The State Ministry of Education has directed Public and Private Schools in the State of Osun to observe  Mid-Term break tomorrow Friday (11th February, 2016) and Monday (15th February, 2016)  respectively.
 

 
According to a release signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Lawrence Oyeniran, the break is in line with the approved school calendar for the 2015/2016 academic session.
The release therefore enjoined Parents and Guardians to monitor their Children and Wards for judicious use of the Two days declared as holidays.
The release added that academic activities would resume in all Public and Private Schools across the State on Tuesday, 16th February, 2016.

 
 
SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OSUN, OGBENI RAUF AREGBESOLA, AT THE SIGNING INTO LAW OF THE STATE OF OSUN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT LAW, 2015 AT THE EXCO LOUNGE OF THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, ABERE, ON FEBRUARY 10, 2016
 
Protocols,
A GOOD PIECE OF LAW
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this occasion, the signing into law of the State of Osun Public Procurement Law, 2015.
Since the modern government provides wide ranging services to the people and sustains itself, procurement has been its major feature. From the office pin to heavy machinery, government is constantly in the business of buying. At any time, government does not spend less than 30 per cent of its revenue on procurement of goods and services. This is huge, if we consider the amount involved. Procurement is also one way in which the government interfaces with the people and reinflate its domestic economy.
It is important therefore that the resources of government be managed judiciously and the procurement process also be seen to be transparent and equitable. As stewards of public funds, we must be accountable and be seen to have got the best deal for the people with public funds.
Just today, a report in one of the newspapers compared the airport we are building in Osun to similar ones built by other states and concluded that ours is the cheapest, even when we have the longest runway.
A recent similar comparison on the mega-schools we are constructing was done with that of a neighbouring state and also gave us a favourable rating, not just in cost but in quality. It is stuff like this that separates us from the rest.
It is the need to have these values codified into law and make it bounding principles of governance for whoever is in government that motivated us to make this law.
In all, the State of Osun Public Procurement Law, 2015 consists of 81 sections and I will highlight the most interesting parts.
The piece of legislation we are signing into Law today provides for public dissemination of information on government procurement. This guarantees all the citizens, particularly small and medium scale enterprises, ample opportunities to participate in the economic opportunities and benefits embedded in public procurement, among others. It will also ensure probity, accountability, transparency, value for money as well as establish fair pricing standards and benchmarks.
Section 23(1)-(27) of the Law which provides for the Governing Rules on public procurement, encapsulate core foundation of the law. This Section is the result of scientific and well-grounded research into why procurement sanctity has eluded many governments and their agencies as it is no gain saying that where there are no adequate guidelines and safeguards, no matter how well intentioned any policy of government is, it is bound to be abused by unscrupulous elements saddled with its operation. Hence, the Section is coined in line with best global practices in procurement and even modelled to suit our own peculiarities in the State of Osun so as to forestall any act of sabotage right from the outset of any procurement process.
Section 24 compliments Section 23 by providing for Warranties for all procurement contracts. This provision is designed to ensure that requisite skill in service provision is employed and also that genuine materials and other inputs are used in any given procurement.
With this new State of Osun Public Procurement Law, Section 25 makes it mandatory that all procuring entities must have a procuring Office whose functions shall, among others, be:

1. initiate the entity’s procurement process;
2. carry out appropriate market and statistical surveys and prepare analysis of cost implication of a proposed procurement;

iii.     conduct pre-qualification exercise for suppliers, contractors or consultants based on requisite expression of interest; and

1. evaluate expression of interest by suppliers, contractors or consultants and forward lists of qualified submissions to the Board.

Section 32 makes it mandatory that the procurement of works, goods and services by all procuring entities shall be conducted by Open Competitive Bidding, except where otherwise expressly provided in the Procurement Law.
Perhaps the most innovative provision in the new State of Osun Procurement Law, 2015 is the provision for E-procurement as contained in Section 61. The Section provides that the Board shall design and set up a secure electronic portal to be known as the Osun Government Electronic Procurement System, not later than 12 months from the enactment of this Law or at such time that the Governor may consider appropriate. The Portal shall be the primary source of information for all public procurement matters and opportunities within the purview of this Law and Regulations issued hereunder.
The special time that we are in demands financial engineering ingenuity.  We must not only squeeze the financial water out of stone, so to speak, we must get so much out of little. The Public Procurement Law, 2015 we are signing into law is therefore within the larger framework of public finance management policy of the government which is aimed at reducing the cost of governance, bringing transparency into the procurement process, reducing waste, and ensure value for money.
We have sent other pieces of law to the House of Assembly for consideration and passage into law. These include the Revenue Administration Law, which is meant to set up an autonomous agency for revenue collection. There is the Fiscal Responsibility Commission Law which is designed to ensure fiscal discipline and prudence by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.
There is also Land Use Charge Law, which has just been passed into law by the House of Assembly, to harmonise all property tax laws, including tenement rate, for the purpose of ease of collection.
These legal instruments will assist in a great deal to turn around the financial fortunes of Osun and enable us to get the best out of our resources and our people, for the good governance of the state and the best service of our people.
I want to assure the people of the state that the challenge we face is not beyond our capability and God has given us the means to surmount them.
Let me reiterate once again the need for productivity and hard work by our people. Let all the young people find something productive to do, especially in agriculture. Let every person engaged in any endeavour, be it public or private, add value to his or her work and let us all pay our taxes as and when due.
Let me thank those who helped in the making of this law, beginning from the officials of the Ministry of Justice, the honourable members of the State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Bashir Ajibola and other men (and women) of goodwill.
I thank you all for your kind attention.

…Says state’s airport, schools, other projects guided by best procurement practices
In a bid to sustain transparency and accountability in government transactions, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Wednesday signed into law the Osun Public Procurement Law 2015.
 
 

 
 
The Public Procurement Law provides for public dissemination of information on government procurement which will guarantee citizens, particularly small and medium scale enterprises opportunities to participate in public procurement processes among others.
The Governor, while signing the bill into law at the Executive Chamber Lounge of the Governor’s Office in Osogbo said that procurement is one way in which the government interfaces with the people and re-inflates its domestic economy.
‎
Aregbesola, considering the volume of government procurement, stated that it is important that the resources of government be managed judiciously and the procurement process seen to be transparent and equitable.
He held that government as stewards of public funds, must be accountable and be seen to have got the best deal for the people with public funds.
The Governor said, “Just today (Wednesday), a report in one of the newspapers compared the airport we are building in Osun to similar ones built by other states and concluded that ours is the cheapest, even when we have the longest runway.
‎
“A recent similar comparison on the mega-schools we are constructing was done with that of a neighbouring state and also gave us a favourable rating, not just in cost but in quality. It is stuff like this that separates us from the rest.
‎
“It is the need to have these values codified into law and make it bounding principles of governance for whoever is in government that motivated us to make this law.” ‎
‎
‎He pointed out that the State of Osun Public Procurement Law 2015 in all consists of 81 sections which will ensure probity, accountability, transparency, value for money as well as establish fair pricing standards and benchmarks.
‎
Aregbesola stressed that government has put in place adequate guideline to safeguard the law from being abused by people.
‎
He said, “No matter how well intentioned any policy of government is, it is bound to be abused by unscrupulous elements saddled with its operation.
“Hence, the Section 23 (1)-(27) was coined in line with best global practices in procurement and even modeled to suit our own peculiarities in the State of Osun so as to forestall any act of sabotage right from the outset of any procurement process”.
The governor added that Section 25 of the new law makes it mandatory that all procuring entities must have a procuring Office with the function of i‎nitiating the entity’s procurement process.
He also noted that the procuring office must carry out appropriate market and statistical surveys, prepare analysis of cost implication of a proposed procurement among other functions.
‎
Speaking earlier on the law, the former Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties in Osun, Dr. Ajibola Bashiru stated that the‎ Public Procurement Law, 2015 is a well-researched Law in line with the demand for transparency, accountability and effectiveness that the procurement process demands.
He held that the passage of the Law will guarantee Osun citizens’ opportunities to participate in the economic opportunities and benefits embedded in public procurement, among others.
Ajibola also added that the law will also ensure probity, accountability, transparency, value for money as well as establish fair pricing standards and benchmarks.
‎
He said, “The new State of Osun Procurement Law, 2015 is the provision for E-procurement as contained in Section 61 which provides that the Board shall design and set up a secure electronic portal, not later than twelve months from the enactment of this Law or at such time that the Governor may consider appropriate”. Dr. Ajibola noted.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has ordered the immediate reopening of the two Iron and Steel Rolling Mills closed recently at Ikirun and Ile-Ife.
 

 
This was contained in a press release signed by the General Manager and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Alhaji Ganiyu Oyeladun in Osogbo.
The Governor enjoined the two factories to always ensure that gaseous waste emanating from their factories are adequately treated before being discharged into the environment.
They were also advised to maintain a high standard of sanitation and a sustainable approach towards best practices that is in-line with approved standard.

The Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has disclosed his administration’s resolve to resuscitate the dearth status of the state’s tourist centres.
Governor Aregbesola said the current excruciating economic system remains a sacrosanct wake up signal for every serious government to look beyond the crude oil revenues.
Governor Aregbesola made the disclosure while playing a host on Committee set up on the Design of Kiriji War Site Road Networks in Igbajo and Imesi-Ile respectively.
Governor Aregbesola who described Kiriji site as significant historic site for all yoruba race, said his government would do all it could to position the site to a world class recreation centre.

Aregbesola attributed the primitive Kiriji War site to what he described as cultural repository asylum, stressing that his government would not hesitate to invest in bringing back to life, the yoruba socio-cultural and ethnical legacies.
The Governor averred that tourism as a lucrative sector has the countless number of potentials to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, and as well place the state to a viable position among the world tourist centres.
Aregbesola said the time has come to alternate tourism as a realistic means to revenues from Federation Accounts, reiterating that no stone would be left unturned to ensure its total realization.
Governor Aregbesola who recounted his laudable achievements since assumption of office, said his government has regurgitated the untapped potentials of tourism, which he said has witnessed tremendous changes and as well contributed positively to the socio-economic and cultural lives of the citizenry.
Aregbesola however commended the committee for coming up with such brilliant idea, which he described as monumental initiative, saying the significance was not only meant to jerk up the state’s economic value, but to improve the cultural heritage of yoruba race.
He charged the state Ministry of Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture to facilitate the project, promising that his government would ensure all round revival of the historic Kiriji War site to attract the deserved economic values.
“I am fully impressed on this well-thought out proposal to improve our cultural heritage. Though our government has been very undaunted, resilient and steadfast in rehabilitating, enhancing and improving the tourism sector, but nevertheless, much still need to be done to ensure that all the tourist sites in the state are revamped for the betterment of our people.
“Although implementing a project like this takes much in terms of resources and timing that cannot be completed or finished in a short period, but notwithstanding, but we will commit necessary human and material resources to ensure that the good gestures are realized.
“Our government is highly interested in initiating some things that will show that Kiriji is not an ordinary site to yoruba person, but rather an historic site that creates importance and significance particularly on our unity, our commitment to peace, progress and development.
“We will do this so as to continuously promoting our cultural heritage for future generations.
To achieve this, Governor Aregbesola charged the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, to get a consultant to assist it into comprehensive research that will enhance and facilitate the smooth implementation of the proposed projects.
Governor Aregbesola called for deep research into all aspects of the Kiriji War which he opined that would enhance the seamless execution of the project.
” This is a good demonstration of social responsibility. I thank the initiator and those who brought this wonderful initiative to limelight and we assure you of fruitful partnership”, he stated.
Governor Aregbesola who urged  members of Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, to always show concern towards the socio-economic and infrastructural welfare of the people said, there is the need for them to partner with government for general growth and development.
He said, “As an engineering association, I want you to do more than this because there are some engineering solutions that ought to be recommended for government for better improvement of the society and general well being of the masses.
“You must be part of progress in giving recommendations that would improve the condition of our roads and thereby prevent the avoidable accident and destruction to the lives of the people in the community.
“Always help government to solve problems that confront society. Try to let people and government know that you care about their welfare by either quickly draw their attention before such development becomes a threat or danger to life or even in preventing the development of a threat, you support.
“Let your method of showing concern about the welfare of the people be totally improved in finding solutions to society and community challenges.
He therefore assured members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, his government’s support, adding he would personally do all necessary things to revamp the site for general well being.
He added, “We will partner with you once the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture gets through with other aspects of the projects.
“Once necessary researches and findings are done, we shall look for how to implement your infrastructural proposal to make the site a memorable recreation centre that will attract visitors around the globe.
Earlier, the Chairman, Committee on the Design of Kiriji Road Networks, Engineer David Sola Oni, commended the state government for living up to the responsibilty in spite the nation’s dwindling revenues.
Engineer Oni who described the tremendous achievements recorded in the last five years by the current government as inestimable said, Governor Aregbesola has exhibited his rare passion in all aspects of the economy.
He extolled the significant successes and memorable legacies which he said the present government had successfully made, assuring Governor Aregbesola of utmost commitment, dedication and avowed determination towards the successful actualization of the projects.
Engineer Oni who gave a comprehensive background on the report that produces a map of Kiriji war site at Igbajo and Imesi-Ile, said the war site had farmlands, and various war relics such as spear bullets and other weapons used during the civil war.
He elucidated that the site was the location of war treaty signing in September 23, 1886 between Ibadan and its affiliates and Ekiti Parapo and its affiliates.
Engineer assured that an extensive research and finding had been done on the site, saying the time has come to revival the history and turn the site to a place to be in the world.
He buttressed his point with scientific analyses where the war locations were technically revealed and analyzed.
According to him, “The war locations include: Aga-Ogedengbe, a stone seat of Ogedengbe and Latoosa’s camp at Igbojo.
“Others are; Okuta Orunorunga, Latoosa stool, Fejeboju Stream, Latoosa Grove and the peace treaty site”, he stated.
Engineer Oni therefore urged the state government to urgently expedite action that would fast-track quick implementation.
He disclosed that about 5killometers of roads network would be constructed across the War site, saying adequate implementation of infrastructures around the site would go a long way in positioning it to the vantage place.
Engineer Oni therefore assured the state of effective and efficient implementation of both cultural and infrastructural designs as being promised.

Coordinating Director of the Teachers Establishment and Pension Office in the State of Osun, Mr. Adeolu Oyebayo, has commended the efforts of Governor of the State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for taking the bold step of addressing shortage of teachers in public schools by deploying qualified teachers from the civil service into the teaching profession.

Oyebayo gave the commendation on Wednesday February 10, 2014, during a screening exercise for civil servants in the state with relevant teaching qualification that were deployed from the Civil Service to the State Teaching Service.
According to him, the government had realized an increase in the number of students in public schools across the state. hence the need to recruit more qualified teachers.
He further stressed that with this development, more qualified personnel will be available in the schools and this will ultimately enhance the performance of students.

Wale Afolabi is the immediate past Justice Commissioner and Attorney-General in Osun State, in a no holds barred  interview with ADEOLU ADEYEMO of the New Telegraph newspaper, commended Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on the massive infrastructural development in the the state of Osun despite its dwindling resources.
In fact, he noted that the only thing people are blaming Ogbeni Aregbesola for is that, he put so many projects on ground which he cannot even pay for now.  
“So many contracts have been completed that people see.”
“About 200 kilometers of roads that we did for Local Government have almost been completed, nobody complained.”
Read excerpt from the interview below. Enjoy!
You were in Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s cabinet, what is your assessment of his administration so far?
Ogbeni is a fantastic phenomenon in Osun state. I am happy to answer such question. I have been in government before now and I know the way it is. When Ogbeni came on board, he came with vision and passion. The only thing people are blaming him for is that he put so many projects on ground which he cannot even pay for now.
Don’t forget that but for the drop in the allocation, when he awards contract, he doesn’t pay immediately. He spreads payment for 36 months. For the fact that there was 40 per cent drop in allocation, look at the oil problem that we have now, as a matter of fact, they don’t even know that last month it was about 24million that was given to Osun state because by the time they took our deductions and loan, there was nothing to pay salary and the installment payment of some of the contract. Don’t forget that so many contracts have been completed that people see.

About 200 kilometers of roads that we did for Local Government have almost been completed, nobody complained. Like I said, it is only when people see something that is negative that they cry about it. Schools are being commissioned on daily basis.
These are projects that he started and he is commissioning them. Just recently, they commissioned Anthony Udofia Elementary School and he is commissioning so many high schools too. So, it is only when people see something that is negative that they complain about.
By and large, he said he will complete these projects and I am praying that he will complete all the projects. By the time he finishes all those projects, you will see another Akande in our land. You know Bisi Akande did his best for this state. He laid a solid foundation for the state. If you look at Aregbesola, he is working along the path. I am sure with the support of the people, he will succeed.
What is in a tax that the state government has been appealing to residents to comply with?
Yes, tax payment is a legal issue. There are so many people on the street that are not paying tax. There are so many people doing business that are not paying tax. What Aregbesola is saying is that, we are going to pursue it vigorously now.
It is not only him, look at the Federal Government, they said they are going to pursue tax payment vigorously too. By the time the oil money was coming very well, we all slept off. Now that we know that the oil money is not something we can depend upon, that is why government is now looking at tax payment.
So, it is not a new thing that he is talking about. If this man has been working very well before the fall in oil price, of course he will do well. I have confidence in him. He is a man that will do well. Therefore, I want to appeal to the people to pay their tax.

Many may not have heard the story of Olajumoke Orisaguna, a native of Ire in Osun State, who now is a big model in Lagos.
Osun Defender learnt Jumoke who is a trained hair stylist, relocated to Lagos to join the bread-hawking business when she was ‘mistakenly’ discovered by celebrity photographer, TY Bello.

Jumoke began hawking bread when she got to Lagos; and that was what she was doing on the day she walked into a shoot of TY Bello, popular photographer and musician. Bello did not take note of Jumoke that moment – not until she was editing the image of the client who took her to that location.
Realised the hawker’s potentials, Bello launched a manhunt for her. Both of them later met and below is what she wrote of the newfound model who made it to the cover of the latest edition of THISDAY Style:
Aso kan na ni mo wo kiri Lana ‘.. Jumoke, the ‘model’ the Internet had been searching for, speaks almost no English.
She explained how she had worn the exact outfit in our photograph the day before and someone showed her her own photograph on his phone from Facebook. A mallam led her to my studio that morning.
She narrated her journey to Lagos…A hair stylist from Ire in Osun state but not making enough profit… between her and her husband, a sliding door installer in same village, to care for their two young children.
At the invitation of a distant relative who knew someone operating a bakery, she relocated Lagos with her 14-month-old daughter to give bread hawking a try, leaving her husband and the older five-year-old behind.
As I listened to her, I wandered if the beauty I had seen on my screen as I edited my image was a fluke ..well until she smiled . I realized that I was wrong. I had in fact underestimated the beauty of this 27-year-old woman. As always, it was her eyes and of course her perfectly chiseled features that jumped out at you when she chuckled. This lady belonged in front of my camera.
After a conversation with her husband telling him the story of our meeting, I decided I was going to photograph her that very afternoon. Within an hour, Bimpe Onakoya, one of Nigeria’s leading makeup artists, and Zubby, one of my favourite hairstylists, were at my studio to work magic.

They had both followed the story online and were more than happy to put in their very best for her. Olajumoke … with curly extensions out revealed a short natural Afro that beautifully hugged her face.
Bimpe Onakoya also had decided to keep the make up minimal… She stepped in front of my camera and I almost couldn’t recognize her. She moved differently too. Jumoke looked straight into my lens emoting like she had done this all her life …. I knew we had found a star.
 
Source: Osun Defender
Photo credit: TY Bello