emphasis on strict observance of suspects’ human rights was also noted as a major turning point,calling on the commission to ensure strict compliance with the new regulations.

Such immediate reform, the Governor noted, will save the commission the possibility of reputational damage and needless harassment of innocent citizens.

As I tweeted yesterday, my Attorney General is following up with the case of arrested students.

Our government seeks respect for their fundamental human rights of the students and expedited processing of the matter.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke