…To name new school after Soyinka

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has on Wednesday said his administration will leave no stone unturned in giving Osun a legacy of an enhanced environment of learning‎ obtainable in any advanced country of the world.
This was even as the Association of Primary Schools Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) lauded the educational policies and programmes initiated by the Osun State Government under the leadership of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
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The governor stated this while receiving an Award of Excellence from the Association of Primary school Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) in Osogbo.‎
Aregbesola noted that his government has  come to the realisation that school environment largely determine the quality and character of students produced.
He stressed that as part of his administration’s commitment to the development of education in the state, government will be putting forward for use a High school facilty with the capacity of 3,000 students named after Prof. Wole Soyinka in Ejigbo on Monday‎
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He thanked the Association for finding the state worthy of being the host of her National convention,  contrary to adversarial media impression.
The Governor held that Osun is a safe haven and the best place for the meeting of serious minds, saying It is peaceful, safe and endowed with the beauty of nature in its grandeur. ‎
Aregbesola added that education has been a major policy thrust of his government in Osun since the inception of our administration and the reason for the considerable amount of resources and effort spent on education.‎
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According to the Governor, “un‎doubtedly, education is also a common denominator between us; it is a passion we both share and it is my great desire that we both take it to a great level. On our part, we have given our possible best to education and will continue to do so.
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“We are therefore building state of the art 100 elementary schools. The idea behind this is that there should be an elementary public school in every neighbourhood. We are also building 50 middle and 20 high schools. Out of these, 14 elementary schools, 15 middle schools and 11 high schools have been completed.
“Work is ongoing on the rest and they are at different stages of completion. It is our sincere hope that we shall complete them before the end of our tenure.
“On Monday, we are going to present our model high school, named after a worthy Nigerian and a great educationist himself, Prof Wole Soyinka. It is a school in a class of its own, that will accommodate 3,000 pupils, with full learning infrastructure”. The governor told the gathering.‎
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The Association through its National President, Alhaji Mahmud Lawal commended the governor. For his giant stride in Education.
He described the state educational policies as one of the best in the world, saying Governor Aregbesola has bridged the wider gap between the public and private education in the country.
Alhaji Lawal who identified with the state government on the current economic situation lauded Aregbesola for his unwavering support to quality education as he has provided a smooth template and conducive academic environment for pupils and students across the state.
He averred that in spite the current financial challenges being encountered by the present administration, the state didn’t deter from all the programmes embarked upon.
The (AOPSHON) National President contented that the state government has been building its educational policies on the solid rock of academic transformation, success and development which according to him has manifested in the quality of its pupils and students.
He said the provision of viable educational sector in the state has significantly translated into what he described as vibrant basic education knowledge acquisition which according to remain the best stage of learning.
According to him ” Osun State deserves a worthwhile commendation and encomium especially on its giant strides and laudable achievements in educational sector which had earned it several accolades and international recognition.
“Though our coming to Osun State was primarily to hold our annual National Seminar/Workshop and as well acknowledge the trends of general development and immense contributions of the current government in education most importantly elementary education.
“we have identified primary education as the most essential part of human life which must not be ignored by any serious government as it sets pace for subsequent knowledge acquisition and academic qualifications.
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SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OSUN, OGBENI RAUF AREGBESOLA, WHILE RECEIVING THE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FROM ASSOCIATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS HEAD TEACHERS OF NIGERIA (AOPSHON) AT GMT HOTEL AND EVENTS CENTRE, OSOGBO ON NOVEMBER 18, 2015.
Protocols,
A Worthy Honour From The Honourable
It gives me great pleasure to be present at this occasion, the gathering of Association of Primary Schools Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON). This gathering is more than just a gathering of teachers, it is a gathering of teachers’ teachers and those who determine the destiny of pupils and by extension the future of our nation. It is a great honour and privilege therefore to be in your midst and to be considered worthy of your award of excellence.
I must also thank you for finding our state worthy of being the host of your convention. Osun, contrary to the adversarial media impression, is a safe haven and the best place for the meeting of serious minds. It is peaceful, safe and endowed with the beauty of nature in its grandeur. The Oluminrin Waterfall in Erin-Ijesa is iconic while the Osun Grove in Osogbo in a UNESCO World Heritage Site while the Osun Osogbo festival attracts tourists and devotees annually from all over the world. Please do explore these nature’s beauty and 49 others scattered across the state after your meeting.
Education has been a major policy thrust for us since the inception of our administration and has taken a considerable amount of our resources and effort. But it is worth it. For you headteachers, your vocation is not just a job, it is a calling. If you want just a job, many of you will not be here. You are here however because of your passion and conviction of divine direction to mould the intellect and shape the character of the little ones. May God reward your efforts and perfect all that concern you. Amen.
Undoubtedly, education is also a common denominator between us; it is a passion we both share and it is my great desire that we both take it to a great level. On our part, we have given our possible best to education and will continue to do so.
As a government, it has been our dream and aspiration to turn around education in Osun. As headteachers, you are aware of the disgraceful educational legacy we inherited and the sterling efforts we have made in turning things around, with your good cooperation, sacrifices and kind assistance.
Before the present cash crunch, our administration increased the running cost on students. Against the paltry N200 paid by the last administration, we now pay N400 on pupils in Elementary Schools and N500 for those in the Higher Schools and there was timely and adequate supply of modern instructional and learning materials to all our schools. Our free school meal programme takes care of about 254,000 pupils in the Elementary Schools. We also gave out, free-of-charge, two pairs of new school uniforms to all pupils and students in our public schools. We came up with a novel idea, the e-learning tablet, Opon Imo. We have distributed about 150,000 to both teachers and students in their final year. We have commenced the distribution of this tablets to the new final year students in public schools in Osun. It is our hope that as the finances improve, we will cover every pupil in our public schools. It is our own way of introducing our students to the widening digital world of Information and Communications Technology and also make learning more meaningful.
One legacy we are building in education is an enhanced environment of learning. We have come to the realisation that the school environment largely determine the quality and character of students produced. We are therefore building state of the art 100 elementary schools. The idea behind this is that there should be an elementary public school in every neighbourhood. We are also building 50 middle and 20 high schools. Out of these, 14 elementary schools, 15 middle schools and 11 high schools have been completed. Work is ongoing on the rest and they are at different stages of completion. It is our sincere hope that we shall complete them before the end of our tenure. On Monday, we are going to present our model high school, named after a worthy Nigerian and a great educationist himself, Prof Wole Soyinka. It is a school in a class of its own, that will accommodate 3,000 pupils, with full learning infrastructure.
We are already having the results. The badly behaved pupils in dilapidated and run down schools are now well behaved when transferred to the new, beautiful schools that give them pride and enhanced personality.
Under our administration, we have a policy in place that will make teachers in elementary schools to rise to grade level 16. We have employed more than 12,000 teachers into public schools and have also appointed three tutors general, equivalent of Permanent Secretary in the three senatorial districts in the state. We have also provided more than 100,000 desks and chairs in public schools. We have also rehabilitated existing schools, provided toilets and boreholes and made schools decent places to be.
As partners in the education business, the task on our hand is how all the stakeholders – teachers, government, parents and the pupils – must join hands to improve education in Osun. I recently told the association of teachers that the time has come for us to see government as business, not business for gain, but business for service. The people must feel what we do and it must talk to them.
Teachers therefore must see themselves as agents for increasing the knowledge base of our society and for building their wards both in learning and character, from elementary school to all levels. They should therefore be assessed on how well they have performed in this task. Really, no teacher should consider himself or herself to have succeeded if his or her wards are not adjudged to have passed both in learning and character. An end must come to the practice of automatic promotion of teachers in the stark contrast of mass failure of their pupils.
Let me thank you most sincerely for your labour and sacrifice in the building of an educated society and once again, for the honour of the award.
I wish you a very successful meeting and a good time in Osun.
I thank you for your kind attention.

 
There was huge turnout of residence of Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Monday to honour the late Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, wife of the late Yoruba leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who commended her final journey home with a lying in State reception.
The Matriarch of the Awolowo family died on September 19,2015 about two months to her 100th birthday.
Her body arrived at Toll-gate Ibadan from Ogun State around 8:30am, and was received by the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi before leading the body to the Awolowo residence at Oke-Bola for the lying in State.
The procession then moved to the Methodist Cathedral Church, Agbeni for a commendation service.
At the service coordinated by the Bishop of Ibadan, the Most Rev. Kehinde Stephen, recalled that the last time he had an encounter with the late matriarch was in February when Tribune newspaper was launching a new printing machine.
He said she had a sound retentive memory while she was a caring mother who not only nurtured her children to excellence but cared about the welfare of the other people’s children
“When she set her eyes on me, she said His Grace it’s nice to see you again, why have you abandoned me and does not visit me again? She also asked after my children. She has a sound retentive memory and she was a fast reader,” he said
He said the Methodist Church will always respect the Awolowo dynasty for their love for education.
“The Awolowo family promoted quality education and have passion for the welfare of the masses. Today, reverse is the case for the education sector because it has been neglected by different government in power. If we make education a priority, it will save the life of the masses and safeguard the future of our children,” Rev Stephen said
Oyo State Governor, Sen. Ajimobi said the Yoruba race and Nigerians at large are proud of the legacies the late matriarch left behind.
He said, “Ibadan is the home of Awolowo’s and all the giants stride recorded by the late sage can be traced to Ibadan. Mama’s diligence and outstanding performance can be seen in the way she administered The Tribune newspaper. She is fondly remembered for her kind heartedness and her service to humanity.”
Urging, the Awolowo’s family to emulate late Mrs Awolowo’s exemplary lifestyle, he said, “Mama was a Nigerian who is detribalized and embraced all. Mama has strong discipline, principle and doggedness. Awolowo gave many people sound education and we are also making education one of our main priorities. Mama was an epitome of Yoruba Nation and motherhood.”
From the church, the late matriarch’s body was moved to the premises of Nigeria Tribune newspaper.
Governor of State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in his tribute said, the said all politicians should learn from the glorious exit and great honoured receive by late Mrs Awolowo.
“She represented the best in coordinating and supporting for the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awowolo,” Aregbesola said
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode also said Nigerians were remembering mama because she was the spirit behind the vision of the late sage.
” We as Nigerians must continue with that spirit. We should not allow the legacy of the Awolowo’s to die because we are yet to achieve the vision of the late sage and we need all the support of womanhood to achieve it,” he said
The wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi said: ” The Late matriarch has live a great life and all womanhood should emulate her virtues. We should be able to stand the test of time.”
The first grandson of the late matriarch, Segun Awolowo Jr said what she would missed about her grandmother was her dependability, stability and ability to hold the family together.
The first female judge in Nigeria, Mrs Folake Solanke (SAN), said Mama’s death was a great experience, saying, ” she was an exemplary wife. She reached an age that is worthy of celebration and her legacies will continue to live after her.”
Managing Director of Tribune Newspaper, Mr Edward Dickson in his vote of thanks, promised that the firm will continue to sustain the legacy of the Awolowo’s and will sustain the existence of the newspaper.
WORLDSTAGE

A human right and civil coalition group, under the platform of Osun Progressive Left, has called for peace and sustainable governance in Osun State.
In a statement by the convener, Comrade Wale Adebisi, the group condemned the campaign of malicious slander and inciting activities by an opposition political leaders in the state on a radio programme on the bailout from the Federal Government to the Osun.
According to the statement, their approach is not only crude but also setting the people of the state against the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The group, therefore, urged the governor to continue to pursue his six integral action plans for the state as this is the only sure way of elevating the state to rank among the best in the country.
VANGUARD

The Speaker, Osun State  House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam, has urged the Department of of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in partnership with security agencies to wade into issues of fuel hoarding and other sharp practices on the part of the fuel dealers in the state, saying it was disturbing that motorists were being exploited freely.
The Speaker who stated this in Osogbo noted that the fuel dealers have devised a way of closing their gas stations in the day and  opening them in the night with the aim of exploiting motorists way above the official price.
He said: “It is disturbing that fuel marketers in Osun are happy about the suffering of the masses, for I cannot understand why they would close their stations in the day and sell at outrageous prices in the night, that suggests sharp practices, and the DPR and security agents should wade in and halt the trend.”
THIS DAY LIVE

Pictures of the Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and others, inspecting the completion of Ejigbo High School toward commissioning to mark the first year anniversary of his second term in office,at Ejigbo on Sunday 14-11-2015

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has on Friday said that his administration will not be deterred in its resolve to take education in the state to a greater height.
The  governor stated this ‎in Ede during the second phase of flag-off and distribution of tablets of knowledge across the public secondary schools in the state.
‎Aregbesola who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Lawrence Oyeniran described the intervention of the E-stand-alone tablet of knowledge as a fundamental breakthrough in education in the state.‎
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He said “Opon Imo” is a serious achievement by his administration in education intervention and innovation that has received various commendations globally.
The Governor added that his government came up with this innovation to ensure better improvement in both internal and external examinations which he said had suffered a serious setback before his assumption in office.
Aregbesola disclosed that the distribution of the computer device will cut across the SSS 3 students in all the public schools in the state.
“We are here at Adventist High School, Ede to kick off the distribution of Tablets of Knowledge known as “Opon Imo” to all the high school students across the state of Osun.
“The tablets of knowledge which is acknowledged both nationally and internationally is a tablet that makes teaching and learning easier in our state.
“We request our students to make good and judicious use of it because it is a great opportunity for them to have a computer based tablets of knowledge to assist their learning technique.
“Aside from that, both principal and subject teachers should be enjoined to ensure that they give the desired guidance to the students on the proper use of Opon Imo in the sense that whoever for any reason among the beneficiaries (students) misapply its uses, it will attract N50,000 fine and this is backup by legislation of the Osun State House of Assembly.
“The distribution will go round the entire three senatorial districts of Osun State”, he said.
Commenting on why the first distributed Tablets of Knowledge were retrieved from the students, he said it was done to upgrade, repackage and give those students who have been promoted to SSS 3 class the equal opportunity to use the e-learning device.
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“After a session, we retrieved those materials for upgrading, re packaging and repair because it was obvious that some of these materials might have been damaged by the beneficiaries since they are not meant for keep by the students.
“In as much as it is a tablet that is meant for generation yet unborn, there is need for both government and the students to see it as a valuable assets need to be carefully preserved and protected.
“Its use is mainly for students who are successfully promoted to SSS 3 class and these electronic device would be used for West African Senior School Certificate Examination(WASSCE), National Examination Council Examination (NECO), and Unified Tertiary
Matriculation Examination (UTME).
On the significant impact of Opon Imo since its introduction, Governor Aregbesola said since the advent of the electronic gadgets which serve as crucial educational intervention, the performance of students across the state has tremendously improved in terms of results and academic prizes.
He said, “When you look at the status of our education in terms of our students WAEC results, Academic accolades and performances in the past before the advent of ‘Opon Imo’ by juxtaposing it with the current situation in the education sector, there is no doubt in the fact that we have improved geometrically and purposefully.
“Our landmark achievents on education has been manifested in the quality of public school products.
“Spontaneous development has been recorded since the intervention of this technological initiative of our administration as our students results have improved through the academic tools being given to them, while their performance has been on the increase.
He charged the school principals of all the public schools in the state to convene meetings and interactive sections with parents of their students on the need to assist their wards on proper protection and preservation of the device given to them.
Aregbesola said, “There is need for the parents of our students to be properly oriented and enlightened on the carefully use of the Opon Imo because some students are very careless to the extent that they may misapply or misuse the device outside what it was meant for.
“The era whereby students can just misapply the opportunity given to them through tablets of knowledge has gone because there is a law being enacted by the State House of Assembly prohibiting such act and whoever breaches it would face the consequences.
“Therefore, our parents must be properly schooled and enlightened on the good maintenance of this device. They must be guided on its better uses as they are expected to take it as an essential commodity, because it is not for students to keep, they will use it and pass it on to those behind them after graduation.‎

Photos showing a Cross section of SSS 3 Students of Adventist High School, Ede displaying theTablets of Knowledge (Opon Imo) given them by the State Government of Osun,  during the second phase flag-off and distribution of Tablets of Knowledge to Senior Secondary School Students across the Public High Schools in the State, at the Adventist High School’s Premises, on Friday 13-11-2015.

Pictures of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and the All Progressive Congress, National Leader, Senator Bola Hamed Tinubu , during the Official Commissioning & Launch of the Mile 12- Ikorodu Road Widening and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Operation at BRT Depot, Majidun, Ikorodu on Thursday 12/11/2015.

The management of World Bank has rated the State of Osun as the best among its peers in the implementation, management and maintenance of Rural Access and Mobility Projects (RAMP) being financed by the institution across the states of the federation.
The global financial institution gave this commendation through its team led by Engineer Olatunji Hammed during a second phase project presentation to the state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Addressing the gathering, Engr Hammed disclosed that Osun State has put up an exemplary performance in the quality of its unprecedented developmental projects that centred on the lives of the generality of its populace most especially the rural dwellers.
Engineer Hammed said Osun has been able to maintain its status as the first state that has successfully maintained it roads to enhance productivity and as well as improve the economy of the state through accessible and motor able roads, linking community to community, village to village, town to town as well as city to city.
He said Osun State has always been number one as it remains the pacesetter for its counterparts in terms of rural based road maintenance which according to him, has prompted other states to come to Osun in order to learn rural access roads maintenance skills.
Hammed revealed that in spite of the fact that the state is blessed with multitude of villages, towns and cities, the state has the best roads connectivity in the country.

According to him, “Rural Access and Mobility Project has helped significantly in harnessing and exploring the agricultural potentiality of the rural dwellers in the area of transportation of farm produce to urban cities as roads rural/urban roads are being aggressively linked and exposed for easier accessibility.
“There is no doubt about the fact that many states in the country are jealous of Osun in terms of its rapid developmental projects which aims at improving the general well being of its populace as the state ever remained the best in implementation, management and maintenance of community based roads across the length and breadth of the state.
“This wouldn’t have been impossible if not for the support of Governor Aregbesola towards the Rural Access and Mobility Project which has impacted meaningfully in the teeming lives of the citizenry.
Engineer Hammed said the institution’s findings on the phase1 of the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP1) and general roads construction in the state have shown the accelerated improvement in the general lives of the citizenry most importantly that of the rural dwellers as it has contributed meaningfully and productively in the agricultural activities.
Having assessed the state in terms of socio-infrastructural, political and economic developments, Engineer Hammed disclosed that the roads network in the state have the best linkage which according to him could always stand the test of time.
He extolled Governor Aregbesola’s commitment and dedication towards the well being of his people, saying he has proven himself and distinguished his administration’s uniqueness in his quest for quality and standard construction materials which has resorted to long-last and durable roads being constructed in the state since his administration.
He described Governor Aregbesola as an ardent lover of good governance and political stability, adding that his roles in bringing the dividends of democracy to the door steps of his people could not be forgotten.
He described the RAMP programme as the only alternative mechanism and instrument which government at all levels need for the successful realization of economic diversification as the country is planning to shift face and attention from being over-reliant on crude oil production to full agricultural production.
He however advocated for unwavering support and collaboration with the current government in the country and Osun State in particular in taking the state and nation to the lofty high of prosperous future.
He stressed that the state compassion on the well being and development of rural dwellers had yielded positive results as new life of economic transformation and development has been brought to those communities.

In his address, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said Osun was the first state to involve the communities in the adoption and management of the roads across the state since the commencement of his administration.

Governor Aregbesola said the project (RAMP) is popular to the people in the state and that consciousness is linked to the need of providing the best his government could in terms of quality facilities and materials for roads construction.
He said his government having identified the needs of its rural dwellers, embarked on the massive roads network across the nooks and crannies of the state in order to break the wide gap between the people at the remote areas and urban residents.

Governor Aregbesola stated that Osun, having been rated best in the implementation of the RAMP project, has no reason to strive further in the actualisation of its comprehensive development agenda.
He pledged that the state under his watch will do everything possible to look for money to make up her counterpart fund for the phase2 of the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP 11) that is set to commence.
Governor Aregbesola stressed that Osun was keen in the project simply because the state has been wrongly tagged “Civil Service State” which in reality, according to him, is a peasant agrarian state.
Why justifying his position, Governor Aregbesola said as a matter of fact the entire resources of the state even at the best of time was N4.6billion which was a period when the state received its highest allocation, saying the last chunk of this statutory allocation amounts to the sum of N3.6billion which was dedicated to payment of civil servants’ salary arrears, gratuity, pensions and other emoluments.

He explained further that the state with the population of 4.5million that received its highest allocation of N4.6billion means that as at then, it had to service the population of 4.5million, which by calculation means that each citizen would receive N1000. He said what a citizen gets cannot even cater for a day old baby for one month.
He noted that a sincere assessment of the state allocation resources and resources from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) show that the state lives on agricultural values.
Governor Aregbesola said the state exists on the sweats and labour of those unsung men and women in rural areas who are struggling and labouring every day to improve the agricultural commodities that are painfully brought to the market.

He lamented over the dwindling allocation to the state, saying since June, 2013, the financial activities of the state had been hugely damaged due to what he described as unjust reduction.
Governor Aregbesola buttressed his point by disclosing that the state got for its September allocation, a paltry sum of N1.8billion. He said such revenue cannot be the basis for the economy of Osun.
According to him, “We engaged in Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP) because we know that it is through this provision that we can support the economy of this state by meeting the core needs of rural dwellers, access and support the evacuation of their farm produce to the markets.
“It is because of our genuine commitment to energize the rural dwellers in their onerous duty of producing agricultural commodity that we are passionate and aggressively committed to RAMP.
“Though financially, we are highly constrained but even in spite of that constraint, we are committed to RAMP and I pledge that we will quickly mobilize our counterpart fund to usher in the commencement of the RAMP2.

Governor Aregbesola said the project implementation support programme on Rural Access Mobility Project has gone a long way at ameliorating and transforming the lives of the marginalized, dejected and abandoned people at rural areas.

He expressed gratitude to the management of World Bank for coming up with what he described as people development programme.
He said, “Without any sense of doubt, implementation of approximately 225killometers of rural roads currently being rehabilitated and constructed across the length and breadth of Osun have started yielding fruitful results going by the information reaching me and my visit to all the rural areas and project sites across the state.
“Farm produce as well as human and vehicular movement have improved considerably as farmers can easily evacuate farm produce without stress and this has increased our economy and social activities as developmental projects had speedily sprung up.
“Demand for land acquisition for developmental projects has been on increase and to say the least, it has improved our people livelihood.

“We are the government that holds our people well being and development in high esteem as we are committed to the successful implementation of project and its sustainability.
“It is not an overstatement to say that Osun is leading other participating states and we will continue to lead because we will not rest on our oars in ensuring that all necessary conditions needed for the successful implementation of this project are met.