The Osun State Government had again announced an easy movement of people for the Christmas period with the 2013 Christmas/New Year free train ride.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Commerce Industry Cooperatives and Empowerment, Ismail Jayeoba-Alagbada, the free train  ride commenced Tuesday.
According to the statement, the Omoluabi train would convey people  from Lagos to Osogbo on December 24 and 28 from Osogbo back to Lagos at 10a.m. On the eve of the New Year, December  31 at 10a.m., the train would move people from Lagos to Osogbo and similarly from Osogbo to Lagos on January 5, 2014, by 10a.m.
Alagbada said the gesture by the state government would facilitate smooth and hitch-free transportation for people coming to the state during the yuletide. ‘The gesture by the Rauf Aregbesola-led government to people willing to come home during Christmas and New Year, is aimed at easing their travelling during the hectic period.
‘The free train ride which started in 2011, has become a regular gesture to both Christians and Muslims during festival periods. “With this arrangement, the state government has since put an end to problems normally encountered by commuters during these periods.
“Government therefore enjoins people from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States to seize the free train opportunity offered by the Aregbesola administration to come and celebrate Christmas and New Year in Osun State with their relatives,” the commissioner said
The government’s gesture had been acknowledged as part of the factors that have restored Nigerians’ hope in the viability of the train as a more economically better option for Nigerians.
THIS DAY

Osun State government is to adopt new approach to rural water supply and sanitation management to sustain proper hygiene in the state.
This was the submission of delegation of the state led by Special Adviser to governor on Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs, Mr Adekunle Ige to AFDB study programme in Ethiopia.
The team who included the state Head of Service, Mr Sunday Olayinka, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Rural Development and Communities Affairs, Lere Oriolowo and Programme Manager, Osun State Rural Water Environmental Sanitation Agency (RUWESA), Alhaji Bulaymen Posi, maintained that the study programme would go a long way in fast-tracking effective and efficient service delivery in the area of water supply and management.
Briefing newsmen in Osogbo on the study programme, the RUWESA Programme Manager, Alhaji Posi  said the tour had intimated the agency with the best practices on how to implement and sustain rural water supply and sanitation in the state.
Posi, who advocated setting up of maintenance committees in each community that benefited from the agency water scheme, noted that the committees would be in charge of monitoring, valuation and maintenance, as well as management.
While maintaing that the agency would not rest on its oars in the task of promoting open defecation-free communities, the programme manager explained that the agency would also employ community-based methodology approach to curtail the act.
He called on stakeholders in the sector to use the exchange programme to leverage on the existing policies in the sector to improve the standard of living of Osun citizenry.
He lauded the state government for its commitment towards provision of potable water to rural dwellers to enhance their economic status.
Among other management team of RUWESA who were part of the team included  Ademola Adebayo, Moyinoluwa  James and Mrs  Adenike Oladimeji, among others.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday inaugurated the state government assisted mass transit buses with 70 brand new buses distributed to members of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers.

Photos of the Governor and some dignitaries at the Christmas Carol Cantata 2013 organised by the State Government in conjunction with CAN Osun Chapter, at Government House, Osogbo, State of Osun

From left, Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Osun Chapter, Reverend Elisha Ogundiya; Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs
Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his Wife, Sherifat and Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Gabriel Aromolaran, during
the Christmas Carol Cantata 2013 organised by the State Government in
conjunction with CAN Osun Chapter, at Government House, Osogbo, State
of Osun

From left, Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Osun Chapter, Reverend Elisha Ogundiya; Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs
Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his Wife, Sherifat, during the Christmas Carol Cantata 2013 organised by the
State Government in conjunction with CAN Osun Chapter, at Government
House, Osogbo, State of Osun

From right, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his
Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori and Chairman, Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN) Osun Chapter, Reverend Elisha Ogundiya, during the Christmas Carol Cantata 2013 organised by the State Government in conjunction with CAN Osun Chapter, at Government House, Osogbo, State
of Osun

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) and Chairman,
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Osun Chapter, Reverend Elisha
Ogundiya (left) at the Christmas Carol Cantata 2013 organised by the
State Government in conjunction with CAN Osun Chapter, at Government
House, Osogbo, State of Osun

As christians world over celebrate the birth of Christ today, The Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has harped on the need for the spirit of love, tolerance and accommodation to be revived among all and allowed to reign supreme.
He made this known last night in Osogbo at the 2013 Christmas Carol Cantata held on the lawn of the government house,  Oke-Fia Osogbo.It was an avenue for Governor Aregbesola, his wife, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, Dep Gov, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori alongside other State Executive members and the Christian body in the State to share the fun of the season together.
Gov Rauf Aregbesola’s remark to the gathering was anchored on love for God and one’s neighbor as thyself.The gov who read from the book of Matt. 22:35-46 frowned at all acts amounting to discrimination and hatred among people and stressed the need for all to sacrifice ego, eschew bitterness and cover all with love.
Gov. Aregbesola used the avenue to again justify his government’s investment and commitment to education saying his effort is to build a system where every child is given the hope of a brighter future through quality education.With a reference to the successes of O-Meal, O-uniform, O-school project, Opon-Imo among other policies, the governor vowed to forge ahead in his effort noting that in 24months from now, education in Osun would have become a model for the nation.
He called for continued understanding and co-operation ,and assured that by February, every public school student in the state would have been given personal identity cards which will contain necessary information about them. The sermon for 2013 Xmas Carol Cantata was given by Arch. Bishop Leke Abegunrin who frowned at the level of moral decadence among public school students.He urged people to steer clear of repaying evil with evil but embracing forgiveness, reconciliation and repentance in the spirit of the season.
The carol featured readings of various portions of the Bible by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, the State Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo who was represented by Justice Yinka Afolabi among several others. Prayers were also said for the Govt, the people of the State of Osun and the nation while various choir groups from all blocks of CAN took turns to offer various tunes all in the spirit of the season, Christmas, which marks the celebration of the birth of christ.
 

Photos from the commissioning/Distribution of the vehicles at the Governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo, State of Osun on
Monday 23-12-2013

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), State of Osun, Reverend
Elijah Ogundiya (left), blessing the 70 Vehicles (18 sitter Toyota Commuter
Bus) before distribution to members of the National Union of Road Transport
Workers (NURTW) by the State Government. With him are Governor Rauf
Aregbesola (in white cap); his deputy Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd left); Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative and Empowerment, Hon. Ismaila
Jayeoba Alagbada (right) and others, during the commissioning/Distribution
of the vehicles at the Governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo, State of Osun on
Monday 23-12-2013

From left, Sterling Bank Regional Business Director (South West), Mr.Ayo
Adebayo; Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), State of Osun, Reverend Elijah Ogundiya; State of Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi
Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative and Empowerment, Hon. Ismaila Jayeoba Alagbada and others, during the Commissioning and Distribution of 70 Vehicles (18 sitter Toyota
Commuter Bus) to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers
(NURTW) by the State Government, at the Governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 23-12-2013

From left, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), State of Osun, Reverend Elijah Ogundiya; State of Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi
Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative and Empowerment, Hon. Ismaila Jayeoba Alagbada and others, during the Commissioning and Distribution of 70 Vehicles (18 sitter Toyota
Commuter Bus) to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers
(NURTW) by the State Government, at the Governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 23-12-2013

From left, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), State of Osun, Reverend Elijah Ogundiya; State of Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi
Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative and Empowerment, Hon. Ismaila Jayeoba Alagbada and others, during the Commissioning and Distribution of 70 Vehicles (18 sitter Toyota
Commuter Bus) to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers
(NURTW) by the State Government, at the Governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 23-12-2013

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, test driving a vehicle,
during the Commissioning and Distribution of 70 Vehicles (18 sitter Toyota
Commuter Bus) to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers
(NURTW) by the State Government, at the Governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 23-12-2013

Some of the 70 Vehicles (18 sitter Toyota Commuter Bus) to members of the
National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) by the State Government,
at the Governor’s office, Abere, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 23-12-2013

Cross Section of the State of Osun Indigenes and non-Indigence boarding Free Train Transport organised by the State Government of Osun, marking the Celebration of Xmas Festival, at the Idoo Terminal, Lagos State on Tuesday 24-12-2013

Osun State government, has paid N58.1 million as palliative to property owners at Mosalasi-Gaji, Igbona and Ayetoro axis of the Olorunda Local Government Area, affected by the ongoing road projects in the state.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, represented by Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olumuyiwa Ige, Presenting the cheque to the beneficiaries at the Local Government Service Commission hall, Abere, in Osogbo, the state capital,he said that despite the fact that the state gets less allocation from the Federal Government, “the governor still has sympathy for the masses, being an unusual people-friendly governor.”
He further disclosed that another cheque of N51million is available to be issued to cash crops farmers at Odo-Iju and Ibodi in Atakumosa Local Government Area of the state. Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civil and Public Matters, Comrade Waheed Lawal, commended Governor Aregbesola for fulfilling his promise to all the affected residents in the ongoing road projects in the state capital.
Waheed, therefore, advised beneficiaries to spend the money judiciously and to use it to improve on their wellbeing. Coordinator of the tenants and beneficiaries, Mr Moshood Oladejo, lauded Governor Aregbesola for the palliative measure extended to them.
Present at the event were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Wale Ojo; Director of Lands, Alhaji Tayo Hassan and hundreds of beneficiaries from Gaji-Mosque, Igbona and Ayetoro axis of the state capital.
OSUN DEFENDER