In continuation of its support to entrepreneurs across the country, the Bank of Industry (BoI) said it has disbursed loans in excess of N3.5 billion to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the State of Osun.

 

 
 
Managing Director of BoI, Mr. Olukayode Pitan confirmed the figure at a Business Summit held in Osogbo, the state of Osun capital
 
He added that the move was in tandem with the bank’s integral plan to develop small and medium enterprises in the state.
 
Pitan explained that the focus of the organisation was to make the accessment of loans easier for small scale business owners.
 
The BoI boss identified high interest rate as a bane of SMEs in Nigeria. He assured the small scale business owners that the bank would work assiduously to give them soft loans at affordable interstate rates.
 
“We are doing everything possible to reduce the adverse effects of high interest rates on small and medium enterprises loans by partnering with some micro-finance banks who could give loans at an affordable rates to our business men and women,” he said.
 
“I want to assure everyone that BoI is open for serious business,” he said.
 
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Commerce, Investment and Cooperative, Ismael Alagbada, has reiterated the commitment of the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration to make the advancement of SMEs a priority.
 
“SMEs remain the cornerstone of industrial revolution any where in the world. That is why we make the development of the sector a great priority in our six-point integral plans,” he said.
 
“Without small scale industries, there can’t be big industries. It is small and medium enterprises that metamorphosed to big ones, “Alagbada added.
 
The Chairman of Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Osun  axis,  Femi Ayedun, called on governmet to ensure prompt approval of land titles and Certificates of Occupancy which are key to banks and finance houses and for accessing bank loans.
 
Ayedun called on government to make bank loan process less cumbersome to make accessment easier for the people.

The State Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has lauded the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) for its collaboration with government at making healthcare services accessible to all especially the rural dwellers of the state.

 
Aregbesola made this commendation at three days medical care outreach organised by the National Youth Development Center in Ode-Omu, Osun State where scores of the residents of the community were present to be attended to; by the medical team of the Scheme.
 
In the address of Aregbesola, he said, “The State Government is appreciative of this awesome contribution of NYSC in assisting the government to achieve her goal of giving her people quality health care, and for taking this healthcare to the grassroot level.
 
The inaugural edition was held at igbajo and its environs, the second also took pace in Sekona last year while the third programme was held in Erin Osun on July 2017.
 
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Empowerment and Youth Engagement, Mrs. Adetoun Adegboyega also stated that, “health is wealth. Quality healthcare delivery has always been one of the priorities of my administration. A healthy people are indeed productive people. If we are to achieve the goal of providing health for all, it is imperative that every community should at least have access to a health facility.
 
He noted that burden would have been too much for any tiers of government to bear alone if health is not on the concurrent list of the Federal, State and Local Government in the country.
 
He therefore urged Nigerians, group and organizations to arise and lend a helping hand to the citizenry.
 
Aregbesola also lamented that, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to meet all the needs of the people. But with the help of organization like NYSC, the needs of the people is being met directly or indirectly.
 
In his commendation address, he lauded the corps medical personnel for their participation and other activities at their places of primary assignment through which they have supported the State in improving the social health status of the people.
 
Addressing journalists, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Attah, explained that, the programme is an Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and is a way of NYSC imparting positively in the communities where the corp members are serving.
 
He said, “the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier-General Sule Kazaure is so passionate about these programme because he is concern about the welfare of both his corp members and their host community.
 
“This is a medical program that is free for all rural dwellers and the U-report that was flag off today is to get the feed back of the good people of the counrty about health situation in their areas; anybody can be part of it by texting ‘JOIN to 24453’, he added.

State of Osun House of Assembly has passed the State of Osun Universal Basic Education bill, 2017.
The bill, which is one of the bills of which debates were suspended penultimate week, was passed at the plenary on Monday after the SUBEB team had convinced the parliament on the need for its passage.
 

 
According to the speaker, Honourable Najeem Salam, “The State of Osun Universal Basic Education law will accelerate the works of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in the state”.
“The bill will give the board opportunity to operate in line with the laid down rules and regulation as well as advancement of the education system in the state.
He added that, “this is the best thing we can give to the state to ensure smooth running of education.
Salaam then urged the operators of the law, when eventually assented to by the governor to work within its ambit of ensure that the bill place the state’s primary education in its rightful position.
Meanwhile, the parliament has mandated the nominees to the state Judicial Service Commission to appear for screening from 16th October 2017 at the State Assembly Complex Osogbo.
Also, the House of Assembly ordered the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to submit details of quantity design of major ongoing road projects across the state by Friday.
The projects include, MKO International Airport, Olaiya/Ita Olokan road, Oba Adesoji Aderemi East byepass road, Gbongan-Akoda road and Old Garage-Kwara state boundary amongst others.

As the Guest Columnist of THISDAY Newspaperon Monday, September 18, 2017, Ms. Patience Oniha, Director General, Debt Management Office, wrote a well-articulated submission, titled “The Case for Nigerian Sukuk”. There is no doubt that her well thought and presentable piece was a delight, especially to the investing public.
 

 
As the title indicated, the piece x-rayed the recent public-financing tools, SUKUK, which was offered to the investing public between September 14, 2017 to September 18, 2017.Incidentally, the Guest Columnist, Ms. Patience Oniha is the Director-General of DMO that anchored the Islamic Bond.
As stated earlier, the offer for Nigeria’s debut sovereign SUKUK in the sum of N100 billion opened on September 14, 2017. This followed a roadshow, which took the (DMO), Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the transaction parties to Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano and Kaduna to engage with prospective investors on the issuance. The article was as a result of the need to throw more light on the issuanceof SUKUK. Madam DG explained the principle, rules, regulations and operating modalities of SUKUK. She explained further the benefits derivable from the issuance of SUKUK with specific mention of the fact that the SUKUK will be used to raise funds to finance infrastructure whichcontributes directly to achieving the objectiveof the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017-2020).This is to build a globally competitive economy and one of the plans for achieving this is by investing in infrastructure which the SUKUK tends to provide. According to her, the proceeds from the issuance of the N100 billion SUKUK will be used to construct and rehabilitate 25 roads in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These roads have been selected by the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing because of their strategic economic importance. The deployment of the SUKUK proceeds to these projects would improve road infrastructure, which because of the multiplier effect of good infrastructure, will translate to many benefits all over the country.
As explicitly stated in the article, good roads are important for Nigeria’s Economic Development and Growth; they actually connect different parts of the country; facilitate and foster trade relationship among different regions with each factoring its comparative advantages on natural and human resources; provide access to markets for farms produces onward to cities and townsand link villages, farmlands and remote areas to essential social services such as primary and secondary education rural dwellers; and primary and comprehensive health services. The goodness and greatness of Sukuk is that it is tied to projects and enquired about the specific roads towards which the N100 billion Sukuk would be applied. The level of disclosure and transparency for Sukuk financing which requires the issuer to present full details of how funds will be utilised gives investors information that will guide their investment decision whilst also giving them the ability to monitor the utilisation of the Sukuk proceeds after investing, to confirm that funds have been applied as proposed.
Other benefits of SUKUK was highlighted by the guest columnist, they include, deepening Nigeria’s financial market by increasing the variety of instruments available for issuers and investors; and benchmark for the pricing of future Sukuks that may be issued by other tiers of governments, corporate institutions and multilaterals. It should be noted that of the N100 billion, Sovereign Sukuk include the rental income, which will be paid to investors in the bond every six months at a rate of 16.47% per annum. It is a safe low-risk investment, as it is a direct obligation of the FGN, which is fully responsible for the payment of the rental income and the repayment of the principal at maturity. It is also backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government. On a final note, the CBN has conferred a liquid asset status, meaning that the low risk of the Sukuk and the liquid asset status make it relatively easy for investors to use the Sukuk holdings as collateral. This is to encourage the investment culture and mobilise savings; the rental income on the Sukuk is tax-exempt and will be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange to provide an avenue for investors that may wish to sell part or all of their investment in the SUKUK before maturity.
Sadly enough, Madam D.G. and other writers have failed to acknowledge the pioneering efforts and achievements of the Osun government in deepening the financial market in Nigeria through Sukuk. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola led Government of the State of Osun pioneered issuance of SUKUK in the country in 2013, four years long before the Federal Government of Nigeria explored the opportunity as a public financing alternative. The DG DMO and other enlightened commentators made no reference to his pioneering efforts of Aregbesola. Having laid the foundation, teething problems surfaced with issuance of SUKUK and verifiable solutions were proffered by Ogbeni Aregbesola, his government, advisers and transaction parties. It is a notorious fact that several pioneering programmes of the State have been Internationally recognized and emulated by the Federal Government and others States; these programmes include but not limited to School feedings, Tablet of Knowledge (Opon Imo), Free provision of School Uniforms, Agba Osun, OYES, at least one or more is replicated in KEBBI, KADUNA, ONDO States and by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Various pioneering programmes and models of Aregbesola have no doubt raised the bar and become point of reference of good governance in Nigeria. Again, garland for Ogbeni for deepening the Nigerian Financial Market through issuance of Sukuk. He was called all sort of unprintable names but his doggedness, visionary leadership and uncommon managerial (to some controversial) style saw the Osun Sukuk through against all odds.
It would be recalled that on 10th October 2013, the State of Osun issued N11.4 billion ($70.6 million) seven year SUKUK under the Osun State N60 Billion Debt Issuance Programme to fund the development of 20 High Schools, 2 Middle Schools and 2 Elementary Schools in the State. The SUKUK was issued at a rate of 14.75% per annum at N 1,000 per unit and matures on 08 October, 2020. Although two other African countries (The Gambia and Sudan) are known to have issued small amounts of SUKUK in their domestic markets; the State of Osun SUKUK is widely viewed as the first SUKUK to be issued by the government of a major African economy. The SUKUK is structured as a SUKUKAL-IJARA, a commonly used structure by sovereign issuers, which is based on a lease arrangement supported by rental payments generated from the underlying SUKUK assets. Using this structure, Osun State incorporated a special purpose vehicle, Osun Sukuk Company Plc (the SPV), to which it transferred the land for construction of the schools. Official rating for investors was done for the SUKUK and it was rated ‘A’ by Agusto& Co, a local credit rating Agency, and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. It is understood to have been taken up by local banks, fund managers, insurance companies and high-net-worth individuals will eventually pay SUKUK holders a fixed return of 14.75%. Though the Pension Funds Administrators (PFA’S) were disallowed from investing in the SUKUK as the National Pension Commission (NPC) then maintained that existing regulations on the investment of pension assets did not explicitly provide for pension fund investment in Islamic financial instruments; it would have been massively subscribed by them. For right and appropriate financial and management decision, and as required by the Securities Exchange Commission, the transaction was signed off on by Dr. Mohamed El-Gari, Prof MonzerKahf and Prof. M.L Bashar as Shariah Adviser.
State of Osun SUKUK Bond did not happen without its challenges; sources close to the offering revealed some of the challenges that were encountered in structuring and successfully marketing the SUKUK. Some of the challenges noted were the lack of a solid regulatory framework in Nigeria, institutional investors’ limited understanding of certain structuring aspects of a SUKUK when compared to conventional bonds, and a general lack of awareness of Islamic finance as an alternative source of public funding.
The subscription rate was very high andthe product was well received. The SUKUK Bond was oversubscribed by N1.4bn ($8.7m), which appears to indicate a measure of appetite for that asset class in Nigeria as well as a measure of confidence by market participants in the structures that are already in place in Nigeria to support Islamic finance. We should be reminded that Osun Sukuk Company Plc; the SPC, carried out the investment transaction. Osun Sukuk Company Plc is a wholly owned Special Purpose Company of the Osun State Government incorporated with an authorised share capital of N1, 000,000.00 (One Million Naira) with 99 per cent of the shares held by the Osun State Government and One per cent held in trust by the Attorney General of Osun State on behalf of the State, owing to the fact that a Nigerian Company must have at least 2 Shareholders. It is worthy to mention that the Osun Sukuk Company Plc. issued SUKUK certificates to the investors and the SUKUK investors’ payment for the certificates represents the cost of construction of the schools. In accordance with Islamic law principles, each certificate represents an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the SUKUK assets, that is the School.
The SUKUK assets are however, held in trust for the SUKUK investors by the Issuer, the Osun Sukuk Company Plc. Also, the land upon which the schools will be built was transferred by the State of Osun Government to the Special Purpose Company and a Certificate was issued under an Agency Agreement; appointed the State of Osun Government as its agent to inter aliaengage a construction company to construct the schools, obtain all government approvals, manage the operational and financial aspects of the construction for a prescribed fee and transferred the agreed cost of construction to the State of Osun Government. The SPC leases the schools to the State Government against rental payments which will be remitted to the Issuer to make distributions to the SUKUK investors; thus earning income for the investors during the construction of the schools. However, a Purchase Undertaking was executed by the State of Osun Government in favour of the Issuer to give assurances that at the end of the lease or maturity of the SUKUK or upon the occurrence of an event of default or early termination of the lease under the Ijara Agreement, the State of Osun Government will purchase the SUKUK assets; with the purchase price being used by the Issuer to redeem the SUKUK certificates at maturity.
It is no doubt that the success of the Government of Osun actually attracted the Federal Government of Nigeria as such Ogbeni’s achievements could not but be noticed and commended. That kudos and recognition should be given to Ogbeni Aregbesola cannot be a thought  wrongly conceived. True and resourceful leaders need to be celebrated while they are live.
Having tolled the same line with confronted challenges which were well addressed, there is a lot more that the Federal Government can learn from Ogbeni Aregbesola on the workability of SUKUK; challenges will sure arise from the N100 billions SUKUK Bond but same can be resolved same way Ogbeni and his team handled the N1.4bn ($8.7m) oversubscribed SUKUK in the State of Osun and for once Ogbeni will receive the accolades.

Osun Calisthenics programme, the initiative of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration has fully gained ground and attracted attention from many observers, even critics of the administration, particularly now that it has been institutionalised in schools across the state. This report by GBENGA ADENIYI traces the background and its benefits so far.  

 
 

The history of Callisthenics could be traced to the era of Chief Bola Ige, as governor of the old Oyo State. When it was introduced in the Second Republic, it was a toast of all and was well applauded all over the country. It was later discontinued as a result of military incursion into government.
Callisthenics, a physical gymnastic training exercise, which combines the use of signals with the parade of colours, designs and patterns with body movement, gestures, music rhymes and gesticulations to create impressions and pass messages. The body exercises that are displayed include bending, jumping, hopping, twisting, wriggling, turning, swinging and spinning. The long history of calisthenics and gymnastics among others, and the full importance of physical training in the development of healthy and wholesome human personality may likely not be fully appreciated, documented and understood until one turns to history, culture and traditions of ancient Greece. With its various city states specialising in one form of gymnastics or the other, the central doctrine embraced by all was that the human body was regarded as a temple that provided a sacred abode for the human mind and soul. Among the Greeks of old, the belief was held in high esteem that gymnastics and callisthenics were necessary to keep this temple healthy and functional.
However, after a very long period of time – government of Osun recalibrated Callisthenics in 2012 when experts were brought to Osun, by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration to instill the exercise in the pupils of public schools in the state. It started with the assistance of two Cubans, Francis Rodriguez and Raiza Guerra, who trained the first set that performed during the 21st anniversary of the creation of Osun. They also trained the trainers who have since taken over from the Cuban and now engaging the students in the feat.
The first public artistic display of the trained 8,000 pupils on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at Osogbo City Stadium as part of the 21 years celebration of Osun was nothing, but indeed a model brought in by the administration to inspire a new generation of leaders with team spirit, collaboration, concentration and commitment. It was a memorable day, as the atmosphere was impressive; the highly elated crowd did not only feel it, they saw practical demonstration and marvelous delivery of coded messages and signs.
The second major display of the public school pupils was in June 3, 2013 when the Osun government hosted the Oodua World Children Day where the pupils again displayed at the same Osogbo City Stadium. At the Callisthenic stand, which is directly opposite the main pavilion of the main bowl of the stadium, the students that comprised the inscription display team were already on with various displays. Their displays include the following: The National Flag, the State Flag and colours, E Kaabo, State of Osun, the State of Osun Welcomes You, The State of Osun Welcomes Oodua’s Children, Ipinle Omoluabi and We Are the World. Other displayed writings and inscriptions include We Are Marching On, Rauf: A New Era, We: Pride of Osun, Eko Dara Pupo, Omo L’aso L’aye and Osun: Going Places. These beautiful writings and inscriptions, boldly presented in the form of callisthenics display were enough attractions which held the audience spell-bound and perpetually glued to their seats pending the commencement of the programme of events. They were simply “extra-ordinary, displaying dexterity, creativity and ingenuity. The display brought out an uncommon degree of social coordination which was inculcated into the students through six months of rigorous trainings conducted by Cuban experts and Osun trainers”.
When the programme started in 2012, those dazed by the uncommon phenomenon, rushed to town, criticised the feat and alleged that the government was training the youths as armed militias with the aim of using them to secede from Nigeria. Though ridiculous, the wave at which the allegations travelled, coupled with the political differences between the state government and the then federal government made many to wonder how children holding flags and making artistic display could be used to secede from Nigeria
It was not too long for people, especially those hearing “Callisthenics” for the first time to know and believe that it was a philosophy of education introduced to inculcate the values of unity, harmony, discipline, teamwork, hard work and creativity into the school children. It can be seen from callisthenics display that the whole is the sum of the parts. You must do your part for the team to succeed and your own success is only meaningful with the success of others. If one athlete should be out of sync with the team, the formation fails.
Callisthenics, is known to have the substance of unity, harmony, balance and team work and thus presents one of the best engagements for teaching young pupils the cooperative spirit in a simple, delightful and interesting way. In other words, virtues such as team work, esprit de corps, which are highly desirable in every society and social interactions are also derived from and fostered by callisthenics. This is in addition to its health benefits for the body such as flexibility, physical strength, agility and the capacity for endurance.
The governor had sometimes in 2016 during one of the Callisthenic display at the celebration of the Osun at 25, said that “the Osun School Callisthenics is not a frivolous brainwave that will be swept away by the tide of time. Rather, it is a well-conceived programme as part of the overall redesign and reorganisation of the education system in Osun. Our administration views physical education with all seriousness, and we regard formal education as incomplete without its physical development component. Accordingly, we give it the required priority in the restructuring of education.
“As we have emphasised, the callisthenics programme is not only an out-of-school sports activity but a lifestyle-changing project for building a new generation of students who are physically fit, mentally sound and socially well-adjusted. And we are not alone in this view. We have history to draw upon, and this is also supported by practices in other lands and climes. Even the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) regards physical education programmes as part of its crucial brief”.
The 2016 display involved 4,000 pupils between the ages of 9 and 14, drawn from 17 Middle Schools in Osogbo and Olorunda Local Governments.
However, the new dimension of institutionalisation of callisthenics and its adoption as an integral part of the curriculum in all the schools across the state cannot be over emphasised. This has been capped with callisthenic competition among students of secondary schools across the nine federal constituencies in the state.
Speaking at the flag off of the competition, the Director of Social and Grassroots Mobilisation and Guidance, Office of the Governor, Mr. Adebayo Ojo commended the students for excellent performance, saying with their display, it shows that the values of unity, harmony, discipline, teamwork, hard work and creativity had been inculcated into the school children.
Ojo also lauded Governor Rauf Aregbesola for adopting callisthenics as a co-curriculum activity for students in more schools across the state, saying callisthenics game has enhanced organisational capacity and understanding among the youth.
The competition was held simultaneously in all the nine federal constituencies and rounded off in Osogbo City Stadium, with winners from each Federal Constituency presented cash gifts. A cheque of N1 million was presented to the Winners in each of the three Senatorial Districts, and N750,000 to the first runner up while the second runner up got N500,000.  Ede/Ejigbo Egbedore Federal constituency came first in Osun West, Ikire and Iwo federal constituencies came second and third respectively. In Osun Central, Irepodun zone came first, while Ila and Ikirun zone came second and third respectively. In Osun East, Ilesa came first, Ijebu–Ijesa came second while Ife came third.
The competition was organised by the local coaches who are trained secondary school teachers. It was held on volunteering basis with the parents providing the sport kits for their children, unlike in the past when the government was responsible for all the expenses, including the provision of kits for the participating students. The responses received from parents in terms of provision of kits for their kids clearly showed that the programme is well appreciated by the generality of the people of the state.
Some of the participating students described the programme as enticing and dedicating, saying, in the course of their participation, they have learnt that concentration and commitment to duty must be imbibe in the course of their academic pursuit and their future endeavour.
One of the student from Ede Federal Constituency, Islamiyah Adebayo said, “what I have learnt from this is that without concentration and commitment it will be difficult to achieve meaningful thing, either in your academics or anything you engage in outside academic.
“I thank the government of Osun for exposing me and my co-students to a feat like this because for me, it is not about the physical exercise, it is about the concentration and focus that is required. If is about physical exercise, as a young school girl, I do more than enough everyday”.
Another student from Ilobu zone, Badiru Idris, said, “participating in callisthenics was fun and interesting, appealing to the government to also expose some of the interested to coaching of callisthenics, which, according to him, might also be a means of self-dependent for them in future.
A parent, whose child was part of the exercise, Mrs. Juliana Adegbenro said, she was impressed by the show of concentration, commitment and dedication of the students during their callisthenic display, urging the government to ensure the sustainability of the programme.

Following the outbreak of monkey pox in more states, the Osun Government has set up three quarantine centres as measures to control the disease in case of an outbreak in the state.

 
 
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, disclosed this at a news conference on Tuesday in Osogbo.
There have been reported cases of outbreak of monkey pox in seven states, including Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Lagos.
Isamotu said two of the quarantine centres were located in Irepodun Local Government Area and the other, in Boripe Local Government.
He said though there had been no reported case of the disease in the state, government had put all its surveillance officials on a red alert.
The commissioner also said that the state government would train its health officials on how to handle patients in case of any incident.
He said the state government had also embarked on sensitisation programmes on television and radio on the causes and preventive measures against the disease.
According Isamotu, monkey pox is a viral infection which is self limiting with no specific treatment or vaccine for the cure.
The commissioner however said that the spread could be controlled.
He urged the residents to cultivate the habit of hand washing, endevour to thoroughly boil their meat before eating and avoid contact with infected persons.
He said some of the symptoms of the virus included, fever, headache and discomforting feelings.
Isamotu said government had dedicated two hotline telephone numbers: 08033908772 and 08035638608 through which residents could contact the relevant authorities, in case of any suspected outbreak.
He urged the people not to panic, adding that the state had what it took to prevent the spread of the virus in case of an outbreak.
“We are fully on alert and government is going to do everything possible to ensure that our people are safe,” he said.

A first class traditional ruler in Osun, the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, at the weekend described the Governor of the State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as a blessing to the people of the state. 
 

 
Oluwo said Aregbesola has never disappointed the people of the state since coming to office as most of his campaign promises to citizens have been fulfilled to a reasonable extent.
He stated this at the occasion of his 50th birthday and second year anniversary celebrations on the throne as Oluwo.
Oba Adewale ‎commended the Governor’s sense of commitment to serve God and humanity by using his office to turn around the economic fortunes of Osun in spite of the economic challenges the country is facing.
The traditional ruler expressed satisfaction in the leadership quality of Aregbesola, saying he (Aregbesola) has not in any way disappointed the people of the state. 
Oluwo stated that the state government under Aregbesola’s watch has mustered the political will to rewrite the history of the state as manifested in the progress and development the state has witnessed in the last seven years.
According to him, “I am neither a praise singer nor a sycophant, but to say the truth, the current Government in Osun led by our dear brother, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has not disappointed us.
“I have been following the evolution of events in his administration since I became Oluwo and to a greater extent I am convinced with the quality of his governance because I can see his legacy projects all around the state, not only in Iwoland.
“I have personally assessed his government and I have seen the quality of his prudence in all he does. Aregbesola is a leader per excellence. Aregbesola is a diligent and prudent manager of public resources.
“I have tested him and I have seen in him an extreme commitment not only to turn Osun to a must-be-visited state by anyone desirous of good things, a state that will be economically, socially and politically sustainable and self-reliant.
“We all knew the status of our state prior to Aregbesola’s government and we also know the pace of development we have witnessed so far through the present administration. To me, these among other things, are the testimonies of good governance brought to the state.
“I don’t want to mention any of the intervention programmes made by the current government, but all I know is that Aregbesola is a good leader, who loves his state and his people sincerely.
“As a monarch, I don’t tell lies. And my people know me for this. Thus, I can beat my chest on this fact and for me to come up with this judgment on the state government, then I am saying what I saw and perceived.”
Oba Akanbi expressed profound gratitude to Aregbesola for honouring him with his presence, noting that his presence and that of the state’s executive council show the love government has for him.
While advocating the need for Nigerian leaders to champion good governance, Oluwo said power is responsibility and the essence of leadership is service to humanity.
He therefore called on those at the helms of affairs to dedicate themselves to serving the people.
In his remarks, the Governor congratulated Oluwo for aging graciously in spite of the huge task attached to his position as one of the famous traditional rulers.
He appealed to the monarch to slow down, noting that at 50 years old, he (the monarch) must begin to see things of the world as ephemeral. 
Aregbesola rejoiced with the monarch’s family, Iwo indigenes and the entire people of the state on the occasion of the Oluwo’s 50th birthday anniversary.

State Governor of Osun, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has charged Nigerians to be conscious of the status of the national economy as concerned citizens.

 
The governor gave the charged at the 4th international conference of the International Institute of Islamic Thought held at the Amina Nnamadi Sambo Multipurpose Hall, Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, on Saturday.

He said Nigeria economy must not depend on oil revenue alone and emphasised the need to diversify and redirect the economy of the nation to aide growth and development.
 
Aregbesola commended the organizers of the conference for focusing on the issues of sustainability of Islamic university at a time when most institutions are struggling to survive.

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Daud Naibi also lauded IIIT for promoting scholarship among Muslims.
 
The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Professor Ishaq Oloyede delivered a keynote address at the conference. Professor Fathi Malkawi from Jordan and Dr Rihab Abdulrahaman Alsherif from Al-jazeerah University, Sudan were among foreign scholars at the conference.