With 200 million people involved in celebrating global hand-washing day in over 100 countries around the world annually… -By Richard Akintade

With 200 million people involved in celebrating global hand-washing day in over 100 countries around the world annually, Osun State was not left out as the government informed that its zero tolerance for unhealthy practice is aimed at promoting sustainable environment and healthy living among its citizenry across the state.
The state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola stated this at the 2014 global hand washing day organized by office of the Rural Water and Environmental Sanitation Agency (RUWESA) in collaboration with the office of the first lady and Ambassador of Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), Alhaja Seriat Abidemi Aregbesola in Osogbo the state capital.
The governor who noted the need for healthy practices not only among the school children but also the citizenry said that proper hand washing was germane to good living and while attributing some of transmitted diseases that pervaded the nation to lack proper hand washing, the governor further urged the citizenry of the state to inculcate the habit of washing their hands after the toilet and whenever it is necessary for them.
Aregbesola further called on Nigerians to desist from unwholesome practice that could expose them to diseases and untimely death.
The governor however reiterated his total commitment to the good healthy living among the people he govern in the state saying his administration would not relent in providing enabling environment as well. Speaking at the occasion,  wife of the governor, Ambassador Serifat Aregbesola maintained that hand washing was not a day job hence the need for all stakeholders in the health sectors to intensify campaign on the importance of hand washing to save the state from preventable illness.
Alhaja Aregbesola who pointed out that the enlightenment campaign of the present administration in the area of sustainable environment has yielded positive result called on the citizenry to support the task of making the state a healthy place to live for all and sundry. The CLTS Ambassador said proper hand washing remained the major vehicle to promote healthy living and improve socio-economic status of the people. Alhaja Aregbesola who maintained that the incumbent administration in the state is working assiduously in ensuring people are living under healthy atmosphere in the admonished people on the practice of cleaning of their environments and also cultivates the habit of hand washing as at when due, adding that, there are benefits attached to it.
Earlier in his welcome remark, the Special Adviser to the state governor in the Ministry of Water Resources, Community Affairs and Rural Development, Mr. Kunle Ige hinted that the programme was aimed at sensitizing public on importance of hygiene and restoration of healthy living in the state.
Ige who said the Ministry would not rest on its oars in the task of attaining the six point integral action plan of the present administration in the area of healthy, environment and sanitation, urged the people of the state to support government in its bid to transform the entire state.
The Special Adviser said further that people should comply and adopt the policy of washing their hands as it is good for all and sundry as prevention is better than cure.  Ige added that, “now that the world Health Organization WHO, has certified the nation, Ebola free, we should not say because of the certification, we should take things for granted. Hand washing is one of the importance ways of preventing diseases in our society and that is why the government in the state did not take issue that has to do with making people to live in a conducive environment with levity”. Ige however, urged Nigerians to see hand washing as natural obligation which is totally for their benefit.
Meanwhile, series of activities have been embarked upon as part of activities to mark the annual event which includes sensitization among the workers in the state Ministry, Schools, all the local governments in the state, market as well as dissemination of news by both the electronic and print media on the importance of hand washing. The ceremony witnessed hand washing demonstration by both the governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, his wife, Alhaja Sherifat Abidemi Aregbesola, and other members of the state executive council, among others present.
NIGERIAN NEWS

Osun State Government has allayed fear of residents as it released water from its dams across the state to avoid imminent collapse of the dam structures as a result of the heavy rainfall witnessed in the state in the past few days.
A statement by state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Sunday Akere, called on the residents of the state not to panic, as little flood may occur in communities hosting the dams when the water is released.
But the statement asked residents of communities such as Ede, Iwo, Ejigbo, Okinni and many communities around dams in the state to be aware that little floods may occur between now and next week as the water is being released, assuring them that it is nothing to worry about.
According to the statement, weather experts have predicted heavy rainfall as the 2014 rainy season is gradually winding up and if government refuses to allow the excess water to be eased off gradually, the water, because of the heavy volume, may force flow from the dams leading to dangerous flood.

Furthermore, the statement disclosed that the state water corporation would be releasing water from the dams to give relief to the dams and avoid forced flooding.
It also urged residents to cooperate with government in its effort to curb flood incidents in the state by ensuring that they do not dump waste in waterways as well as inside drainage across the state while paying their water rates promptly to assist government in getting fund to sustain and maintain water infrastructures at the dams.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

A high-stakes experiment is currently underway in Osun State. In the battle against youth unemployment and its associated ills – lost potential, idleness, poverty, and unrest – Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s  2 year old Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme is on the front line. 

Youth have been a top concern and focus area for Aregbesola’s administration. Upon his election in 2010, the Governor established the OsunYouth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), a sweeping youth “workfare” (work + welfare) program designed to address the “frustration and paralyzing effect of unacceptably high and seemingly intractable youth unemployment” in a state with an almost 60% youth population.

OYES participants were organized into squadrons to take part in publicworks projects for 2-3 hours per day, for which they would receive a N10,000 monthly allowance. For thefirst 20,000 available spots in the OYES corps, the government received over250,000 applications.

The need was – and continues to be – staggering. Governor Aregbesola urged the Federal Government to declare youth unemployment a national emergency.

The sheer number of youth in Osun States and indeed across all Nigeria could result in either a “ticking time bomb” or a “demographic dividend.” Unemployed and underemployed young people are at risk of exploitation in the informal sector and recruitment into criminal organizations (whether a local gang or terrorist cell).On the other hand, an ILO report has suggested that halving youth unemployment in sub-Saharan Africa could boost GDP in this region by some 12%.

In 2011, Kabir Aregbesola, the Governor’s son, read a Business Day article about the launch of the Generation Enterprise program in nearby Lagos State and connected them to the OYES program in Osun State.

“Osun State was looking to build an army of entrepreneurs,” said the younger Arebesola. “We thought partnering with Generation Enterprise would help us realize this quicker, as they already had a model to push this forward.”

Run by a global team of young professionals and business students from Harvard, Wharton, and Stanford, Generation Enterprise was a US- and Nigeria-based NGO with a mission to build community businesses in partnership with homeless, unemployed, and at-risk young people in low-incomeurban areas like Agege and Ajegunle.

To reach its goal of creating local businesses that could generate sustainable skills, jobs, and community wealth for at-risk youth, Generation Enterprise had developed an innovative incubator model. In a pilot with the Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties, teams of youth learned business skills on the job and generated valuable market data by rapidly prototyping and testing business solutions to community problems, likepoor nutrition or unsanitary conditions for local trash dump workers.

Through the efforts of Generation Enterprise Managing Directors Newton Omebere-Iyari and Bunmi Otegbade, the NGO ran a 77-youth pilot in the city of Ilesa in Osun State last year. The program resulted in the launch of 17 microenterprises and the generation of N1,600,146 in revenue from N299,000 invested – a return on investment of 71%.

One of those businesses paid particular attention to the OYES mission of youth empowerment and human capacity building, and chose to build her business around these values, paying forward what she herself received through the OYES/GEN program.

GraceOpesanmistarted Excel Computers to address the problem of computer access and computer literacy in her community in Ilesa. Today, she runs a pop-up registration service that visits schools and helps students sign up for their JAMB and other exams online. She also has a computer center, located on Ayesoroad, where students can use the internet, complete and print assignments, and take classes to improve their computer skills.

“Thanks to Excel Computers, now I and my school mates can get access to a computer and internet facility for downloading pictures of animals and equipment for our science practicals.” – 16 year old, Owoeye Ridwan, student at Feso International School, Ilesa.

Education has always been an important part of Grace’s life. Inspite of having to take care of her family of three kids, she still strived not only to complete her  higher education degree program at the Osun state College of education but also enrolled for both the OYES Tech ( an ICT empowerment initiative of the Osun state government) and Generation Enterprise’s Business Incubator Training where she got sufficient computer training and business startup expertise respectively.

The best part is that Grace is just getting started. She is working with Generation Enterprise to test new service offerings that will differentiate her business and allow her to expand to multiple locations and dozens of employees. Lately, they have been discussing the power of technology to disrupt traditional modes of education delivery.

Technology is making education of a consistent quality more affordable in Kenya, where Bridge International Academies runs a chain of over 130 schools serving 50,000 pupils for less than N1000 tuition per month, using “academy-in-a-box” scripted lessons and smartphone applications for administration and quality monitoring.

Meanwhile, in South Africa, technology is enhancing academic results through a “blended learning” model used in SPARK Schools, where students rotate between computer lab time, playing games to enhance specific math and language skills at their own pace, and traditional in-person instruction.

In India, education scientist (and TED Prize winner) Sugata Mitra’s “Hole in the Wall” experiments suggested that even without supervision or formal teaching, children in slums can teach themselves how to use an internet-connected computer and use the internet to learn everything else.

If Grace and her Generation Enterprise partners have their way, Nigerian students will be the next case study in the global education revolution. In the coming months, Grace’s Excel Academy, a Generation Enterprise portfolio company, will experiment with a model that combines online lectures and video tutorials from the best American teachers with in-person discussion, exercises, and tests from local Nigerian tutors trained by Excel Academy to ensure the lessons are absorbed and applied. 

In this way, Nigerian students will access quality instruction from American education startups and world class universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT – right from their communities in Ilesa, Osogbo, and Lagos.

Afolabi Omotayo, Generation Enterprise’s Business Development Officer (BDO) attached to Grace’s business believes that Grace can do a whole lot more with her business for the community. “We have plans to acquire a few more computers which will allow us offer extensive online courses for unemployed youth.

Managing Director of Generation Enterprise, Bunmi Otegbade lauded the outcomes of the first collaboration with Osun State. He believes that the successful pilot could lead to a rollout of GEN incubators across Osun State for the entire OYES program, unlocking the potential of thousands more entrepreneurs.

BUSINESS DAY

The State of Osun Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Sunday Akere has said that the State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is willing to identify with individuals and organisations that could aid the state’s developmental drive.
The Commissioner made this assertion when representatives of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, BJAN paid courtesy visit to the Commission to intimate him of the decision by the   association to hold its   2014 conference in the state.
BJAN led by its National Chairman, Goddie Ofose, said the state was picked as a result of the giant stride the state has recorded in the area of tourism. The topic for the conference, which will hold between November 20 and 23 is ‘Tourism marketing as catalyst for economic development’.
According to Mr Ofose,  “BJAN members have taken pain to follow up the activities of the State of Osun in the area of Tourism, particularly the way the annual Osun Osogbo cultural fiesta has suddenly turned to international festival.
VANGUARD

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Ijesaland Development Foundation (IDF), with the support of Osun State government, is set to explore a summit which aims at the industrialisation of Ijesaland located in Osun State.
The foundation, in a statement jointly signed by Engr Dideolu Falobi (President) and Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji (Public Relations Officer), said the maiden summit is scheduled to hold at Ibis Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State on November 11, 2014.
“The summit is meant to bring together Ijesa sons and daughters to explore investment initiatives with Ijesa and non-Ijesa investors, financial institutions and development partners,” the statement explained.

Notable participants expected at the summit include Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, Prof. Ibidapo-Obe (former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos), Chief Olu Falomo, Chief Tunde Aluko, Professor Duro Oni, Professor Dimeji Alo, Demola Aladekomo, Kayode Olagunju and the Fadahunsi family among others.
The summit will be chaired by Mr Tunde Awobiyi, while Dr Ayo Fatubarin will deliver the guest lecture, and the Bank of Industry and State of Osun will make presentations at the event.
Other presentations will be made by Rainbow Paints, Ilesa and International Breweries, Ilesa, on their experience as thriving industries in Ijesaland.
TRIBUNE

The Government of Osun on Saturday joined other Muslim faithful all over the world to celebrate the commencement of another Muslim year, Hijrah 1436.

The governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at the Hijrah celebration tagged “Building an ideal Islamic home” at the Osogbo Township stadium, declared Monday a public holiday in the state for muslims to commemorate the muslim new year 1436.

Aregbesola said Hijrah is compulsory, bringing Muslims closer to what Allah has called them to do on the use of Sun and the moon in counting days.

He reiterated that Islam is not a religion of violence, but peace. Every Muslim must be aware of the ‎teaching of the Prophet on the need to shun wickedness.

The governor added that Muslims must not be found in any act that will tarnish Islam. “There is no basis for anybody or groups to hide under Islam to perpetrate evil.

“Islam is not a religion of violence, any person, group or sects who indulge in violence or its associated vices are not followers of Islam, they are wicked and not good examples of Islam.

“Islam preaches, love, peace, cleanliness, good attitude towards our neighbour and that every believer must be a good example of the faith.

“If Islam preaches all these afore-mentioned, how can we now equate the violence being perpetrated in some parts of the country as Islam”. The governor pointed out.

Earlier at the Oke-bale central praying ground, the Chief Imam of Osogboland, Sheikh Musa Animasaun noted that the Islamic calender is very important to every Muslim as being commanded by Allah.

He commended the Aregbesola led administration for observing what he described as religious justice through the freedom given to the people of the state to practise their religions freely without intimidation.

According to him, “I want to use the occasion of this year Hijra to praise the governor for granting a public holiday for the celebration of Hijra 1436, may Allah reward him abundantly with the way he has been administering the affairs of Osun without bias to any religion”. The Osogbo clergy noted.

He urged muslims to move closer to Allah and adhere to the will and injunctions Allah as laid down by Prophet Muhammed.‎

Governor Aregbesola who made his points in reference to chapter 9, verse 36-37 and chapter 3, verse 410 of the Holy Quran submitted that good character, attitude, behaviour are the attributed virtues and qualities of muslims, adding that what differentiate muslims from non-muslims were good conduct and comportment towards circumstances coupled with high sense of tolerance and perseverance to socio-political and  economic life.

Aregbesola therefore implored the Islamic Clerics not to rest on their oars in educating, sensitizing,  orientating and enlightening their followers on need to be more intimated and conversant to the will, commandments and injunctions of God as being written in the holy Quran.

While delivering his lecture, Ustas Abdul-Rasheed Abdul-Jabar enjoined muslims to always be conscious about the life after death and be prepared for the day  of ressurection, adding that every muslim must see the home beyond, that is, paradise as a task on earth which can only be the reward for those who do good and obey the instructions of Allah without substitution.

Former Spearker, State of Osun House of Assembly who was the Chairman of the occassion, Professor AbdulMajid Alabi in his goodwill message expressed profound gratitude to Allah for making the event a reality as well as for sparing the lives of all the participants to witness this year 1436A.H Hijrah celebration.

Highlights of the epoch event includes match-pass parade by various schools.

The Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging celebrates with some students of Balogun Nursery/Primary School and many others at the Hijrah 1436AH Celebration at Osogbo City Stadium on Saturday 25/102014

From right, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola;
representative of Ataoja of Osogboland, Chief Sulaimon Olanipekun;
President Osun Muslim
Community, Sheikh Salawudeen Olayiwola and Grand Imam of Osun, Sheikh
Musa Animashaun, during Hijrah 1436AH Celebration at Osogbo City
Stadium on Saturday 25/102014

From right, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola;
representative of Ataoja of Osogboland, Chief Sulaimon Olanipekun;
President Osun Muslim
Community, Sheikh Salawudeen Olayiwola and Grand Imam of Osun, Sheikh
Musa Animashaun, during Hijrah 1436AH Celebration at Osogbo City
Stadium on Saturday 25/102014

From left, Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem
Salam; Chairman of the Occasion, Professor Mojeed Alabi; Governor
State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Grand Imam of Osun, Sheikh
Musa
Animashaun, during Hijrah 1436AH Celebration at Osogbo City Stadium on
Saturday 25/102014

From left, Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem
Salam; Chairman of the Occasion, Professor Mojeed Alabi; Governor
State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Grand Imam of Osun, Sheikh
Musa
Animashaun, during Hijrah 1436AH Celebration at Osogbo City Stadium on
Saturday 25/102014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging match-pass
parade from some students of Balogun Nursery/Primary School during Hijrah
1436AH Celebration at Osogbo City Stadium on Saturday 25/102014

Photos of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola watching the Pyrotechnics and Fireworks Display to Herald the New Hijrah 1436AH at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Friday 24-10-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola watching the Pyrotechnics
and Fireworks Display to Herald the New Hijirah 1436AH at Nelson Mandela
Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Friday 24-10-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola watching the Pyrotechnics
and Fireworks Display to Herald the New Hijirah 1436AH at Nelson Mandela
Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Friday 24-10-2014

From left, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Commissioner for
Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Sikiru Ayedun; Commissioner for
Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Kolapo Alimi and other,
during the Pyrotechnics and Fireworks Display to Herald the New Hijirah
1436AH at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Friday
24-10-2014

Pyrotechnics and Fireworks Display to Herald the New Hijirah 1436AH at
Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Friday 24-10-2014

Pyrotechnics and Fireworks Display to Herald the New Hijirah 1436AH at
Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Friday 24-10-2014

Pyrotechnics and Fireworks Display to Herald the New Hijirah 1436AH at
Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Friday 24-10-2014

Pyrotechnics and Fireworks Display to Herald the New Hijirah 1436AH at
Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Friday 24-10-2014

In its continued bid to create an environment that will promote the healthy living and good life for the people, the governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Thursday evening flagged off the construction of Oranmiyan new town.

The Oranmiyan new town which covers about 1,200 hectares of land is made up of seven neighbourhoods, 42 main entrance boulevard, iconic streetscape beautification and landscaping, bicycle path, walk way and good drainage system among others.
Aregbesola at the official flag-off ceremony in Abeere, Osogbo explained that the town came about because of the need to renew the towns in the state which brought about the invitation of the UN habitat who recommended the idea so as to accommodate more people.
He noted that the move is a continuation of the administration’s march towards development and decent society as a government, stressing that it is part of government’s effort to provide ‘Life More Abundant’ for the people through the provision of decent accommodation.
The governor explained that the Oranmiyan New Town which is designed to house over 3,000 residential plots is also born out of an overriding public need to ease the pressure of accommodation brought about by the development of Osogbo as the state capital and a rapidly developing urban centre.
He said, “It is a fact well known that capital cities all over the world are always centres of massive influx of people from other parts. It is part of government’s responsibility to ensure that such influx does not snowball into perilous situation for human habitation.
“This is what informed our decision to embark on urban renewal so that the growth of our cities today will not turn them into centres of sorrow tomorrow.
“The new town will fittingly have basic infrastructural facilities such as well-paved streets, good road network, integrated drainage and sewage system, as well as electricity supply facilities among others.” the governor explained.
On the name given to the new town, Aregbesola said it is done in a bid to preserve the cultural heritage of the Yoruba race and the founding fathers of Yorubas as a people.
“We have decided to christen it Oranmiyan New Town. This is by no means an accident. It is part of our administration’s policy to revive and preserve our common historical heritage as Yoruba people.
“It is also a way of celebrating our heroes and legends, which is also one effective means of our cultural preservation”. The Governor stated.
He urged prospective land owners at the town to ensure that they complete the building of the houses according to specification within one year, stating that their certificates of occupancy will be ready within 30 days of payment.‎
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the programme, former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Alani Akinrinade called on other state Governors to toe the line of Osun, noting that housing is of high importance to any modern society.
He commended the governor on the construction of roads in the state, stating that, with what the Governor has done in terms of road development, there is no town in the state that will be unreachable.
According to him, “I will like to describe Ogbeni Aregbesola as a new kid on the block because with the success he has achieved, it means that if we can get more people like him in government, Nigeria still has hope.
“The completion of the project being launched today may look un-achievable due to the current situation of the country, but I am very sure that the accomplishing spirit of Oranmiyan that is in Rauf Aregbesola will get it completed.
“He is a man that we the leaders of Yoruba land really want other Governors, especially in the Oodua states to emulate completely”. The general declared.
In his address, the state Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Arch. Muyiwa Ige noted that the state has witnessed large influx of people since its creation, most especially since the coming into power of the present administration.
He held that with the provision of modern infrastructure which has aided development, the state has attracted so many investors from far and near.
According to him, “a project like this is highly needed in this state as the state has continued to witness the influx of people in recent years.
“The Ogbeni Aregbesola administration is a government that is pro-active in nature and thinking, hence the Governor has deemed it necessary to plan ahead by providing decent accommodation to take care of the increasing population and growth that the state is witnessing”. The commissioner stressed.

‎The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Thursday lamented the gross misunderstanding of Jihad to mean war or violence.

The governor made this disclosure while delivering his lecture titled “Muslims’ response to insurgency threat in Nigeria” at the 6th annual Femi Lateef Okunnu lecture series, organised by the Nigeria Association of Muslim Law students of Obafemi Awolowo Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Aregbesola said Jihad should not be turned into a license to unleash terror on people, Muslims and Christians alike and as well as destabilise the nation.

‎He held that contrary to the claims by groups like the Boko Haram, Jihad is neither a call to arms nor an ideological blueprint for destructive insurgency.

The governor pointed out that Jihad in Islam is at its core about establishing a personal relationship with Allah.

He noted that the meaning of Jihad in Islam is a total submission to the will and obedience to the laws of Allah.

According to him, “submitting to Allah’s will is an act of conscious choice granted to mankind by God; obeying His laws is a demonstration and vindication of that submission.‎

“The‎ abused notion of Jihad often used as justification for satanic atrocities of insurgent groups, such as Boko Haram, is a gross misapplication of the concept.

“Jihad is far from being an open cheque for senseless violence, neither is it a Qur’anic endorsement of the pursuit of selfish political desires.

“‎The concept of Jihad in Islam simply means ‘struggle’ or ‘striving’. It has two broad dimensions – external and internal striving”. The governor told the gathering.

Aregbesola stressed Islam totally opposes any form of violence, either against Muslim or non-muslim or of any place where the name of God is being called and worshipped, such as churches, mosques and synagogue.

He argued that Boko Haram and other insurgent groups have no justification in Islam to back the violence it unleashes on the people of the nation.‎

‎He continued, “If Islam thus forbids violence against innocents, how does Boko Haram justify the senseless killings, maiming, kidnappings of innocent women, children, and girls?

“How does reference to Islamic Jihad vindicate the indiscriminate destruction of lives and property of both Muslims and non-Muslims? He asked.‎

In his address, Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Kehinde Yusuff described the honouree, Femi Okunnu as an elder statesman who has contributed immensely to the growth of the nation.

Prof. Yusuff lauded the Aregbesola administration for observing what he described as religious justice through the freedom given to every faith to practise freely. He commended the Governor for granting a public holiday for the celebration of Hijira new year.

He said,”I am happy for this yearly honour we are given to Okunnu, he is a man that deserves it sincerely because of the great contributions he has made to the growth of our dear nation.

“I also must not fail to commend our dear Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who has created the enabling environment for every religion in the state including the traditional worshippers to practise their faith freely.‎

“It shows that he is a man who wants peace and tranquillity among all the faiths and he is not a religious biased Governor in any form as being insinuated in some quarters”

The Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration of the Obafemi Awolowo University who spoke on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, expressed delight at the honour given to the honouree as he described Alhaji. Okunnu as a man who has served the country meritoriously with utmost commitment.

“I want to advocate that as a nation, we should cultivate the habit of honouring people who have served the country when they are still alive, I don’t subscribe to posthumous celebrations done for people who have served this country” He emphasised.

Also speaking, the president of the OAU chapter of the Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students, Mallam Abdulyekeen Olaitan noted that the Lateef Femi Okunnu lecture since inception has been serving as a sublime platform for greatly informed personalities and the general public for knowledge acquisition and meaningful contributions for public enlightenment.