Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Thursday said no nation could develop and attain greatness without peace and love among its citizens. Aregbesola made the remarks in his Eid el-Kabir message in Osogbo. “Without peace and love, no nation unites and no nation attains greatness in an atmosphere of disunity, singing discordant tunes.
“The better time to promote love, tolerance, and spread the message of peace is during festive periods like this.
“I call on Muslims in Osun and the entire Nigerian Muslim ummah to seize the opportunity of the Eid to reach out to people of different faiths with greetings and messages of love and peace,” he said.
He decried the rising wave of violence and insurgency across the world, saying that at no time in human political history had peace been this endangered. “With the drums of war and violence resonating in all corners of the world, Nigeria must do everything humanly possible to douse the tension in the North-East and other parts,’’ he stated.
The governor stressed that Nigeria must chat a new way in its system of governance for it to attain the greatness it deserved.
He said that Eid was a better platform for Muslims to re-examine themselves with a view to make amends and uphold the cardinal principles of their faith.
In an interview, a resident of Osogbo, Mr Wale Adebisi, urged Muslim faithful in the country to use the Eid el-Kabir period to reflect on happenings around them. Adebisi, Executive Director, Ola Oni Resaearch Institute, called for more prayers for the administration of Rauf Aregbesola and President Muhammadu Buhari in the Osun and the country, respectively.
He urged the people to embraced peace, which he said was one of the pillars of Islam. In Kubwa, Federal Capital Territroy, Muslims defied a heavy downpour to offer prayers to the Almighty Allah to mark the celebration. Chief Imam of Kubwa, Alhaji Usman Aliyu, admonished Muslims to adopt a sense of sacrifice, eschew violence and tolerate one another.
He said that the Eid el-kabir transcended the celebrations and included character-moulding and transformation.
“Eid celebration does not end with eating good food or wearing beautiful clothes, but to have one’s acts of righteousness accepted by Allah and for one’s behaviour to transform positively,’’ he said.
Aliyu advised Muslims to act as role models for the religion of Islam and correct some negative perceptions about the religion through their acts of kindness and tolerance. “The state of the ummah today is seriously threatened due to the activities of certain elements who claim to act on behalf of Islam.
“Even here in Nigeria, a group, which calls itself Boko Haram derives pleasure from killing and maiming children, women and men, even destroying places of worship. `’All these wicked acts are abhorred by Islam because it is sinful for people to take laws into their hand and shed the blood of other people,’’ he said.
The imam advised Muslims to hold firmly to the tenets of Islam and consult the Glorious Quran to clarify any ambiguities they may experience. “It is advisable to follow the tenets of Islam and consult the Glorious Quran for any ambiguities, rather than depend on individuals who might end up misinterpreting the religion,’’ he said.
VANGUARD

Aregbesola said: “With the drums of war and violence resonating in all corners of the world, Nigeria must do everything humanly possible to douse the tension in the North-East and other parts before it escalates into full blown war and spread to other parts of the country.
“No nation can isolate itself from the current global crises – social, religious, political, economic and human – daily staring us in the eyes.
“What we need as a matter of necessity is to have a clean break with the systems that have failed us or retarded our growth as a nation; rethink and chat a new course for our greatness.
“This is the fulcrum upon which President Muhammad Buhari based his government. Nigerians in whatever capacity we can function must identify with the new government and support it for the betterment of our ‘self’ and the nation at large.
“The better time to promote love, tolerance, and spread the message of peace is during festive periods like this.
“I call on Muslims in Osun and the entire Nigerian Muslim ummah to seize the opportunity of the Eid to reach out to peoples of different faiths with greetings and messages of love and peace.
“Without peace and love, no nation unites and no nation attains greatness in an atmosphere of disunity singing discordant tunes.”
Shettima’s statement reads:  “If we examine the Eid-Il-Fitr, we will notice three key lessons: faith, sacrifice and selflessness, all of which were exhibited by our noble Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihi Salam) whose level of faith was well acknowledged by the Holy Quran and the Bible as well. In obedience to Allah’s command, Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) was ready to slaughter the only son he got at very old age which showed uncommon faith.
“The son, Prophet Ismail (Alaihi Salam) was also willing to be slaughtered in obedience to his father and that showed sacrifice. For Allah’s intervention by ordering Prophet Ibrahim to slaughter a ram instead, Muslims now emulate that by sacrificing ram in the Eid-Il-Kabir and in doing that, Muslims part with their funds to buy rams and make sacrifices to demonstrate faith and a portion meat from sacrifices are meant to be shared to the needy by way of selflessness.
“For me, the whole lessons in this Sallah are perfect for us to remember the manner in which our soldiers in the military, police men and women, men of the DSS, Customs, Immigration, Civil Defence, Civilian JTF and hunters gave their own lives mainly to keep Nigerians safe and to secure Nigerian territories.”
THE NATION

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has observed that the nation must chat a new way in its system of governance for it to attain greatness it deserves.

This was contained in the Eid-el Kabir statement issued by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon.

Aregbesola also said that promotion of peace amongst diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country is very essential to development.

He stated that leaders as well as followers have a task to fulfil in building a strong and virile nation.

He averred that there should be a national rethinking on the way forward for the country and the necessity to have a break with failed systems of the past and refocus on the way forward to attaining greatness.

According to him, the sallah is a better platform for Muslims to re-examine themselves with a view to mending their ways and upholding the cardinal principles of the religion which has its foundation on peace.

He lamented the rising wave of violence and insurgency across the world, saying at no time in human political history has peace been this endangered.

Quoting from the Glorious Qur’an Chapter 2 verse 45, which say ‘Nay, seek Allah’s help with patience, perseverance and prayer…’ the governor called on all political and religious leaders across the country to use the festive period to supplicate to God for peace, progress and love among the people.

The statement read in part: “With the drums of war and violence resonating in all corners of the world, Nigeria must do everything humanly possible to douse the tension in the North-East and other parts before it escalates into full blown war and spread to other parts of the country.

“No nation can isolate itself from the current global crises – social, religious, political, economic and human – daily staring us in the eyes.

“What we need as a matter of necessity is to have a clean break with the systems that have failed us or retarded our growth as a nation; rethink and chat a new course for our greatness.

“This is the fulcrum upon which President Muhammad Buhari based his government. Nigerians in whatever capacity we can function must identify with the new government and support it for the betterment of our ‘self’ and the nation at large.

“The better time to promote love, tolerance, and spread the message of peace is during festive periods like this.

“I call on Muslims in Osun and the entire Nigerian Muslim ummah to seize the opportunity of the Eid to reach out to peoples of different faiths with greetings and messages of love and peace.

“Without peace and love, no nation unites and no nation attains greatness in an atmosphere of disunity singing discordant tunes.”

The National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS) has called on both their lecturers and the government to harmonise their positions on the current disagreement for them to return to their campuses.

While the students said they sympathised with the demands of their lecturers, they also reminded them that the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration has made tremendous impacts on the education sector in the state which cannot be dismissed.

The students, at a press conference held in Osogbo Tuesday evening, said both parties should consider their future and come to agreement.

NAOS President, Comrade Animasahun Adekunle in Osogbo who led other executives of the body said they recognise the many challenges before the government especially as occassioned by the national economic crisis.

Urging the state government to reach a compromise with the striking lecturers of the State owned tertiary institutions, the students also called on the relevant stakeholders in the state to arrive at a common ground in resolving the issue of the ongoing strike by taking every necessary step that would facilitate quick resumption.

The statement read in parts, “Having acknowledged the meaningful impact of the current government on education, we are appealing to the State Government to help us find a lasting solution to the incessant strike in the state owned tertiary institutions by taking into consideration our proposal which will assist the government in curbing the effects of every year strike in the state.

“We equally call on the government to have a dialogue as a matter of urgency with our lecturers in order for us to resume next week Monday as being pledged by the Deputy Governor and the State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori while addressing us during our protest on Monday.

“We equally thank our lecturers for peacefully pressing home their demands from the government without any rancor but appealing to them to shift grounds by  considering and reasoning with government to fashion out the modalities that would guide against further action that may delay our resumption as being promised.”
The NAOS President appreciated Governor Aregbesola for increasing the Students’ Bursary Allowance from N3,000 to N10,000, urging him to pay all the outstanding allowances to the beneficiaries.
“We equally call on the government to pay our bursary, though we appreciate the government for deeming it fit to increase our bursary allowance from the initial amount of N3,000 being paid by the previous government to N10,000.
He expressed the hopes that the said bursaries would be paid before the next graduating students proceed for their national youth service.

“We understand the recent paucity and scarcity of funds and the downturn in the economy of our country,” advising the government to appreciate the patience of the students over the bursary.

Comrade Adekunle commended Governor Aregbesola and his government for investing tremendously on education, stressing that the current administration in the state had made an indelible marks in education with its various policies.

“It is understandable that the present government has invested more on education unlike other past governments in the state. But there is need for infrastructural development like good road networks on our campuses, quality laboratory, good research centre, befitting hostel accommodation among others in order for us to continuously compete favourably with our counterparts in other states,” Comrade Adekunle stated.

Protocols,
THE GOOD LIFE FOR OUR RETIREES
It gives me great pleasure to be at this occasion, the presentation of retirement bond certificates to the second batch of retirees under the contributory pension scheme. I must therefore thank the Bureau of Local Government Staff Pensions for its tireless effort at securing pensioners welfare and putting this event together. Today’s event is a refreshing good news and positive development, even as our opponents and traducers have failed to see anything good happening in our state.
The first batch of retirees, 78 in number, in the Local Governments and primary schools of the State received their retirement bond certificates on December 15, 2014, the total value of the bonds being five hundred and ninety three million, seven hundred and sixty thousand naira (N593,760,774.42k).
Today’s beneficiaries are 188 retirees in the Local Governments and primary schools of Osun and will receive bonds valued at one billion, four hundred and seventy million, nine hundred and seventy seven thousand naira (N1,470,977,537.14k).
The journey to contributory pension began in 2004 with the signing into law of the Contributory Pension Act. Actually, pension was contributory, that is, the employee and employer put something away until retirement of the former. It was a more effective system which put the responsibility for the life-after-work of the employee on both parties and the society also being a beneficiary of the long term savings. In the developed world where this scheme has taken root, pension savings are huge and are mostly dedicated to long term investment in housing, infrastructure and development projects generally.
However, with the oil boom, we jettisoned contributory pension and opted for non-contributory scheme because the then Federal Government, awash with oil money, did not think of the future and thought it could conveniently carry the burden. Today, the chicken has come home to roost. With dwindling resources, wages and pensions have come under much difficulties for governments. As most states are finding it difficult to pay their active and passive workers, even the Federal Government is not left out. In the twilight of the last regime, that ancien regime had to borrow N467 billion to pay workers in its last four months. As we speak, the top cadre of its pensioners are still owed up to six months.
Even though it has its own challenges, I am, however, happy that contributory pension will not present the same challenges as the non-contributory scheme. It is private sector managed and will not be savaged by the vagaries of paying pensions from dwindling current revenue. It is funds put aside for the raining day and should be available on demand.
I want to assure those who are currently in the scheme, that irrespective of the challenges we are facing now, we shall fulfil our obligations to contributory pension scheme by remitting all dues as soon as the funds are available to us. It is on record that we never defaulted until the cash crunch crisis. We are happy however, that we are back on track and have begun remitting the dues.
There are some workers who are demanding that they be exempted from contributory pension scheme. As much as we would like to meet the demands of our workers, two strong factors stand in the way. The first is the legality. The national law of 2004 makes it mandatory on states and this has been consolidated and put beyond doubt by our own law of 2010. This demand, therefore, cannot be met without violating these two laws and we are not prepared to violate laws.
Secondly, it is immoral. We cannot have two sets of rules for workers in the state. The law applies to all equally. Those who did not want to participate in contributory pension had the option of retiring in December 2013 and gladly opted out of service. They have joined the army of pensioners over whom we have responsibilities. Those making the demands cannot eat their cake and have it.
The contributory pension notwithstanding, we regard our pensioners as senior citizens whose welfare is paramount to us. If we can set up ‘Agba Osun’ to take care of our elderly, why won’t we take care of our retirees? It is therefore unfortunate the attempt by a very tiny section of the retirees to politicise their own affairs and thereby play into the hands of the opposition. A false accusation was reported recently by a coterie of retirees, alleging that the government had diverted the bailout funds. This is totally false and malicious on the part of those who made the allegation and those who reported the falsehood. The leadership of labour last week testified that the money was intact, and we have since been paying.
When our administration came in 2010, monthly pension was N200 million. We have increased this to N520 million. And so in 2010, we committed N400 million to pensions. In 2011, we increased our monthly pension obligation to N250 million and we paid N3 billion that year. By March of 2012 our pension obligation rose to N300 million monthly which cost us N3.5 billion. But in December 2012, about 5,000 retirees were added to the 9,000 pensioners in the state and in the following year, 2013, we increased our monthly pension bill to N520 million and paid out N5 billion in that year. That same year, another set of 3,500 workers retired at the local government to enlist in the local government pension brigade. In 2014, though we had started lagging behind on pension payment, we still committed a total of N4.9 billion to pensions.
Our administration has also implemented the 140 per cent increase in pension. As we speak, I have received the petition, that all pensioners earning below N10,000 be upgraded to that amount. We are seriously considering this and will implement it as soon as our finances are buoyant enough to carry this extra burden.
Our pensioners are our people. They are our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, friends and relations. They are our former colleagues. We also owe them a debt of welfare. They deserve comfort and the good life, even in their old age. Therefore, the government shall continue to fulfil its obligations to them, irrespective of the circumstances on ground.
This state is my primary assignment and responsibility. Therefore, I and my team will continue to give our best to ensure the welfare of all our people. We shall not be distracted by the vanquished opposition and their collaborators.
There are those who cannot see any good thing happening in Osun, if you meet them, love and hug them. Life can be very difficult for the blind.
I thank our financial partners, pension managers, the leadership of the Civil Service in the state, the Bureau of Local Government Staff Pension and every person or organisation that have worked to give our pensioners the good life.
To the distinguished audience, I thank you all for your kind attention.
Osun a dara!

The All Progressives Congress has sent a message of goodwill and felicitation to Muslims in the state of Osun as they celebrate Eid-el-Kabir festival, which is the high point of Muslim calendar.
The party said: ‘in a time like this which is the period of renewal of faith and expression of thanksgiving to Allah for a fruitful year, it behoves on all Muslims to think of their neighbours with love and charity which are basic fundamentals for peace and unity within the community.
The APC also expressed his warm sentiments for the solidarity and loyalty demonstrated by the people in spite of the difficult circumstances the state is going through.
It therefore urged Muslims and other citizens to be steadfast in courage and unyielding in faith that the ship of state will anchor prosperously for all citizens, be they Muslims, Christians or traditional religionists.
“We should all keep hope alive’, by joining hands with the APC-led government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, so that at the end of the day, everybody will have reason to be happy,”  the party said.

Osun State government has reiterated its total commitment to the upliftment and betterment of the people of the state. Immediate past Commissioner of Integration and Special Duties, Barrister. Ajibola Bashiru made this assurance while answering questions from newsmen in Osogbo yesterday.
The former commissioner said the state government had taken some steps towards the provision of infrastructural facilities since inception and government would not relent in its efforts to continue making people happy.
Ajibola, who informed that Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s led administration has awarded the road from Ola-Iya to Ita-Olokan in Osogbo, said government did not take any issue that has to do with roads in the state with levity. Speaking on the development of farmers in the state, the politician said the state government, through the QUIP, has expended N5 billion for the development of farmers across the state.
He however, charged residents of the state to continue to show support and understanding to Aregbesola’s administration.
VANGUARD