Photos of the Director, Primary Health Care/Disease Control, Ministry of Health, State of Osun, Dr.Kayode Ogunniyi and others during a press briefing on the situation report on suspected case of Lassa Fever in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, at the Ministry of Health on Thursday 21-01-2016
…as the Varsity sets to establish its Distance Learning Education in the State
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Micheal Adikwu has commended the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his untiring commitment and passion towards the provision of an improved, quality and functional education.
Professor Adikwu also commended the State Government for remain focused and determined in spite the present enormity of economic challenges facing the entire country.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution gave the commendation while addressing people during a courtesy visit to the Governor in his office by the management team of the university.
Professor Adikwu who was represented by his Deputy on Administration, Professor Sanni Mashi said the current government in the state has displayed a genuine commitment towards the promotion of modern public education with prompt financial interventions and provision of needed facilities aimed at aiding the teaching and learning process.
Professor Mashi said the State has placed itself at the front burner of quality and effective education thus earned the state several commendations, accolades and encomiums and as well made it the model among its peers in the country, africa and the entire world, saying the state education’s policy had been found worthy and copied by government at various levels locally and internationally.
He disclosed that the management and staff of the university in line with the constitution guiding the activities of Nigerian University deemed it fit to establish its Distance Learning Education in Osun which according to him if completed will be the first in the entire Southwestern region.
Professor Mashi stressed that the centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education of the University was established in its continuous efforts to reach out to the teeming population of Nigerians to have the opportunity of formal education.
Professor Mashi said, “the aim of Distance Education is to increase access to education to a large number of citizens interested in furthering their education.
“Unlike the formal systems, however, Distance Education is designed to democratize and liberalize education to facilitate the pursuit of knowledge without sacrificing ones career.
“It also enables studies to be combined with work by those that are interested in involving themselves.
“One of the objectives of the system is to make life-long education the hallmark of Nigeria’s educational policy.
“Osun is the first state in the Southwest zone where the Centre wishes to establish its presence.
Professor Mashi who also attributed the visit of the management of the institution to the state to what he described as timely educational partnership and projection, said the establishment of the Distance Learning in the state will add more value to the education strides of the current government and as well boost its economic potentials.
“Our visit to Osun is to intimate Mr. Governor of our decision to establish a Distance Learning in Iragberi, Egbedore, Local Government area of the state.
“Our University has expressed its commitment to Distance Learning Education through involvement in the activities of the National Universities Commission and other strategic partnership dedicated solely to Open and Distance education advancement in the Commonwealth and Africa”, Professor Mashi stated.
Professor Mashi who extolled the administrative acumen of Governor Aregbesola, however vowed to give the current administration the necessary supports and collaboration.
“While we appreciate the enormity of the problems which government at all levels face these days, we equally demand for your support to enable us take off successfully in the state.
“To be specific we need an office space and facilities where preliminary work of the service centre will commence.
“We promise and assure that the activities of the centre in the state will impact positively on a large number of people in the state and contiguous states especially the youths and public servants.
“We wish your administration a successful accomplishment in your efforts to reposition the state as we look forward to partner with your government in the development of education sector in the state”, he said.
In his remarks, Governor Rauf Aregbesola commended the management of the institution for counting the state worthy of hosting such academic centre and for situating first of its kind in the state.
He added, “We appreciate the authority of UniAbuja for deeming it fit to pursue a cause that was almost dead and for building this monumental edifice in our state.
“Our state will continue to appreciate the economic benefits of this kind gesture, as host community will in no doubt be forever grateful to this.
Analyzing his commitment towards education, Governor Aregbesola said his administration prioritized education having understood the fact that education is the only heritage that one could live on and be so sure of, saying it is also the only patrimony that can never be joked with.
“To understand education both in philosophical and practical essence, education is beyond secondary level because it is the greatest tool for the advancement of every human community, society and organization.
“Therefore the difference between developed and under developed nations, is the degree of application of knowledge.
“No efforts should be spared in getting education to be properly disseminated and passed on.
“Though we are constrained with the economic tragedy that has befallen our nation by the phenomenal decline in our oil revenues which unfortunately is the mainstay of the economy, but we will do everything within the limit of our resources to support this project and ensure its success and realization”, Aregbesola stated.
He therefore urged the institution to support the state by situating science related courses that will meet the needs of the state, saying Information and Communication Technology ICT is the major area where the state needed most in energizing the youths towards the realization of independent life.
He said, “ICT is the tool for rapid transformation of any society, for this reason, our government needs university knowledge to advance our society in the area of ICT, sciences, administration and management.
…denounces the allegation of financial recklessness
The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has decried the continuous fall in the global prices of the crude oil which had orchestrated a continued dwindling in the revenues accruable to Nigeria and other oil producing state.
Governor Aregbesola who attributed the current economic imbroglio in the states of the federation to what he regarded as the adverse effect of the present economic downturn in the oil sector across the world.
Governor Aregbesola made the statement while addressing the people during the 2nd Guest Personality Lecture organized by the Law Students of Osun State University, College of Law, at Ifetedo Campus.
Governor Aregbesola said Nigeria’s economy has gotten to the state of dilemma, saying efforts should be urgently intensified all and sundry to rescue the nation from the bring of collapse.
Analyzing the causes of the current economic challenges, Aregbesola said the nation wouldn’t have been entangled if the past administrations especially the administration of the erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan was not characterized with palpable corruption.
Governor Aregbesola who lamented over the way and manner at which the nation’s treasury and fortunes were being managed in the past said monumental corruption has been the bane of socio-political and economic retrogression in the country.
He said, “it is unfortunate that our leaders in the past led us to this economic mess due to their deliberate insensibility and corruption.
“It is also regrettable and disheartening that we have experienced the worst economic situation in history due to present huge fall in the oil prices which adverse effects had been spread across government at all levels.
“Our administration was the first in Nigeria to cry out on the economic effects of the alleged oil theft during the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan which later snowballed into the continuous depreciation in the prices of crude oil at the international market.
“Specifically, in July 2013, we decried the incessant oil theft being allegedly proclaimed by the immediate past administration, as we brilliantly told Nigerians to rise to our call and seek for transparency in the management of the oil sector.
“So incredible, we were misinterpreted and viewed as critiques, but now we have been vindicated as what we were fighting against later appeared openly to all.
“Without any sense of doubt, if truly that Nigeria’s economy would definitely experience this economic impasse and our call was heeded to the letter and supported with relevant economic panacea, the country would have been prevented from the gigantic effects occasioned by the nation’s mainstay commodity.
Governor Aregbesola however declared as unfounded and mischievous the allegation that his administration is being tormented with effects of the current economic crisis due to his over-ambition to development.
He said his administration was aware of an allegation purportedly credited to the members of the opposition and enemies of his government who according to him attributed his inability to pay the full salaries of some sections of the state workforce to over-zealousness for transformation.
“It is unfortunate that some people do not reflect on the circumstances that led to the current economic situation in Nigeria.
“But the real fact is that, our economy has been seriously bastardized by the leadership of the main opposition party that led the country for sixteen years.
“These mischievous people have forgotten that our administration in spite the current economic situation has never abdicated its responsibilities in providing the basic amenities to its citizens as well as the payment of workers agreed salaries.
“They have forgotten that all the projects being implemented were mostly needed by the state, even as I speak to you, we still have a lots to do in order to develop and transform our state.
“In view of this, our government is not over-ambitious to development but rather providing the needful needs aimed at developing and transforming the state and the citizens.
“If we have failed to executive all the projects we have done and still doing, the state might not be able to regain such huge transformation as being prioritized by our government.
“So for this reason alone, it is shameful for anybody to think or accuse us of being over-ambitious to development because it is only the enemy of progress that will reason in such an irrational manner”, Aregbesola affirmed.
Governor Aregbesola therefore called on the people to support his administration in its bid of finding workable alternative to chusion the effects of the current economic crisis.
Aregbesola advocated for massive particiaption in agriculture, saying it is the only surviving sector that can bailout the country from her present economic situation.
Earlier in his lecture, the guest lecturer and human rights activist, Barrister Femi Falana who spoke on a topic titled: “Justifiability of Social and Economic Rights in Nigeria” lamented over what he regarded as infinitesimal economic policy in Nigeria, saying the nation’s fortunes had been selfishly mismanaged by the governments at various levels.
The legal luminary who bemoaned the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan for being insensitive, reckless and corrupt said the current corruption charges leveled against some of the people who worked with the erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan was a clear signal to his claims.
Mr. Falana accused members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as the brain behind the Nigeria economic woes, saying it was unfortunate that the Party (PDP) and its loyalists could siphoned billions of naira purportedly voted for arms procurement.
He called for a genuine and transparent anti-graft war in Nigeria, stressing that the time has come for all Nigerians to form a united front against corruption which he described as a common enemy of Nigeria and Nigerians.
Barrister Falana who called for a speedy and an accelerated prosecution of those facing trial of corruption charges in Nigeria, saying whoever found guilty or being convicted should be given a capital punishment.
Mr. Falana however charged the Federal Government to establish a Special Court for anti-corruption crusade, saying it is the only way to reduce the congestion of trials and prosecutions of corruption cases in the country.
Mr. Falana enjoined the present government to be more vigilant and conversant on the hypocritical attitude of those who appear saintly but behave otherwise.
“Our economy as a nation is totally troubled due to corruption, selfishness, nepotism and political chauvinism that have proliferated in all facets of our national life.
“Our people have been economically damaged and disorientated simply because we are running an infinitesimal policy where the rich become richer and the poor become poorer.
“This is the time for President Muhamadu Buhari to rededicate and restrategize his policies towards his widely acceptable anti-corruption war and fight against insurgency, so that anyone found guilty of corruption would be held thoroughly dealt with and made as a deterrent to others.
“The Federal Government must also as a matter of urgency establish a Special Court to fight against corruption, drug trafficking and human trafficking in order to create a new, saver and better Nigeria that we all desired”, Mr. Falana stated.
Pictures of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with the head of South African Committee in World Assembly of Muslim Youth (MAMY),Abdulrahman Al-Jammami , and Prof, Olosupo Oladipo during a Courtesy visit to the Governor, at Government house Osogbo, on Wednesday 20/01/2016.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle), Head of South
Africa Committee in World Assembly of Muslim Youth (MAMY),Abdulrahman
Al-Jammami (left), and Prof, Olosupo Oladipo during a Courtesy visit
to the
Governor, at Government house Osogbo, on Wednesday 20/01/2016.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right) Head of
South Africa Committee in World Assembly of Muslim Youth
(MAMY),Abdulrahman Al-Jammami (2nd right), Prof, Olosupo Oladipo (2nd
left),National President of Jama’at Ta’awun Muslimeen, Sheik Daood
Imran Molaasan (left),and Provost Al-Hummah College of Education, Dr.
Qosim Muhammed Tijani (right), during a Courtesy visit to the
Governor, at Government House Osogbo, on Wednesday 20/01/2016.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with Head of South
Africa Committee in World Assembly of Muslim Youth (MAMY),Abdulrahman
Al-Jammami and Prof, Olosupo Oladipo during a Courtesy visit to the
Governor, at the Government House Osogbo, on Wednesday 20/01/2016.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with Head of South
Africa Committee in World Assembly of Muslim Youth (MAMY),Abdulrahman
Al-Jammami during a Courtesy visit to the Governor at thr Government
House, Osogbo
Says Airport project had been reviewed to N7.5bn by PDP government six years ago
The Government of Osun has described the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that it has inflated the airport project in Ido Osun by N11 Billion as another confirmation of the fact that the PDP suffers from hallucination that is causing it wild imagination and delusions.
The government said the party keeps showing that there is no limit to the depth it could sink in irrational and illogical thinking.
In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the government said the allegation by the PDP is most inelegant and absurd, having no foundation in reason or logic.
He stated that the allegation of inflating the contract sum of the Moshood Abiola International Airport from N4.5bn to N15.5bn, is a fiction and not a fact, saying that PDP in the state has once again displayed its pettiness, mischief and crass ignorance about governance.
The statement pointed out that the said contract under the former administration of PDP more than six years ago, was reviewed from N3,967,085,161.38 to N7,512,615,918.06 stating that this alone is enough to puncture the PDP’s fabrications.
“To every reasonable critic, if a contact was reviewed to N7.5 billion as far back as 2010 to the knowledge of the Presidency and the Ministry of Aviation, does it not make sense to consider exchange rates and other factors that could be responsible for the upward review of the contract?
“But we know that PDP can only survive on lies. However, we are consoled by the fact that its lies of 16 years are in the open. Its leaders are singing at the corridors of the anti-graft agencies and it is a matter of time before those who got contracts and never executed them but have used the ill-gotten funds to intimidate the people of our state come to judgment as well just like their cohorts who are now guests of the EFCC and inmates in some of Nigerian prisons.”
Noting that the Aregbesola administration has no problem with constructive criticism from opposition, it explained that “the Job of the opposition is not to concoct lies but to provide strong criticism spiced with concrete facts”.
He held that it must be placed on record that the state’s airport project is in line with the realities of airport construction in Nigeria, citing the examples of Kebbi Airport that was built at an approximate sum of N17 billion and Bauchi’s N13 billion built about two years ago.
The statement noted that the aviation industry is changing worldwide, adding that an airport is not just about transporting air passengers alone but key in the movement of cargo.
The statement added that the MKO Abiola International Airport under construction in Osun is being built with huge economic benefits to the state in mind adding that the provision for an hanger for aircraft maintenance is part of the strategies to boost the Osun economy.
It stated that it was not of no importance when the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) called on states in Nigeria to enhance the movement of cargoes and passengers to accelerate economic development.
On the issue of jerking up the contract sum in order to allegedly embezzle the bailout loan the state got from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the statement wondered if PDP members in Osun resides in the state for them not to know how the bailout fund was handled in the state in a transparent manner.
Stating that the airport project has nothing to do with salaries or pensions in the state, the government said a project that was initiated before the coming of the Aregbesola administration cannot be reason for delay in the payment of salaries, which according to the statement, is already a settled matter given the understanding between the workers and the government.
The statement reminded PDP of the visit of the Nigerian Labour Congress’ President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba to the state workforce where he described such allegation as misleading and unfounded.
“Osun government and labour leaders came to a common ground on how the bailout funds was disbursed for the payment of backlog of workers’ salaries.
Any insinuation on abuse or misappropriation of the fund is simply the imagination of a jaundiced mind.
“The union and the state government set up a 17-man committee presently overseeing the apportionment of all revenues accruing to the state for equitable distribution to all sectors of the government for industrial harmony and effective administration of the state.” The statement emphasized.
Pictures of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the African Cultural Promoter, Yeye Akilimali Funma Olade, during a visit to African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centre, Adeyipo Village, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday 19-01-2016.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) exchanging
pleasantries with a Christian Cleric, Evangelist Oyewole Olowomojuore
(left); with them is African Cultural Promoter, Yeye Akilimali Funma
Olade (middle), during a visit to African Heritage Research Library
and Cultural Centre, Adeyipo Village, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday
19-01-2016.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) and African
Cultural Promoter, Yeye Akilimali Funma Olade (middle), during a visit
to African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centre, Adeyipo
Village, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday 19-01-2016.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Christian
Cleric, Evangelist Oyewole Olowomojuore (right) and African Cultural
Promoter, Yeye Akilimali Funma Olade, during a visit to African
Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centre, Adeyipo Village,
Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday 19-01-2016.
The Oodua Owner States Governors on Tuesday announced the admittance of Lagos state into the Oodua Investment Company Limited just as a new revenue base was proposed for the company from N4billion to N20billion.
Addressing journalists on behalf of other Governors shortly after a closed door meeting of the Owner States Governors at the Cocoa House Ibadan, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state stated that the meeting was aimed at restrategising the activities of the company and take some relevant far-reaching decisions to reposition the Investment and as well boost its economic base in line with the global economic trends.
He disclosed that the five Owner States Governors have approved a five year strategic economic plan to grow the revenue base of the company from N4billion to N20billion.
According to him, “we owner States Governors of Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti state have met with the board and management of Odu’a Investment Company on the need to improve our activities as regards revenue base.
“We have deliberated comprehensively on the need to improve our revenue base, economic activities and the implementation of new economic strategies in line with the best global economic trends.
“We have also taken far-reaching economic decisions to reposition the investment as the engine room of economic growth in the Southwest.
“To achieve all these, we owner States Governors have therefore approved a five year strategic plan to grow and increase tremendously the revenue base of the company from N4billion to N20billion.
Governor Mimiko further revealed that the Owner States Governors have also agreed on the principle to include Lagos State as part of the Odu’a Investment Company Limited, saying the economic strategy is a five-year plan aimed at increasing the revenue base of the company from its present N4billion to 20billiion and as well improve the economic activities of the investment for the general benefits of the owner states.
He therefore submitted that the owner States Governors have decided to meet with board and management of the Company quarterly.
“As we have agreed to reposition the company economically, we also implemented principles to admit Lagos State as part of the Odu’a Investment Company Limited with a view to reshape the revenue base of the company.
“In a bid to achieve greater improvement and effective management, we have agreed to be meeting with board and management of the company on quarterly basis”, Governor Mimiko disclosed.
Meanwhile, the meeting was attended by the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his counterparts in Ogun and Ondo States, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Otunba Moses Alade Adeyemo, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Dr. (Mrs) Modupe Alade, Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mr. Olalekan Ali, Group Managing Director, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Mr. Adewale Raji, Directors of the five owner States of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, among other dignitaries and political functionaries.
Photos of the Deputy Governor Oyo State, Moses Adeyemo, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Ondo State Governor,Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, during the Odu’a Owner States Governors’ Meeting, at Cocoa House, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday 19/1/2016.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (second left), Ogun
State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (second right), Ondo State
Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (left) and Chairman, Odu’a Investment
Company Limited, Chief Isaac Akintade, during the Odu’a Owner States
Governors’ Meeting, at Cocoa House, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday
19/1/2016.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left), Ogun State
Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (middle), Ondo State Governor, Dr.
Olusegun Mimiko, during the Odu’a Owner States Governors’ Meeting, at
Cocoa House, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday 19/1/2016.
From left- Ondo State Governor,Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Governor State of
Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle
Amosun, Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Chief Isaac
Akintade and Director Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Oyo State, Dr,
Mrs Adepeju Esan, during the Odu’a Owner States Governors’ Meeting, at
Cocoa House, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday 19/1/2016.
From left- Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,Chairman,
Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Chief Isaac Akintade, Ogun State
Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Director Odu’a Investment Company
Limited, Oyo State, Dr, Mrs Adepeju Esan and Deputy Governor Oyo
State, Moses Adeyemo, during the Odu’a Owner States Governors’
Meeting, at Cocoa House, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday 19/1/2016.
From left- Deputy Governor Oyo State, Moses Adeyemo, Governor State of
Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Ondo State Governor,Dr. Olusegun Mimiko
and Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, during the Odu’a
Owner States Governors’ Meeting, at Cocoa House, Ibadan, Oyo State, on
Tuesday 19/1/2016.
The Osun Government on Tuesday allayed fears of residents that there was no reported case of Lassa fever in the state.
Dr Temitope Oladele, the Permanent Secretary, Osun Ministry of Health, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo that the government was fully prepared to forestall any outbreak of the disease.
The permanent secretary said the state had also put an emergency team on alert in case of any outbreak.
He added that a dedicated emergency telephone number had also been given to residents for contacting the team in case of an outbreak.
“We are fully prepared to forestall any outbreak of the disease. We have also embarked on sensitisation programme about the disease. We have our flyers around with emergency number with which people can contact our team,” said the official.
Also, Prof. Akeem Lasisi, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo , said there had been no reported case of the disease in the hospital.
Lasisi said the people had been sensitised to report any symptom of fever to the hospital for proper attention.
The CMD said the hospital was also exchanging data with the state Ministry of Health in preparedness for any outbreak of the disease.
Lasisi, however, warned the people against bush burning, adding that doing so would force out the rats in the bush into people’s homes to contaminate their foods and water.
(NAN)
Chairman of Bi-Courtney Group, Dr Wale Babalakin, has urged the people of Osun to collaborate with the government to develop the state.
Babalakin spoke yesterday at the coronation of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Adewale Akanbi.
As chairman of the occasion, the erudite lawyer, hailed Iwo people for choosing a very educated and exposed king through a rancour-free process.
His words: “We have a big challenge in Osun. I don’t believe there’s any state with as many cities as Osun in Nigeria. This places a great challenge on us to utilize our population and diversity to our advantage.”
Babalakin urged the people to work with the government to harness Osun’s potentials.
At the event were Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the state; his deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, among others.
Meanwhile, Osun State House of Assembly has called on the new Oluwo of Iwoland to ensure peaceful coexistence, community development, security and improved economy not only for the people of the town but also the entire state.
The Assembly made the call yesterday in a statement issued by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, to congratulate the monarch on his coronation and presentation of staff of office.
Oba Abdul-Rasheed assumed the throne about three years after the demise of his predecessor, the late Oba Asiru Olatunbosun Tadese, who died on February 18, 2013.
The Assembly which stressed that Iwo is known for cattle rearing and abattoir management, urged the monarch to promote the venture and modernise it. It also urged him to explore landmarks and tourism potentials in the ancient town.
