The governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has once again proven that the state remains the first among other states in the Nigerian federation in the empowerment of youths.
This was stated recently by the State Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Special Needs, Barrister Stephen Kola-Balogun, at the opening of a two-day briefing of stakeholders on the formation of Omoluabi Boys/Girls and Youth Clubs in the state.
According to him, till date, no state within the Federal Republic of Nigeria has established Boys/Girls and Youth Clubs, as this will be the first of its kind.
He noted the aim of the governor in creating the clubs is to re-orientate and re-direct the youths on the essence of moral etiquettes in the preparation of youths for future leadership.
In order to achieve this laudable programme, the commissioner said the governor has approved the formation of an inter-ministerial committee and the Omoluabi Clubs Delivery Sub-committee, which are saddled with the responsibilities of formulating the policies of the clubs.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths Empowerment Mr. Gbenga Odulaja, who was the lead speaker at the briefing, traced the origin of the country’s backwardness and the erosion of moral values in the society.
He therefore, praised the governor on the establishment of Omoluabi Youth Clubs, which will inculcate in the youths, values such as honesty, courage, methodology, innovation and law-abiding.
In her contribution, one of the stakeholders, Dr. (Mrs.) Durosimi, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, prayed that credible activities, such as vocational skills, be inculcated in the designing of the curriculum for the clubs, when fully started.
She also observed that credible role models should be part of the mentors of the clubs, when they start operation.
Also in his contribution, another participant, Dr. Bolaji Odutola, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, UNIOSUN prayed that the clubs should de-emphasize politics, so as not to endanger the objectives of the governor in establishing them.
The briefing, which was held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede, drew stakeholders from ministries, government agencies local government councils as well as secondary and tertiary institutions in the state.

THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OSUN ADDRESSING THE MAMMOTH CROWD DURING THE INAUGURATION OF SALVATION ARMY MIDDLE SCHOOL OSOGBO
IN the review of the ongoing infrastructural projects in the State of Osun, those projects situated at Osogbo, the state capital blaze trail. We have, in the first edition in this series explored the ugly situation of our infrastructure prior to the coming on board of the Rauf Aregbesola administration. We pointed out the spate of infrastructural decay which dominated the landscape in those dark days. We shall not at this stage be interested in boring our teeming readers with conducting the narrative of the spate of rot experienced at that time all over again. Rather, we shall concentrate on the fulfillment of our promise to showcase the numerous projects; completed or ongoing; executed by the incumbent administration in the state. Because of the numerous and widespread nature of these projects, we shall focus mainly on projects which tentacles cover the metropolis of Osogbo, the state capital. This is done so as to save time and space. Other works in other places shall be showcased as and when due under some other topics in a non-distant future time.
 
Since the inception of the Rauf Aregbesola administration in the State of Osun in November 2010, many giant strides have been taken, especially in the area of infrastructural development. First, upon the inauguration of the administration on November 27 that year, the very first step taken was to summon the contractors handling various projects that were abandoned, haphazardly executed or which were left at various stages of non-completion. A committee was saddled with the responsibility of mobilizing them back to site, revoking the contracts if necessitated and that of effecting the refund of the various contract sums back to the coffers of government. The assignment paid off well, as many of the hitherto abandoned roads were reopened for construction up to 100 per cent of completion. What transpired at that time was not secret to all discerning minds in the state.
Since that first frantic step was taken at the inception of the administration, the Government Unusual of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has been impacting positively on the lives of the citizenry of the state in many diverse ways; most especially, in the area of provision of road infrastructure. Till date, the Rauf Aregbesola administration has not relented in its efforts at bequeathing the legacy of good motorable roads to all nooks and crannies of the state. Apart from the many roads which have been completed and instantly put to use, many other road projects subsist at various stages of completion, and which await official commissioning at any date from hence. OSUN DEFENDER Magazine shall at this stage shift focus to the in-depth consideration of these numerous projects so as to serve as documentation and reminder for all, to attest to the fact that that the administration is working. We now turn to the apt consideration of these numerous road projects.
•Igbonna / Ago Wande / Oke Onitea / Winners’ Chapel / Ring Road Project
THIS road project, inherited by the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from the immediate past administration in the state, was at inception time of the administration at the state of abandonment, neglect and disuse. As a matter of fact, tongues were wagging that the road project and the possibilities of its completion had become a farce. That was even as it became glaring that the fund for its construction had been released, either in part or in full to the contractor in charge of the work. It was startling and stunning to find the contractors of the project fully mobilized back to site.
Upon the assumption of office of the Aregbesola administration in November 2010, work resumed on the project, and it was brought to completion before Christmas time that year. The first test of the usefulness of the road came during the Christmas festivities of 2010; precisely on the Christmas Eve on December 24, when due to traffic congestion on all access roads (all of which were then in a terrible state of disrepair), the road under consideration came to the rescue of motorists as the only escape route to the West Bypass (popularly called Ring Road). Since that time, it became clear that if all other linking roads in the state capital could be fixed, the problems and challenges of traffic congestion would have been flung overboard.
The case of this road is just only one instance among similar ones which were reopened by the new administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola all over the State of Osun. Today, all the roads have been made perfectly motorable.
 
 
 
 
•Olu Alabi / Anaye Market Link Way

THIS road was totally in a state of disrepair at the time of the inception of the incumbent administration. The situation of the road was worsened by the presence of a bridge which had cut off; thus making smooth crossover difficult for pedestrians, not to talk of motorists. Residents of the area, especially those who were mobile with one mode of transportation or the other did not find the situation amenable at all.
The drainage situation of the area was an eyesore. There were no clear-cut drainages at the road ends. To worsen matters, the supposed gutters and beds and banks of the stream which criss-cross the area became refuse dumping grounds for residents who could not find any better alternative for their refuse disposal needs. Because of this prevailing situation, the area became perennially flood and erosion-prone; as fortunes of property and several lives were lost to the annual recurrence of erosion torrents.
One sorry sight in the area, which deserves mentioning, was indiscriminate defecation along the adjoining railway and its sides. The identified cause of this practice was the absence of toilet facilities in most residential houses, market stalls and complexes which dotted the area. This unhygienic practice has become a thing of the past today, via the proactive intervention effort of the Aregbesola administration.
Time and again during the time of the fiery siege, the searchlights of OSUN DEFENDER Magazine beamed on the ugly spectacle presented by this very area and the untold hardship which its residents were made to undergo. The disastrous floods of 2009 and 2010 in particular still remain fresh in our memories; as we reckon that the horrible experience is not what the residents of the area could forget in few years to come.
Today, the wave of Rauf Revolution has beamed to that area of the Osogbo Metropolis; not only in the area of road construction, but also in the area of environmental sanitation. The area under focus is exemplary of good sanitation practice today. The road and drainages are now perfectly well fixed. Aside this, the road is a shortcut from the earlier-mentioned one; and it also serves to avert unnecessary traffic congestion. Again, this good work came, courtesy of Ogbeni Aregbesola’s administration in the State of Osun.
•West Bypass a.k.a. Ring Road
THIS road had been in existence since the time of some military administration in the state. It was however brought to the present level of conceptualization by the administration of Chief Bisi Akande. The road, stretching from the Mobile Police Headquarters Junction /rare of Osogbo City Stadium to link the Osogbo-Iwo Road at Dele Yessir area spans between 15 and 20 kilometres. It also presents a stretch of good motorable road to motorists who intend to avoid the hustle-bustle of the township traffic. This, to a large extent, serves to reduce traffic congestion of the state capital.
Before the coming on board of the incumbent administration, the purpose of constructing this road had been almost defeated, as various forms of illegal structures had begun to litter both sides of the road. Being a new road, various forms of workshop had occupied the roadsides and junctions. As if these activities were not enough, many residents of the metropolis found the patches of bushes at the edges of the road as ample refuse dumping ground. Activities of some motorists, especially the trailer drivers were also contributing to the deteriorating condition of the road. Burning of tyres on the road, especially at nights, with a view to draw attention of other road users to damaged vehicle spots, contribute to damaging the road.
Also, other human activities like human defecation, gathering of earth and sands for building projects and selling to tipper operators and indiscriminate mounting of kiosks, stalls and other forms of movable structures for commercial activities contributed to unnecessary rapid congestion and overcrowdedness along the road. Incursions and trespasses were made into the road boundaries/limits in an indiscriminate fashion. To cap it all, the street lights installed by the immediate past administration were just like mere decoration poles adorning that stretch of road. They never really provided light at night. Thus, the stretch of road provides ample hideouts for hoodlums, gangsters and criminals to carry out their nefarious activities under the guise of nocturnal darkness.
Today, all these anomalies are being radically addressed. Potholes and other accidentals which constituted persistent causes of road carnages are being fixed and incidences of carnages are being reduced to the barest minimum. The roadsides are being prepared for ornaments, while the street divides too are being prepared for the same purpose. The street lights are also made functional as the road is now well-illuminated at nights. Also, designated bus stops and pedestrian walkways are being planned for construction along that road.
•Bisi Bamikole Road / Owoeye / Apostolic Faith / Pepsi Cola / Obelawo Axis
THIS stretch of intercity roads links Oke Onitea with Omo West Area of the city. It provides another veritable shortcut to count down on unnecessary traffic congestion and aid easy, smooth human and vehicular movement within the state capital. Before the intervention of the Aregbesola administration, the stretch of link ways was in a horrible state. The roads were a persistent source of chronic headache for pedestrians and motorists alike.
As has been mentioned for other roads earlier in this report, the roads included in this segment were also plagued with sanitation challenges before the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola came up with its various intervention efforts. The absence of defined drainage facilities made the areas prone to water erosion and flooding to the detriment of residents. Also, residents were in the habit of indiscriminate refuse dumping. Indiscriminate defecation and emptying of sewage waste on the road were habits which had eaten deep into the fabric of the people.
Upon the approach of the intervention efforts of the Government Unusual, people were most prevalently pessimistic that the intervention would be pervading enough, especially, as the guise in vogue, which was the poser used by the previous administration was that the state was cash-squeezed; being a civil service state. But the pessimists were dumbfounded eventually, as the incumbent administration has, by its performances beaten the wildest imagination of all the people.
Not only did the intervention efforts see to the fixing of roads, but also the gutters and drains were fixed. The sanitation needs of the entire area have also been attended to promptly. The area today is a masterpiece of decency and good habitation.
•Qke Fia / Alekuwodo / Olaiya Junction

The picture shows the on-going project of beautification exercise at Alekuwodo area, Osogbo, the State capital as part of the urban renewal programme of the State Government of Osun on Sunday 08-09-2013
THIS road was initially constructed by the first military administration of Colonel Leo Segun Ajiborisa in the state. Subsequently, it received facelift from the first and second civilian administrations of Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke and Chief Bisi Akande respectively. Still, the road appeared like that of a glorified rural settlement. Its overriding importance, apart from the fact that it is situated in the heart of the state capital, is corroborated by the fact that almost all workers making it to the state capital from Iwo, Ilobu, Ejigbo, Ede and other axes of the state; even Ikirun/ Ila Orangun axes, en route Ring Road must pass through this road for one reason or the other. This road is therefore a crowd-puller, sort of.
It is in apparent recognition of the foregoing fact that the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola picked interest in the refurbishment and rehabilitation of the road to make it more effective and more useful to the teeming populace.
Long before now, efforts had been made by previous administrations in the state to decongest the road, especially by attempting to relocate the Alekuwodo Market, but these were all to no avail. Along the line, another market sprang up there. This was a market in building materials cum sawmill and plank market. All these compounded the problems associated with the congestion of the area.
There were two additional challenges closely knit to these afore-mentioned ones on this road. The first was the problem of poor channelization of drainage and water canals; while the second is the encroachment on the land acquired for use by the Nigeria Railway Corporation. Closely woven to the former was indiscriminate erection of building structures on waterways and its attendant disasters of perennial flooding; causing wanton destruction of lives and property.
All these calamitous situations have been reversed by the Government Unusual of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola within the space of three years of its dominance on the landscape of politics and governance of the State of Osun. First, the markets have been relocated with consummate ease; and without harm, injury or prejudice to affected traders. Secondly, the affected buildings on waterways have been demolished, with due compensation paid to affected property owners. Thirdly, proper channelization of canals and waterways has been carried out. These measures have helped to forestall the calamities associated with water flooding, erosion and the attendant annual disaster of destruction of lives and property. Also, the problems associated with congestion, which adversely affected human and vehicular movement have been averted.
Above all, the Oke Fia / Alekuwodo / Ola Iya Junction Road has today been rehabilitated. This has been so well done that what remains of the popular Alekuwodo Market has been fenced out from the road. The plank cum building materials market have been relocated elsewhere. The road today is so widened that there are enough tolerances for pedestrian walkways, bus stop stalls/ sheds, roadside drainages and ample fencing of residential and shopping buildings from the main road. This has so much eased tension of traffic in the axis that Alekuwodo is now an envy of all in the city. The sanitation needs of the area having been promptly attended to, the residents are today heaving sighs of relief, as they have been salvaged from the disastrous fangs of flooding and water erosion. In addition to this, the rod is now well lit to make nocturnal traffic and security easy and smooth.
•Orita Sabo / Orita Elelede / Igbonna / Owode / Oluode
These network of roads were not so good at the time of the ascension of power of the incumbent administration.  They were too narrow and devoid of drainages for easy flow and passage of erosion water. Few kilometres down the Orita Elelede axis down Ahmadiyyah Junction down to Obalende could be found the ever-troublesome River Gbonmi, which was a perennial cause of water flooding.
The roads today have been fixed, with deep and wide drainages. Also, the roads are wide enough to allow for convenient roadside parking spaces for motorists. We need to emphasize it at this stage that the roads constructed so far are solidly made of asphalt and limestone dust to ensure durability. The emphasis and philosophy of the incumbent administration hinge on construction of durable roads that would be able to stand the test of time. In addition to ensuring this, the administration has, for the first time in the annals of the state, established the State of Osun Roads Maintenance Agency (OSROMA) which is intended to see to ensuring that the roads are kept in good conditions at all times as well as ensuring that they are not willfully damaged through actions and inactions of users and residents on various guises.
•Orita Gbaemu / Isale Aro / Our Lady of Saint Francis Axis Road
THIS road was in a deplorable state before the emergence of the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola in the saddle of governance in the State of Osun. That stretch of road was not wide enough for two vehicles to share at the same time. As the case was with almost all the so-called roads in the state, the road was also devoid of drainage cum sewage system. Since two oncoming vehicles could not make too convenient a use of the road, it is needless to recount the predicament which pedestrians would be facing during their daily hustle-bustle and toil on the road.
It is this road that the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola rehabilitated as one of its earliest projects upon assumption of duty. One major importance of the road is its location that is close to the heart of the town and the ample kink it provides with important locations in the city. For instance, the link it provides with the king’s palace, the shrine of Osun river goddess, major first-generation churches and some crowd-pulling state-of-the-art schools places the stretch of road in a place of high prominence. We also reckon that the presence of the headquarters of Osogbo Local Government at Oke Baale; the Main Campus of the multi-campus State University at the same Oke Baale; and the exit to Ijesaland through Oke Ijetu requires proper alternative route which the link this road provides with Odi Olowo affords.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the Aregbesola administration took adequate and abundant care of this road upon its assumption of duty and service as the proprietor of the state. Today, the good quality of the road is still on ground to attest to our claims. To a large and reasonable extent, these roads provide wide range of access opportunities for all – pedestrians and motorists alike, within the state capital of Osogbo. We fully appreciate the construction and rehabilitation of these access roads, more so as they were done in advance of the commencement of the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Major Township and federal roads; so as to smoothen passage of traffic within the city.
We place on record how the state capital had played host to events, religious and otherwise, of national and global significance. In April 2013, the Nigerian Baptist Convention’s Centenary Annual Session was hosted in Osogbo. It was this good network of motorable roads that came to the rescue; otherwise, the mammoth crowd that graced the occasion would have been unmanageable. Other similar events which were held in quick succession include the annual conference of Ansar Ud Deen Society, the Lion’s Club and the State government’s hosting of the first-ever Oodua World Children’s Day celebrations in May 2013. It was demonstrated through these programmes that a good network of motorable roads is crucial to development in all facets.
•Odi Olowo / Baptist High School / Gbodofon / Aregbe Axis
THIS access road, an obvious exit from and link to the ever-busy Gbongan Road from the interior of the city was in a complete state of disrepair as at the time the Aregbesola administration came on board in the state in November 2010. The administration swung promptly into action in carrying out the reconstruction of that important road. Pessimists were dazzled as it transited from one stage to another until completion. Today, that road provides good ample link between the interior of the town and the exit Gbongan Road; obviously, the one and only aside the Olaiya/ Odi Olowo Road..
A practical demonstration of the importance of this road came in April 2013 during the afore-mentioned 100th Annual Session of the Nigerian Baptist Convention hosted by the Osun Conference of the denomination. The Main Venue of the Convention Session being the premises of the former Baptist Girls’ High School (now Baptist High School), Gbodofon, Osogbo, the delegates were helped to easy movement and punctual attendance at events due to the good state of our roads. Also, the non-delegate public coped amenably well with the crowd of the period through the assistance of these newly-constructed roads. Today, the roads remain useful and invaluable for our convenience and easy movement in and out of the state capital.
•Ola Iya / Odi Olowo Junction Opening
SHORTLY before the unceremonious exit of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola from office as governor of the state, traffic lights were introduced to some major junctions in the state capital. One of such junctions was the Orita Ola Iya/ Odi Olowo Junction. Other points within the state capital were the Old Garage Roundabout and the Oke Fia Roundabout. It was initially conceived (erroneously though) that the congestion of the time was due mainly to huge vehicular movement in and out of the city. The emergence of Aregbesola, a trained and seasoned Mechanical Engineer, tested and trusted, in the saddle of governance discovered other concrete causes of this unnecessary congestion.
Within the three years of the administration’s giant strides in the saddle, the Ola Iya Junction has been transformed; having been opened up with many link mouths with the main road. This has facilitated smooth and easy movement of vehicles a great deal. It has also effectively counted down on the huge volume of carnages at that junction. As at the time of compiling this report, work is earnestly in progress on the side of the defunct Ola Iya Petrol Station. It is certain that the remaining work on this side and those on the other side of the road (the Apostolic and Odi Olowo Junction) must have been completed by the end of year 2013.
•Oke Fia / Rasco Cinema / Old Garage Opening
THIS axis constituted one of the gravest trouble spot in Osogbo metropolis, especially in years preceding the emergence of the Aregbesola administration in office. In terms of environmental sanitation challenges; in terms of water erosion and flooding; in terms of indiscriminate waste disposal; the challenges were too rife to cope with. Residential and commercial structures were indiscriminately erected with gross violation to all known rules.
Beyond the Railway Crossing toward the Old Garage centre was especially perilous in all ramifications; even to the average pedestrians. The goriest event in living memory at that railway crossing is the carnage involving one intra-city commercial mini bus (korope) and a locomotive train. That accident recorded one casualty, and it is just one of the many which occurred in the city.
At the Old Garage end from Oke Fia; just after the level crossing, there also was the presence of traffic lights. But these traffic lights were not just the panacea to the myriads of problems militating against residents and passers-by of our roads. The Aregbesola administration wielded the magic wands, as it saw the timely need for broadening of the roads. Today, the road has been broadened to ease off traffic for those exiting toward the old MDS area without unnecessary delays and hiccups. Work is rapidly progressing on other sides of the road.
It is hoped that before the year shall reach its very end, the road at that point must have been completely freed of all hiccups, bottlenecks and lockjams.
•Freedom Park
AS far as the stretch of area hitherto referred to as Old Garage in Osogbo, the state capital is concerned; the Freedom Park is clearly the greatest accomplishment of the Rauf Revolution. Before the wave of success which brought the revolution came about, there was a slum patch of rickety shops and stalls where itinerant traders sold odds and ends. Right and left, at the roadsides, haphazardly-located shops and stalls, which were clearly efforts taken in the uglification process of a state capital, littered all available spaces. Before now, the Osun Capital Territory Development authority and other town planning authorities merely existed for the fun of it.
The genesis of the evolution process which brought the Freedom Park into being derived from the master plan contained in the policy document of Ogbeni Aregbesola. In that policy document, where he highlighted the Six-Point Integral Action Plan with which he vowed to govern his people; and which formed his pact with them; the seasoned administrator vowed to revamp the rail transport system as a veritable mode of transportation. For that plan to materialize properly, the railway terminus in the centre of the state capital must be standardized, cleared and provided with well-befitting warehouses.
Hence, work started on the clearing of the massive expanse. Already, the occupants knew themselves as violators and trespassers of Land Use Act; since the stretch of land belonged ever to the Nigeria Railway Corporation. Really, it was upon the actual clearing of the expanse left and right that the unsuspecting public realized that the area was so spacious!
Today, the ensuing Freedom Park is not only beautiful to behold; but also presents an ample space for decent assemblies, congresses and other forms of rendezvous. All these events being held at the venue are staunch sources of revenue for the proprietor of the space, the Government of the State of Osun. As part of the purposes of the park, motorists who have businesses to transact at the New Orisunmbare Market or elsewhere around the centre have ample spaces to park their vehicles without disturbing the flow of traffic.
•Rasco / Railway Station / Old Sawmill / Ola Iya Link
BEFORE now, making passage from Rasco Cinema end via a shortcut to Ola Iya Junction would present a spectacle of ghettos and residential buildings ready to collapse at any time or be subsumed by the spate of apparently unavoidable perennial flooding. This stretch of land as well is the property of the Nigerian Railway Corporation. Funnily, yet pitiably, many more structures were springing up daily in the area as if they could be built with impunity!
Most of these structures looked dilapidating and they were annual hosts to water flooding. During rainy seasons, many of the occupants fled to other places, pending the time when the floods would subside! Beyond the river, both at the Railway Station side and at the side overlooked by the Dugbe Police Station, there were patches of bushes which appear dangerous as they could be ready hide-outs to hoodlums and drug addicts who could be the same bunch of criminals unleashing various shades of terror on residents.
Still beyond the stream at the side of the Railway Station, was located the old Salvation Army Primary School, one of the schools chosen as demonstration sites for the State Government’s intervention initiative efforts branded the State of Osun Schools’ Infrastructure Development Project (O’SCHOOLS). Today, the new, ultra-modern Salvation
NIYI OLASINDE
OSUN DEFENDER
 
 
 
 
 

Before and After Picture of the Salvation Army School in Osogbo, Osun. Pictures tell the revolutionary story best!

culled from OSUN DEFENDER

The National leader of the All Peoples Congres ( APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned from London on Saturday after weeks of absence for medical attention. He described his absence as the longest since 1993.
Speaking in an interview at the Executive Jets Hangar wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, he said : ” This is the first ever and the longest period of my absence from Nigeria’s political scene since 1993, it has never happened. The only time something like this happened was when I was in exile.”
“Since, 1999 that we returned I have never been away for more than one week not even personal vacation. I am glad that I am back, I am fit and able, I can run 2.5 kilometer, if you want to try me, I will get down, we can run and see who wins.
It is a great joy to be back, it is good that we are back and I really appreciate your concern and this great gathering. I am returning today, having travelled overseas for medical attention, among those who contributed to this are great Nigerians, well qualified, who have moved out of the country because there are no facilities, no equipment.
“There are no such opportunities in Nigeria. Now the surgery was successful, among them physiotherapist who did the job that I must get well quick and return to the country.
Tinubu was received by hundreds of political associates led by his wife, Senator Oluremi, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun and the Ekiti counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi were also at the airport to welcome the former Lagos State governor back home.
APC stalwarts including, Senator George Akume, former governor of Benue State, Senator Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon and Alhaji Lai Mohammed were among the dignitaries that received him at the Lagos Airport.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Ikuforiji Adeyemi, flew in with the former governor from the United Kingdom.
Special prayers organised in honour of Bola Tinubu on his safe arrival home after a brief stay in London held at his Lagos residence on Saturday 5/10/2013 and was attended by the Governor of the State of Osun and other family members, friends and colleagues. Photo below.

 

THE Governor, State of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has promised more dividends of democracy for the people, in fulfillment of his administration’s promise to take the state to greater heights. 
It is my great pleasure to be at the Maiden Annual lecture and book presentation of the Osun Development Agenda (ODA). I should like to most lovingly express my deep appreciation to the dogged progressives and untiring democrats who envisioned and brought to reality the idea of this organisation and its clearly defined objectives. It is with such efforts that the democratic culture is deepened and enriched. I commend you for your genuine interest in advancing the course of democracy both in the State of Osun and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I thank you for the honour of the invitation as Special Guest.
The debut of the ODA Annual Lecture is to my mind a development that will further illumine the mind of progressives and provide political enlightenment for our fellow compatriots. It is a platform on which a new generation of young and dynamic politicians who will work sincerely and tirelessly for the good of all will be nurtured. Depending on the quality of commitment, the tempo of which I trust the capable founders of the organization will keep high each passing day, ODA may yet be an effective furnace that will disinfect Nigeria’s democratic culture of its hugely astounding impurities. And it is my hope that the tree of revolutionary, unprecedented socio-economic and political changes firmly rooted in the soil of Osun will blossom more and more as a result of the nutrient-yielding activities of ODA.
To this end, I would like to encourage the great minds behind this organization to ensure that its light continue to glow undiminished. Because your organization seeks to, among other lofty goals, unwaveringly promote the cause of impactful democratic governance, you must see to it that as leaders and members you maintain unity of purpose. All of your disagreements must be towards the strengthening of the organization to achieve its realizable objectives. Experiences and enlightenments from the chronicles on slavery, slave trade, civil rights movements, segregation, struggle for political and economic emancipation, demilitarization of political spaces, and even retrieval of stolen political mandates, unambiguously show that organizations and movements that seek social justice and wellbeing of a vast number of people do not progress freely without coordinated assaults and insurrectionary opposition from reactionary forces. Therefore, you will need to arm yourselves with courage, persistence, and grit. Maintain focus on your goal.
Distinguished audience, without being immodest, I should like to observe that the riveting story of the unprecedented socio-economic changes my Administration affected in the State of Osun is the stuff of a bestseller. The Osun we met after we retrieved our brazenly stolen mandate was one that had receded deeply into the cesspool of tormenting dysfunction-ality. But when we took over, we wasted no time in activating the engine of transition. And our transition has been with evident transformation. The choking debt, which was going to keep the state comatose, was settled. Within the first 100 days of assuming office we made a titanic dent on the monster of youth unemployment by employing 20,000 youths through the Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme (O’YES). Another set of 20,000 youths are currently on the scheme. We introduced sound financial engineering. This enables us to pay salaries, gratuities and pensions promptly without any negative effect on capital projects. There is now a significant improvement in our Internally Generated Revenue. So expertly organized is our system of finance that we need not rely on Abuja before we fulfill our statutory obligations.
We have achieved may enduring firsts in education, agriculture, health, tourism, community development, infrastructural provision, employment generation, social welfare, and security. Our public schools have benefitted richly from comprehensive restructuring. The revolution in that sector is ensuring the springing up of model schools across the state. The Elementary Free School Feeding Programme, O’MEALS, is not only quality nutritional meals for the pupils, it has also become instrumental to the increase in the enrolment of school-age children. With the recent rating of Osun as the State with the highest figure in primary school enrolment by the Bureau of National Statistics, it goes without saying that our Administration values education as the bedrock of its development agenda. Again we are the first State Government to demonstrate real concern in the way our public school pupils and students dress. Early in the year we distributed 750,000 uniforms to them free. In our quest to make learning enjoyable and get our students and teachers to tap into the vast resources of Information Communications Technology, we achieved another first by coming up with the tablet of knowledge, Opon Imo.
Our farmers are better today than they have ever been at any other time prior to the time we assumed duty. So viable is our policy in this sector that great developments are continually being recorded. Road infrastructure development is unprecedented in the State of Osun. No city or town is unreached. The refrain I hear is that Osun is now a huge construction site. Our urban renewal programme will make our state organised, more liveable and fit for foreign investors.
Moreover, great is the transformation taking place in our health sector. We are investing heavily in drugs, equipment and capacity development. The nine State Hospitals are now undergoing wide-ranging renovations. Tourism is gaining greater heights. Unemployment is continuously disappearing in Osun. All of our programmes are designed to create jobs for all categories of people. We have been rated as the state with the least unemployment index. As government, we do not make light of our responsibilities to our people.
Thus, it is heart-warming that ODA is presenting to the public a book which memorializes the uncommon steps we have taken to enrich the quality of life since we came into office. Personally, I consider the title of the book, Work in Progress, to be apt, for it not only affirms the fact of evident exertions, it equally rightly indicates that we are not resting on our oars. All that we have done, great and substantial as the doubtlessly are, put us in constant reminder that our work is not finished. Our day has just begun. There is still much more to be done. We are equal to the task. With the support of God and the dependable people of Osun, we will continue to give our best.
There is ample room for improvement. Contrary to the opinion that second term is a time to rest and luxuriate in wanton waste of money, the renewal of mandate we seek is to continue on the path of responsible governance. The firm foundation of good works requires a befitting lasting edifice of abundant socio-economic dividends. Until that edifice comes, with the foundation in place it is still work in progress.
I salute the leadership of ODA for their encouraging efforts in chronicling our increasing commitment to democratic governance in the State of Osun. The book is another colourful screen that will give wider visibility to the unparalleled changes our Administration is unalterably affecting in all the vital sectors of the State’s economy. With progressives like you standing with us, we will continue to provide beneficial democratic governances.
I thank you all for your cordial audience.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola delivered this speech as special guest at the maiden annual lecture and book presentation organised by Osun Development Agenda, held at conference hall, National Centre for Technology Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
 

At least, four states in Nigeria the State of Osun, may soon witness construction of their hinter roads, as both the World Bank and French Development Agency (FDA) have concluded plans to inject about $230million into the projects.
Mostly importantly, the intervention is to ease transportation of agricultural produce in the rural areas within the four states of the federation.
Under the partnership agreement, while the World Bank is providing $170million, $60million, as each state government is expected to counter-fund to the projects to the tune of $12.7million.
Coming under RAMPII project, it was said that it would involve the construction and rehabilitation of 500km of rural roads, including earth roads and the construction, and rehabilitation of about 65 rivers crossing in each of the four states.
Representative of the French Development Agency, Mr. Federic Minaret, pointed out that that the project would be maintained by the community, noting that the road maintenance schemes would involve local population in the design and operation of maintenance works, thus creating employment opportunities for men and women living along the rehabilitated roads.
He said, “Special emphasis would be placed on the sustainability of the road investments through adequate maintenance, in partnership with the states”.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, in his keynote address, maintained that rural access was critical, as it remains the missing link between the urban and the rural areas where majority of the population who are predominantly farmers reside.
He regretted that poor access roads in the rural areas has resulted in low farm-gate prices, post harvest losses put at 15-20 percent annually and lack of access to other socio economic infrastructure which increases unemployment and rural poverty.
“This situation is unacceptable to us, let me reiterate here that for the full benefits of our programs to reach the majority of the poor farmers, we must fix the rural roads, even though, this not as easy as we say it”. He maintained.
Speaking through the Director Rural Development, Mr. Musibow Azeez, the minister appealed to  Osun and other benefiting states to set aside 5-20 percent of the total project cost towards the sustainable maintenance of the roads to be constructed.
The National Project Coordinator, (RAMP II) Ubandoma Ularamu, an engineer, affirmed that all the participating states have paid their counterpart fund.
THE GUARDIAN

State Police Commissioner, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba, in a statement made available by the state Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Mrs. Folasade Odoro, advised politicians to comply with the warning in the interest of the state, saying failure to do so may cause problem for them.
The police commissioner also warned political thugs to stay off the state for the command is battle ready to go against untoward acts that would disturb and hinder electoral process in the state.
She said; “The command is ready to ensure that political parties comply with the law and order regulating the rules of the game, for the peace of the state is paramount to the command and it will deploy all machineries to ensure peace and protection of lives and property.”
According to statement; “Osun State police command wishes to warn all registered political parties within the state to comply with INEC guidelines on party activities as the command will no longer condone any infraction in the breach of the regulations guiding the activities of register political parties.
NATIONAL MIRROR

 The Governor, State of Osun – Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Gold Cup Tournament gets underway  in Osogbo the state capital as trophies to be won was unveiled recently.
The tournament which was an initiative of the Omoluabi Support Group (OSG) in collaboration with  Oranmiyan Campaign Group, will feature  32 football teams across all the local government areas of the state.
Addressing journalists on the motive behind the competition, the Chairman,Omoluabi Support Group (OSG), Pastor Israel Alagbe said the group believes in keeping youths off the streets through positive engagement in sports.
The chairman of OSG added that the competition apart from serving the means of youth empowerment, was also conceived to gather support of the vast youthful populace in the state for the re-election bid of Osun state governor in 2014.
Speaking in similar vein, a member of Lagos state House of Assembly and vice chairman of OSG, Hon. Bisi Yusuf, said organizers of the event believe the competition will afford players of the participating teams the opportunity of pursuing their dreams of professional careers in football.
He added that football scouts  linked with leading African and European football clubs have already signified their intention to be part of the competition with a view to helping talents that will be discovered to play professional football outside the country.
“We have already arranged with these scouts like we did when a similar competition was organized in Lagos to storm Osun state and pick exceptional talent among the participating teams.We are of the opinion that many talents will be unearthed and they will be able to pursue their dreams with the aid of these scouts.”
Shortly before unveiling the trophy, the governor, Aregbesola thanked the organizers for identifying with him at this crucial moment and called on leaders in the country to continue to map out plans that can keep the youths positively engaged to move the country towards development.
Aregbesola maintained that youths in the state have in the past proven they are not bereft of talents,but only needed to be given rooms to exhibit their God-given gift, saying the opportunity the competition will provide will complement various programmes of his government to empower the youths.
NIGERIAN PILOT

 
Since the picture of the Executive Governor of the State of Osun went viral a few days ago, the social media space has gone agog….even display pictures of various profiles have adorned this highly controversial image of the Governor in a pair of School Uniforms addressing the pupils of the State, I could not but write about this!
The social media space is best known for having an extraordinary feature, which is, everyone has an opinion and there is space to share it; so you can only imagine the variance in responses; some too funny you need a tissue to keep your eyes dry; it kept going, from platform to platform, from phone to phone till friends in diaspora who have not called in a while picked the phone to ask if I had seen the picture of ‘Ogbeni in School’ did I know that finally, we had a massive social media trend here, and for a noble cause, driving home a message so strong and so positive.
The decision to wear that uniform must have been so easy to make, given the quest to see how best to make the kids see how much investment has been put into giving them an environment and an educational process to make them succeed. One can spend money on buildings and books and even tablets, but when this spend and sacrifice comes from a heart that understands the reason for the spend and the results it aims to achieve, then it becomes an easy decision to do all that is necessary to drive home the message.
So when I see that picture what I read is…
“Dear Pupils, there is nothing downtrodden about uniformity, can you see how excellent you look in your uniforms, so much I am proud to wear same with you?”
“Can you see how important you are to the state that we all are here today to associate with you as you start a new day at school, you need to stay in School to be successful and have a chance to be where we are too”
“Hey kids, do you know that just like one of you I give you the message of possibility in any future you want, because those who are in great places today are not all from golden uniforms, they also could have worn uniforms just as yours”
“It is always as you see it and as you want it, we have come down to you today so you can take our hands and stand up, be confident in your education and make us proud!”
I celebrate the Ogbeni once again on this laudable difference in the school system, the school of life inclusive as he sends a strong message across the internet and platforms so we are confident in who we are, we derive structures and processes to make our world a better place and in achieving that, we are strong willed to do all that seems necessary to make the message seen and sounded.
I envy the kids of the State of Osun at this time of governance, now the world is before them, success and excellence has been demystified, now as they face a new term, new system of education, they are confident to take it on, and make the best of it
As is usually said…Osun a daara and may God continue to give the State and its Government the wisdom to continuously make a difference.
ADEBOLA OLOMO (@debolaolomo)
LAGOS