The State Government of Osun has declared that the amount charged for the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy is now N30,000 as against over N100,000 for a piece of land measured 15 by 30metre (50 by 100) adding that such certificates would now be issued without delay.
The state Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Arc Olumuyiwa Ige made this known while playing host to members of the Nigeria Institutions of Surveyors (NIS) who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
While commending the efforts of surveyors at large, the commissioner re-affirmed the present administration’s resolve to disallow quacks to operate in the state, while also stressing that the people of the state are people of good virtues who have been influenced by the drive of Ogbeni Aregbesola to run an open government in a bid to take the state to greatness.
While assuring that surveyors and architects in the state will continue to have opportunities to operate, Arc. Ige explained that the Oranmiyan new town which comprises seven neighbourhood has been opened, adding that the work going on at the airport is also at a top gear.
Arc Ige then promised that the next four year would witness yet another tremendous and unusual development of the state.
Responding on behalf of the Nigerian Institutions of Surveyor, the team leader, Surveyor Tunde Ogunbadewa congratulated the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, on his victory at the governorship poll.
He explained that the state of Osun was first chosen among other states, to host this year’s edition of the Olumide Memorial Lecture since inception in 1934, to be held on October 23rd because of the tremendous infrastructure development that has taken place in the state.
He then charged the state Ministry of Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development to ensure that builders do the right thing so as to guide against building collapse in a bid to avoid loss of lives and property.
Earlier in a welcome address, Surveyor Rasheed Adejumobi who represented the Surveyor General of the State of Osun thanked the team for making the state worthy of visiting.
GAZELLE NEWS

The General Overseer of the Deeper Life Church, Pastor Folorunso Kumuyi said on Friday that the Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has demonstrated exemplary leadership with his disposition to all religions and massive infra structural development in the state.

Kumuyi said the attitude of the governor has not suggested the promotion of one religion above others in his policies and programme.

The Deeper Life General Overseer said this while addressing journalists during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Government House, Osogbo, before the commencement of the Three Days Crusade of the Church, tagged ” Explosion of Supernatural Miracle”.

Kumuyi, while reacting to previous allegation that the Governor wanted to Islamise Osun said “for those who are saying that, I’m not living in Osun State, I don’t know what they have observed or what they have seen, but what I have observed is that Aregbesola is Governor for everybody. He is a man for every one, he wants the progress and development of individuals and the state not minding if you are Muslim, Christian,‎ non Muslim or non Christian.”

He said the crusade was brought to Osun for the manifestation of God power and love for the people to heal,and turn every life around, saying the event will be wonderful for every one that comes.

Kumuyi expressed gratitude to God for the peaceful conduct of the August 9 Governorship Election in the state and the emergence of Governor Aregbesola for second term.

The clergy urged the governor to double his efforts as the head of state during the second term.

He said ” I have moved around and seen what you have done in the first term, but there is still more to do, there is no way people will not point out deficiencies in Government but you must not be distracted, you must be focused and move close to God, we are looking for a better and more successful second term”

” We want you to believe in God that he can conquer any challenges, that is the most significant aspect of our crusade here; to remind the people that no matter how bad it may be for individuals, state and nation, God can still turn things around and can move things forward” Kumuyi said.

Responding, Governor Rauf Aregbesola appreciated Pastor Kumuyi for bringing the crusade to Osun saying the crusade will definitely manifest spiritually in his administration and the life of the people of the state.

The governor said Osun is blessed with the leading lights in Christendom with Pastor Kumuyi as one of them which according to him informs the state government decision to build inter-denomination convention ground for revivals and crusades.

He said his administration is determined to do better during second term and tasked pastor Kumuyi to pray for the success of the administration.

Aregbesola said” we thank God, we have remakable four years, our wish is to put into the next four years, programmes and policies that will only be possible in 20 years and we are believing God through the prayer from somebody like you, it will be possible”

He urged Kumuyi to pray for him and the people of the state, sound health, and mental capacity to carry out the assignment.

The governor also urged the Clergy to pray against Ebola virus which is disturbing the Nigeria and rest of West of Africa.‎

Osun State Government has said that it has taken measures to curb the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) to the state as pupils resume academic work on October 6, 2014.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministy of Education, Mr. Lawrence Oyeniran, gave the assurance at a meeting with members of the Nigeia Union of Teachers (NUT), Osun State Branch on Ebola virus.

Oyeniran said that teachers and students safety against the contact of Ebola Virus Diseases (EVD) that currently constitute health challenge to the nation has been considered by the government of Osun before the announcement of schools resumption date in the state.

He reiterated various efforts had been put in place by the government of the State of Osun under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to curtail the spread of Ebola Virus in Schools, include training of teachers.

He noted that Osun is Ebola Free with a guarantee from the reports of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Osun branch.

The Permanent Secretary maintained that it’s a known fact that Ebola Virus is a deadly disease that can be prevented with early detection and treatment by medical personnel between the incubation periods of 2-21 days.

He said this informed the government’s decision to provide infrared thermometers to all schools in the state starting from Friday this week.

DAILY INDEPENDENT

The Osun House of Assembly said it passed 24 bills in the last three years of its legislative business.

Mr Ajibola Akinloye, the assembly’s Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, announced this in an interview with the newsmen in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Akinloye said the fifth assembly was inaugurated on June 2, 2011.

He said some of the bills included the Osun Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Local Government Administration, Domestic Against Violence, Agency for Mass Education and Security Trust Fund.

Akinloye said all the bills had been signed into law by Gov. Rauf Aregbesola while 15 others were still pending before the assembly.

He said some of those pending were Street Trading and Illegal Market, Waste Management Authority, Osun Partnership and the state University Development Bill.

He said the house would try to pass the pending bills before its expiration .

The lawmaker said all the passed and pending bills were had direct impact on the citizenry.

Akinloye said that four bills, mailly Street Trading and Illegal market, Osun Public Private Partnership, Regulation of Sand Dealing and Dredging Operation and Livestock Roaming were scheduled for public hearing.

Akinloye said members of the assembly were vibrant and committed, adding that the experience of the lawmakers assisted them in their legislative duties.

DAILY INDEPENDENT

Pictures of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and National leader All Progressive Party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a congratulatory reception for Aregbesola over his victory on the August 9th gubernatorial election in Osun, at his Victoria Island office in Lagos State, on Monday 22/09/2014.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and National leader All Progressive Party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a congratulatory reception for Aregbesola over his victory on the August 9th gubernatorial election in Osun, at his Victoria Island office in Lagos State, on Monday 22/09/2014.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and National leader All Progressive Party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a congratulatory reception for Aregbesola over his victory on the August 9th gubernatorial election in Osun, at his Victoria Island office in Lagos State, on Monday 22/09/2014.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and National leader All Progressive Party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a congratulatory reception for Aregbesola over his victory on the August 9th gubernatorial election in Osun, at his Victoria Island office in Lagos State, on Monday 22/09/2014.

Address Delivered By The Governor Of The State Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, At The Ceremony To Mark The Official Kick-Off Of The Construction/Rehabilitation Of 225-Kilometre Rural Roads Under The Second Phase Of Osun Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP II), Held At Ira Open Square, Oriade Local Government, On Thursday September 17, 2014.
It is most pleasing for me to preside over this ceremony to mark the official kick-off of the Osun Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP II). This is one project that is very close to my heart as the head of government in Osun at this particular time in the history of our dear state.

My special interest in RAMP stems from the fact that it has to do with the road infrastructural development in those parts of our state that have received less attention but in dire need of it in road expansion and improvement.

There is no gainsaying the fact that rural areas have generally suffered a disproportionately greater degree of neglect in infrastructural development over the years. Indeed, this is partly responsible for the reverses and setbacks that we have experienced in terms of our socio-economic advancement.

In this respect, the importantage-old business of agriculture has particularly been hit hard. This has culminated in the progressive decline in agricultural production with dire consequences for our capacity to feed our rapidly increasing population.

It has had other equally serious negative ramifications in unemployment, mass poverty,decline in education and widespread incidence of hunger among many other ills with which the land had been pervaded. On our assumption of office we saw the problem in its all-ramifying dimensions and we set about tackling it as a matter of urgent priority.

The major policy means we adopted in dealing with these problems is to revitalise our agriculture and modernise it; hence our agricultural revolution programme.

It is our belief that modernising our agricultural practices would be a magic bullet with which we can deal effectively with many of the major social and economic problems with which we were confronted.

With the development of agriculture the festering canker of hunger, unemployment, poverty, and poor education can be dealt with. However, indispensable to this agricultural revolution programme is according necessary development attention that had long been denied to our rural areas.

This crucially involves opening them up by road. This we have pursued with all the vigour and vitality that we can muster. Our effort in this area has fortunately attracted the attention and assistance of development partners who have been doing a lot to enhance our road infrastructure development in the rural areas of Osun.

The RAMP I – and now RAMP II – projects, ably supported by the World Bank and French Development Agency, have gone a long way in furthering our objective of linking our food production centres in the rural areas with their supply centres mainly located in the urban areas both within and outside the state.

Our prudence and impressive performance under the RAMP I made it quite easy for our development partners to choose Osun as one of the four states eligible for the RAMP II, which we are today formally kick-starting.

Under the RAMP II, there are 500 kilometres of rural roads to for construction and rehabilitation. But these will be done in two phases. The first phase of the RAMP, which we are commencing today, will cover 225 kilometres of rural roads.

The design and other preparations for the remaining 275 kilometres will begin in a matter of short time from now, with the prospect of opening up even more parts of our hitherto neglected rural communities.

For ease of administration and more effective implementation, the 225-kilometre roads have been organised into four lots covering four different parts of the state. The first (Lot 1) is in Iwo region and covers 58.74kilometres. The second(Lot 2) is in Ife region and will cover58.40 kilometres. The third(Lot 3), also in Ife region, extends over 53.87kilometres. The fourth(Lot 4) will take place in Ilesha region and will cover 53.61kilometres.

This RAMP II road projects will greatly enhance the area coverage of the already massive road construction and rehabilitation exercise that our administration has embarked upon.

The significance of the RAMP roads will be better appreciated when the fact is considered that about 75 per cent of the total road network in Osun is actually rural roads. This is one of the ways in which we want to continue to demonstrate our unceasing commitment to continue with works of development that we have been doing.

For us, winning a second term of office is no excuse for indolence or for relaxation. Indeed, it is an opportunity to accelerate the pace of work so that we can cover as much ground as is humanly possible within the time available to us.

It is an opportunity we intend to maximise for the development of Osun and the well-being of our people.

Indeed, for us, politics is over. Governance and development must continue, even at a faster rate than before. The mandate given to us is for all the people, all our communities and it covers every inch of our soil. It is our fervent desire to bring the blessing of God on all our people and make our state the model of responsible leadership and public administration.

I thank you all for listening.

Osun a dara!

Osun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Wale Adedoyin, has appealed to the leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Osun State chapter to allow peace to reign within the association to achieve the task of making the state food secured.

Adedoyin gave the advice in Osogbo during a meeting held with the executive members of the association on how to make things work better for farmers in the state.

He explained that the only issue government is interested in is to support farmers with a view to boosting food production and not to continue to settle feud among members of the association. The commissioner, who expressed delight in the cooperation and love that now exists among othe farmers body, stated that government is not interested in the association’s politics but can only act as an observer during their elections to elect their leaders.

He advised the farmers’ body to eschew bitterness and embrace cooperation, saying that it is the only way through which they can get the support of the present administration which Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is always willing to give to farmers.

He stated that with the new harmonious relationship, this year’s Agric show and farmer’s festival will be more colourful and interesting than the previous ones, while the World Food Day will also be celebrated accordingly.

The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Osun chapter, Chief Raheem Adeniji, assured the commissioner that all grievances within the Exco have been settled, saying that they are now ready to work together for the progress of farmers in the state.

He expressed gratitude to the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola for always calling for peace within the farmer’s association.

DAILY INDEPENDENT

As part of activities to mark this year legal week, the Chief Justice in the State of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo, has on Tuesday September 23, 2014 released a mentally unstable man, Usman Shaibu and 8 inmates from Ilesa prison custody.

This is just as 5 others were granted bail because of their ill-health which the prison health officer, Mr. Samuel Agboola, said the prison’s hospital could not handle.

Those released are: Dauda Karimu (29), Bamidele Balogun (42), Seun Alatise (31), Dayo Oluwafemi (36), Usman Shaibu (31).

Others are: Victor James (23), Femi Bamidele (24), Ojo James (38) and Kabiru Jimoh (34).

Also, those granted bail are: Sunday Agwu (29), Adebayo Sunday (31), Abiodun Adebayo (46), Ibrahim Saheed (32) and Tosin Ojo (35).

Most of the inmates listed for consideration of pardon were standing trial on armed robbery and murder cases and have spent about 7 years in prison custody without their case being heard at the court.

While some were released on health ground, others were released because their case file could not be found after some years in prison.

Those released on health ground were Shaibu, a mentally unstable man who has spent 5 years in prison, Bamidele, an asmathic patient who has spent 4 years, and Jimoh a neuro disease patient.

Karimu, Balogun, Alatise, Oluwafemi, Ojo and Victor were released because their case file could not be found after 7 years in prison without their case being heard at the court.

Also, Justice Jide Falola frowned at the delay of justice for prisoners adding “most of them have wasted 7 years unproductive for neither themselves nor the state. They may come out and become notorious most especially when they were not guilty of the allegation they suffered for.”

He however urged the police to be diligent in their prosecution saying that “any offence that does not have a case file was just to punish the accused person and it is not good for an innocent person to be languishing in prison.”

Meanwhile, a female prisoner (name withheld), who was brought by the prison officer for pardon was denied as all magistrates objected to her forgiveness.

The inmate woman was sentenced to one year imprisonment by a woman Magistrate Olowolagba, for issuing a fake cheque of N270,000 to her customer.

The prison officer, Mr. Alabi Ibrahim, said that he brought the woman because of her infant who was not released to her family.

Ibrahim informed the CJ that the woman had spent 3 months out of one year praying that her sentence be quashed so that she would go and take care of the infant.

Also praying for the release of the woman was, an Assistant Legal Aid officer, Mrs. Julie Olorunfemi, who said that her office would have paid the fine if the woman was given an option of fine.

When Justice Falola asked why the woman was not given an option off fine, the magistrate that handled the matter was said to be absent.

But, the Chief Magistrate, Mr. Muhammed Lasisi, who spoke on behalf of others magistrate, said that he would be discouraged if the woman is pardon noting that the discretion of magistrate that deliver the judgment would be queried.

The CJ however urged the legal aid to take up the matter and appeal the judgment.

While narrating their ordeals, the freed inmates said with the kind of experience they have had since they were brought to the prison custody, they would not like to pray for their enemies to experience such.

They, therefore, gave thanks to Almighty God for giving them freedom after many years in prison, just as they appreciated the Chief Judge for extending her mercy hand on them.

BIOREPORTS

Photos of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Megbon Awo, Ooni of Ife, Chief Tunde Falolu,  President, Traditional Religion Worshippers Association (TRAWSO) and others during the Traditional Worshippers’ Visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun on Saturday 20-09-2014

From right, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Megbon Awo,
Ooni of Ife, Chief Tunde Falolu and President, Traditional Religion
Worshippers Association (TRAWSO), Osun Branch, Chief Idowu Awopetu,
during the Traditional Worshippers’ Visit to the Governor at
Government House,
Osogbo, State of Osun on Saturday 20-09-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); President,
Traditional Religion Worshippers Association (TRAWSO), Osun Branch, Chief
Idowu Awopetu (left); TRAWSO Treasurer, Chief Idowu Esuleke (right); TRAWSO
Coordinator, Osun Central Senatorial District, Chief Tunde Aberefa
(2ndright) and others, during the Traditional Worshippers’ Visit to
the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); President,
Traditional Religion Worshippers Association (TRAWSO), Osun Branch,
Chief Idowu Awopetu (3rd left); Megbon Awo, Ooni of Ife, Chief Tunde
Falolu (2nd left); TRAWSO Treasurer, Chief Idowu Esuleke (right);
TRAWSO Coordinator, Osun Central Senatorial District, Chief Tunde
Aberefa (2nd right) and others, during the Traditional Worshippers’
Visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun

With a meagre monthly allocation of an average of less than one billion naira from the Federation Account and an Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of less than N1bn naira a month, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has maintained a motivated workforce paid as at when due; built, renovated and reconstructed primary and secondary school building across the state; rehabilitated, reconstructed and constructed health facilities; built and reconstructed roads and streets designed and completed with covered drains, walk ways and street lights; provided communities across the 30 local government areas in the state with potable water and electricity as well as flood control, environmental sanitation and beautification. Osogbo, the Osun State capital, is undoubtedly a cleaner, safer, orderly and beautiful city compared to the decay of the past. Compared with some Niger-Delta oil producing states’ huge monthly allocation of an average of N20bn and IGR receipt of N8bn, Governor Aregbesola by all standards qualifies to be termed a genius in financial management, prudence, accountability and transparency.

Governor Aregbesola introduced Sukuk Bond to fasttrack the state’s economic development. He knows that Sukuk, commonly referred to as the Islamic equivalent of bond, is opposed to conventional bonds, which merely confer ownership of a debt. Aregbesola knows that Sukuk grants the investors a share of an asset, along with the commensurate cash flows and risk. As such, Sukuk securities adhere to Islamic laws sometimes referred to as Shari’ah principles, which prohibit the charging or payment of interest. Governor Aregbesola wants to achieve rapid economic development for the people of the state and other Nigerians by catalysing both national and international trading infrastructure, product innovation and information flow within strong, transparent and well regulated standards and guidelines. The governor wants to promote acceptance and integration with mainstream markets.

According to the issuing houses, Governor Aregbesola’s sukuk initiative was said to be the first Islamic bond in sub-Saharan Africa. The Sukuk bond was issued in accordance with enactment of the Osun State Bonds, Notes and Other Securities Law 2012 and setting up the Osun Sukuk Company Plc. Though the governor knows that Sukuk is Islamic in nomenclature, the Sukuk bond is a conventional bond and coordinated by the regular investors in the nation’s capital and money market. The bond was issued in accordance with the Security and Exchange Commission’s rules and regulations. The N14. 4 billion sukuk (14. 75 percent) fixed return tranche 2 has 42 investors with Lotus Capital Limited as the leading issuing house and Augusto and co, one of Nigeria’s leading rating agencies, as the rating agent. The bond, which is being used to finance roads and school constructions across the state, is due in 2020. While authorising and approving the offer at the board meeting for the Sukuk Company, Aregbesola said his government took the sukuk bond as an opportunity for the development of the state. “In name, the bond is Islamic but it has the conventional bonds’ characteristics and is coordinated by the regular capital and money market investors.Out of the 42 investors, only one of them (Jaiz Bank) is Islamic and the name sukuk is just a nomenclature. The investors are regular Nigerians,” the governor said.

The emergence of Sukuk in Osun and indeed Nigeria has been one of the most significant developments in Islamic capital markets in recent years. Put simply, Sukuk instruments act as a bridge. They link their issuers, primarily sovereigns and corporations in Osun State,, Nigeria, Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia, with a wide pool of investors, many of whom are seeking to diversify their holdings beyond traditional asset classes. In this way, funds raised through Sukuk can be allocated in an efficient and transparent way to infrastructure initiatives and other deserving projects in the 56 member countries of IDB, as well as communities in over 100 non-member countries.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) in Abuja has said that Osun’s debt profile is a sustainable one which is healthy for its economic development. Dr Abraham Nwankwo who is the Director General of DMO in the Presidency has said that Osun State is one of the best states in the federation with public debt management, describing the claims that Osun was heavily indebted as mere propaganda and hoax. Nigeria wants to make sure that all segments of the society is captured in the bond market because there are some groups of people or individuals who do not want to participate in ordinary bond because of interest. Osun took the initiative and helped in introducing Sukuk in Nigeria. This is Governor Aregbesola’s vision for the people of Osun and the rest of Nigeria by introducing Sukuk bond to sub Sahara Africa.

The governor understands how domestic and foreign investors buy Sukuk which have various structures approved by Shari’ah boards of Islamic scholars. He knows that Sukuk issuance has proven its resilience during recent periods of turbulence in global capital markets.

Governor Aregbesola understands that Sukuk will play a major role in the development of infrastructure and this is crucial to his vision of establishing Osun as a commercial hub for the South West of Nigeria.

Donald is the Director of Justice Research Centre, Benin City.