Mrs Olubunmi Ayoola, Programme officer of the Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEAL), says the free meal programme in the state has boosted enrolment of pupils in public schools.
Ayoola spoke on Friday in Osogbo while receiving a delegation from Niger State on a three-day visit to understudy the O’MEAL programme of the state.
 

 
She said that the Gov. Rauf Aregbesola-led administration in the state would continue to implement the feeding programme in spite of the scarce financial resources available to the state.
“Through this programme, there has been a relative increase in pupils’ enrollment in the state public schools,’’ Ayoola said.
She said that the programme also impacted positively on the state’s economy as food vendors and farmers were empowered in the process.
In her remarks, Mrs Afiniki Dauda, Special Adviser to Niger State Governor on Empowerment and Social Protection, who led the delegation, commended Gov. Aregbesola for the programme.
She said that the programme showed the commitment of the Aregbesola-led administration to the welfare of the people of the state despite the financial crisis affecting most states.
Dauda said Osun state was a model to all other states of the federation in the area of O’MEAL.
According to her, Niger will take a cue from Osun to run a similar programme.
NAN

The Permanent Secretary, Osun Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, Water Resources, Rural and Community Affairs, Mr Muftau Oluwadare, said this in Osogbo.

Oluwadare spoke at the debriefing meeting on review of Water Sanitation and Hygiene documents held at the ministry.

He said the state government is providing toilets along major high ways towards making the state open defecation free.

The permanent secretary called on stakeholders in the state to support the efforts of the government to realise this objective.

Mr Ademola Olanrewaju, the Project Coordinator of European Union Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme, said that there must be concerted efforts to achieve the set objective.

Olanrewaju presented the resolutions of the retreat on the water policy, water law, water supply and hygiene monitoring, evaluation framework and open defecation free road map.

He explained that the European Union has supported the state to develop some key strategic development documents for the water and sanitation sector.

However, he noted that some of the documents are out of tune with the realities in the state and called for review.

The Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria, OSCAN, has commended the Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, for his commitment to the development and transformation of the state in the face of present economic recession.
 

 
The Association also lauded the state government for being consistent in championing equity, balance and harmony among the adherents of the three major faiths in the state.
The Chairman of the Association, Michael Okodua, who led the newly constituted executive members of the association gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the governor in his office in Osogbo.
‎He held that the present administration under the leadership of Mr. Aregbesola has really done well in fostering peace, love and unity among the different religious faithful in the state.
He commended Mr. Aregbesola’s sagacity for continuously piloting the affairs of the state even in the face of huge condemnation and attacks from various quarters.
According to him, “It is expedient for us to commend and congratulate you on the success of your mission to transform Osun despite the glaring economic recession affecting the state and the country at large.”
The cleric stated that the purpose of the visit was to officially inform the state government on the new nomenclature of the Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria (OSCAN).
He said, “OSCAN now has a new team of executive to pilot the affairs of the Association in the state for the period of next three years.

“On our assumption of office in August this year, we deemed it fit to start our work by paying your good self a courtesy visit as a father to us, and to every association in Osun state; to introduce ourselves to you and to interact with you no matter how short the time”.
He said Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria remains a critical stakeholder in the development of the state, stressing that, “It is therefore incumbent on the Association to liaise and work with the Governor on critical issues bothering on state and religion, among others that would further enhance the general well being of the people of the state.
“Our goal, therefore, is to promote peaceful coexistence and religious harmony, as basis for rapid socio-economic development of the state.‎ It is on this basis that the Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria wishes to assure the government of our loyalty, cooperation and unflinching support towards meeting the needs and aspiration of the people of the state.
“We also look unto your excellency for support in our efforts towards meeting the aspirations and desires for the growth and development of the church in the state.
“We wish to assure your excellency that the church will continue to support you and your administration with prayers and goodwill at all times.
In his remarks, the Governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola, charged the people of the state on the need to continuously champion religious tolerance as being demonstrated by his administration.
He thanked God for the opportunity given to his administration to renew its relationship with the newly constituted leadership of OSCAN, just as he expressed hope that the visit would put an end to possible misunderstanding among religious faithful.
According to him, it will be a grand mistake for us to deny the fact that his administration and Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria have had a tumultuous relationship.
He added, “but the question to ask is why must a government who in all honesty wants to have harmonious relationship with all faiths to the extent of even given them recognition in their own specific rights have conflict with one of the faiths.
“We must bear it in mind that it takes two to tango just as it takes two to be harmonious. It is not possible for two people either individuals, organisations or institutions to get along without a huge sense of maturity, forbearance and understanding.
“However, immediately those two people who must coexist and get along appreciate the need for forbearance by tolerating one another, maturity takes place. Listening to the chairman’s speech, l want to believe that we are in a new season. New season has just begun”.
He argued that the basis of participation in religion in this part of the world is based on the religion people met their parents with and not mostly as a matter of choice or conviction.
“Our profession of faith is largely huge on how we came into the world. It is on the accident of birth. Therefore there is need for us to champion love, tolerance and understanding in relating to one another as human beings.
“Why must we quarrel on situation and circumstance that we cannot change? We must come to understand ourselves as possibly as we can as our forebear did. No race on earth rivals Yoruba people in term of exhibiting understanding, tolerance, love and unity in religious practices”

Ogbeni Aregbesola, who lamented he poor management of religious affairs by the former leadership of the association, implored the new executives to always prioritise dialogue above other considerations.
“And should there be any reason whatsoever for you to have challenge, seek for clarification. Should there be any ground whatsoever for annoyance, pain, bitterness or misunderstanding, please don’t hesitate to embrace dialogue and seek for clarification”.
He called on the new executives to let dialogue be the foundation of their relationship with government and other faiths.
He enjoined them to see dialogue as a veritable ingredient to enhance peaceful co-habitation among the residents, warning them against the use of media to cause religious unrest.
“As partners in the process of building a just society targeted on growth and development, we can’t afford to be fighting one another. If development of the state and her people remained our goal, we can’t afford to be enemies and antagonists of one another.”

The Government of the State of Osun under the auspices of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has congratulated the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) and the entire people of Ile-Ife, the Cradle of the Yoruba race, on the Ooni’s first Olojo Festival since he ascended the throne of his fore-fathers.
 

 
The festival is billed to hold between Saturday 8th and Monday 17th, October 2016.
In a statement by the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Information, Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Mrs Femi Webster-Esho, the Governor enjoined the people to be law abiding while the celebrations lasts.
The Governor prayed for God’s guidance during and after the celebrations.
Similarly, the State Government of Osun has also congratulated the Timi of Edeland, His Royal Majesty, Alh. Oba Munirudeen Adesola Laminisa 1 and the entire people of Edeland on the celebrations of this year’s Sango Festival which takes place on Monday 10th, October 2016.
The Governor through the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Information, Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Mrs Femi Webster-Esho advised the celebrants to avoid all forms of lawlessness during the festival.
Governor Aregbesola particularly thanked the people for the uplift of the traditions of the Yoruba race through the festival.
He therefore prayed for God’s guidance and protection during and
after the festival.

The leader of Niger State team, Alhaji Aliyu Takuma who is in the State to understudy O’Meal has described the Governor , Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has a man of vision by setting a good pace in education especially in the area of free school feeding and construction of world class buildings in public schools across the state.
 

 
Alhaji Takuma made this remark while his team was taken round companies and factories who are supplying eggs, chicken, fish and beef to feed pupils in Public Elementary Primary Schools.
He said Ogbeni Aregbesola has generated a chain of employment through the introduction of O’Meal in the State saying local people are involved in the process of all that is involved.
Earlier, the Director of the O’Meal, Mrs Olubunmi Ayoola while addressing the delegates said over three thousand food vendors were engaged and youths were also empowered in cocoyam and sweet potato farming .
She said Ogbeni Aregbesola gives the feeding of pupils in Public Primary Schools a priority despite the paucity of fund.
Highlights of the activities were visitations to Tuns Farm, Osogbo, FEG Agro, Ijebu-Jesa, Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoe Farm, Esa-Oke and Butcher Factory where beef is produced.
Present were staff and desk officers in O’Meal Office.

The Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola led administration is committed to the School Feeding Programme despite the financial status of the State.
 

 
The State Programme officer of the Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEAL), Mrs Olubunmi Ayoola stated this while receiving the Niger State delegates who were on a 3 -day visit to understudy the O’MEAL programme in the State.
Mrs Ayoola said Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola , through this programme ,has increased the number of pupils enrolment in schools. Thereby creating a conducive learning environment.
She further explained that the programme has also improved the economy in the State as food vendors and farmers are empowered in the process.
Earlier, Special Adviser to Niger State Governor on Empowerment and Social Protection, Hon Afiniki Dauda , who led the delegation ,commended the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for providing free food for pupils in Elementary School despite the financial crisis that is affecting all states of Federation .
She said State of Osun has become a model for all other states of the federation in the area of O’MEAL. She therefore, promised that Niger State will take a proper cue from State of Osun.
Highlights of the visit were presentations from the collaborating Ministries, Departments and Agencies such as Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Education, Commerce and O’YES commander.

The Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Wednesday applauded the efforts of  National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC),on the fight against fake and counterfeit drugs.

The governor made the commendation while playing host to the Acting Director-General of the Agency, Mrs Yetunde Oni, at the Government House, Osogbo.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori,  the governor urged the agency not to relent in its sensitisation of the public to the evils of fake drugs.

He noted that the agency was set up to rid the country of fake drugs and save the people from drug-related diseases and untimely deaths.

Responding, Oni said she was on an advocacy visit to Osun as well as to further enhance the existing  relationship between the agency and the state government.

She expressed  NAFDAC’s commitment  toward preventing the proliferation of counterfeit drugs, unwholesome foods and  substandard products.

Oni identified some of the challenges facing the agency as  shortage of operational vehicles and constant harassment of its personnel.

She, however, said  farmers in the state needed to be sensitised to the appropriate use of pesticides to avert soil toxicity.

Osun State Government on Thursday introduced Economic Development Levy (EDL), on business owners.
Mr Dayo Oyebamiji, Acting Chairman, Osun Internal Revenue Service (OIRS), made this known at a news conference in Osogbo on Thursday
 

 
Oyebamiji said the EDL was a charge introduced and permitted by law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said the levy was introduced by the Federal Government last year, permitting all the states across the federation to increase their Internally Generated Revenue as part of the efforts to find lasting solution to the current economic meltdown.
He said the state officially launched the level programme on Wednesday to increase the number of revenues that are accruable to state government’s purse in order to meet certain obligations.
He further explained that the levy became imperative following the current economic downturn caused by the appalling fall in the price of crude oil over the years.
He said generation of additional revenue was the key function of levies, adding that it would enable the government to provide qualitative, quantitative services and utilities for the people and for government to overcome recession.
He, therefore, called on residents, traders and transporters in the state to comply with the economic development levy of the state government.
He said the agency had recruited well-trained officers that would be moving round the state with Point of Sales (PoS), machines to fast track quick collection of levies so as to curb multiple and unlawful levy payment.
He said government made the levy affordable, based on the nature of business, assuring that the introduction of the PoS machines would bring about required transparency, accountability and credibility.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, Water Resources, Rural and Community Affairs, Mr Muftau Oluwadare has revealed that State of Osun will be open defecation free by Year 2023.
The Permanent Secretary made this known while delivering a speech at the debriefing meeting on review of Water Sanitation and Hygiene documents held at the Conference Room of the Ministry.
 

 
Mr Oluwadare commended the state government for the provision of toilets along major high ways aimed towards making the state open defecation free. He then called on the Stakeholders to support the efforts of the government to realize this objective.
The Project Coordinator of European Union Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme, Mr Ademola Olanrewaju ,who presented the resolutions of the retreat on the water policy, Water law, water supply and hygiene monitoring and evaluation framework and open defecation free road map said that there must be concerted efforts to achieve the objective.
Mr Olanrewaju explained that European Union has supported the state to develop some key strategic development documents for the Water and Sanitation Sector. He added that some of the documents on ground are no longer in tune with the realities in the state which called for review.