The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Obokun constituency of Osun House of Assembly, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has urged Nigerians to reflect on the past and effect the necessary change in the 2015 general elections.
In his new year message, Oyintiloye said the deplorable situation of the country under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government calls for serious concern such that everyone must rise up against it through their votes in the new year.
He noted that President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP-led government were responsible for the country’s woes.
Oyintiloye pointed out that  Nigerians have the responsibilities of taking their destiny into their hands and change the situation.
“Nigeria is in trouble that the PDP-led government brought on us because of leadership incompetence, selfishness and corruption”
“Apart from states like Osun and few others, hardly could the people sleep with their two eyes closed because of insecurity and the Federal Government has failed to tackle it headlong.
THE NATION

The Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Titilayo Laoye-Tomori and the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, have applauded leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, for initiating a robust platform, Airtel Touching Lives, that will empower and assist the less privileged in the society.
Otunba Laoye-Tomori and Mrs. Amosun who were among the top dignitaries that graced the premiere of the Airtel Touching Lives TV series held recently at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, noted that the Telco remains exemplary in its efforts to assist underprivileged individuals, communities and groups in the society.
While delivering her goodwill message at the event, Mrs Amosun described the Touching Lives programme as a laudable project, which has positive impact on the lives of people who are affected by one disability or unfavourable condition. She praised the kind-heartedness and commitment of Airtel towards alleviating the hardship and suffering of Nigerians across the country.
The First Lady, who also caters for orphans and vulnerable children through her non-government organisation (NGO), noted that Airtel Nigeria has over the years given huge support and generous donations to her orphanage.
Commending Airtel for the good work, she said:  “You do not need to have lot before you can touch the lives of others. If we all can assist the next person in our community, it will go a long way. Airtel has demonstrated kindness, care and love through this Touching Lives intervention and we can all learn to share from the little we have in order to bring smile to the faces of others.”
In similar vein, the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Laoye-Tomori said: “This is a powerful and touching programme. Airtel has demonstrated its commitment to give hope to the needy ones in Nigeria. It is a big venture that is highly commendable. Airtel out of its genuine desire to assist the disadvantaged ones in our society has taken from its purse to support the weak.” She urged everyone to support the Telco in the laudable course through patronage.
Premiered at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, the first episode of the television series, which has two stories, evoked high emotion among the guests.
The premiere was attended by other dignitaries including United States Consul General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey J. Hawkins; Chairman of Airtel Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, Rtd (CGON) and HRH, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu.
The Season One of Airtel Touching Lives TV series is a 13-week episode scheduled to air on terrestrial and satellite television stations beginning from January 2015. It has been tipped to redefine the television-viewing experience of Nigerians.
WORLD STAGE

iSince April 14, 2014 more than 200 young secondary school girls of Federal Government College, Chibok, Borno State have been in the captive of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
So far, the security agencies have been unsuccessful in rescuing them, even as the war against insurgency rages. Some of the girls managed to escape from the den of their captors while majority of them are still languishing there and far away from their families.
As the year comes to an end, the Wife of the Osun State Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola remembered the girls when she played host to hundreds of children from across the 30 local government councils of the state during an event marking the end of the year children party.
Mrs. Aregbesola who dedicated the event to these girls languishing in the hands of their abductors said all hope is not yet lost for their release and called on the entire Nigerians not to relent in their efforts to continue praying for the release of these innocent girls and peace in the country.
While lamenting that the girls had been separated from their families for a very long time, Mrs. Aregbesola who celebrated the event with the children in low key as part of efforts honouring the kidnapped girls, said “it is not impossible for God Almighty through our prayers to release the girls.
According to her, “although we are celebrating here today, let us individually pray for the children who are at the moment denied the comfort of their families. These are the Chibok girls who have been kidnapped and are yet to be released for a long time now. We should pray for their safe release and peace in our nation.
Also at the event were physically challenged people, children from special schools, selected children from public schools in the state, children from across the 30 local government councils and Modakeke Area Office, religious leaders, parents and guardians as well as market women among others.
There was dance competition for the well-dressed children, quiz competition and other things to make the event memorable for the kids. The event was organized by the office of the Wife of the Governor in conjunction with the State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.
The wife of the Governor also admonished parents to continue to improve on the care and attention being given to their children adding that “we should ensure that we see to their good health and happiness at all times.
“We should also train them to inculcate the virtues and the culture of our people. Most importantly, I urge you to make the education of our children a top priority. There is no excuse for any child not to go to school any longer in the State of Osun given the comprehensive free education policy of the state government. We should understand that education paves way for better living standard in the world.
Speaking on the essence of organizing the programme, Mrs. Aregbesola said “bringing together our children from different socio-economic background on occasions such as this would further inculcate in them high sense of belonging.
“It would oil the spirit of unity and enhance peace and joy in our state. I wish to use this opportunity to plead with our parents and guardians to continue to improve on the care and attention being given to the children.
“As you know, it is our tradition in the State of Osun to celebrate our people, especially our children regularly. The philosophy behind this is very simple. Government is about the people and a responsible government would always make people the centre of attention at all times. Here in the state, our administration places the highest priority on the welfare and happiness of our people. We believe that this is the only way we can truly say we have a democracy.
Mrs. Aregbesola charged the children to be good to their parents and elderly ones in the society. She also enjoined them to refrain from all kind of misbehaviour that could negatively affect the society.
“Just as our parents have crucial role to play in the life of our children, we as children also have our duties and responsibilities. Every child has the responsibility to be good child to his or her family and to the society at large. You should respect your parents, teachers, leaders, and the elderly in our society. I also urge you to refrain from all kinds of misbehaviours that could negatively affect the society. You should grow up as true citizens who come from a state that enthrones the virtues of Omoluabi.
Governor Rauf Aregebsola while speaking at the event noted that 2014 edition of children party is unique that it was the festive period when he secure second term in office assuring the people of the state that the state will witness more developmental projects and dividends of democracy more than before.
While expressing appreciation to the people of the state especially the youths for their support to his administration during the electioneering period, Governor Aregbesola maintained that “your support signifies that you appreciate this administration through its people oriented programmes and projects being executed.
Governor Aregbesola who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti assured that his administration will give good and qualitative education to children adding that the administration has built over 100 new modern schools across the state.
He urged children in the state to desist from violence and act of thuggery which he said is on the increase in schools in the state.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Mrs. Adebimpe Ogunlumade said that the occasion has afforded children from different socio-economic background to come together and interact with one another in order to enjoy the festive period.
The programme was attended by wife of the Speaker, Mrs. Sallam, wife of the SSG, Alhaja Adeoti, wives of the members of the State Assembly, wife of the chairman of APC, Mrs. Famodun, wife of Chief of Staff to the Governor among others.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

…Says Osun can never be ranked among states with anti-workers posture

The State Government of Osun on Thursday asked the Nigeria Labour Congress to allow its state council from Osun provide it with reliable and verifiable information about the government/workers relationship to avoid falling into the error of generalizing its alleged anti-workers’ posture by some states.

Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, said in a statement that if the national office of the NLC had made efforts to get the accurate information on the state of affairs between the workers and the state government, it would not have listed Osun among states which must be served ultimatum over unpaid salaries.

“We find it curious that at a time that the state council of the NLC which is the umbrella body of many of the trade unions has initiated a move to partner with the state of Osun on how to sustain the state as a result of falling allocation from the Federation Account, the national office is singing discordant tunes by erroneously listing the state among states with “anti-workers” postures.

“May we inform the NLC that workers in Osun can attest to the unparalleled pro-workers disposition of this government right from inception. At a time when many states had started owing their workers up to five months salaries, Osun, despite its very meagre allocation as the 34^th on the allocation ladder then, had continued to meet its obligations by paying as at when due. We can say categorically that no state in Nigeria can boast of the records of paying salaries by 26^th of every month before the pang of their painful reductions in allocation began to bite harder,” the statement added.

Setting the records straight, the statement denied Osun owing up three month salaries as contained in the allegation by the NLC saying if the state had paid up to October at least, it would be wrong for the NLC to conclude Osun is among states owing “between three to eight months salaries.”

While advising the NLC to verify its claims from the state council well, it reminded the congress that Osun has a rich history of pro-workers dispositions which has been attested to by all workers in the state.

“This has been the basis of the cordial working relationship because the labour in Osun can see the extent to which the government has gone in satisfying the yearnings of the labour force in spite of the excruciating financial situation. This is why workers in our state, rather than confront, are engaging the state government on ways to boost the revenue generation capacity and look inward for alternative sources of funding.”

The statement assured the NLC that it has one of the most workers-friendly governor in Governor Rauf Aregbesola, adding that the government is irrevocably committed to the welfare of workers even in the face of fast-dwindling resources.

It said that with a dip of the allocation to the state from N4.6billion to N1.1billion, the state government deserves more than kudos for the creative way it has managed the economy without collapsing.

The Governor,  State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, joined the people of the State  in celebrating 2015 with fire works at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Thursday 01-01-2015. Photos below…

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, join people of the State celebrating 2015 with fire works at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Thursday 01-01-2015

Display of fireworks to herald New Year amidst pump and pageantry, courtesy the State Government, at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Thursday 01-01-2015

Display of fireworks to herald New Year amidst pump and pageantry, courtesy the State Government, at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Thursday 01-01-2015

Display of fireworks to herald New Year amidst pump and pageantry, courtesy the State Government, at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Thursday 01-01-2015

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, commissioning Gong in commemoration of year 2015, courtesy of the State Government. With him is his wife, Sherifat and others, at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Thursday 01-01-2015

Osun beats gong (left), displays fireworks to herald New Year amidst pump and pageantry, courtesy the State Government, at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Thursday 01-01-2015

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said that his administration will do everything possible to ensure that it’s not slowed down in any way by the unpleasant financial weather.
The governor in a New Year broadcast held that his government is poised to meet and surpass the target it has set for the development of the state.
Aregbesola also noted that ongoing projects in road construction and rehabilitation will continue apace even as new ones will commence where necessary.‎
Recounting happenings in the year 2014, the governor pointed out the year as one with financial challenge like no other when allocation from the Federation Account dipped to less than 25 per cent of what the state used to get.‎
He said, “The year 2014 witnessed an unmatched upsurge in sectarian violence and wanton destruction of lives and property in some states in the northern part of the country.
“This is most regrettable. I will like to express our heart-felt condolence to the government and people of the states affected.
“I want to call on you all to be vigilant and security conscious. Please report all suspicious activities and strange behaviours capable of undermining security of lives to the police, security agencies and other relevant authorities.
‎
“We look forward to the New Year with hope and courage. We shall do everything possible to ensure we are not slowed down in any way by the inclement financial weather”. Aregbesola emphasised.
The governor urged Nigerians to take wise electoral decisions that would redirect Nigeria into peace, prosperity and safety, away from the current course of chaos, insecurity and poverty come February general elections.
Aregbesola charged those that are yet to collect their permanent voters’ cards to collect at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s offices at the various local government areas.

He stressed that Osun has learnt in the past four years to brace up to the responsibility of developing the state by generating his own income through productivity to create wealth for the people.
He said, “we must brace up to the responsibility of developing our state, generate our own income through productivity and wealth creation and change the culture of dependency on others for our sustenance.
“In the last couple of months, some of you have had to endure hardship and make sacrifices on account of dwindling income. This is unusual and we are doing everything possible to address it.
“We shall resolve this and return the smile to the faces of those affected, especially workers in the state. We shall deploy all our God-given resources, human and material, to shore up our revenue base”

SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OSUN, OGBENI RAUF AREGBESOLA, AT THE BREAK OF NEW YEAR ON JANUARY 1, 2015.

 Welcome 2015, The Year Of Courage, Hope And Change

My good people of Osun,

I congratulate you for seeing the end of the old year, 2014 and the beginning of the New Year, 2015. I must thank you immensely for your unflinching support in the past four years since our administration commenced, especially this past crucial year.

The past year was momentous in our history with its opportunities, challenges and triumphs. It was a year of the culmination of our achievements and delivery of democratic dividends during which an unprecedented number of projects were commissioned. This is an affirmation of our belief in government as the engine of development through the democratic process and steered by responsible leadership.

It was also a year of re-election in which you reaffirmed your faith in us by giving us a resounding victory and another mandate of four years. During this period, you demonstrated unparalleled maturity, grace and rock solid determination, even in the face of intimidation, dire threats and provocations. You held your heads high and set the pace in political maturity and responsible civic behaviour for the rest of the country.

It was still a year of financial challenge like no other when allocation from the Federation Account dipped to less than 25 per cent of what we used to get.

The year 2014 witnessed an unmatched upsurge in sectarian violence and wanton destruction of lives and property in some states in the northern part of the country. This is most regrettable. I will like to express our heart-felt condolence to the government and people of the states affected. I want to call on you all to be vigilant and security conscious. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Please report all suspicious activities and strange behaviours capable of undermining security of lives to the police and other security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and other relevant authorities.

The past year was also a year of ravaging disease which God in His infinite mercies spared us from, as no single incident of Ebola was recorded in our state.

But it was a year of fulfilment, of great peace and tranquillity, of success and reward for hard work and democratic development and consolidation.

We look forward to the New Year with hope and courage. We shall do everything possible to ensure we are not slowed down in any way by the inclement financial weather. It is our fervent hope to meet and surpass the target we have set for ourselves. Our ongoing projects in road construction and rehabilitation will continue apace even as we begin new ones where necessary. Our schools construction project is dear to our heart; we will continue work on them until we achieve our objectives. More importantly, we shall continue to provide qualitative education for our children in order to position them for a glorious future. We will not slow down on healthcare delivery. We shall continue to improve on our hospitals and banish sickness and diseases from our midst.

We began our first term with meaningful youth engagement. We are not going to rest on our oars. This year, we will get more youths engaged as we banish hunger and poverty from our land. Under my watch, no person capable and willing to work hard will go hungry. We will inject new life into agriculture and make farming more profitable for farmers. We will continue to empower as many of our people willing to work by giving them micro-credit and through our various empowerment programmes: O’REAP, O’YES, O’MEALS and other ‘O’ programmes.

This year is also an election year in which whatever position we take will affect the destiny of our nation for good or bad. I urge you therefore to take wise electoral decisions that would redirect the ship of the Nigerian state into the harbour of peace, prosperity and safety, away from the current course of chaos, incompetence, insecurity and mass poverty and immiseration. In February, Nigerians will be required to stand and be counted among patriots and people of goodwill. Osun people, in particular, must be first among the majority standing for change, national rebirth, renewal, progress and a new dawn.

I will like to urge those that are yet to collect their permanent voters card to collect same at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s offices at the various local government areas. This opportunity will lapse at the end of January. I need to remind you that those without the permanent voters card will not be allowed to vote.

I am also calling on you to demonstrate the virtues of Omoluabi, which you are, by your commitment to peace, good neighbourliness, hard work, mutual respect and tolerance for others who are different from us in religion, ethnicity, political orientation, ideology and belief. Our differences and diversity are a blessing bestowed on us by God. We must beware of those who seek to exploit them to further their own interest and in the process turn us against each other, leading us to embark on destructive and unwinnable war among ourselves. The progress and development we desire so passionately can only be achieved in an environment of peace, tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation.

We must also build on the custom of kindness, generosity and chivalry handed down to us by our forebears. We must rebuild our sense of community in which we are our brother’s keepers, where all stand for one and one stands for all. We must let love reign in our midst.

One of the lessons we have learnt in the past four years is that we must brace up to the responsibility of developing our state, generate our own income through productivity and wealth creation and change the culture of dependency on others for our sustenance. In the last couple of months, some of you have had to endure hardship and make sacrifices on account of dwindling income. This is unusual and we are doing everything possible to address it. Though this is a general problem from which even the Federal Government is not spared, it is not one we want our people to experience for longer than necessary. We shall resolve this and return the smile to the faces of those affected, especially workers in the state.

We shall deploy all our God-given resources, human and material, to shore up our revenue base. We have people, we have the capability and we have the will to make it happen. This also calls for cooperation and demonstration of good citizenship on your part. I am urging you to promptly and honestly pay all necessary dues, rates, taxes and fines to the government through the appropriate channels. Above all, we must be individually and collectively committed to productivity and wealth creation in our various stations.

The greatest period in our history was when Chief Obafemi Awolowo presided over the West and galvanised the resources, energy, talent, entrepreneurial spirit and knowledge of the people of the region and ushered extraordinary prosperity and mega development. We have done it before and we shall do it again, God willing.

As we go into the New Year, I want to assure you of our commitment to your prosperity, welfare, protection, effective representation, progress and the good life. Whatever the situation, we will never leave you helpless or abandon you to the vagaries of shifting times.

I thank you once again for your love, loyalty, support, understanding and steadfastness.

I wish you a happy and fulfilling new year. Odun a yabo.

Osun a dara!

Photos of the wife of Osun Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola with the first baby of the year 2015. With her is, Permanent Secretary, Hospital Management Board, Pharm Omolara Ajayi; father of the baby, Mr Rauf Adekunle and his wife , Bisola, at Ijugbe Oja-Ale Primary School, Ode-Omu, State of Osun on Thursday 01-01-2015

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has urged the people of the state to look forward to a more rewarding year in 2015.

‎He also called on Nigerians to use the occasion of the new year to pray for the continued existence of the country as it enters the election year.

Aregbesola, according to a press release by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon,‎ noted that year 2015 would engender more development, peace and prosperity for the citizenry.‎

The governor stressed that what Osun had witnessed in the first four years of the administration will be a child’s play to what will be witnessed in the second phase of his government.

He assured the people of Osun good governance which will surpass previous achievements not minding the economic hardship the Federal Government strangulating allocation tactics has caused Osun in recent times.

The governor said, “As we enter into the New Year, I urge the people of Osun to look forward to more rewarding and brighter days ahead.

“In addition to sustaining our efforts at developing and renewing the infrastructure of our state, in the year 2015, we will focus more on expanding the economy of the state and concentrate efforts on creating wealth for our people.

“I congratulate the good people of Osun and the entire people of Nigeria for navigating through what has been a very turbulent year considering the frightening security situation,”. The governor emphasised.

‎He urged the people to be grateful to God for His mercies and abundant blessings and be prayerful that the New Year will be better than the previous one.

He also enjoined the people of the State to demonstrate the virtues of love in all they do, think and say to promote peaceful and harmonious co-existence.‎

Aregbesola  assured that his administration will remain focused in its commitment to make a difference by putting the state on a high pedestal among the committee of states in the country.‎

He called on citizens to be patriotic and pray for the nation as it enters 2015, noting that prayers and patriotism were essential ingredients in the nation’s efforts to strengthen its democracy and entrench peace and development.

Pictures of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his immediate past Special Adviser on Environment and Sanitation, Mr Bola Ilori, who received an award as the Best Public Sector Environmentalist in Nigeria – 2014 at Local Government Service Commission Hall, Abere, State of Osun on Tuesday