Ahead of the gubernatorial election slated for August 9 in Osun State, a group of professionals under the aegis of People’s Welfare League (PWL), organised a two-day economic summit in Osogbo, capital of the state to appraise the performance of the incumbent administration and to chart a way forward for government for the good of the indigenes of the state.
The summit drew together representatives of key civil societies, trade unions, cottage industry owners, community-based organisations, business promoters, banks and allied organisations, the academia as well as other professionals.
The event also afforded indigenes the opportunity to tell their stories on the impact of government on their individual lives.
In his keynote address on the first day of the summit, Rauf Aregbesola, governor of Osun State, said it was unnecessary for him to blow his own trumpet, stating that indigenes of the state are in a better position to do the trumpeting for him.
However, brandishing a publication of BusinessDay, where the Research Unit of the newspaper had skillfully captured the exploits of the administration in line with the ratings by some credible institutions, Aregbesola pointed out that Osun came second after Lagos State in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in 2012.
It was also disclosed that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had also put the unemployment rate in the state at 3 percent. The governor said his administration met an unemployment rate percentage of over 12, but that through vision, focus and hard work, the ugly trend has been reversed for the good of the people, adding that the state has the lowest poverty index in Nigeria today.
The governor announced to his audience that if “you match our low unemployment rate and crystal poverty rate; we are simply the best governed state in Nigeria”.
BUSINESS DAY
Category: News
Photos from the BusinessWorld Newspaper Award where Governor Aregbesola was awarded the Most Innovative Governor in his First Term Tenure

From left, Chairman of the Occasion/Interim National Chairman, All
Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande; Governor State of
Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his Wife, Mrs Sherifat and Guest
Speaker, Professor Pat Utomi, during the Presentation of BusinessWorld
Newspaper Award to Aregbesola as the Most Innovative Governor in his
First Term Tenure at Zenababs Hotels and Resort, Ilesa, State of Osun
on Saturday 03-05-2014.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd left) receiving
the BusinessWorld Newspaper Award as the Most Innovative Governor in
his First Term Tenure from Chairman of the Occasion/Interim National
Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande (left),
during the Award Presentation at Zenababs Hotels and Resort, Ilesa,
State of Osun on Saturday 03-05-2014. With them are, Wife of the
Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola (3rd right); Chairman, BusinessWorld
Newspaper, Mr Daisi Omidiji (2nd left); Speaker, State House of
Assembly of Osun, Honourable Najeem Salam (2nd right) and Guest
Speaker, Professor Pat Utomi (right).

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right) receiving
the BusinessWorld Newspaper Award as the Most Innovative Governor in
his First Term Tenure from Chairman of the Occasion/Interim National
Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande (left),
during the Award Presentation at Zenababs Hotels and Resort, Ilesa,
State of Osun on Saturday 03-05-2014. With them are, Wife of the
Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola (right) and Chairman, BusinessWorld
Newspaper, Mr Daisi Omidiji (2nd left).


Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd left), displaying
his BusinessWorld Newspaper Award as the Most Innovative Governor in
his First Term Tenure, during the Award Presentation at Zenababs
Hotels and Resort, Ilesa, State of Osun on Saturday 03-05-2014. With
him are, Chairman of the Occasion/Interim National Chairman, All
Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande (left), Wife of the
Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola (3rd right); Chairman, BusinessWorld
Newspaper, Mr Daisi Omidiji (2nd left); Speaker, State House of
Assembly of Osun, Honourable Najeem Salam (2nd right) and Guest
Speaker, Professor Pat Utomi (right).
It is just simply difficult to keep pace with the transformation going on in the state under the maverick governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; a governor with a vision to turn the state into a model state of agricultural bounty, infrastructural beauty and technological pre-eminence; and backing that vision up with a zeal and integrity even larger in measure.
It was only by chance (on a private visit) that I was in Osogbo, the state capital, last week Tuesday and opportune to witness the latest of the many innovations of Ogbeni being unveiled to the people of the state. Tagged “I AM ALIVE”, it is the Smart ID Card and biometric automation of all the employees of the state’s civil service, a forerunner of the total biometric identification system of the populace.
Typical of politicians, a fanfare was made out of the occasion. Rightly so though, for, as the ICT firm, Chams Plc, that partnered the state for the product claimed, it is the first of such in Nigeria! The state government contracted Chams to deploy and automate a payroll solution and human resource application for the state civil service, including (and in particular) all pensioners.
The end product that I saw upon its launch is amazing. It looks every inch like your regular ATM card but on it is every conceivable information necessary to identify and assist the bearer in an emergency, such as, blood group, date of birth, designation, local government, etc. And embedded within it, we are told, are sundry other details which the card reader would reveal about the bearer.
It doesn’t take much stretch of the imagination to appreciate the overall value and cost advantage of the Smart ID Card both in saved man-hours, personnel management efficiency, and probity. Wasn’t it but yesterday the country was awash with scandal upon scandal of billions of naira of pensions money embezzled, not to talk of the ordeal pensioners continually suffer in the process of getting paid their paltry dues monthly?
The Smart ID Card also doubles as an ATM, permitting holders to draw their salaries with ease and on time. Moreover, holders are allowed to overdraw their accounts by up to 20% of their salaries at a minimal interest rate; and powered by the Mastercard technology the card is usable locally and internationally.
According to the governor, “it was through ICT application to our tax administration and revenue collection that enabled us to increase our internally generated revenue (IGR) by 100% within the first few months of our administration. We have since intensified our effort to make ICT an inherent part of our public administrative system. Through this smart card system, the workers get their salaries paid directly to their accounts instead of through any intermediary points.”
Speaking further on the benefit of the system to pensioners, Ogbeni added, “By clearly identifying the living from the dead, this system stops the dead (ghosts) from coming to steal money from the living. It makes certain that only retirees who are ‘ALIVE’ receive payment. This affirms the sense in the project’s title, ‘I AM ALIVE’.”
We must not forget that it was only some months ago the State of Osun launched its novel “Opon-Imo” education/knowledge tablet for upper secondary school students, a “magical” device that automatically levels the playing (sorry, learning) field for all students, rich and poor, by making accessible to all electronic versions of the various textbooks needed in all subjects plus scores of past question papers and sundry other educational materials. Experts believe that with the opon-imo the state is likely to become by far the leading state in secondary school academic performance within the next couple of years.
Coupled with this is the elementary school pupils’ feeding provision that yields instant full enrolment and attendance of elementary school age children in the state and has become a case study for emulation by a number of other states. Not to mention the welfare package for the aged and the employment generation strategies in place that has reportedly earned the state one with the lowest unemployment figures (3%) in the country.
Everywhere you turn in the state you find some development or another going apace: stretches of roads; impressive buildings for elementary and secondary schools; an industry or another; airport with first-of-its-kind-in-Nigeria hanger for aircraft repairs; agricultural projects; and so on, and so forth. One cannot but wonder how Ogbeni, who I call ‘the guru’, does it.
And if you think this is undue praise-singing, then I challenge you to visit Osun on my bill and pay back if I’m right.
I did hint in the beginning that this is an election year, but that the people are probably too dazzled by the unprecedented development around them to be ambivalent, making the endorsement of Ogbeni for a second term almost a foregone conclusion. It is difficult, almost impossible, to find a match for Ogbeni at this point. And the disarray in the main opposition party could not be more fortuitous.
It is a wonderful time to be “ALIVE” in Osun! And I mean it.
PUNCH

Prime Football Club lifted the Osun FA Cup, as they overcame Ajiroba Ooni Football Club of Ile-Ife, at the National Youth Development Centre, Ode Omu.
The Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Jos, at the weekend commended the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for his focused leadership and the positive transformation of the state.
Speaking on behalf of NIPSS, Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju at a Dinner organised by the state government, for members of Course 36 Batch 5 NIPSS who are on the tour of the country, noted that Aregbesola’s style of leadership should be copied by other states.
Onituju pointed out that Aregbesola’s administrations’ programmes is one of the best in the country in the area of youth empowerment.
He stated that this empowerment is enhancing productivity in the state and reducing the level of insecurity.
According to the Air commodore, “In our tour of Osun, we found focused leadership. The state Anthem is more than promotion of the “Omoluabi” concept. The introduction of a unique selection of the leadership of the civil service in the state is a thing that should be copied by other state.
“We also noted the aggressive effort by the governor in opening up Osun through road networks. What actually amuses us most was when we followed the governor for the commissioning of roads in Osogbo and people were coming out in their thousands to appreciate the governor, that showed that he is loved by his people.
“We also found out the bold effort of the administration on the Airport project and the improvement and the beatification of the Railway station in Osogbo,” Onitiju told audience at the dinner.
He also commended the feeding programme of the government, saying a nourishing food once a day round the week is capable of developing the pupils mentally and physically and prepare them for later years’ challenges.
“Your school feeding programme which has attracted more children of school age to enroll themselves back to school has positively impacted on the educational development of the state with high nutritional value for the building of the young minds into robust adulthood.
“The state’s school re-classification policy which is in tandem with the UNESCO educational standard – though criticised by those who didn’t take time to study the policy – is a model for Nigeria educational development.
“We only hope that Governor Rauf Aregbesola stays focused and committed towards the actualisation of all his policies and programmes for the good people of Osun,” Onitiju said.
In his response, Governor Aregbesola commended the vision of the founders of NIPSS and acknowledged the guiding philosophy of the institute, which is hinged on course participants going round the country to have total knowledge of what the nation looks like.
He however lamented that the country has not seized the opportunity of its diversity to build a strong and virile nation.
“We have not used our diversity to the best advantage. Our diversity should be a major advantage for us because most great nations of the world converted their diversity to strength and greatness.
“Our own diversity too should form the basis for our growth, strength and development rather than for it to retard our progress,” Aregbesola said.
He urged NIPSS management to also extend its knowledge of the country in all spheres of governance with the state as it does to the Federal Government.
He admonished NIPSS to use the opportunity of tour around the country to assess the performance of any government it visits so that such state would have the opportunity of getting feedback and make amends where necessary.
Aregbesola added that his government is striving to provide what its people need to set the state apart from others, saying with the way the state is being upgraded in terms of infrastructure, the state will be a reference point in the next ten years.
Photos from the visit of the Director General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Tijani Mohammed, to the Governor, after their assessment tour of the State, Osogbo, at the weekend

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) and Director General,
National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor
Tijani Mohammed, during a visit to the Governor, after thier
assessment tour of the State, Osogbo, at the weekend

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Director General, National Institute for Policy and
Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Tijani Mohammed and Secretary to the
State Government of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, during a visit to the
Governor, after an assessment tour of the State Osogbo, at the weekend

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right); his Deputy, Mrs
Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd left); Director General, National Institute for
Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Tijani Mohammed (right );
Directing Staff, NIPSS, Air Commodore Ademola Onitiju (left) and others,
during a visit to the Governor, after an assessment on the State,
Osogbo, at the weekend
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OSUN, OGBENI RAUF AREGBESOLA, AS RECIPIENT OF THE ‘MOST INNOVATIVE NIGERIAN GOVERNOR IN FIRST TERM AWARD’ ORGANISED BY THE BUSINESSWORLD NEWSPAPER, HELD AT ZENABABS HOTEL AND RESORT, IJEBU-JESHA ROAD, ILESA, ON SATURDAY MAY 3, 2014
Protocols,
WILLING AND READY TO DO MORE
I am filled with unspeakable joy and indescribable happiness as I gather with all of you who have come to rejoice with me on this memorable occasion of my being graciously decorated as the Most Innovative Nigerian Governor in First Term by the well-regarded BusinessWorld Newspaper.
May I most humbly express my appreciation to the forward-looking management and percipient Editorial Board of BusinessWorld newspaper for freely choosing to confer on me this precious award.
I am enormously grateful to you for carefully monitoring the consistent implementation of our people-oriented policies and for the encouragement you are giving to our administration through this award.
I sincerely dedicate the award to all the supportive people of the State of Osun who from the very beginning never doubted my competence and ability to productively manage their resources and effectively transform their lives.
What BusinessWorld is acknowledging and identifying with today are the unmistakable results of the innovative governance which my administration has brought to bear in our drive towards putting our state and people irreversibly on the path of economic abundance and multifarious people-centred development.
What we have done in Osun since we assumed office is what anyone entrusted with power is unavoidably expected to do. We saw manifold, human-made socio-economic and political problems eroding the human dignity of our people and we responded with the requisite solutions.
I must, however, note that the unique thing about our obligatory intervention is its unprecedented, markedly innovative and unconventional nature. In its philosophical outlook and underlining framework, the blueprint of our administration is decidedly and unalterably people-centred.
We had clearly realised even before we took office that viable, sustainable development would be a sorely dispiriting mirage if it is not comprehensively people-focused and intensely innovative. Such people-regarding governance, I am confident to aver, is the efficacious balm with which we have healed Osun of its many avoidable socio-economic and political disorders. And this happened just within a single term of our being in office.
To be precise, the innovation we have engendered in purposefully translating our practicable vision of development into enduringly beneficial reality is evident in the public education system of the state.
It is there in the tablet computer (Opon-Imo) we distributed to our High School students; it is there in our Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEALS); it is there in the completion of 2,000 new modern classrooms in 39 schools; it is there in the free school uniforms given to all public school students; and the in the smart biometric ID cards soon to be distributed to the students, among many others.
For us, education is number one priority. It is the foundation of the development we earnestly work for; it is our passport to that future of enduring socio-economic greatness. This explains why we feel no qualm investing in it, for we are convinced, as Confucius was, that ‘no nation goes bankrupt educating its people’.
The fruits of our innovative governance are evident in our response to the stinging social malaise that is youth unemployment. That response, which is now a model favoured and recommended by the World Bank, has enabled us to positively engage 40,000 active youths in decent endeavours.
It must be noted that 20,000 of them were first salvaged from the unemployment lane within the first 100 days of our assuming office through the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O’YES). In other numerous areas including agriculture, we have created decent jobs for our youths.
To seek development of any kind without the organised involvement of youths is akin to the futile attempt of climbing a tree from the top. The loaded energy, boundless creativity, and vast competences of our youths need to be systematically tapped for the overall good of our country. That is the path Osun has found; and it is walking it steadfastly.
I must also let you know that in agriculture we have broken new grounds. In ways that have never happened in the history of Osun, we have provided huge financial support for our farmers. We are empowering them towards massive food production and food security. We believe strongly that importing food that we can grow here does not make any economic sense.
Similarly, we are under no illusion that agriculture also provides a viable solution to the scourge of unemployment problem. We do know for certain that agricultural economy that is grounded in food production cannot fail. Thus, we are revamping the old farm estates across the state and are encouraging immense investments in farming and agro-businesses.
Moreover, there is solid proof of innovation in our rehabilitation, reconstruction and construction of rural, local, intra-city, and inter-state roads. Good road infrastructure will not only enhance human living, it will equally boost trade and commercial activities. We have spent billions of naira in ensuring that roads in Osun do not serve as death traps but greatly enhance socio-economic activities for the well-being of our people.
In the colossal increase we have achieved in our monthly Internally Generated Revenue – which is now N1.6 billion, in contrast to the N300 million we met –, we have shown that innovative governance is significant for progress. We achieved this feat without any increase in tax. We are working to swell this figure to N5 billion.
We are not satisfied with the continuous dependence on Federal Allocations and its horrendous vagaries and limiting vacillations. In spite of Osun’s position as the 34th on the Federal Allocation ladder, we have shown that with creativity, innovation and unbending fidelity to prudence greater favourable developmental strides can be actualised. Thus, a recent report put Osun’s economy as the seventh largest in Nigeria.
I must not fail to mention that our Agba Osun (Osun Elders) Welfare Scheme is one other remarkable achievement of our Administration. This social welfare scheme targets the vulnerable elderly citizens of the state. These elderly citizens are given N10,000 monthly in addition to the free health programme specially provided for them. About N17 million is spent monthly to keep this programme going. Generally, our healthcare delivery to our people has greatly improved.
Distinguished audience, the harvests of good governance being enjoyed in Osun is not accidental. It is made possible through vision, passion, and innovation. That we could do much in our first term attests to the fact that our goal is the development of our people.
The point must be made that whether as leaders in their first or second term of office, there is really no excuse for non-performance. There is no reason why elected officials should not add value and meaning to the lives of the electorate in any term of office.
I am seeking re-election not because I want to rest from all that has been done in my first term of office. If my first term has been defined by invaluable works, my second term of office will be characterised by more works for the overall good of more number of our people.
Second term of office is no time to rest; it is another opportunity to beat the record set in human development in the first term of office. The work here is not yet finished. I am ready to do more, even breaking newer developmental grounds.
I believe, as the virologist, Jonas Salk, says, ‘The greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more’. I am willing and ready to do more for Osun. My inspired and inspiring message for my people is this: Greater things than you have seen under my watch will spring forth in my second term of office.
I should like to thank the BusinessWorld Newspaper again for their good gesture and encouragement. I will do more in service to humanity to justify the confidence you generously repose in me.
I thank you all for your cordial audience.

The one-time president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) praised the Aregbesola administration for its dogged commitment to the faithful implementation of his six point manifesto aimed at creating a more prosperous economy for the state.
According to him, ‘Osun State has been greatly transformed. When my tenure as secretary-general of OATUU ended, I had the choice of staying back in Accra, Ghana or coming back to Nigeria to live in Abuja or Lagos. However when I visited Osun , the transformation was so massive that it struck me in a big way and I have chosen to live here ever since then’.
‘I support all developmental initiatives that are people oriented and bring about development. Any government that has a pact with the people must honour and fulfill that pact for such government to remain a darling of the people. From the large turnout of the people at this event, it is clear that the people have keyed into and desired the wholesome success of the Aregbesola administration. It could be safely said that the current government in Osun is a people’s government’, he observed.
The Labour icon advised other governors and even the federal government on the need to study and adopt the Osun state template for socio-economic development .He added that the unemployment rate and poverty level in various regions of the country were growing unabated despite huge resources allocated to solving the problems.
” This is the type of approach the whole country needs. The federal government and other states must put politics aside and see how it is possible to replicate Osun’s pragmatic approach to employment generation and wealth creation all over the country. Nigeria will be the better for such selfless consideration’, he noted.
In a keynote address delivered at the summit, the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, described the current positive growth of the state’s economy as a pointer to deliberate and strategic application of good governance in an environment that was once a typical picture of an economy in total decline.
He said although his administration met a State groaning under heavy pains of rising unemployment rate and critical decay of public infrastructure, the tide, however, changed with application of ingenious people friendly economic strategies backed with selfless desire to change the fate of the poor economy.
Governor Aregbesola added that with clear vision, efficient structuring of the state transactions, credible management of the State project financing and strategic private-public partnership, the state has been re-positioned as the state with the lowest poverty index in Nigeria according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) latest ranking of states in the country.
Comrade Abiodun Agboola, Chairman of People’s Welfare League (PWL), the non-governmental organization that initiated the summit, observed that the group will make the event an annual ritual as a way of acting as an independent body to review activities of government within the public domain.
He noted that, ‘PWL as the third of eye of the public has elected to shoulder the responsibility of bringing the stakeholders together in order to assess the situation of the last 40 months in line with our tradition.’
The 2014 Osun Economic Summit had in attendance a broad-based representation of stakeholders in Osun economic milieu such as representatives of key civil societies, trade unions, cottage industry owners, community-based organizations, business promoters, banks and allied organizations as well as professionals.
THE NIGERIAN VOICE
The Osun State Governor, Ogbeni. Rauf Aregbesola, has called on security agencies in all African countries to come to the aid of their Nigerian counterparts to fight the war against Boko Haram insurgents.
The Governor made this appeal May Day celebration in Osogbo.
He said, “ Whether they like it or not, we will rescue our children and they (Boko Haram) will die in ignominy. It is disheartening to know that some people are engaged in killing and maiming. There is no justification for all what they are doing. Shame on you Boko Haram!
“I call on security agencies all over Africa to rally round security agents in Nigeria to put an end to this criminality.”
Aregbesola also commended the workers for the supports and cooperation’s given to his administration, promised to ensure their entitlements are denied.
He also lamented on the 40 per cent reduction in the fund accruing to the state from the Federation Allocation, He said that, the reduction had was the main reason why workers’ salary payment was delayed.
Aregbesola said, “ Forty per cent drop in allocation is a huge one. Salaries are delayed not because we are interested in tormenting anybody. But we are going to pay your full salaries.”
Meanwhile, The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress in the state, Mr. Francis Adetunji, commended the governor in his speech and also called on the FG to find a permanent solution to the insecurity in the nation.
OSUN DEFFENDER
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun, has debunked the allegation being peddled around by the former Head of Service and the governorship aspirant of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the State, Elder Segun Akinwusi that the present administration is planning to sack workers.
The governor who described Akinwusi’s allegation as baseless and a figment of his imagination, told workers that the present administration does not have it in mind to sack workers or cut down their salary.
Governor Aregbesola addressed the spurious allegation on Thursday May 1, 2014, while addressing a mammoth crowd of people consisting of civil servants, informal workers, traditional rulers, market men and women, students, political office holders among others who converged on the Government Technical College, Osogbo to mark this year workers day.
According to the governor, inspite of the dwindling allocation by almost 40 per cent since January 2013, Osun government still keeps its entire work force.
Aregbesola who charged civil servants and the entire citizens of the state to be alert and avoid being deceived, said the present administration has never contemplated the idea of retrenchment of workers, but is rather committed to the welfare and progress of all the workers.
He said: “We have the most workers friendly government that the state would ever have and we will ensure that the welfare of workers are not being tampered with. I am saying it categorically clear that this government has no intention to retrench workers, rather this government is committed to the welfare and progress of all of you.” he stated.
According to him, if he has an agenda to sack workers, Akinwusi would have been first casualty. “If I have intention to retrench I would have retrench Akinwusi himself when he was in service, I was kind with him, I gave him the car he used and everything, shame on him. The lies he was fabricating against us, is nothing but a blatant lie. With all the pressure mounted on me to remove him as HOS when I assumed office, out of compassion and my friendly posture, I retained him to complete his years in the service before he retired. It is therefore absurd and an act of insincerity and dishonesty for Adewusi to be spreading such unsubstantiated news about.” he declared.
On the why there has been a little delay in the payment of salary of the workers in the state, Aregbesola said, though, there may be delay but not that the government did not pay the salary, adding that the delay was as a result of the slash in the federal allocation.
He further explained that the recent lunching of the Osun Civil Servants Identity Cards and Bio-metric Automation of “I AM ALIVE” for the pensioners, was another testimony to the fact that the present government does not toy with the welfare of its workers.
Aregbesola noted that with the introduction of the smart card, any worker can withdrawn from his or her own bank account at any time and at any place, even though, he or she does not have money in that account once he/she is a worker.
While reacting on the present security challenges facing the country Aregbesola lambasted the Boko Haram sects for the abduction over 200 female students, saying such dastardly act was so disheartening for it lacks any justification.
He, therefore, called on all Nigerians and the security agencies in particular, to unite in one voice and say no to the continuation of the obnoxious action of the so called Boko Haram for Nigeria to witness peace.
Earlier, the Chairman, Trade Union Congress, State of Osun Council, Comrade Oladele Francis Adetunji expressed concerned on the current security challenges of the country.
Adetunji explained that, May Day Celebration required merry making but workers were sad because of the security situation in the country especially in the North, which he said has been in turmoil with the menace of the Bako Haram sect.
He noted that during the last year May Day Celebration, workers in the state through their speeches called on the Federal Government and Security agencies to find a lasting solution to the problem of Boko Haram, saying instead of the problem to be properly addressed the trend is rather getting worse. He challenged the Federal government and all security operatives in the country to brace-up and wipe out the faceless coward calling themselves Boko Haram.
He noted that the State of Osun as the most peaceful one, Adetunji appraised the effort of Governor Aregbesola for painstakingly bringing and maintaining peace in the state.
Adetunji commended Aregbesola for the peaceful atmosphere that pervades the state and the developmental programmes which cut across every sectors in the state, saying the school feeding programme of the administration would make the parents and pupils remain ever grateful to the state governor as it contributes to the healthy living of their children.
He identified other areas the administration has done very well as; infrastructural development, payment of stipend to the aged people in the state under AGBA OSUN Programme, flood control, building and naming of the Freedom Park after the renowned Freedom Fighter and former South African President, Nelson Mandela, among other achievements.
He urged the people of the state to shine their eyes when they go out massively to vote during the forthcoming governorship election slated for August 9, 2014.
BIOREPORTS