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Najeem Folasayo Salaam heads the Osun State House of Assembly and is the number three person in term of governance in the present administration in the state. The former Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, a native of Ejigbo State Constituency, in this interview, speaks on the parliament and state of affairs in response to the opposition’s allegation against the executive. Excerpts:

Salaam

In the last three years, the State Assembly under your leadership has been peacefully conducting its affairs; does that mean there is no cause for any settlement among members and with the executive arm of government headed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola? 

Let me start by saying that I have a peculiar parliament under a peculiar government at a peculiar time. Peculiar parliament in the sense that the house comprises 26 members of the same political platform, All Progressives Congress, to be precise. Naturally, it is convenient for a cynic to say that our operation is to rubber-stamp the decision of executive on any given issue. But I make bold to say that no parliament with same party members is more vibrant and robust in debate. This is because arguments are always objective, not sentimental, unlike a divided house where you have lawmakers arguing along the line of political wavelength.

Besides, the resultant effect of our unity of purpose is that we are able to point to a fact that only laws that would have positive and direct impact on the welfare of the people would be considered for passage, and that has been our lot since.

So, what are those laws that the parliament under your watch has passed, and what is their impact on the society?

We have passed many laws in the last three years. In terms of numbers, we have passed close to 25 of them. For instance, the Osun State HIV/AIDS Agency law that we passed is to assist people living with AIDS and HIV to be comfortable and free from stigmatization by the society. It also defines and describes how the funds accrued to the superintending agency would be managed. Besides, we have law on State Security Trust Fund, which was enacted to energize the security regime of the state government, and all stakeholders were mobilized for public hearing to make input before its passage. Today, Osun is not only peaceful, but also secure for any given investment. Ask any of the banks in all parts of the state; ask the people on the street or stakeholders in financial institutions, they will tell you that things have changed.

How much has changed?

Before the advent of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration, it was always a field day for armed robbers. Let the banks and people of Osun confirm or deny this. Do you know that some of the banks that closed shop and fled in my home town, Ejigbo, have not returned up till now; it was just because they have not recovered from the shock of persistent robberies that took place.

Also, we passed a law re-organizing the name of the state to State Government of Osun from Osun State, our flag which symbolizes our collective history, and crest that depicts our identity, all these were not there before.

We equally amended the public procurement law when we found out that the repealed or amended law was structured around one man, the governor. The new law now gives room for tender board, where things could be done without unnecessary bottleneck. Today, the result is springing up everywhere: roads, bridges, schools, infrastructure, and beautification here and there.

There is this allegation by the opposition that the state government has borrowed up to N300 billion to finance its projects. As the head of the legislative arm of the government that must have been in the know, what is your reaction to that?

Well, the allegation is not only unfounded, but also defied all rules of logics, because I could not fathom how the so-called opposition comes about the funniest figures thrown up. In the first premise, I say no to that. But let us assume that the information has element of proposition, how would such debt profile be kept under wraps? Tell me of a bank or consortium of banks that will make the facility available to a state, because loan has rule of engagement. One of them is that you cannot get what you cannot earn. So, can Osun earn N300 billion in two years? So, it is no issue, please confine it to the dustbin.

By virtue of your position, could you volunteer how and where Governor Rauf Aregbesola is getting money to executive all his ambitious projects?

Get one thing straight, Aregbesola is a symbol of possibility, and his intellectual capacity dwarfs riddles of his critics and cynics. This is a man who had drawn his blueprint long before he got the mantle of leadership, he had done his homework perfectly well, and he knew methods to apply in sourcing funds. Yes, he indicated one time the need to source credit line, which has calculated interest from what you draw not obtained as a whole, but it was obtained to buy off the N18.3 billion loan that was obtained to build six stadia with 30 percent completion. But our state regained its balance to the best of my knowledge through the financial engineering of Aregbesola. So, the way and manner he is getting funds for all projects is spectacular but open to whoever cares a hoot to know. One of them is plugging leakages in governance, and prudence that separates political office holders of today from yesterday’s men.

Is it true that Governor Aregbesola once proposed to Islamicise the state?

I would want to answer your question this way. Yes, he wants to Islamize the state along these lines: Aregbesola threw himself into the electioneering campaign of the 26-member House of Assembly, where 15 members are Christian faithfuls. Aregbesola selected 10 Christian commissioners out of 14. He selected nine Christians as Special Advisers out of 10. He had hosted more Christian leaders, and participated in several Christian conventions and revivals, as a statesman. If these are the characteristics of a man with Islamization agenda, I think he wanted to, but if they pointed to leadership with sense of responsibility, the insinuation can be said to be product of idle opposition that is earnestly seeking relevance, having lost power disgracefully.

In the last three years, what would the state House of Assembly under your watch celebrate as milestone?

The last two years has been very eventful, aside from being partners in the ongoing progress and developmental drive in the state, the infrastructural structures of this parliament have witnessed unprecedented attention. We have succeeded in moving our analogue chamber to digital, and the qualities of laws we have made available have manifested positive results. So, we have a lot, depending on what you want.

DAILY INDEPENDENT

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Osun CAN Harps On Prayer Over Forthcoming Guber Poll

As August 9 governorship election in Osun State draws nearer, the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ijesa zone of the state has stressed the need to pray fervently for the state and nation to witness peaceful and hitch-free poll.

The association, therefore, organised a three-day intense prayers so that the state could witness peace before, during and after the August 9 governorship election in the state.

The prayers, which were said simultaneously in all the ten local government areas in Ijesa zone, were rounded off at the weekend. The prayers were centred on peaceful co-existence in the state and the nation at large.

Speaking after the prayer session, the CAN chairman for Ilesa East, Evangelist Jegede I. O said it is pertinent for all Christians to pray for the state, as this is their Jerusalem, quoting the scripture that says “pray for Jerusalem and those that love it will do exploit”.

DAILY INDEPENDENT

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AWARD HOPELINK  2

Photos from the Presentation of Award on Meritorious Services to governor Aregbesola by LAUTECH Teaching  Hospital, Osogbo Chapter at  GMT Event Centre Osogbo, during the weekend

Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olufemi Fadiora Presenting  Award of Meritorious Services to the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Chairman Hopelink Solidarity forum (HSF), Pharmacy Remi Popoola during the Presentation of Award on Meritorious Services to governor Aregbesola by Lautech Teaching  Hospital, Osogbo Chapter at  GMT Event Centre Osogbo, during the weekend

Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olufemi Fadiora Presenting Award of
Meritorious Services to the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
and Chairman Hopelink Solidarity forum (HSF), Pharmacy Remi Popoola during
the Presentation of Award on Meritorious Services to governor Aregbesola
by Lautech Teaching Hospital, Osogbo Chapter at GMT Event Centre
Osogbo, during the weekend

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola(middle), Chairman Hopelink Solidarity forum (HSF), Pharmacy Remi Popoola(3rd left) and others during the Presentation of Award on Meritorious Services to governor Aregbesola by Lautech Teaching  Hospital, Osogbo Chapter at  GMT Event Centre Osogbo, during the weekend

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola(middle), Chairman Hopelink
Solidarity forum (HSF), Pharmacy Remi Popoola(3rd left) and others during
the Presentation of Award on Meritorious Services to governor Aregbesola
by Lautech Teaching Hospital, Osogbo Chapter at GMT Event Centre
Osogbo, during the weekend

Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olufemi Fadiora Presenting  Award of Meritorious Services to the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Chairman Hopelink Solidarity forum (HSF), Pharmacy Remi Popoola during the Presentation of Award on Meritorious Services to governor Aregbesola by Lautech Teaching  Hospital, Osogbo Chapter at  GMT Event Centre Osogbo, during the weekend

Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olufemi Fadiora Presenting Award of
Meritorious Services to the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
and Chairman Hopelink Solidarity forum (HSF), Pharmacy Remi Popoola during
the Presentation of Award on Meritorious Services to governor Aregbesola
by Lautech Teaching Hospital, Osogbo Chapter at GMT Event Centre
Osogbo, during the weekend

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Obafemi-Awolowo

Obafemi-AwolowoLEGAL icon and founder of the Afe Babalola Babalola University,  Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, has noted that the vision of Chief Obafemi Awolowo has remained the torchlight illuminating the paths of political gladiators in Nigeria, even till today.
Chief Babalola, who stated this while receiving staff members of Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance, Osogbo, Osun State, led by it Director-General, Professor Moses A. Makinde, that paid him a visit in his office, said Awolowo’s ideals and philosophy were the light to the political and educational emancipation of the country.

According to the legal icon, Awolowo was a man of “uncommon vision and had uncommon ways of achieving the vision,” noting that that was why “he first trained teachers before introducing the free education that is second to none on the continent.”

The ABUAD president also hailed Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, for the vision of founding the Awo centre to inculcate the spirit of Awolowo and propagating hard work and academic excellence in line with Awo’s ideology.

Professor Makinde, in his speech on the occasion, described Chief Babalola as “a colossus, who made education a priority and as his major agenda and followed it up with the establishment of one of the best private universities in Africa and noted by UNESCO.”
Professor Makinde, who unveiled the centre’s programme to the ABUAD president, said the curriculum included training in basic philosophy and character traits for ethics that would promote ideology and good governance based on the philosophy of Chief Awolowo and other statesmen of like minds.
He lauded Chief Babalola for the vision of ABUAD and recalled his “remarkable work” as the pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, saying his wealth of experience would help “the young, but vibrant ABUAD,” noting that “that is why it is not a surprise to anyone that the institution is going places.”
TRIBUNE

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OBOPS – 2

Governor Rauf Aregbesola gave the assurance at Ila-Orangun, in Ila Local Government Area of the state, at a political rally for his re-election in the August 9 Gubernatorial poll.
Addressing a large crowd at the campaign ground, Aregbesola said since 2010, his administration had imparted positively on the life of the people.
He cited the provision of good roads, drugs, ambulances, construction of modern classrooms, bursary, meals and computer to students popularly called ‘Opon Imo’(Tablet of Knowledge).
He said 6,000 Youths from Ila, Ifedayo and Boluwaduro Federal Constituency making up the area have benefited from the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, while the elderly people have been supported with monthly stipends worth eighteen million naira.
The governor urged the people of the area to come out in their large number on Election Day and cast their votes for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also speaking at the rally, the Interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, who is a prominent indigene of the town, commended the different developmental projects embarked upon by the Aregbesola administration.
He called on the people to give the administration another chance to complete the beautiful programmes it had started in the past three and half years.
The first executive Governor of Osun state, Isiaka Adeleke, said the state had witnessed tremendous development since 2010, which should be built upon with the re-election of the incumbent governor.
VOICE OF NIGERIA

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Osun Will Not Sack Workers – Speaker

Najeem Salaam, the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, on Friday said there was no plan by the state government to retrench any of its workers.

Salaam spoke while addressing traditional rulers in Egbedore Local Government Area at Awo in Osun.

The speaker said that rather than sack workers, the state government planned to employ more workers to reduce the rate of unemployment in the state.

“Governor Rauf Aregbesola is not ready to sack any worker. He will rather employ more workers than to sack any at all.

“If he is ready to sack workers, he could have done that a long time ago, but rather than sacking anybody, he has been employing workers,” the speaker said.

Salaam used the opportunity to urge civil servants in the state not to panic, promising that the government would continue to give their welfare adequate priority.

The speaker said the aim of the visit to the local government area was to sensitise people on the coming 9 August gubernatorial election.

Salaam urged the people to come out during the election to cast

PM NEWS

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One Million March for Ogbeni-1

The current security challenges the country is facing has been attributed to the economic depression the nation  is facing.

Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the assertion today in Osogbo at the opening of a two -day capacity building training for security personnel .

Speaking further at the workshop organised by the society for Peace Studies and Practice of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Ogbeni Aregbesola highlighted unemployment, lack of infrastructural development and claim of superiority of one religion over the other as other causes of the security challenges the nation is facing.

Ogbeni Aregbesola ,who stated that peace is not just the absence of violence but also the absence of animosity among the people, stressed that peace can not be bought but built through mutual understanding.

Establishing a link between economic depression and social challenges, the governor stressed that social crisis is always a product of economic hardship the people are facing, noting that the crisis in the north is a manifestation of lack of development.

He however urged religious leaders to guide against making their followers believe that one religion is superior to the other.

He urged that nobody should be forced to practice any religion while calling for respect for every belief and faith.

The state Governor ,who condemned the actions of suicide bombers in the country, described them as psychopaths who have been derailed by a lot of negative vices.

In his address, Chairman, Board of trustees, Society for Peace and Practice, Prof. Olawale Albert stated that the institute was brought together with a view to working for the peace of the country.

He commended the Governor for the tremendous work going on in the state while appreciating the Governor for investing so much into the peace of the state.

He also expressed delight at the creation of a mediation center in the state, saying the institute will do all it takes to support it.

Security agents present include the Nigerian Police, the State Security Service, the Nigerian Security and Civil defence Corps among others.

OSUN NEWS

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folake

folakeThe Osun State Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs. Mofolake Adegboyega, says the state government will continue to put in place measures to eradicate child labour.
Adegboyega made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Osogbo.
He said the International Labour Organisation was opposed to engaging children in labour instead of providing them social protection.
Adegboyega said, “A large number of Nigerian children are being engaged in forced, paid and unpaid domestic work which has made them vulnerable to abuse.
“The administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola has kicked against child abuse and hard labour while numerous policies are being put in place in favour of children to better their tomorrow.
“Children should be safeguarded from abuse while we should improve the social protection and national social security system that are sensitive to their success and upbringing.”
The commissioner expressed support for the well being of children in the state and called on parents not to expose their children to vices.
She called for the continued support of government, organisations, civil society, schools, youths, women groups and media in the campaign against child labour.

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2014 JUNE 12 1

2014 JUNE 12 1

Activities marking this year’s June 12 anniversary were held in some states of the federation yesterday with some governors making various requests for free and fair election for the sustenance of democracy in the country.

The day is usually set aside by mostly governors and civil society organisations to remember  the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election presumed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.
In Osun State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, called Nigerians not to allow people chosen to govern them be subverted by anti-democratic forces.
Aregbesola who spoke at the Nelson Mandela Park in Osogbo, the state capital, said what the country desperately needed is true democracy, which must be nurtured for it to develop, progress and be stable.
The governor said the people had come a long way remembering the callousness of the military to annul the freest and fairest election in the history of the country.
According to him, the annulment of the presidential election dragged the nation into anarchy, which it is yet to extricate itself till date. He cautioned Nigerians to make sure that such ominous event does not repeat itself again.
The governor averred that only those who do not have agenda for the masses revel in backwardness of its people and country.
“What is important for us is that democracy must be nurtured in our society if we are really interested in the progress, security and peace of the nation.
“With the annulment of June 12, presidential election, the nation teetered into a state of anarchy. That annulment set us back politically, economically and spiritually.
“There is an eternal struggle between forces of light and that of darkness. So, there will always be a conflict in the society between those committed to serving the people and those who intend to serve themselves and their pocket.
“Therefore, those who have no agenda for the people are the ones who revel in backwardness,” Aregbesola said.
He added that the essence of the June 12 celebration was to domesticate the consequences of that obnoxious act of the military and guard against its re-occurrence.
The governor disclosed that the good governance which the winner of the June 12 annulled election, Abiola, promised Nigerian is what his (Aregbesola’s) government is offering the people of the state.
Aregbesola called on the federal government to therefore, recognise Abiola as the winner of that presidential election and give him a posthumous rights and privileges attached to him as elected president of the nation.
EXCERPTS FROM THISDAY

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gov_rauf-aregbesola1-351x185Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, on Thursday, urged the electorate in the state to vote and stay back to defend their votes by recording the proceeding with their camera phones.
The governor, who spoke in Osogbo at the rally organised by civil society groups to commemorate the June 12 anniversary, said the electorate should not allow the August 9 governorship election in the state to be manipulated.
The governor, who said that voting in the polls was not enough, stressed that voters should stay back at the polling booths in defence of their votes by recording on their phones the voting, counting and announcement processes.
Aregbesola urged the people of the state to go and collect permanent voter’s cards to enable them participate in the election.
He said, “We must vote. Vote is our constitutional right. We must also defend our votes. Nothing must stop us from doing that. We must not be intimidated to defend our votes. Yoruba people defended the sanctity of June 12; and that is why we are gathered here today.
“If not for the electorate, especially the Yorubas that fought in defence of their votes on June 12, 1993, we will not have the civil rule we are enjoying now. It is very important to vote and defend that vote with all legal means.
“The Yorubas had no guns, no weapons, yet they fought for June 12. We must also ensure that our votes are secured in this coming election.
“Your vote is your right. You must vote wisely. We must before the election register as voters and certify that our names are on the voters list of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Do not allow anybody to take your voter cards from you. That is your license to choose who governs you.
“We voted in 2011 and it was peaceful and we won. We should expect the same thing in 2014. The voice of the people must be heard. Our votes must count and democracy must continue to grow in Nigeria. That is the doctrine of June 12.”
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Civil and Popular Affairs, Waheed Lawal, in an interview with journalists, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to name UNIABUJA after the winner of the June 12 presidential election, the late Chief MKO Abiola.
He said, “Over 140m Nigerians trooped out on June 12, 1993 to cast their votes for Abiola. So, what the Federal Government is trying to do is to sectionalise June 12 when President Jonathan made an attempt to name UNILAG after Abiola. But we are saying that Abiola won election in Nigeria and not South-West alone, he won in the North and the East, he won everywhere.”
PUNCH

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