The Osun State government yesterday said invitations to fake petitioners and paid agents of destabilization will put an end to frivolous petitions in Nigeria.
 

 
 
Citing Friday’s invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun, CSCEO, over its petition alleging diversion of funds belonging to local councils in the state by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor in a statement signed by its Director, Semiu Okanlawon, said the self-appointed civil society group is a group that had been making bogus claims against Governor Aregbesola and his government without producing evidence to substantiate any of the allegations.
 
For instance, this was the group that accused Governor Aregbesola of embezzling the N34.988 billion bailout loan obtained last year as part of the Federal Government’s intervention to assist states meet their salary obligations.
 
The same group had accused Governor Aregbesola of borrowing over N750 billion, which, according to it, has not impacted on the socio-economic lives of the people of Osun.
 
The government had also been accused of planning a mass sack of civil servants in the state, especially in the wake of the challenges to meet salary obligations by the state.
 
“It is instructive that none of these allegations and others from this same group has been proved to be true,” the Bureau stated.
The Bureau described the CSCEO as dubious two-man contraption put together and masquerading as a pro-people organization.
 
“We must remind Nigerians lest they take this group serious at all that Mr. Sulaiman Adeniyi who claims to be the leader of the group and Seun Adeoye, have been no more than two hired hands of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun and its allied opposition elements.
Describing the step taken by the EFCC as a welcome development, the Bureau stated, “This is a welcome development as perhaps this will put an end to frivolous activities of the likes of hired groups like this and their cohorts in the trade of making allegations that they cannot substantiate. “The Osun example in local government funds administration is a study in transparency and accountability.
Perhaps, it is only in Osun that the governor introduced Heads of Local Government Administrations, HLAs, to the monthly allocation meetings. The HLAs have full knowledge of how much is received and other allied information. A governor with a plan to divert council funds would not bring such a novel addition to the way funds are administered.
 
The statement also urged the petitioners to check out Osun’s record of payment of council salaries and pensions and compare those with what obtains in many other states of the federation.

Osun State House of Assembly has ordered the stoppage of work on the ongoing construction of filling stations that have not complied with the required rules and guidelines.
 

 
 
A statement by the chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye said, the Assembly gave the order during a meeting with officials of the state Ministry of Environment, Land, Physical Planning and Urban Development and directors of Town Planning in all the local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the meeting, the House Committee chairman, Land, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Nurein Adebisi said the level of indiscriminate citing of filling stations across the state was worrisome.

The Osun Government has directed illegal private school owners in the state to register with the state ministry of education or would be shut.
 
 

 
 
 
Festus Olajide, the Permanent Secretary, Osun Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, gave the directive while meeting with members of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and Association of Muslim Islamic Schools (AMIS) in Osogbo.
 
Olajide said private school owners operating without approval should register with the ministry before the commencement of a special general inspection to private schools by the ministry.
He said he would not compromise the required standards and quality in teaching, learning and infrastructure in private schools in the state.
 
“The only means by which students can perform excellently and have confident during examinations without relying on malpractices is through good qualitative education provided by qualified education personnel and standard facilities, good quality lesson delivery in private schools,” he said.
Olajide said the ownership and operation of private schools in the state were strictly regulated since they dealt with moulding and building of human capital for the state, Nigeria and the world.
Olajide said the cordial relationship between private school owners and the state government could further be strengthened if they could identify “miracle centers” where examination malpractices strive.
He, however, commended the private school owners for their contributions in the areas of employment and revenue generation to the state.
Olajide urged them to redouble their efforts on the payment of rates and taxes to the government coffers.
Ayo Oluwafemi, the Osun WAEC Branch Comptroller, expressed worries over the spate of examination malpractices in Nigeria with particular reference to some private schools.
He appealed to private school owners to operate with the fear of God and concern about the future of their students, rather than urgent financial gains.

The Osun House of Assembly has assured civil servants in the state that the 2016 budget would ensure full payment of their salaries.
 

 
 
The Speaker of the House, Rt.Hon  Najeem Salaam, gave the assurance in Osogbo during an interactive session on the appropriation bill.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that civil servants on Grade Level 8 and above had been receiving half of their salaries since last year.
Salaam, however, said the capturing of the full payment of workers’ salaries in the budget was an indication that the government was working hard to ensure that civil servants were adequately paid.
He urged civil servants to work hard and play their roles, especially in generating revenue with a view to making the budget achieve its goals.
“It is important for civil servants to work hard; let us all block leakages so that we can have enough fund to carry out our obligations, including payment of full salaries of workers,’’ he said.
Earlier, Mr Kamil Oyedele, the House Committee Chairman on Finance and Appropriation, had said the budget was moderate, simple and realistic.
Oyedele said the budget focused on initiatives that would boost the resources of the state.
NAN reports that Gov. Rauf Aregbesola had on Dec. 10, 2015, presented a budget proposal of N150 billion to the assembly.
But Aregbesola in a letter to the assembly and read at plenary on April 11 sought for the downward review of the budget to N137.9 billion due to the poor economic situation.

Amir – ul-Hajj, Barrister Zikrullahi Olakunle Hassan has charged 2016 Intending Muslim Pilgrims to exercise patience when they get to holy land of Mecca and Medinah.
 
 

 
 
 
Barrister Hassan made this remark at the enlightenment programme organised for 2016 Intending Pilgrims in the state.
He assured them that all arrangements have been put in place to ensure a successful hajj such as conducive hotel accommodation, free meals, free hiram clothes and others.
He then thanked Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his unalloyed support for the board.
In his lecture, Dr K.K Busari, emphasised the essence of patience while in holy land. He made reference to holy Quran 39v10, 2v 155-157 and Q12 v 83 where Allah enjoined Prophet Ibrahim to be patient while performing hajj.
He said to have expected reward from Allah, pilgrims need to follow the procedure and rites of hajj as would be guided by Ullamahs.
Also speaking, head medical team, Dr Arazim Seriki advised the pilgrims to monitor their health challenges and report any problem to the medical team for necessary action. He warned them to avoid hard drugs.

Late Honourable Obafemi Fagbola, a.k.a. OBAF, the Pioneer Commissioner for Tourism and Culture in the State of Osun has been described as a visionary, focused and result oriented leader.
 
 

 
 
This is contained in a Press statement issued on behalf of the State Government by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Mrs Olajumoke Bello.
The Release stated further that it would be on record that the Late  Commissioner, who will be committed to mother earth tomorrow in his home town, Ile-Ife blazed the trail as the Pioneer Commissioner, laying solid foundation, by harnessing the State’s endowed Culture and Tourism potentials, enlistment of Osun Osogbo as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, during his tenure, thereby projecting the State as a World Culture and Tourism destination.
The Permanent Secretary therefore prays for the repose of his soul and that the Good Lord grants his family, friends and well – wishers fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has reconfirmed his decision of not sacking any government worker in the state despite the recommendation at the Forum of Governors to lay off staff in order to meet up on monthly salary payment.
 

 
Similarly, all Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state are to source for more Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), that whatever amount each council created will be supported with ten percent Matching Grants by the State government, which will be used for the council.
The Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Elder Peter Babalola made this known while addressing staff of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) during his tour of some councils.
He charged the council workers to be mindful of their attitudes to work and that they should guard their job seriously in this trying time, by complementing the good gesture of Ogbeni Aregbesola with dedication and hardwork, as there are others still unemployed.
He then commended the council staff  for their punctuality to work . He then informed them of the sharing formula between the former and newly created Local Council Development Areas in the state.
The Commission  Chairman also assured the staff of the plans of Governor Rauf Aregbesola to pay in due time full salaries to affected levels, and that they must ensure effective service delivery to the people at the grassroot.
He then charged  Acting Heads of Departments and others to live up to expectation, protect government properties, keep their office environment clean and also ensure that the community in the council areas stay clean.
Elder Peter Babalola was accompanied on the surprise tour of the councils in the company of his Commissioners, Messrs Olamolu Kehinde and  Omole Sunday, the Permanent Secretary; Mr. Dayo Olaluwoye, the Director; Finance Establishment and Training; Mr. K. Ibrahim and the Director; Appointment, Promotion and Discipline, Mrs. Modupe Irelewuyi among others.
Local Council Developent Areas visited include, Odo-Otin LCDA, Boripe LCDA, Ifelodun LCDA and others.

Following visible massive infrastructural development and resumption of construction works at project sites, in Osun State, the Elders’ Council of the state chapter of  the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lauded Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the transparent and judicious management of state affairs in spite of lean resources.
The elders also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately dissolve and reconstitute all the boards of all federal commissions and parastatals for the full take-off of his administration.
 
 

 
 
In a communiqué issued at the end of its statutory meeting and made available to journalists at the weekend, the APC Elders attributed the economic woes bedevilling the country was indubitably being on alleged 16 years mismanagement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the federal level.
Governor Aregbesola, the Igbimo Agba noted, has been able to meet the daunting responsibilities of government as well as executing laudable programmes and projects in line with his electioneering campaign promises.
While calling for massive support of the people for the giant strides of the government, the party elders observed that the governor has been executing development projects for the benefit of the people in spite of the hardship being experienced nationwide.
Creation of additional local council development areas by the Aregbesola administration, according to the APC Elders, would not only engender development but also bring government closer to the people at the grassroots level.
At their meeting, the elders called for greater support and co-operation from the APC-led National Assembly for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari so that the lofty programmes of the party for Nigerians would be delivered without further delay.
The Igbimo Agba called on the national leadership of the APC not to shy away from the task of enforcing party discipline among members.

Construction works have resumed at project sites in Osun States, the Elders’ Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun has said.
Following this, the body lauded Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the transparent and judicious management of state affairs in spite of lean resources.
 
 

 
 
The Elders also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately dissolve and reconstitute all the boards of all federal commissions and parastatals for the full take-off of his administration.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its statutory meeting, and made available to journalist, at the weekend, the APC Elders noted that Nigeria’s economy was indubitably being challenged by sixteen years of alleged mismanagement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the federal level.
Aregbesola, the Igbimo Agba, as the Elders’ Council is also known, noted, has been able to meet the daunting responsibilities of government, as well as executing laudable programmes and projects in line with his campaign promises.

While calling for massive support of the people, for the giant strides of the government, the Elders observed that Aregbesola had been executing development projects for the benefit of the people in spite of the hardship being experienced nation-wide.
Creation of additional Local Council Development Areas by the Aregbesola administration, according to the APC Elders, would not only engender development, but also bring government closer to the people, especially at the grassroots.
At their meeting, the Elders called for greater support and co-operation from the APC-led National Assembly for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, so that the lofty programmes of the party for Nigerians would be delivered without further delay.
The Igbimo Agba called on the national leadership of the APC not to shy away from the task of enforcing party discipline among members.

The National Unity and Peace Corps has offered to monitor the movement of cattle and other animals in the country in order to stop the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
The Osun State Commandant of NUPEC, Mr. Moses Ayodele, said this in a speech he delivered at the passing-out parade of members of the group in Ede, Osun State, on Saturday.

Ayodele promised that the corps would work hard to ensure national unity and peaceful coexistence in the country.
He added, “NUPEC will undertake animal policing and monitoring to avert incessant conflicts between herdsmen and farmers and also control, regulate, police and monitor other animals and serve as law enforcement body of animals in Nigeria.
“NUPEC will be involved in conflict resolution, total harmony and unity of neighbours and peaceful accommodation and tolerance among communities.”
He added that the corps would teach the youths to accept Nigeria as one nation and as people destined to live together as one family by ensuring that the North-South dichotomy was abolished.
The Osun State commandant of the NUPEC appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the speedy passage of the legislation seeking the establishment of the corps to start its operations without any hindrance.
The Commandant-General of the NUPEC, Dr. Chinedu Nneji, who commended the corps graduates for their commitment and endurance throughout the orientation course, urged them to remain disciplined.
The DG, who was represented by the Assistant Commandant-General, Fredrik Obidigwe, said the legislation to legalise the organisation would soon be completed.
He said the corps was committed to ensuring that Nigerians remained one irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation.
The Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, lauded the corps, saying the state government would not relent in supporting the organisation and would assist them to succeed.
However, a chieftain of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Testimony Onifade, has said the activities of killer herdsmen in recent time suggested they have godfathers.
Onifade, a Special Assistant to CAN Vice-President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, said the herdsmen could not be carrying AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated riffles without the backing of highly-placed people.
He stressed that government must ensure the arrest and prosecution of their sponsors to tackle the problem.
Onifade spoke in Igede Ekiti on Saturday during a Baptist Church of Nigeria special programme.
He said, “What the Fulani herdsmen used to carry are sticks and cutlasses, but today, they parade AK 47 rifles. Where did they get them?
“Their actions in recent time are barbaric and wicked. I can read political, tribal and ethnic colourations to the way they act. I want to believe that President Muhammadu Buhari, despite being a Fulaniman, cannot support such madness and he shouldn’t also keep quiet.”
Meanwhile, a socio-cultural organisation, Opiatoha K’Idoma, has expressed dissatisfaction with the way the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, has handled the killing of farmers by suspected herdsmen across the country.
The body believed that the IGP had not been proactive in stemming the tide of the spate of killings.