…As Govt commences payment next week

The Government of Osun has said that Primary School Leaving certificate is not a condition for the payment of arrears of salaries to Osun workers.

This disclosure was made on Wednesday by the Osun Head of Service, Mr. Sunday Owoeye in a programme monitored in Osogbo on the State television‎, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC).

He described as mischievous and incorrect the report in a media report that the state has asked all workers in the state to present their Primary School Certificate before the arrears of  salaries due to workers are paid.

The Head of Service pointed out that the circular sent out by government is not meant for the payment of salaries, but for the monitoring and control within the civil service.

Owoeye held that the verification of workers under a normal civil service situation is an exercise that is supposed to be carried out yearly.

He added that streamlinning the civil service must be an on-going process, saying that for  organisation, be it public or private to grow and remain healthy, such outfits need to examine and check itself regularly.

The HOS emphasised that the circular and forms that were distributed to worker to fill were like a questionnaire that civil servants need to input information that are applicable to such category of workers.

According to him, “It needs to be stated clearly that in the scheme for public service workers, it is only those who are appointed as cleaners, messengers and ‎guards that are expected to present their primary six certificates. Do you ask Doctors, Engineers, Pharmacists and other cadres in that category to come and present primary school certificate.

“Form filling is very important and you can see that in why institutions place much emphasis on it. If you are filling a form, you are not compelled to fill everything. You will have provision for “Not Applicable”. If the question is not applicable to you, then you put it their. Primary six certificate is not a compulsory condition.

“The impression these people are now giving is that the circular says that if you don’t present your Primary six certificate, you can’t receive your salary, that impression is mischievous. So, it is not correct that all workers are being asked to present such certificates before they are paid,” Owoeye emphasised.

He averred that the government is not unaware of the fact that some people have been paid to distort the truth, noting that they will want to justify the pay received by their paymasters by trying to set workers against government.

‎Owoeye held that the much talked about bail out is not a charity from banks, noting that Osun is trying to be sure that the loan meant for the payment of backlogs gets to people that are supposed to get it.

He added that the screening and verification exercise is a scheme by government at ensuring that leakages are being blocked, “‎nobody borrows to pay for fake or dubious service or products.

‎”As we speak the comprehensive screening of workers and pensioners of the state of Osun was completed only yesterday (Tuesday) whereupon a formal report is to be submitted on the outcome of that exercise this Friday. We are on it.”

Speaking on insinuations that the process is a delay tactics, he queried this saying workers and government had earlier decided that there should be an exercise to get the actual figure of the amount to be paid as salary.

“Government’s intention on this exercise is healthy and we are on course. The chairmen of the screening committees are to bring in their reports. We are looking at it and we’ve been discovering irregularities. I don’t have to hide that from you.

Photo of the Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the National President, Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA), Dr. Muhammed Tumala, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, on Tuesday 08/09/2015.

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, presenting the State
Emblem to National President, Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA),
Dr. Muhammed Tumala, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at
Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, on Tuesday 08/09/2015.

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola exchanging
pleasantries with the National President, Nigerian Statistical
Association (NSA), Dr. Muhammed Tumala, during a courtesy visit to the
Governor, at Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, on Tuesday 08/09/2015.

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); National
President, Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA), Dr. Muhammed Tumala
(2nd right), Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti
(2nd left), Immediate past NSA President, Mr. Boniface Oseloka Amobi
(left), NSA National Treasurer, Mrs Obikudu Felicia (right) and
others, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at Government
Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, on Tuesday

Pictures of some of the Tables and Chairs to be distributed to thirty six States and FCT, SUBEBs in Nigeria by Federal Government, hosted by Osun, during the National Flag off ceremony, at L.A Government Middle School, Ayetoro, Osogbo on Tuesday 08-09-2015

Some of Tables and Chairs to be distributed to thirty six States and
FCT, SUBEBs in Nigeria, by Federal Government, hosted by Osun State
SUBEB.Insert is Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Deputy Executive
Secretary, Universal Basic Education (UBEC), Dr Yakubu Gambo (right),
representing the Executive Secretary and State Chairman, Universal
Basic Education Board, Prince Felix Awofisayo, during the National
Flag off ceremony, at L.A Government Middle School, Ayetoro, Osogbo on
Tuesday 08-09-2015

Some of Tables and Chairs to be distributed to thirty six States and FCT, SUBEBs in Nigeria by Federal Government, hosted by Osun State SUBEB.Insert is Governor Rauf Aregbesola (left); Deputy Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education (UBEC), Dr Yakubu Gambo (middle), representing the Executive Secretary and State Chairman, Universal Basic Education Board, Prince Felix Awofisayo, during the National Flag off ceremony, at L.A Government Middle School, Ayetoro, Osogbo on Tuesday 08-09-2015

Some of Tables and Chairs to be distributed to thirty six States and FCT, SUBEBs in Nigeria by Federal Government, hosted by Osun, during the National Flag off ceremony, at L.A Government Middle School, Ayetoro, Osogbo on Tuesday 08-09-2015

Front row from left,State Chairman, Universal Basic Education Board, Prince Felix Awofisayo;Deputy Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education (UBEC), Dr Yakubu Gambo (middle), representing the Executive Secretary; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Secretary to Osun Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti,during the National Flag off ceremony of Tables and Chairs to be distributed to thirty six States and FCT, SUBEBs in Nigeria by Federal Government, at L.A Government Middle School, Ayetoro, Osogbo on Tuesday 08-09-2015

Pictures of the Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola discussing with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, during a condolence visit on the demise of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, at Government House Osogbo, on Monday 07/09/2015.

Alaafin of Oyo Visits Aregbesola on Ooni’s Transition

Alaafin of Oyo Visits Aregbesola on Ooni’s Transition?????????????????????????

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); the Alaafin
of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (right) and Speaker of the House of
Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, during a condolence visit to the governor
on the demise of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, at Government
House Osogbo, on Monday 07/09/2015.

From right-Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Speaker
of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam and the Alaafin of
Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, during a condolence visit to Aregbesola on
the demise of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, at Government
House Osogbo, on Monday 07/09/2015.

The Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, has defended the integrity of the State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, saying the governor remains a man of strong character, honesty and integrity.
The Speaker absolved the governor from blame on the financial status of the state, stressing that it was the openness of the governor that exposed the financial predicaments of other states in the country.
He assured that the 34 billion naira bailout loan obtained by the state from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, would go a long way to address the challenges facing the state and called on the workers to cooperate with the government to move the state forward.
The Speaker made the remarks in Abuja Tuesday at the opening ceremony of a workshop organised by the Anti-Corruption Academy for members of states Houses of Assembly from the South-West Zone of the country.
The Speaker who spoke through his Deputy, Hon. Akintunde Adegboye said transparency and honesty go together and this has remained the watchwords of the present political leadership of Osun state.
He dismissed insinuations that the problem over unpaid salary in the state had to do with corruption, insisting that there was no iota of truth in the allegation.
The law-maker said the capacity building workshop for legislators was timely as it would update their skill and fine tuned their knowledge on transparency, probity and accountability in governance.
The Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy, Professor Sola Akinrinade said the fight against corruption in the country cannot be undertaken by President Muhammadu Buhari alone and called on all law-makers, civil servants, members of the private sector and ordinary Nigerians to join in the crusade against corruption.
“The agenda for the next three days is sensitization and capacity building to ensure that legislators are aware of the requirements of the law in relation to probity, accountability, integrity and transparency and the need for them to thses values in the performances of their official duties,” he said.
Professor Akinrinade added that ” the other part of it is the forewarning of what lies ahead for those who choose to pursue the path of perfidy, that there is the long arm of the law waiting to bring to justice all those who are caught perverting the process and helping themselves to unfair proportion of the national cake, especially the portions that do not belong to them.”
THE NATION

A MEMBER of the Osun State House of Assembly Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has described the activities of President Muhammadu Buhari government within his 100 days in office as a demonstration of his sincerity to return Nigeria to the path of progress.
Oyintiloye, representing Obokun State Constituency, said the activities of the President have so far shown that he is not only meticulous and mature but full of insight.
He said President Buhari intellectual and managerial wherewithal to take Nigeria to the Promised Land.
Speaking at political meeting in Ibokun, the lawmaker said the input that has been made in the fight against insecurity, corruption, as well as economic developments were visible.
According to the lawmaker, the President’s mien and steps have shown that insecurity can be subdued, corruption tamed, bad economy addressed and hope restored.
He said: “The machinery that President Buhari has been able to set in motion to fight security challenges deserves applause of Nigerians. The area of note is the order for the relocation of Military Command Center to the Northeast, which is the theatre of the insurgency.
“The goodwill established by the President in the diplomatic arena and willingness of the international community including the United States (U.S.) to cooperate with Nigeria in the area of economy, insecurity and corruption indicated the giant strides of the President Buhari-led administration.”
Oyintiloye pointed out the template and tempo set by President Buhari in fighting corruption as another testimony that he has been on the right track, saying his body language alone has triggered a paradigm shift in the public service.
The lawmaker said: “He has been able to harnessed resources through the single account remittance, which to a large extent had improved the revenue of the federal government and a proactive measure in curbing corruption.
“Due to series of strategic intervention, more funds are coming to the federal government treasury and by extension deepening and developing the economy. For instance, the nation’s foreign reserve rose by 1.12 per cent in August from $31.08 billion to $31.43 billion which is a positive sign for the economy.”
He said the repositioning of the refinery ?and the hiring of 10,000 more hands to strengthen the police cannot but steps taken in the right direction.
“Nigerians can clearly see that the country is already moving in the right direction, it is now getting the deserved respect from the international community, our country is no longer a pariah state and it is crystal clear that the President is sincere, believable and focused”, he said.
On the bailout for cash-strapped states, Oyintiloye said the presidential intervention will stimulate economic activities in the benefitting states.
He dismissed those accusing the President of not recording any success within his first 100 days as being   economical with truth.
“President Buhari is too mature and experienced to be stampeded to take rash and irrational decisions or continue in the old track of waste and inefficiency”, Oyintiloye said.
THE NATION

The British High Commission, Abuja, Nigeria, has embarked on an assessment tour of some amenities across the State of Osun to seek investment partnership with British companies in the state.
Deputy head of the political section of the commission, Andrew Fleming, disclosed this at the weekend during a two-day visit to Osun State on the progress made by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration in the last one year since his re-election.
Fleming said what he saw on hand testified to the fact that the governor was delivering on his promises to the people of the state.
The British envoy, who said he is touring states in the country to scout for investment potentials for British companies, identified Osun as one of the country’s leading agriculture-based states capable of meeting the needs of British companies, which now focus on agriculture-oriented businesses.
“Osun State is strategic in agriculture and business. It is pertinent for us to come visit a year after the election so as to see the progress being made.
“We have seen progress in virtually all sectors, which shows that the governor is delivering on his political promises.
“Some of the British companies are interested in agriculture-based businesses now. So we want to know what the state is doing in terms of infrastructure and business opportunities available in the state,” Fleming said.
Responding on behalf of the government, the Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti, commended the British government for its intervention in the country’s general election, which guaranteed its free and fair conduct.
Adeoti said the state was a haven for investors because of the available infrastructure, peace and security, which the Aregbesola administration takes with great interests.
He stated that a peaceful environment also attracts investments, as the state was one of the most peaceful in the country.
He said: “Osun has been developed to attract investments. We have the least rate of unemployment and high turnover of skilled labour.
“Our government, since Ogbeni Aregbesola came to power five years ago, has been equipping the security agencies for effective policing of the state.
“The result is peace, law and order that are reigning in the state. And this is very pivotal to any investor. Besides, Osun is the centre of power distribution, which means there is regular supply of power.”
DAILY INDEPENDENT

Governor of the State of Osun, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, on yesterday in Lagos said he had signed two contracts for an aircraft maintenance hanger with private sector operators in the state, as part of efforts to further diversify its economy and save the nation huge amounts in foreign exchange spent annually by operators in the aviation sector. 

Amount spent on aircraft maintenance abroad for the country’s 10 domestic airlines is estimated at about N50 billion yearly for ‘Checks A to D,’ with ‘A’ and ‘B’ checks being lighter, while ‘C’ and ‘D’ encompasses complete overhaul.

According to aviation experts, an aircraft goes for ‘C’ Check every 15 to 18 months, at the cost of between $1 million and $2 million, depending on the type.

The ‘D’ Check for the Boeing 737- 300, 737-400 and 737-500, is conducted after 24,000-flight hours, while the Boeing 747-400 requires a ‘D’ Check after 28,000-flight hours, and the Airbus A-330-341 goes for routine check after every six years.

In a chat with senior journalists, Aregbesola said the hanger would be constructed over a period of four years.

“Airport is not for passengers alone. Airport is targeted at economic development: Aircraft maintenance (hanger), cargo and passengers. Other things can follow.”

Continuing, the governor noted: “Some people wonder why Osun must have an airport when there is one (neighbouring) Akure (Ondo State) and Ibadan (Oyo State). We went to people who would invest in aircraft maintenance. I have with me now, two contracts already signed to site an aircraft maintenance hub. When I deliver the aircraft, my aircraft will succeed, whether or not there is passenger traffic.”

Governor Aregbesola also wonders: “But must there be an airport before I can set up an aircraft hanger?” 

He said the firms to build the hangers are asking already if they can carry the cost of constructing the airport along with that of the hanger, noting that the venture would be profitable, given the fact that there are only two of such maintenance hub in sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa and Ethiopia. 

Another reason for enthusiasm, the governor added, is the reality that aircraft maintenance must happen at specified times, just as he wonders why people continue to limit the argument for an airport to passenger traffic alone, instead of looking at the broader perspectives.

He also spoke of discussions with a firm in the Middle East for a cargo section of the airport to supply agric produce from Osun and further broaden the state’s revenue base, as part of efforts to ensure it becomes self sufficient.

Aregbesola stressed the need to restructure Nigeria as it is today, because most of the 36 states are not viable and cannot survive without help from the centre, thereby making them mere appendages, and defeating the essence of the nation’s federalism.

As a result of that, he continued, “It would be a miracle for the roads in Osun to be tarred without help from the Federal Government.”

The governor assured that the state remains resolute in its determination to become an agricultural base and has not abandoned the plan to contribute just 10 per cent of the food consumed in Lagos, the nation’s economic and commercial capital.

So far, he said, his administration has invested N3 billion in the sector and that the bulk of the food for feeding students of public schools in the state have been locally sourced, saying the system has not produced enough for the second leg of the dream of selling farm produce to Lagos.

The greatest problem of agriculture in Nigeria, he also noted, is the failure of government to give incentives that would encourage people to go back to the farm, thereby ensuring self-sustenance in agriculture. One way of achieving such, he believes by government put in place a regime of guaranteed minimum purchase price whereby it becomes the buyer of last resort, ensuring that what ever is produced is not allowed to rot or die because there is no ready buyer.

Aregbesola said his administration, being pro-poor in all its projects is also “giving interest-free credits to micro entrepreneurs,” just as it has so far spent N3.6 billion on the state’s youths’ employment drive and N3.5 billion on feeding school children, a situation that has endeared the ordinary people across the state to his government.

DAILY INDPENDENT