The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun has congratulated the people of Ile Ife and the Yoruba nation in particular for the peaceful selection of a new Ooni of Ife.
Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ojaja II, would succeed the departed Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who joined his ancestors.
‎This is contained in a statement by Mr Kunle Oyatomi, APC ‘s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, in Osogbo on Tuesday.
It stated that with the announcement of Ogunwusi as successor to Sijuwade, a new era had begun in the change paradigm currently sweeping across the country.
‎The statement stated that the corporate world, the Yoruba nation and indeed Nigeria as a whole expected the new Ooni to take off from where the late Sijuwade ended his glorious reign.
“We expect the Ooni-designate to drive the traditional institution with similar if not stronger zest and panache that Oba Sijuade deployed to promote culture, especially that of the Yoruba nation throughout the world,’’ it stated.
It stated that the choice of Ogunwusi must have been based on his pedigree and antecedent.
The statement, however, stated that it was with great expectation that the party look forward to the eventful reign of the new Ooni. (NAN)

Osun State House of Assembly has eventually constituted its 23 Standing Committee.
The Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam named the committee at the plenary
on Tuesday. The sixth Assembly was inaugurated on June 2, 2015 by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Announcing the names of the committee members and chairmen, the speaker said all the committees were important depending on the efforts put into it.
Salaam said the committees would further assist the house in its oversight functions on Ministries Deparments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.
Shortly after the announcement of the committee, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye said the assembly would be more critical in its oversight functions.
He said the officials of MDAs should buckle up and be more dedicated to their jobs, as the house would not take negligence for answer.
According to him, the supervision machinery of the Assembly would be strengthened to further ensure quality service delivery to the people of the state.
Promising that the people would be given appropriate information on the activities of the house, he urged the people to exploit the feed back mechanism that has been put in place by the house for free-flow of information.
“For us in Osun Assembly, information is power and because we believe that governance is about participation, it is important for the people to also give us appropriate and adequate information  that will enhance our legislative performance, giving the fact that we are their representatives.
“The house is blessed with brilliant people who are highly resourceful and with wealth of experience from different professional background. With the constitution of the Committee and its leadership, in coming days we will be able to project the activities of the assembly in better lights. As an arm of government and elected representative of our people, the house shall step up its game to continue to serve the common interest, we will continue to listen to our people and keep in touch with our constituency”, he said.
He then assured that the assembly would do more and allow the overall interest of the people to drive its agenda, dutifully conduct its oversight function, and continue to speak with one voice in the defend of the people, the vulnerable and the downtrodden.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

Find below a copy of the statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, on the appointment of a new Ooni. 

…attend Igbajo Polytechnic’s education summit

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has described any education that is not functional and impactful on the society as a waste.

This was even as the former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, stated that all hands must be on deck to discourage the disparity between Polytechnic and University education in Nigeria.

Aregbesola and Kwankwaso spoke at the second education summit of Igbajo Polytechnic, with the theme, “Though the Roots of Education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet” at the permanent site of the school in Igbajo, State of Osun.

‎The governor of Osun stated that Osun in realisation that education must be functional, the state is embarking on restructuring of all its educational establishments.

He defined education as a process of preparing citizens for a civilised life in the society, admonishing the students of the polytechnic to take a queue from education that will prepare them for the society.

Aregbesola commended the American system of education which he said does not promote dichotomy with the admission that every human being can study up to Masters degree level according to their capacity.

According to him, “What we have in Nigeria is lack of incorporated learning, the feeling of inferiority that some people place on the Polytechnic education will not arise if we see education as a process of preparing citizens for a civilised society.

“In Osun, we are doing something that is very interesting. We are restructuring the polytechnics and our colleges of education to be functional and impactful on Osun.

“Any education that does not have positive impact on the society is a waste. Education must be functional and impactful for it to make meaning”. The governor expressed.

In his remarks, Senator Kwankwaso stated that at this point of change that Nigerians have in the country, technical education must be promoted for the development of technology in Nigeria.

He noted that, all and sundry must change their attitudes on technical education, saying perception is the first step towards the widening gap that has been created through the disparity among the two levels of higher learning.

Kwankwaso added that what should be paramount at this stage of the country‎ is how institutions of higher learning will be turning out graduates that will be able to earn descent living and contribution to the society at large.

He commended the Igbajo community for initiating the Polytechnic, stressing that his love for the town is immeasurable.

The former governor said, “I am very proud of this town because this town Igbajo produced a son who has been useful to me and my family in person of Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN. He is with us to protect us against our enemies in court, he is our General in the field of law in the country and especially in Kano.

“I want to also state here that I am a product of technical education, not only that I attended the Polytechnic also, I attended technical college and craft school. We need to do some attitudinal change because we are different people.

“So many people have succeeded without the two institutions of higher learning, what is important is to make good contributions to humanity and earn living.

“I know several President ‎who have not gone to the university and they have contributed their quotas to the development of their countries and the world,” he stressed.

Speaking earlier, the theme Speaker and Registrar of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde noted that without technical education, there will be no technology.

The JAMB boss added that Polytechnic education must be encouraged because the country needs new knowledge and technology for it to become one of the major players in global economy.

He decried the decline in the number of applications to Polytechnics, noting that Technical education will in a long way develop Nigeria’s long desired development in technology.

Prof. Ojerinde commended Governor Aregbesola and former governor of Kano State, Senator Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso for their contributions to the development of JAMB Computer based Test CBT to students, saying JAMB got a lot of encouragement from Kano and Osun.

He said, “we can not continue to do some certain things in the same way and get good results. We must change, we have abundance of resources to convert to have whatever product that we desire.

“That is why JAMB introduced the unified tertiary matriculation examination which is part of the road map for education sector. Technical education is the answer, the CBT introduced by JAMB is a way to develop us if we want to be like other countries we have to be up and doing”. Prof. Ojerinde emphasised.

Also, the Rector of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-oke, Engr. Oluyemi Oke called for the funding of technical education and personnel in the polytechnic encouraged as their counterpart in the universities.

He stated that the country needs to develop and make sure that Polytechnics stand out and their facilities not over stretched.

“The gap between universities and Polytechnic are widening everyday, I want to advocate that weather you attend the university or polytechnic, you still can get to where those who attend the university can get to, I advocate for a Bachelor of Technology.

“Unless we review what we have in the Polytechnic, that gap will continue to widened. The argument between the polytechnic and university can be addressed by consolidating on the Polytechnic.

“we need both to develop as we want. The future belongs to the polytechnic if our quest for development is to be realised,” The Rector told the audience.

Photos of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with the Former State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Erelu Olusola Obada, during the Funeral Service Of Chief Albert Olokunle Apara, at Cathedral Church of St. John Iloro, Ilesa, State of Osun, on Friday 23/10/2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with Former State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Erelu Olusola Obada, during the Funeral Service Of Chief Albert Olokunle Apara, at Cathedral Church of St. John Iloro, Ilesa, State of Osun, on Friday 23/10/2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Speaker House of Assembly, Lagos State, Hon. Mudashir Obasha, during the Funeral Service Of Chief Albert Olokunle Apara, at Cathedral Church of St. John Iloro, Ilesa, State of Osun, on Friday 23/10/2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); Former Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs. Erelu Olusola Obada (right), Speaker House of Assembly, Lagos State, Hon. Mudashir Obasha (left), Mrs. Mojisola Apara (3rd left), Mrs Lolade Adeoye (2nd right) and Director General Office of Economic & Partnerships, Dr. Charles Akinola (2nd left), during the Funeral Service of Chief Albert Olokunle Apara, at Cathedral Church of St. John Iloro, Ilesa, State of Osun, on Friday 23/10/2015.

Photos of  Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu  Musa Kwankwaso, during a visit to Aregbesola, at Government House Osogbo, State of Osun, on Thursday 22/10/2015

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, during a visit to Aregbesola, at Government House Osogbo, State of Osun, on Thursday 22/10/2015

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, during a visit to Aregbesola, at Government House Osogbo, State of Osun, on Thursday 22/10/2015

*Says it’s not cutting workers’ salaries

The Government of the state of Osun has asked the Peoples Democratic Party to bury its head in shame for being the architect of the various belt-tightening measures which Nigeria must put in place at the moment to ensure continued survival of the country.

The Government said it was laughable for the PDP to think that it made any expose out of its mischievous statement when it accused the Rauf Aregbesola administration of cutting salaries of workers and introducing other measures.

In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the government said while there is no attempt at reducing the salaries of its workers or sacking workers, it is an open development that the government is embarking on a number of measures to keep the state’s head above the stormy economic waters which was foisted on Nigeria, Osun inclusive, by the PDP’s 16 years of misrule.

“If the PDP thought it made any news out of the removal of the between 25% to 35% Overtime allowance of staff of some government agencies, it must be living in a fools paradise. If not mischief, how does that translate to cutting of salaries and retrenchment of workers? This is because there is no measure being taken that is not an outcome of rigorous deliberations with workers and other critical stakeholders,” the statement noted.

The government asked Nigerians to ask the PDP the basis of its unfounded allegations and other tantrums, adding that in no way will the party be excused from the economic woes the country now faces for which the All Progressives Congress government at all levels is working hard to fix.

“After the bailout fund was released to states, rather than concentrate on a positive engagement of the government on how the funds would be used for the good of the people of Osun, they were busy telling lies. Nigerians should not forget how the PDP accused Aregbesola of fixing bailout funds in a deposit account to make personal gains. They should also not forget how they falsely accused the government of diverting the bailout funds to paying contractors. With these alone, the PDP has lost all moral rights to be listened to as a credible opposition. Opposition cannot be based on fabrications and outright falsehood,” the government said.

The statement said that whoever fails to admit that Nigeria is facing serious economic crisis must be living in the moon, adding “It is no longer news that the economy of not only Nigeria but the entire world is in crisis especially those who depend on crude oil.

“After all, some 24 months ago, oil sold for about $114 a barrel but now the same sells for between $45 to $48. From that alone, is it not clear that a country like Nigeria which depends more than 80 % for its national income on sale of crude will be in difficulties managing it’s affairs?”

The government said it is with this in mind that the government of Osun is trying everything possible to ensure that the state stays with its head above the waters.

“If the PDP wants to be honest with itself, can the party exonerate itself from the economic morass that Nigeria is into today? Even before the unfortunate decline in the sale of crude at the international market, Nigeria had endured a most horrendous case of bleeding of the economy.

“Today, after the installation of a truly people’s government, the atrocities of the PDP-led government are coming out in what may enter the Guinness Book of Records as the most brutal stealing of a people’s commonwealth in its 16 years of kleptomaniac grip on Nigeria.”

The statement said the PDP has cast itself as an opposition predicated on falsehood. It said it lost all its rights to be listened to by all right-thinking Nigerians.

Pictures of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu  Musa Kwankwaso with the Owa of Igbajoland, Oba Adeniyi Olufemi Fashade and others  at the 2nd Education Summit at Igbajo Polytechnic,Igbajo, State of Osun, on Thursday 22/10/2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right); Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (2nd left), Akeran 4, Owa of Igbajoland, Oba Adeniyi Olufemi Fashade (right) and Chairman of Occasion, Chief Tunde Ponnle (left), during the 2nd Education Summit at Igbajo Polytechnic,Igbajo, State of Osun, on Thursday 22/10/2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right); Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (middle) and Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Tunde Ponnle (left), during the 2nd Education Summit at Igbajo Polytechnic,Igbajo, State of Osun, on Thursday 22/10/2015.

From left- Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Akeran 4, Owa of Igbajoland, Oba Adeniyi Olufemi Fashade and his Wife, Fashade, during the 2nd Education Summit at Igbajo Polytechnic, Igbajo, State of Osun, on Thursday 22/10/2015

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right); Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (2nd left), Akeran 4, Owa of Igbajoland, Oba Adeniyi Olufemi Fashade (right) and Board of Trust, Polytechnic, Igbajo, State of Osun, Chief Inuolaji Aboaba (left), during the 2nd Education Summit at Igbajo Polytechnic,Igbajo, State of Osun, on Thursday 22/10/2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (2nd right), former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, State of Osun, Hon. Sunday Akare (right), Chairman All Progressive Congress (APC), State of Osun, Prince Gbenga Famodun (left), and Registeral Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde (middle), during the 2nd Education Summit & Presentation of the Award of Excellence in Community Development to Former Governor, of Kano State, at Igbajo Polytechnic,Igbajo, State of Osun, on Thursday 22/10/2015.

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Osun State has trained no fewer than 900 people in commercial farming.
The Director-General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, stated this during the flagging off of the Commercial Farmers Training Projects (CFTP) in Osogbo.
Mallam Mohammed, who was represented by Osun state coordinator of the directorate, Mr. Sola Daramola described the training as a deliberate one, noting that it aimed at building the capacity of the unemployed.
He added that after the training, participants would be able to identify viable opportunities in the agricultural value chain and become self-reliance. DAILY TIMES
 

The attention of the Government of Osun has been drawn to another in the series of the inciting and retrogressive actions that are characteristic of the Peoples Democratic Party in Nigeria in general and Osun in particular.

We are not surprised that the PDP is deliberately painting in bad light, all the well-thought out survival strategies of the current administration in the face of the mounting global economic meltdown which is affecting all facets of national life.

We dare to say that in the face of the glaring realities of economic complications across the world, the impact of which has been felt by Nigerians, it would amount to irresponsibility for the government that cares for its people not to review its operations in line with the prevailing economic realities.

Without any doubt, the growing popular opinion now is that governments at all levels must look inward, review their operations and streamline their activities if they want to continue to maintain the welfare of their people.

Interestingly, there is no single reform and belt-tightening measures that Governor Aregbesola and his government officials have not laid bare on the table before the workers and other stakeholders.

The Osun Labour is quite aware of all the reforms and efforts of the government to ensure that the welfare of the people does not grind to a halt because of the worsening economic situation across the world.

However, we cannot be surprised at PDP’s lack of understanding of the basic issues involved in the global economic meltdown. Nigerians can only the grateful to God that the affairs of the nation is no longer in the rudderless hold of the party.

What could have been the tragic and debilitating impact of the party’s misrule coupled with the global economic crisis is better imagined had Nigerians not voted out the PDP in the last general election in Nigeria and in the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun.