The government of Osun state has chided Muslim Rights Organisation (MURIC) for its failed bid to foment religious crisis in the state, affirming that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s appointments of commissioners and permanent secretaries are based on merit and competency.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government noted that ever since assuming office, Governor Adeleke has premised his governance decisions on competency and commitment to state duty of appointees in his avowed commitment to deliver on good governance and correct inherited ills from previous governments.

His first appointees occupying commanding heights of the government were appointed not by religion but merit, competency and conformation with his style of leadership.

The same principle of meritocracy which produced the nominated commissioners was applied in the appointments of permanent secretaries who are accounting officers of the ministries. This policy of equity, fairness and competency also guided the many landmark decisions of Mr Governor.

With just eight months in office, the Governor has formed the habit of scouting for the best among indigenes who can support the concerted efforts to rescue the state from the many challenges of under-development, infrastructural deficit and poverty.

It should also be put on record that the Governor’s approach has paid off with superlative delivery and performance which is highly appreciated by Osun indigenes at home and abroad.

It must therefore be noted that no agent of destabilization with mere nuisance value masquerading as a religious body can deploy religion as a partisan tool to divide and distract a government that is busy with correcting ills of the recent past.

Osun state is a highly enlightened society with deep records of religious harmony and close understanding of the Governor as a cosmopolitan leader who has never and will never pander to religious bigotry, ethnic partisanship and unmeritorious decision making.

MURIC should look elsewhere for its merchandise of extremism and division. Religious leaders in Osun understand and support their Governor and their prayers uphold him every second.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

Organized Labour under the auspices of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Osun State Council, has justified the ongoing staff audit in the state public service, commending Governor Adeleke for his courage and persistence.

In a press statement issued in Osogbo this morning, the TUC Chairman. Comrade Adekola Adebowale said critics of the exercise are denying the rights of the employer to review personnel structure and placements, arguing that we must cooperate now that necessary reviews ordered by the state Governor have been addressed.

The labor leader who condemned fifth columnists attempting to create distrusts between government and labour said the TUC will not allow those hiding under the guise of staff audit dispute to disrupt the honest progress being made by the Staff Audit Committee representing the Labour Movement in Osun State.

” We reject political interference from whatever quarters. We stand by the pro-labour government of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“The exercise ( Staff Audit) helps to update records of personnel and removal of ghost workers are immediate benefits, which then creates job opportunities for real people” the Chairman stressed.

The TUC Chairman however encouraged the Government to continue its collaboration with the labour leadership in the implementation of the exercise, adding the joint committee is eager to ensure the success of the staff audit.

Comrade Adebowale Adekola
Chairman
TUC Osun State Council.

OSOGBO: 10/07/2023 – osunstate.gov.ng

The Osun state government is already rehabilitating water works in major towns of the state while the 332 boreholes are emergency intervention projects to address acute water shortage in the State.

Responding to several issues raised by some stakeholders, the government through a statement by the Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, noted that rehabilitation of water works at Ede, Iwo, Osogbo, Ekende and others are already ongoing.

Governor Adeleke adopted two approaches namely the short term interventions which are the boreholes and the medium, and long term interventions which include the rehabilitation of water works. Both are ongoing simultaneously.

Across the 332 political wards in Osun, our people are accessing water supplies which according to global standards is expected to serve two million people.

On commissioners’ nominees, Governor Adeleke is deeply pro- women and quite gender-sensitive. It is too early to judge the administration on gender and affirmative action as less than 10 percent of statutory appointments have been made.

On Ipade Imole, the public is reassured that the public accountability platform will hold. Preparation has reached an advanced stage. Representatives of all critical stakeholders will be invited. Very soon, invitations will go out for this quarterly event.

On recent developments at Osogbo, the Government appreciates his Royal Majesty, the Ataoja of Osogbo; the Grand Chief Imam of Osogbo Land; the leadership of Osogbo Progressive Union and eminent sons and daughters of the capital city who visited and tendered apologies for what happened at the Osogbo Eid prayer ground.

Governor Adeleke reaffirms his resolve to continue to address developmental questions affecting the capital city and other towns and villages in the state.

The government also emphasizes its open door policy and its receptiveness to ideas and Innovations to take the state to greater heights.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

OSOGBO: 10/07/2023 : osunstate.gov.ng

Following the renewed outbreak of Diphtheria infections in some parts of Osun State , Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered the immediate activation of the State Emergency Response Centre to curb any further spread, launch contact tracing and treat the infected residents.

The Governor’s directive was issued after a situation report from the state Ministry of Health on the outbreak which has claimed one life at Osogbo with other suspected cases under testing.

” I have directed that the state emergency response be reactivated. As a matter of urgency, the confirmed case at Osogbo is to be immediately followed up with contact tracing to ascertain status of those who had been in contact with the victim.

” Additionally, emergency treatment must be made available to the infected. We are in touch with the National Centre for Disease Control for exchange of information and technical support. I want to assure our people that proactive steps are being taken to nip in the bud any widespread escalation of the outbreak.

“Our people must be vigilant and observe precautions the Ministry of Health will soon be issuing. We must never forget to immunize our children and wards. Your government is on top of this medical development”, Governor Adeleke assures.

The Ministry had earlier briefed the Governor on the recent resurgence of diphtheria in the state, informing the state Governor that a suspected Diphtheria patient aged 6 years was said to have developed the sign and symptoms on the 25th of June, 2023 and died of the infection on July 7th.

According to the Ministry , detailed case investigation, contact tracing, linelisting, follow up and Active Case Search in the community of the index case and retroactive case search at the Health facilities within the community are ongoing.

Close contact (including health workers) of the index case were linelisted, monitored and placed on medication.

Knowledge Attitude and Perception form was administered to the household within the community, so as to access their knowledge about the disease.

More sensitization was done at both community and the health facilities, as people were not conversant with the disease.

As a follow up to the Governor’s directive, the Ministry has embarked on a number of action namely production and Distribution of handbills, posters and billboards;. training of health workers on case definitions and Infection Prevention and Control of diphtheria; production and airing of jingle on Prevention of Diphtheria; training and retraining of health workers on sample collection of diphtheria; increase the awareness of immunization acceptability; building capacity of LGA Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers on case detection, sample collection, transportation and management ; and risk communication of the disease should be intensified in the state and its environs for easy detection.

The Ministry has further advised members of the public to ensure the children and wards are fully vaccinated, avoid crowded environments, consult doctors in case of symptoms and eat fruits and vegetables.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

OSOGBO – 10/07/2023-osunstate.gov.ng

The Government of Osun State under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke has Sympathized with the entire staff and management of Gold 95.5 FM Ilesha, on the recent fire outbreak affecting part of the radio station’s building and some critical equipments which has forced the station off air.

Reacting to the news of the Inferno that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 9th July 2023, Governor Adeleke sympathized with those that were reported to have sustained minor injuries and remain grateful to God that no life was lost to the unfortunate incident.

“On behalf of the people and Government of osun state, I condole with the entire staff and management of Gold FM Ilesha, on the fire outbreak, which according to preliminary report at my disposal, razed some parts of the station’s transmitter room as well as some newly procured transmission equipments.

“While thanking God that no life was lost to the Inferno, we empathize with those that sustained varying degree of injuries and pray to God for continued sustenance of their health”

“Gold FM as one of the critical arm of information hub to the people of the state, we note the significance of your contributions to the dissemination of information to our people across the state. We stand by you in this difficult time and pray for required fortitude to navigate this period, with a view to coming back stronger and better”. He concluded.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

OSOGBO- 07/07/2023

Osunstate.gov.ng

The attention of Governor Ademola Adeleke has been drawn to a fake news alleging that the state chief executive has appointed his supposed daughter in person of Adenike Folasade Adeleke and his alleged uncle, Prof Maroof Adeleke into the State cabinet.

There is no truth whatsoever in the report as neither of the two nominees are daughter or uncle of the Governor. Prof Adeleke was born at Ilesa and hails from Osogbo, the state capital. Mrs Adeleke is the daughter of Chief Omidiran of Osogbo Land and wife of the late Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.

We had expected those pushing the fake news to engage in basic investigative journalism if they have any altruistic motive. If however the goal is to malign the state Governor, the truth can not be hidden as the nominees are bona-fide indigenes of Osogbo Land.

We therefore urge members of the public to ignore those merchants of fake news. No biological member of the Governor’s family is included in the cabinet list. Governor Adeleke is committed to fair distribution of appointments based on competency, spread and sectoral representation.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

OSOGBO – 07/07/2023

Osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered immediate review of the ongoing staff audit across the state public service even as he restated the commitment of his administration to the enhancement and *protection* of workers’ interest.

Addressing a joint meeting of labour leaders and the auditing firm on Thursday afternoon, Governor Adeleke directed the joint committee working on the exercise to address all sticky areas and come up with acceptable modalities for hitch free exercise.

The Governor who listened to the representatives of labour and other stakeholders, expressed displeasure at the inconvenience the exercise has caused public servants and instructed the Head of Service to ensure adjustment of the procedures to ensure the well being and comfort of the workforce.

“I have read a lot of comments and complaints from the public service. I have also listened to you all at this meeting. We must adjust the procedures to have a mutually acceptable exercise. We should all remember the purpose of this audit exercise which is to block leakages to expand staff welfare.

“To that extent, the joint committee should meet urgently to decide on two items. First, a new acceptable timetable should be created that will take into account the diversity and peculiarities of each government agency or ministry.

“Secondly, the committee should also brainstorm on decentralisation of the exercise on zonal basis to reduce the burden and logistics of movements to the capital city”, the Governor directed.

As both labour and establishment leaders accepted the rationale behind the auditing exercise, Governor Adeleke urged all stakeholders to join hands to ensure a hitch free completion of the programme, noting that his government partnership and brotherhood with the labour movement preclude any anti-labour move from his table.

“Let all stakeholders go back to the drawing board and make neccesary adjustments. This is a government in love with labour, workers, artisans, women, youth and others. We will never act against the best interest of the public servants, Governor Adeleke affirmed.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the Governor.

The attention of the Osun state government has been drawn to a press conference by a pressure group within the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) and fake news about plans to sack workers.

We affirm that there is neither a plan to sack workers nor any re-introduction of half salary. This was old fake news sponsored by agents of the opposition which the public is implored to ignore.

The government also wishes to state that Governor Ademola Adeleke is available to meet all stakeholders for the development of the state. As a responsive leader, the Governor has met many groups and associations since assuming office. Many of such groups are also lined up for appointments with the state chief executive officer including the protesting Pensioners.

It is however important to note that the Government of Governor Ademola Adeleke has remained committed to meeting its financial obligations to workers, both in and out of service. The government can however not pay off all outstanding salaries and pensions all at once due to paucity of funds which is known to all stakeholders.

The administration has adopted a phased payment system but with an increase in the amount paid monthly to the pensioners among others. In recognition of the state of the economy, the monthly payment has been increased from two hundred thousand naira under the former government to five hundred thousand naira. This is a decision under implementation despite the tight financial status of the state.

The government wishes to note that Governor Adeleke remains the only Governor in the history of Osun state to have made workers’ welfare his number one governance agenda, a fact acknowledged by the protesting Pensioners. The government remains committed to that agenda within the context of fund availability.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor