All candidates vying for elective positions in Osun State during the 2015 general elections have been asked to verify their details as submitted before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for necessary correction.
A statement issued and signed by the Chief Public Affairs Officer of the commission, Adenike Tadese, enjoined the candidates to check details of their names, which will be pasted at the commission’s office today, including the 30 local government councils of the state.
Tadese said the pasting of the names and their details was in compliance to Section 31 Subsection 3 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), which provides for publication of personal particulars of all candidates contesting elections within seven days of the receipt of form CF 001.
The statement said further that INEC, Osun State, to this end, shall display at the state office of the commission and 30 local government offices and area office, Modakeke-Ife, notice of list of candidates.
The particulars of candidates for the presidential/National Assembly elections, according to the statement, shall be displayed on December 25, 2014 while those of the state House of Assembly elections shall be displayed on January 1, 2015.
“By this act, members of the public, by law, have the opportunity to scrutinise the documents submitted by candidates as pasted by INEC,” the statement said.
It, however, maintained that any person who has any claim to question information given by these candidates should approach the court of law.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

It’s another season of funfair, as the people of Iwude Ijesha celebrates this year’s edition of Iwude Ijesha Festival. The festival which promises to be an unforgettable experience of cultural display and excitement which started on December 17 and end on December 27, would feature several cultural activities.
According to Chief Olu Falomo, chairman Iwude Ijesha planning committee, “This month-long festival which starts in the palace of Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland in ILesa, extends to other parts of Ijesaland such as Ipole, Ibokun and Ijebu-Ijessa, before ending where it started in Ilesa, Osun state. It is therefore a festival that involves not only Ilesa metropolis but also other parts of Ijesa north and south as they are now called today”.
The purpose is to bring all Ijesha people of all religion together to celebrate and felicitate at this all important festival and to bring all Ijesha people in the six local government areas of Ijeshaland together. The Iwude festival was started by Owa Obokun Owari, who celebrates it every three months. It was Owa Obokun Atakumosa who expanded it to the scope of Iwude a very elaborate festival” he added.
Mrs Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, Chairman Publicity Iwude Ijesha planning committee noted that the festival affords Owa Obokun the opportunity to remember his ancestors, pay homeage to them, offer sacrifices and prayers to God for the good of his people, peace and prosperity in the land and abundant blessings for his subjects. It is also designed to ward off diseases, sickness and other problems from Ijeshaland through massive celebrations and joy and gladness.
OSUN DEFENDER

Cross section picture of crowd of indigenes of Osun who came from Lagos State through the free train transportation provided by Osun Government for the celebration of Xmas, at Osogbo Railway Terminus, State of Osun on Thursday 25-12-2014.

The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has accused the Federal Government of slashing allocation to the state from over N3.8 billion to less than N1.3 billion.
The Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the the party in the state, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, said this in a Christmas message made available to our correspondent in Osogbo on Wednesday.
The party said that the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government was deliberately punishing the state with reduced allocation because of the defeat suffered by the ruling party at the August 9 governorship poll.
The APC spokesperson urged Nigerians to vote out President Goodluck Jonathan and replace him with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the APC to liberate the nation from corrupt leadership.
He said, “The last federal allocation paid to the State of Osun was the least in the whole of the federation ‎ and was less than a third of what the state used to receive in the first half of 2014.
“Between June and October, this year, the federal allocation paid to Osun fell from over N3.8 billion to less than N1.3 billion. But the state’s salary profile alone is N3.6 billion every month.
“The Federal Government has not offered any sensible explanation for this drastic drop leaving room for reasonable speculation that the PDP is taking its ‘pound of flesh’ in reprisal for the defeat it suffered at the August 9 governorship election in Osun State.
“Osun State in particular, is being made to suffer because the state stood up to Federal Government tyranny and voted against the PDP in the last August 9 governorship election.
“No matter the economic terrorism of the Federal Government and the PDP, the people of Osun shall remain unbowed to the evil economic might of the PDP-led Federal Government, which they are currently using to strangulate workers in the State of Osun.
“In this season, when people are celebrating the great advent of Jesus of Nazareth, the Federal Government led by a so-called Christian is entertaining himself with the agony of Nigerians who are miserably suffering under the massive corruption of the PDP that has left our economy comatose.”
The party called on all people of the state to be happy in spite of difficulties they were facing, saying the days of the PDP’s treasury-looters were numbered.
“We shall celebrate in grand style when ‘Nebuchadinezzar’ shall craw on all fours into the forest to suffer for his wickedness against Nigerians including the progressive people of Osun,” he added.
THE PUNCH

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has urged Christians and Nigerians of other faiths to take advantage of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ to pray for peace and the sustainability of a one Nigeria free from the carnage of insurgency.

Aregbesola also enjoined them to always strive to be role models as Christ, according to him, lived and died propagating the message of love, peace and truthful co-existence among mankind.

‎The Governor, in a Christmas message released by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, urged Christians to reflect and re-dedicate themselves to the teachings and lifestyle of Christ, which were anchored on sacrifice, love, peace and truth.

Specifically, Aregbesola reminded Nigerians of the need to intensify prayers for the success of the 2015 general elections, calling on Christians to also supplicate for the nation to overcome the security challenges in the North-East and other parts of Nigeria.
He added that harmony is the bedrock of national development and peace.

Aregbesola, quoting from 1 John 4:7 said, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God … Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us” said Osun had demonstrated in very clear terms the freedom of all to choose their faiths according to their convictions adding that such understanding had assisted in promoting religious harmony in the state.

“With this, we have been able to promote communal peace and development which is one of our six point action plans in an atmosphere where everyone loves one another,” he noted.

The governor urged the people of Osun to use the period of the Christmas to pray for the state so that development, peace and security would continue to reign.

‎The governor noted that the peace Osun is witnessing under his administration can be associated with the prayers of all religions in the state and the commitment of government to providing good governance.

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has reminded Nigerians that the country needs Buhari at this critical time when the country has been driven to a precipice just as the former Head of State came at the nick of time in 1983 when the conservative National Party of Nigeria had brought the country to her knees.

Aregbesola said Nigerians must recollect that the economy, security and social welfare of the citizens had been completely destroyed after the defunct NPN’s rule from 1979 to 1983 when the military took over and gave Buhari the platform to restore the hope of Nigerians. He said the Peoples Democratic Party has done worst damage to the country.

He however noted the significant difference in the Buhari of 2014 who is a civilian and a democrat and the Buhari of 1983 who was a soldier.

The governor said the first step towards salvaging Nigeria from the claws of death by the PDP is to vote out the party, demanding for explanations why there is so much poverty and misery in the country despite the fortunes it had been blessed with.

The governor, in a release by the Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, was quoted as speaking when labour leaders in the state met him to submit a report of the efforts by workers in the state to development fresh means of economic sustenance for the state and increasing the internally generated revenue of the state. He also spoke at another forum of directors of water and other environment officials

Aregbesola, who reeled out series of social disorders caused by the Peoples Democratic Party government, said, “In 1983 it was Buhari that God sent to rescue the situation of Nigerians where the conservative elements had brought Nigeria to a rot. Buhari has come again to lead us out of the quagmire and sweep away all three anti-democratic and anti-development elements who have brought Nigeria to this deplorable state.

“The PDP and their wicked allies have been known over the decades for misery. If you have them around you for whatever reason, you would realise that they represent nothing other than misery. They represent the best of wickedness, misery and misfortune. Only the misguided would claim to belong to the PDP in Nigeria.

Aregbesola said the Goodluck Jonathan and PDP cannot be excused from the various crises bedeviling the country today adding that a country that sold crude oil above $100 for more than three years must be asked what it has done with the huge resources that accrued to it.

He said, “The responsibility for the economic tragedy that we are witnessing in Nigeria today rests permanently and absolutely on the PDP and its government at the federal level. There is no way that party and its government can be excused. As a first step to salvage our nation, we must vote out PDP.

“How can we explain that oil sold for more than three years above 100 Dollars level and yet we are faced with this calamity without any redemption in sight? How can we explain it?”

Aregbesola expressed confidence in the capacity of the Osun people to make the best choice saying “Our people can distinguish between the selfish and the selfless.

“Those who voted for me in the August 9 election in Osun have another assignment on their hands. If you voted for me and you don’t vote for Buhari and our representatives in the next elections, you have missed it.”

He said all Nigerians require is a careful easing out of Jonathan and an installation of a government that knows what to do with power to transform the lives of the masses.

“Don’t fight. Don’t carry cutlasses, guns or any other thing. Just go to the polling booths on that day and vote for our party. That is the power we all have to rescue ourselves from these elements.

“If we love ourselves, our towns and our country, we must all promote Buhari and campaign for him vigorously.”

The State of Osun, Laface Entertainment and Plus One Media have concluded plans to ensure each New Year in the state is celebrated in grand style.
Going into 2015, the tallest traditional gong (Agogo) would be unveiled in the state. This, according to a statement made available to NIgeriafilms.com, is part of the major activities lined up to countdown into the New Year.
Laface, a reputable show promoter, commended the government of Lagos State, which has joined the countdown festivities with an array of stars and colourful fireworks, making the Bar Beach a focal point for the New Year festivities.
But he said in the statement that even though major cities of the world usher in the New Year with scintillating fireworks display, Nigeria can never do it better than the Chinese, Europeans, Americans, and Australians, who have been practising it for a long time.
He said it is important for Nigerians to “think, be creative, dig deep and …create a new year countdown that is synonymous to our culture”, which will grow to become “a major tourism earner, thus creating a major spectacle for the whole world and at the same time break world records as the new year rolls in.”
According to the statement, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, has thrown his full weights behind the idea.
The statement also hinted that the dress code for the occasion is the traditional attire and would hold at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park.
The traditional gong (Agogo) in the Yoruba kingdom has a long history. Back then, it was used as a means of communication in the village square, as the people gather to listen to the kings message bearer.
 

Photos showing the Round about in front of State Government Secretariat being decorated Christmas light in celebration of end of the year 2014 and welcoming the new year 2015, at Osogbo State Capital on Wednesday 24-12-2014

Shows Okefia, one of the streets in Osogbo being decorated with
christmas light by the State Government of Osun in celebtration of the
end of year 2014 and to welcome year 2015 on Wednesday 24-12-2014

Shows Okefia, one of the streets in Osogbo being decorated with
christmas light by the State Government of Osun in celebtration of the
end of year 2014 and to welcome year 2015 on Wednesday 24-12-2014

Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday presented the 2015 budget estimate of N197,080,191,560.00 to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.
The estimate tagged “Budget of Renewed Hope”, is less than that of the current year which is N234billion.
The Capital Expenditure is N110 billion while the total recurrent expenditure is N87 billion, with the economic sector, covering agriculture and rural development, rural/urban electrification, commerce, industry, finance and transportation taking the largest chunk of N41.6 billion.
The total recurrent revenue is N132 billion, while the capital revenue is N65 billion.
Presenting the budget before the assembly, the governor who was represented by the permanent secretary, Office of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Segun Olorunsogo, said the budget would consolidate the various achievements made in the last four years to transform the state.
The governor explained that the budget would also ensure the completion of ongoing projects and commencement of new ones that will have positive impact on the socio-economic life of citizens of the state.
Receiving the budget, the speaker, Mr Najeem Salaam said the House would do justice to the budget and make necessary adjustments, either upward or downward, if the need arises before it is passed.
He called on the people of the state to exercise patience, noting that the financial challenges being faced now is due to paucity of funds arising from the consistent drop in the allocation from the federation account.
LEADERSHIP

It was a momentous occasion for the pupils of selected private schools in the State of Osun recently when the wife of the governor, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, showered them with Christmas gifts.
The occasion was the 2014 flag of cer­emony of Osun State Broadcasting Corpora­tion (OSBC) Christmas Show which the governor’s wife.
The amiable woman commonly referred to as Omoluabi (Noble) by friends and well-wishers, spent quality time with her young friends, hugging and dancing with them indiscriminately. She didn’t stop at that. She also identified with the physically challenged among them. She did not only give them gifts , she also danced with them excitedly.
Altogether, Mrs. Aregbesola presented gift packages numbering about 700 to the various schools. The teachers and staff of the selected schools that turned up in their large numbers were excited by the privilege to lead their pupils to participate in the event.
A couple of them told SWM that it was a rare privilege as many schools looked forward to be selected but were not lucky.
Addressing the guests, Mrs. Aregbesola expressed delight at being part of the show. She commended the management and board of OSBC for not only putting the programme together, but also deeming it necessary to involve her as an energizer and to identify with the children whom she described as leaders of tomorrow. She urged parents and guardians to show adequate commitment to the education of their children and wards, stressing that any­thing contrary to that was against the govern­ment’s policy on education.
To the school children, she said: “Try as much as possible to show adequate commit­ment to your studies in order to become useful to yourselves and the society in future.”
She also cautioned them against actions capable of causing disaffection in their families and the society and asked them persistently to shun social vices and grow up as responsible citizens.
Also, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, while speaking through his representative, Ademola Adefila, commended OSBC for organising the programme to make the children happy at Christmas and Governor Rauf Aregbesola for making education one of the priority pro­grammes of his administration.
The OSBC’s board chairman, Mr. Kola Akanji, restated the corporation’s pledge to go the whole hog in ensuring the continuity of the Father Christmas Show, noting that with the bumper successes it had recorded since it debuted, it had come to stay. According to him, it was a part of the organisation’s social responsibility to serve every segment of the society, including the children.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr. Akinola Owolabi, in a remark, commend­ed the First Lady’s kind gesture and assured her of OSBC’s continued commitment to the children’s programmes in tandem with govern­ment’s educational policy.
He also lauded the board and management of OSBC and the staff for their efforts to make this year’s edition of OSBC Father Christmas Show a reality.
Enter the Father Christmas who was the toast of the event. As he sat among the eminent dignitaries at the head table, Santa Claus was the focus of the children who had looked forward to meeting him one on one and also to collect gifts from him. And when it was time to do that, proud mothers with their babies in their arms and older ones clinging to them jostled to meet the Father Christmas and take pictures with him. It was indeed a happy moment for the children and all that attended the event.
SUNNEWS ONLINE