The Chief Imam of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Oladosu, has charged Muslims and Christians to work together for the unity of the country.
Oladosu, who was the guest speaker at the installation of the new Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheik Musa Animashaun, in Osogbo, Osun State, yesterday, said that since God did not create all human beings to belong to one religion, everybody must respect the beliefs of others for peace to reign.
The installation of the new chief imam was attended by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Asiwaju Musilumi in Yorubaland Alhaji Olatunde Badmus and other prominent Muslim leaders in the South-West.
The 78-year-old new chief imam, Sheik Musa Animashaun, succeeded Sheik Mustapha Ajisafe, the President General of the League of Imams in the South-West who died on September 8 at the age of 87.
Professor Oladosu in his lecture said since there would never be a time when all human beings would belong to only one religion, adherents of various religions must learn to be tolerant and accommodating.
According to him, to enjoy the country’s potentialities, adherents of different faiths should be tolerant, accommodating, large hearted and open minded. This is the only way to avoid the kind of crisis witnessed in Jos, Maiduguri, Bauchi and in many other parts of the world, he said.
On the 2015 general elections, Oladosu appealed to politicians to avoid desperation which he said used to lead to fraud and violence.
He called on governments, at the three tiers, to correct the imbalance against Muslims in appointments into public offices.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

Osun State government, on Monday, allayed fears of residents over plan to release water from its dams across the state, with a view to avoiding imminent collapse of the dam structures.
It attributed the planned release of water from its dams to heavy rainfall witnessed in the state in the past few days.

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.”
The statement further disclosed that “residents of communities such as Ede, Iwo, Ejigbo, Okinni and many communities around the dams in the state should be aware that little floods may occur between now and next week as the water is being released,” advising them not to entertain feat over the development.
It also urged residents of the state to cooperate with government in its effort to curb flood incidents by desisting from dumping waste in waterways, as well as inside drainages across the state.
TRIBUNE

Rice Farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural product in Osun State have been advised to participate in the pilot Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR) of the Federal Government.
The appeal became necessary to boost the supply of rice production for School Feeding and Health Programme (O-MEALS) in the State.
Director and State Operation Officer for Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme,(O-meals), Mrs. Olubunmi Ayoola, made the remarks during a stakeholders meeting organised by O-Meals Office in collaboration with Partnership for Child Developments (PCD) London.
Ayoola maintained that, O-meals office is highly interested in encouraging local farmers in Osun in the production of rice which is part of O-meals menu, noting that, this will have a multiplier effect on the economy of the state as well provide empowerment.
Earlier at the meeting, the representative of the Partnership for Child Development (PCD) in Nigeria, Mrs Abimbola Adesanmi, and that of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Kelechi, disclosed that Osun silos have the storage capacity of 50,000 metric tone of quality rice. The duo held that Osogbo, Ejigbo and Atakumosa local governments are the three local governments selected as pilot of the programme in Osun immediately it is approved by Federal Government.
They therefore seek for the cooperation and commitment of all the stakeholders, particularly the rice farmers for the programme to achieve its desired success.
Also present at the meeting were the representative of State of Osun Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment as well as O-meals food vendors.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

Photos of the  Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from his loyalists shortly after a Special Prayer for peace in the State and Nigeria in general, at Hasibunalahi Central Mosque, Osogbo at the weekend

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers
from his loyalists shortly after a Special Prayer for peace in the
State and Nigeria in general, at Hasibunalahi Central Mosque, Osogbo
at the weekend

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers
from his loyalists shortly after a Special Prayer for peace in the
State and Nigeria in general, at Hasibunalahi Central Mosque, Osogbo
at the weekend

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers
from his loyalists shortly after a Special Prayer for peace in the
State and Nigeria in general, at Hasibunalahi Central Mosque, Osogbo
at the weekend

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers
from his loyalists shortly after a Special Prayer for peace in the
State and Nigeria in general, at Hasibunalahi Central Mosque, Osogbo
at the weekend

…to release water from filled dams

Osun government yesterday urged people not to panic as it releases water from its dams across the state to prevent the storage facilities from collapsing.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, and made available to newsmen yesterday in Osogbo.
The statement claimed that nearly all the dams in the state were filled beyond their capacity due to heavy rainfall in the past few days and called on residents not to panic, adding that some communities where the dams are located may experience slight flooding when the water is released.
It said weather experts predicted heavy rainfall as the 2014 rainy season winds down, adding that the huge volume of water in the dams presently must be released to prevent forced outflow of same, thereby leading to flood.
The statement further told residents of communities such as Ede, Iwo, Ejigbo, Okinni and others near dams in the state to be on the alert because mild flooding may occur in the next few days as the water is released, but assured that control measures have been put in place to minimise the effect.
It also urged residents of the state to cooperate with government in its effort to prevent flooding in the state by desisting from dumping waste in waterways and drainages across the state.
The government further urged people to pay their water rates promptly to assist it in getting fund to sustain and maintain water infrastructures at the dams.

Photos of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the newly turbaned Chief Imam of Osogboland, State of Osun, Sheikh Musa Animasaun with the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus at the Installation ceremony, at Osogbo Central Mosque, Osogbo on Sunday 19/10/2014.

From right-* Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; newly
turbaned Chief Imam of Osogboland,
State of Osun, Sheikh Musa Animasaun and Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland,
Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus during an Installation ceremony, at
Osogbo Central Mosque, Osogbo on Sunday 19/10/2014.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola presenting Staff of Office
to newly turbaned Chief Imam of Osogboland, State of Osun, Sheikh Musa
Animasaun, during an Installation
ceremony, at Osogbo Central Mosque, Osogbo on
Sunday 19/10/2014.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); newly turbaned
Chief Imam of Osogboland, State of
Osun, Sheikh Musa Animasaun (2nd left), Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh
Olanipekun (2nd right), Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis
Olatunde Badmus (left) and former Senator Osun Central Senatorial District,
Sen. Bayo Salami during an Installation ceremony at Osogbo Central
Mosque, Osogbo on Sunday 19/10/2014.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right); newly turbaned
Chief Imam of Osogboland, State of
Osun, Sheikh Musa Animasaun (2nd left), Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh
Olanipekun (right) and Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis
Olatunde Badmus (left) during an Installation ceremony, at Osogbo
Central Mosque, Osogbo on Sunday 19/10/201

From right-* Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Ataoja of
Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, Former Senator Osun Central Senatorial
District, Sen. Bayo Salami, Naibu-Imam of Ife, Alhaji Abdul-Semihi
Abdul-Salam and newly turbaned Chief Imam of Osogboland, State of
Osun, during a turbanning/installation ceremony, at Osogbo Central Mosque, Osogbo on Sunday 19/10/2014.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from
Muslims Faithful during the turbanning/installation ceremony of new
Chief Imam of Osogboland, State of Osun at Osogbo Central Mosque on
Sunday 19/10/2014

Photos of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Aspirant, General Muhammadu Buhari (left) with Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, during a Courtesy Visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun last week

All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Aspirant, General
Muhammadu Buhari (left) with Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf
Aregbesola, during a Courtesy Visit to the Governor at Government
House, Osogbo, State of Osun last week

All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Aspirant, General
Muhammadu Buhari (3rd right); Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf
Aregbesola (3rd left); his Deputy Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd right);
Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timpre Sylva (2nd left); Senator Hadi
Sirika (left) and Mr Jimi Lawal (right), during a Courtesy Visit to
the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun last week

All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Aspirant, General
Muhammadu Buhari (3rd right); Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf
Aregbesola (4th right); his Deputy Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd right);
Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Bello Masari (3rd
left); Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timpre Sylva (4th left); Senator
Hadi Sirika (right); Osun APC Chieftain, Senator Bayo Salami and
others, during a Courtesy Visit to the Governor at Government House,
Osogbo, State of Osun last week

All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Aspirant, General
Muhammadu Buhari (2nd right); Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf
Aregbesola (3rd left); his Deputy Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (right);
Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Bello Masari (left)
and Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timpre Sylva (2nd left), during a
Courtesy Visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, State of
Osun last week

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola exchanges pleasantries with Country Director, African Development Bank, Dr. Usman Dore at a recent visit to the Governor in his office at Abere, Osogbo, State of Osun

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left) exchanging
pleasantries with Country Director, African Development Bank, Dr. Usman
Dore while Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs. Titi Laoye – Tomori (left)
and Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development and Community
Affairs, Mr. Kunle Ige, look on, during a visit to the Governor in his
office, Abere, Osogbo, State of Osun

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); his Deputy, Mrs.
Titi Laoye – Tomori (2nd left), Country Director, African Development Bank,
Dr. Usman Dore(2nd right), Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural
Development and Community Affairs (left), Mr. Kunle Ige and Chief Country
Programme Coordinator of African Development Bank, Mr. Andoh Mensah
during a visit to the Governor in his office, Abere, Osogbo, State of
Osun

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); his Deputy,
Mrs. Titi Laoye – Tomori (3rd left), Country Director, African Development
Bank, Dr. Usman Dore(2nd right), Chief Olufemi Akande (2nd left), Asiwaju
of Iwo Land, Barrister Gbadegesin Adedeji (left), General Alani Akinrinade
and other during a visit to the Governor in his office, Abere, Osogbo State of Osun

Sheik Musa Animashaun was installed yesterday as the 17th Chief Imam of Osogbo.
The ceremony was attended by Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Asiwaju Musulumi in Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus and other Muslim leaders.
The 78-year-old cleric succeeded Sheik Mustapha Ajisafe, who died on September 8.
Speaking at the ceremony also attended by members of the League of Imams and Alfas in the Southwest, the Chief Imam of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdul-Ganiyu Oladosu, urged the federal, state and local governments to correct the imbalance against Muslims in appointments into public offices.
He called on all citizens to learn to live together in peace and harmony.
“We all hope today that as Muslims and Christians, we will work together for a United States of Nigeria, which has been the dream of our founding fathers.
“And since God did not create humans to belong to one religion, everybody must respect the beliefs of others.”
Badmus urged Muslims, Christians and traditionalists to work together for the nation’s development.
THE NATION

The leadership of the nation’s judiciary has hearkened to the demand of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to dissolve Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Nigerian Tribune has learnt.
A new three-member panel has also been appointed.
The new members are Justice E.N. Ikpejime from Benue State, who is the chairman; Justice V.I Ofesi from Delta State and Justice Kutigi from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

APC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Lai Mohammed, kicked against his withdrawal and called for the dissolution of the panel.
Bako’s withdrawal was said to have been predicated on initial complaints by APC in the state.
Mohammed said the party was not satisfied with the removal of Bako alone on August 27.
Other members of the dissolved panel were Justices A.M. Awwalu and Benson Ogbu.
Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, is contesting the votes of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in some local governments and seeking the cancellation of the alleged dubious figures.
He wants the tribunal to declare him the governor-elect using the lawful votes.
He contends that his lawful votes were more than Aregbesola’s.
The incumbent is, however, asking that his victory at the poll should be upheld.
However, Aregbesola demands a re-run of the governorship election if the tribunal holds that his lawful votes did not fulfill the constitutional requirements for him to be declared the winner of the August 9 election.
TRIBUNE