Alaafin of Oyo, Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III has
commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his selfless efforts and
determinations in propagating and showcasing Yoruba cultural values to
the world.
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, gave the commendation in his palace at the
recently concluded year 2013 World Sango Festival.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented at the occasion by the
Commissioner for Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Hon. Sikiru
Ayedun, emphasized the commitment of his administration to facilitate
unity among the Yoruba states with a view to propagating
socio-cultural values of Yorubas.
Ogbeni Aregbesola stated that the recently concluded World Children
Day and a meeting of over five hundred obas at Osogbo, the well
attended Osun Osogbo Festival, Isese Day and development of tourist
sites in the state among others are part of his achievements in
developing cultural identities of Yorubas.
He said his administration has made tremendous efforts in reaching
out to Yorubas in the diaspora, especially North America, Cuba,
Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Benin among others, with a
view to romancing them to freely visit their root which is the Yoruba
land.
He therefore called Yoruba at home to always feel proud of their
culture and promote it through the way they dress, talk, and exhibit
moral standards for which Yorubas are known.
The cultural performance, by the State of Osun performing troupe
added colour to the festival during Osun Day segment of the programme
which Hon. Ayedun and the representative of Trinidad and Tobago
ambassador could not resist as they danced to the tunes of historical
and cultural music.
The height of the performance was the Sango Dance performed by
Lukuman Ayodeji, the acclaimed Sango of Africa to the admiration of
all guests, especially the Yorubas in the diaspora.
Dr. Paula Gomes a cultural ambassador thus adjudged the performance
as the best ever since the beginning of the 10-day Sango Festival.
OSUN DEFENDER

 
The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Thursday said the  O’REAP Youth Academy is more than a mere indication of its administration’s resolve to improve agricultural productions but a way of banishing hunger and unemployment in Osun.
He made this disclosure at the launch of the second edition of O’REAP Youth Academy organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, held at the Bola Ige House Secretariat in Abeere.
The governor noted that it is a remarkable mark of the administration’s gritty determination to frontally engage the social cankers of poverty, hunger, and unemployment.
He pointed out that a total of 610 O’YES Cadets were trained last year at the O’REAP Youth Academy Farm Centres located across the nine Federal Constituencies in the state.
The governor stressed that participants were selected at 20 per Local Government and 10 from Ife East Area Office.
He also added that this year’s edition of the O’REAP Youth Academy, witnessed a significant rise in the number of youth participants, noting that each of the 332 wards in the state is fairly represented with three O’YES Cadets per ward, accounting for 996 Cadets to be trained in modern agriculture at the nine training centres of the O’REAP Youth Academy.
According to him, “some of those trained then have formed themselves into cooperatives and have also settled down to serious agricultural enterprises with meaningful financial support from the Quick Impact Intervention Programme (QIIP) of O’REAP and other micro-credit windows of the State Government of Osun.
“It is a sure path to ensuring sustainable food production and wealth creation, and we have chosen to walk it without distraction. Aregbesola noted.
He revealed that O’REAP Youth Academy is established with realisable objectives meant to mitigate the unbearable burden of youth unemployment.
In his words, “in many developing economies in Africa, youths make up one fifth of the population. They are often the most adversely affected when it comes to the scourge of unemployment. As the most vital component of human resource, their idleness and lack of productive engagements do not bode well for the socio-economic affairs of any society.
“It is in view of the need to tap the invaluable asset of this group of people and channel their energy towards the development of self and society that the present administration initiated youth-focused programmes.” The governor pointed out
Aregbesola held that the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O’YES), its other component – O’YES-TECH –, and O’REAP Youth Academy are some of the major platforms through which its administration is scaling down youth unemployment and profitably engaging our youths in the State.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prince Adewale Adedoyin, said the problem of youth employment in Nigeria in the country remains a source of concern to government and non-governmental organisations as well as private individuals.
Adedoyin said the government of Osun instituted the youth -friendly intervention programme tagged OREAP Youth Academy, Agriculture-in-Schools and Young Farmers Club to curb youth unemployment and its attendant social menace.
He noted that OREAP Youth Academy has been conceived and implemented as a deliberate policy for the purpose of empowerment of youth in the state.

 

The Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Wednesday said the decision to send stranded medical students of the Osun State University to a foreign university to complete their medical studies was borne out of the conviction of his administration that no sacrifice would be too much to secure better future for children.

The Governor stated this Wednesday night while receiving the report of the Committee on Transfer of UNIOSUN medical students to Ukraine.

Last year, Aregbesola’s government sponsored 87 medical students of the UNIOSUN to V.N Karazin Kharkvin National University in Ukraine to complete their medical programme.
The students had had their programme stalled due to non-availability of a Teaching Hospital for the state university.
Aregbesola said that his government facilitated the transfer of the students because it believes that a responsible government must fulfill its part of a pact entered to with the people irrespective of which person or party in power signed the agreement in so far that governance is a continuum.
Last year, government spent about N162Million to bail out 87 medical students who now continue their programme in Karachin University.
He said, “I feel fulfilled that the students, who would have had their dreams aborted, would now realise their ambition of becoming a full time medical Doctor.
“We have kept faith with these children, their parents and Guidance towards realising their life time ambition. In couple of years from now we will be celebrating their graduation as trained Medical Doctors.
“This government is promising that it will assuage the challenges that the students may be facing during their stay in Ukraine.” The governor told the gathering.

The governor also clarified that of the 98 students made provisions for in the transfer scheme, 87 of them eventually took the offer as parents of the remaining concerned students had made different arrangements for their children

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the transfer committee, Dr. Simeon Afolayan commended the governor for the huge amount spent to keep the hope of the students alive.
Afolayan revealed that over 115 students of the UNIOSUN now pursue their academic programme in Ukraine because of the tremendous support of Aregbesola’s administration.
Afolayan noted that, “Despite the fact that not all the 115 students are of Osun state origin, Aregbesola’s government, in its magnanimity sponsored the students without any string attached. This means that the students did not sign any bond with the government.
“For this gesture, posterity will not forget Aregbesola’s courage and magnanimity to the medical students of UNIOSUN.” Afolayan stressed.
One of the parents of the beneficiaries who is also the Chairman of the Parents representatives to government, Dr. Ademola Ayodele thanked the governor for a rare expression of compassion shown to their wards.
Ayodele said the news of the transfer of the students to Ukraine first came to them as a dream, but with the courage, commitment and determination of government the goal was achieved at the end.

The National Emergency Management Agency has trained volunteers at the grassroots on disaster management and risk reduction with special focus on flood prevention and control.
This was the thrust of a capacity building workshop organized by NEMA for Grassroots Emergency Management Volunteers on flood Evacuation drill at Heritage Hotel, Osogbo, Osun State on Wednesday.
Speaking during the workshop, NEMA South-West Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Iyiola Akande noted that since disaster occurs in the communities and people of that community are the first respondents when disaster occurs, it is imperative to sensitize the grassroots so as to enjoy their cooperation and collaboration.
According to Akande, “The sensitization is aimed at raising the consciousness of the people on proactive disaster management and risk reduction through community collaboration for an effect disaster prevention, mitigation and coordination among members of vulnerable
communities.
“Disaster occurs in the communities, it is paramount to build the capacity of first responders to emergencies so as to step up the resilience of potential victims of emergencies and disasters.
“Local authorities have direct link with key service delivery to their communities. They should be the best informed with regard to hazard and risk associated with their environment.
“This is why officials of Local Government areas are not left out in this workshop, for disaster management to have positive impact. Local government council and community must be involved in developing their own preventive, mitigation and response to strategies.”
He charged the state government on importance of risk reduction and enjoined Local Government councils in the state to mobilize their community members and volunteers to strengthen the local emergency management committees in their areas.
Also speaking at the workshop, NEMA Senior Disaster Risk Reduction Officer, Miss Aikpokpo Ebahi cautioned people against blockage of water ways. She admonished people of the state to avoid building on river bank. She also warned against drinking flooded water as such could be contaminated.
DAILY TRUST

As the state of Osun clocks 22, traditional religious
worshippers in the state today organised a prayer session for the
growth and development of the state of Osun.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola ,who was represented at the event held
at the Center for Black Culture and International Understanding by the
Commissioner for Home Affairs ,Culture and Tourism ,Mr Sikiru Ayedun
reemphasised the commitment of his administaration to ensure giving
equal treatment to the various religious faiths in the state.
Ogbeni Aregbesola ,who stated that being in government is not
for anything else ,but for the people of the state said that the
present administration is ready to work for the growth and development
of the state and the people.
While highlighting the achievements of the present
administration since coming on board bout three yeras ago, the
governor said the state has witnesed tremendous growth under the
present government saying if previous administrations had done
somethings similar ,things would have been much better for the state.
He added that all the efforts of the government in the areas of
education, health, job creation, construction of good roads among
others are aimed at taking the state to the next level so as to give
the people a sense of belonging.
He stated that the emergency declared by the government in the
education sector which culminated into the school feeding programme,
the uniform and the Opon Imo project are testimonies that the present
administration means well for the state, stresing that development is
only possible in an environment where there is religious harmony among
all the faiths.
In a lecture which he titled: WHERE IS OUR DESTINATION ,Chief.
Dr Ifagbenusola Ifalekan Atande said he said he believes the state is
heading towards a period when everything will work accordingly in the
state, where all the necesary infrastructures will be available and
working well.
Chief Ifagbenusola added that he believes the state is heading
towards a destination where the actions of the government will creat
religious harmony in the state and religious crisis of any form.
Dr ifagbenusola ,who said that he is fully assured that
the state is heading to a destination where things will work well said
the various policies put in place by the administration of Ogbeni
Aregbesola is a sure pointer to the fact that the future of the state is
very bright.
The traditionalist then advised every government or
individual who seems to be geting it wrong in any venture or in
governence to Seat, Think, Observe and Plan before moving foward.
He traced the history of the past administrations in the state
and prayed that God should reward them for them for what they have
done and he appreciated Governor Aregbesola for granting their request
of apublic holiday.
Prayers were then rendered by Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon for the
Governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, members of the state
executive council and for the peace and progress of the state.
Present at the event were nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka and
people from far and near including friends of the state from Brazil,
the Caribean anong others.
OSUN DEFENDER

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged youths to be change agents.
He spoke through the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr. Ajibola Basiru, at a workshop organised by the Omoluabi Empowerment Initiative in collaboration with the Ola Oni Centre for Social Research in Osogbo, the state capital.
Urging youths to take their destiny in their hands, Aregbesola said all eyes are on the younger generation to correct many of the ills of the past years.
He warned youths against allowing themselves to be used as tools of destruction, adding that his administration is determined to educate and empower them.
A senior lecturer in the Political Science Department of the Lagos State University (LASU), Dr. Akhaine Odion Slyvester, urged youths to shun acts that can tarnish the country’s image.
THE NATION

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola delivering his address
at the commissioning of Omoluabi Garment Factory-Sam and Sara, at
Abere, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 26-08-2013
The efforts of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration to attract investors to the state have begun to yield results as a garment factory, Omoluabi Garment Factory, has sprung up in the state.
Commissioning the factory located at Abere on Monday, the governor said the industry was a product of his administration’s policy to reap the economic benefits of the production of the school uniform, provided for school children in the state.
The governor added that the factory is just one of the factories that have been brought into existence through the administration’s education revitalisation project, as another factory will, in a short time, begin the production of the e-learning tablet, Opon-Imo, and other electronic gadgets in Ilesa.
He said: “We have since supplied 750,000 uniforms to all our public school pupils free-of-charge. Through this alone, we have provided job opportunities for our market women, who supplied the materials for the uniforms and about 3,000 tailors, who sewed them.
“But this Omoluabi Garment Factory that we are commissioning today is a product of the policy to reap the economic benefits of the production of the school uniforms. This factory will henceforth produce the school uniforms here; it will employ our people here; it will buy its inputs from here, and the batik it will produce will be sewn by our tailors here.
“All of these, among other gains, will have numerous spin-offs that will rebound to the advantage of the people of the State of Osun. The uniform material will be sold and sewn at control prices, so as to make it affordable for our people.
“This garment factory is one testimony of our investment drive and our commitment to attracting investors to our state. We have the market and the human and material resources. As a government, we are most willing to provide the enabling environment in infrastructure and security needed for thriving economic activities.”
He also charged the managers of the factory to be innovative and be uncompromisingly committed to quality, as he expressed the commitment of his administration to focus on the implementation of its policies, with the assurance that the people will be better for it.
Speaking, the Managing Director of Sam and Sarah Garment Factory, Mrs Folake Oyemade, said that with the advent of the factory, the state, in partnership with the company, has been able to reduce the unemployment rate and impprove the economic power of the people.
She said that in the quest for job creation, the company has partnered with the state government and trained 500 tailors, while another 500 youths and individuals, who have flair for garment making are presently being trained.
By the end of the year, she assured that 3,000 individuals would have been trained, promising to employ as many as are willing to work with the company.
In his address, the State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr Ismaila Alagbada, revealed that several local, foreign and private investors have continued to submit proposals to partner with the state government in the execution of diverse projects that will add value to the state economy.
This, according to him, is an indication of the high confidence reposed in the administration by the investors, saying that very soon, Osun will become a reference point as the state with the fastest growing economy in Nigeria.
He further noted that the commissioning of the factory was a signal that the much-desired industrial revolution is around the corner.
In their goodwil messages, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Honourable Debo Akanbi and the Timi of Edeland, Oba Adesola Lawal, commended the governor for the facilitation of the factory.
The duo said that Aregbesola’s approach to governance would continue to be a reference point, as the approach has been having positive impact on the lives of the people.
OSUN DEFENDER