Photos of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithfuls, during the Post-Ramadan Prayers/Lecture organized by the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Osogbo Branch, on Sunday 19/07/2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on the top of vehicle
acknowledging cheers from the Muslim faithful, during the Post-Ramadan
Prayers/Lecture organized by the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT),
Osogbo Branch, on Sunday 19/07/2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on the top of vehicle
acknowledging cheers from the Muslim faithful, during the Post-Ramadan
Prayers/Lecture organized by the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT),
Osogbo Branch, on Sunday 19/07/2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola standing while
acknowledging prayers from the members of Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society
(NASFAT), during the Post-2015 Ramadan Prayers/Lecture organized by
(NASFAT), Osogbo Branch, on Sunday 19/07/2015.

From left- Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman,
Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT),Osogbo Branch, Alhaji Rasheed
Adeyemo, Osogbo NASFAT Former Chairmen, Alhaji Biliaminu Ishola and
Alhaji Aliu Kayode Afolabi, during the Post-2015 Ramadan
Prayers/Lecture organized by NASFAT, Osogbo Branch, on Sunday
19/07/2015.

The attention of the Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress has been drawn to the surreptitious activities of a group by the name Osun Stakeholders which is planning what it calls a summit on Osun education and financial status.

This party is aware of the treasonable intent of the summit and we make bold to say that this is in furtherance of the activities of the same politicians whose agenda have been to destabilise the state.

 After its press conference held in Osogbo to announce its intention, we have been left with no doubt that the summit is another phase of the grand plot of the opposition elements to sustain their campaigns of calumny against the government of APC in Osun.

Or how do we explain various statements credited to the conveners to the effect that “it appears there is no one on top of the situation at the moment” or that “our State of the Living Spring has been in the news…over its near bankruptcy…” and other such inciting statements to the people.

We hereby state categorically that behind this latest plot is the humiliated governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the August 9, 2014 election, Iyiola Omisore and his allies.

It is germane to inform all well-meaning, decent individuals who may have been invited by the mischief-makers to this ill-motivated summit but are unaware of the real intention to see through the selfish political aggrandisement that lurks behind it.

The people of Osun in the August 9 2014 election totally rejected Omisore through the ballot. We are aware that after that humiliating defeat and the eventual dismissal of his petition as frivolous by the tribunal, Appeal Tribunal and the Supreme Court, he has been running from pillar to posts to ochestrate all manners of destabilisation plots to bring down the APC government.

The last of these dubious antics was the failed attempt to capitalise on the strike embarked upon by workers in Osun over the delay in payment of salaries.

Last week, the attempt to unleash mayhem on the state through a sponsored protest was foiled by the combined efforts of eagle-eyed security agencies and the vigilant residents of this state who have insisted Omisore cannot get what he lost from the ballot through sponsored violence.

The State of Osun is very much on course. There is peace, there is stability, there is development. The ‘failure’ being highlighted is in the warped minds of the wicked and very few disgruntled individuals who are desperate for power without responsibility.

It is true workers were on strike for six weeks. This is not strange in a democracy? As expected, the basis for that industrial dispute is being resolved through the commitment of the government and the understanding of the workers.

The APC Osun chapter therefore wishes to call the attention of security agencies to this latest plot to destabilise the state.

Signed:

Barr. Kunle Oyatomi,

Director, Media & Strategy,

All Progressive Congress,
State of Osun

The government of Osun State and Margaret Bolanle Fabiyi, a private tourism investor, are to partner on the development of a world-class tourism resort in Ikirun. When completed, the project which is expected to gulp billions of naira, will serve as one-stop-shop for leisure, hospitality, entertainment, shopping, conference business and tours.
The resort, second to none in Nigeria, will also have agricultural component to grow agric tourism and residential houses in addition to creating room for service providers, a hospital, school, jetty, helipad and filling station among other facilities.
While unveiling the project plan to travel writers in Lagos recently, Fabiyi, popularly called Webisco, said the project is huge and would certainly address the problem of unemployment as it would create jobs and also generate revenue for the state in the face of stifling economic condition caused by the fall of crude oil price at the world market.
She disclosed that efforts were being made to complete the land acquisition and documentation, adding that the state government should do the needful by showing above average commitment financially and otherwise to realise the resort.
‘We have acquired a 25 square kilometer land in Ikirun, Osun State for the development of a one-stop tourism resort that would be second to none in Nigeria. The land was facilitated by, Oba Rauf Olawale, the Akirun of Ikirun.
“We are working out the modalities and would make an appropriate comment on its update when we have sorted out the grey arrears”, Fabiyi said.
Fabiyi, who is an active member of most tourism and travel organisations in Nigeria, including Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) is a leading member and country liaising officer for Africa Travel Association (ATA) with headquarters in New York, U.S.A.
“As we continue to invest our individual efforts in promoting and marketing tourism in our country we hope that very soon we will begin to reap the dividends. A trip by President Barack Obama, for instance, would drive heavy traffic to this country. Although we will not bank on that, given that his tenure is running fast, we are committed to continuously promoting our country as the home of hospitality in West Africa”.  Also, as part of her effort to open up the country to influx of tourists, a team of travel writers from the United States of America is expected in the country for the second familiarization tour organised by her in collaboration with the Federal Government to promote tourism in Nigeria.
For the Familiarization Trip, we would get in touch with the facilitators so that we would not be taken unawares when ministers, yet to be appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, assume duty. She hoped to use WIFWETN her NGO, to do the needful by liaising with the authorities to ensure that the trip is fruitful.
Commenting on the security challenges in the country, she remarked that there is no country in the world without security challenges. She however pledged to ensure that the guests are protected during their visit and exposed only to our tourism wealth, to supply them with limitless information of our potentials, because there is the need to move from tourism potential to prosperity now that oil price has become something else.”
“I see our stabilizing democracy as a reason for organizing the familiarization trip. This time, about 10 travel writers from the US are coming as soon as we are ready.  They will spend 12 days. It is in partnership with VALinc PR to compliment what Nigeria tourism writers have been doing. The trip is a deliberate effort to expose top media outlets to travel, vacation and cultural opportunities here and to create a rich itinerary and present to the Americans a balanced package of our endowments. They will experience the traditional Nigeria, visit local producers of food, art, fashion, culinary, nightlife, entertainment, tourist sites, beaches and historical monuments. The trip will be reciprocated, and would also involve a US road show, meetings with appropriate media and business leaders in target areas such as Harlem, and Brooklyn in New York, Atlanta Georgia, Washington DC, Chicago, Illinois among others”, she said.
Top among the visitors are; Fathom Away, Travel and Leisure, Conde Nast Traveller, GQ, Time, New York Daily News, The Chicago Tribune and Cuisine Noir. As much as the country would benefit from the trip, Fabiyi noted that the cost implication is great and so WIFTWEN cannot carry the burden alone, and seeks partnerships of the federal and state governments to execute this project in the coming months.
“As we wait for President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint his ministers, we hope that our minister will have the industry at heart and create more than the enabling environment for tourism to thrive in Nigeria. Our endorsement will be updated and necessary contacts made with governments of Lagos, Osun, FCT, Kogi, Edo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Cross River to create a soft landing for this project”.
To access the preparedness of their would-be host, Elizabeth Scott, a delegate from the US was in the country and also expressed her willingness to the media to visit and see things for themselves.
BUSINESS DAY

Gov. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, said this while speaking with journalists at the praying ground in
Osogbo after the eid-il-fitr prayer.
Explaining that the financial crisis was not caused by his administration, Aregbesola stated that with the commencement of payment of salary in osun state, his government had also commenced the repositioning of the state for the better.
He promised that workers’ welfare would continue to be top on his agenda.
He said, “Our government is better prepared financial crisis of the past six months.
“I want our people, particularly the workers, to know that ease, happiness, joy, prosperity will always come if we demonstrate humility, stand firm in our faith, preach patience and love and remain on the path of God.”
The governor commended the entire workers and pensioners in the state for their “unrivaled endurance and resilience” in the face of hardship caused by non-payment of salaries.
Some persons who stormed the praying ground to express their support for the governor charged him to shun his detractors and focus on developing the state.
The governor’s supporters carried placards with various inscriptions, urging the governor to shun critics who were stigmatising him over the salary issues. Some residents also hailed him as he left the place and headed back to the Government House.
Alhaji Sheik Musa Animasaun, the chief Imam of osogboland also said nobody should blame osun state government for the financial crisis which caused the delay in salary payment.
He admonished Muslims not to return back to the sinful ways which they renounced during the Ramadan, saying they should strive to emulate the virtues of Prophet Mohammed.
Animasaun said, “We have noticed that the issue of salary in the state is getting a solution, we must continue to pray that all his strategies to take Osun to beautiful heights of his dream will come to fruition.”

The Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has commended the entire workers and pensioners in the state for their unrivalled endurance and resilience in the face of hardship caused by delay in payment of salaries.
He also tasked Muslims in Osun State, Nigeria and the world in general on the responsibility on them to champion love and peaceful co-existence.
This was the central theme of the message of Aregbesola on Friday on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitri celebration which was contained in a statement by the Director of the Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon.
Aregbesola said the government is poised to utilise the lessons of the national revenue crisis as a springboard to intensify the efforts to develop the natural potentials of the state to build a state that would be the envy of all.
The Governor also promised that the state government will never renege on its pledge to ensure comfortable living for whoever sets his feet on the territory of Osun State, saying the current challenge is temporary.
Quoting from Holy Qur’an Chapter 94 verse 6, which says: “So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief,” Aregbesola said: “It is the promise of Allah to His creatures that no matter the magnitude of hardship that comes their way, He (Allah) will unfailingly end it with comfort.
“After hardship comes ease. After problem, solution. So, no matter how hard a situation may appear, they will surely come succour from God.
“I want our people, workers, traders, artisans, professional groups and others to know that ease, happiness, joy, prosperity will always come if we demonstrate courage, humility, stands firm in our faith, preach patience and love and remain on the path of God.
“We should know that only God brings affliction to mankind. And certainly, there is none, who can take it away and replace it with prosperity than Him (God).
“I wish to thank all the people of Osun for their patience, love and support while the hardship lasted despite the evil machinations of some who see some opportunities to throw this state into confusion in the national revenue crisis.”
Aregbesola urged Muslims to emulate the sterling character of Prophet Muhammad, imbibe whole-heartedly the lessons of Ramadan and put them into practical use in their everyday affairs both with fellow Muslims and people of other faiths.
The Herald

 
Former Chief Judge of Osun State, Hon Justice Olatunde Oluborode, (Rtd.) is dead.
The late jurist, according to a statement from his immediate family, was 80.
The family said burial details will be announced later.

Pictures of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers and enthusiasms from the Muslim faithfuls, during the 2015 Eid-el-fitri Celebration, at Praying ground, Oke-Baale, Osogbo, on Friday 17/07/2015.

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has promised to reverse the downward trend in development caused by the financial crisis which hit the country.
Aregbesola said this while speaking with journalists at the praying ground in Osogbo after the Eid-el-Fitr prayer.
Explaining that the financial crisis was not caused by his administration, the governor said with the commencement of payment of salary arrears, his administration had also started repositioning the state for the better.
He promised that workers’ welfare would continue to top his administration’s agenda.
Aregbesola said, “Our government is better prepared to reverse the downward developmental trend forced on the state by the downturn in national economy and its attendant financial crisis of the past six months.
“I want our people, particularly the workers, to know that ease, happiness, joy, prosperity will always come if we demonstrate humility, stand firm in our faith, preach patience and love God.”
The governor commended the state workers and pensioners for their endurance and resilience in the face of hardship caused by non-payment of their salaries.
Some persons who stormed the praying ground to express their support for the governor charged him to shun his detractors and focus on developing the state.
The supporters carried placards with various inscriptions urging the governor to shun his critics, who they said were out to stigmatise his administration over the salary issue.
The Chief Imam of Osogbo, Alhaji Sheik Musa Animasaun, said nobody should blame the governor for the financial crisis which caused the delay in salary payment.
He urged Muslims not to return to the sinful ways which they renounced during the Ramadan.
Animasaun urged them to emulate the virtues of Prophet Mohammed.
He said, “We have noticed that the issue of salary in the state is being resolved, we must continue to pray that all the governor’s strategies to take Osun State to his beautiful height of his dream will come to fruition.”
PUNCH

As Muslims in Osun State yesterday gathered to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitri, marking the end of this year’s Ramadan fast, Chief Imam of Osogboland, Sheik Musa Animasaun admonished residents not to blame Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the delay in payment of salaries to civil servants in the state.
Addressing Muslims faithfuls during the prayers, the Chief Imam said those doing that are only dissipating their energy, because the unpaid salaries and challenges facing the nation resulted from the malady afflicting the nation’s economy for which Nigerians must seek divine help.
According to him, “Governor Rauf Aregbesola cannot be accused of being the architect of the delay in the payment of salaries in the state. Those focusing on Aregbesola are only dissipating energy, because there is malady afflicting the national economy for which Nigerians must seek God’s favour and interventions.
Governor Aregbesola who was at the praying ground along with some top government officials was hailed and followed by a crowd, despite the issue of unpaid salaries. After the prayers, the governor and his entourage moved round popular streets of Oke-Fia through Alekunwodo-Olaiya-Popo-OjaOba to Oke Baale.
Some individuals and groups were seen carrying placards in support of the Aregbesola administration, some of which read: “Osun needs prayers; Nigeria needs prayers;” “Ogbeni! Allah is with you;” and “Aregbesola, continue to stand by Allah. He solves all challenges;” “Dont stigmatise Aregbesola over salaries;” “Aregbe, maa ba sere lo (Aregbesola, continue with your job)” among many others.
The Chief Imam of Osogboland admonished people to desist from returning to sins that they eschewed during the month of Ramadan, adding that the economic woes the nation is witnessing is as a result of sin.
He commended Governor Aregbesola for the development he has brought to Osun, admonishing him to always seek God’s face in times like this. The Chief Iman urged the people to remain prayerful and trust in God.
He stressed that what is happening in the country, especially the issue of unpaid salaries plaguing both Federal and states governments are not man-made but manifestations of God’s wrath.
The cleric lauded the government for the truce reached with workers and the commencement of payment of backlog of salaries in the state.
Addressing journalists after the prayers, the governor assured that his government is better prepared to reverse the downward developmental trend forced on the state by the downturn in national economiy and it’s attendant financial crisis of the past six months.
Aregbesola also commended the entire workers and pensioners in the state for their unrivalled endurance and resilience in the face of hardship caused by non-payment of salaries.
He stated that with the payment of January and February salaries, government has commence the repositioning of the state for the better,  promising that workers’ welfare will continue to be top on his administration’s agenda.
“I want our people, particularly the workers, to know that ease, happiness, joy, prosperity will always come if we demonstrate humility, stands firm in our faith, preach patience and love and remain on the path of God.
Speaking earlier in his sermon, Ustaz Kamildeen Raji commended the administration of governor Aregbesola for his lofty ideas of governance in the state, saying the feeding of school children and other infrastructural development will not be forgotten in a hurry in the history of the state.
He charged the governor to be focused and not distracted with the present situation of the state, adding that their is no human being or entity in this world that is not prone to challenge.
The cleric said “Everybody here for prayer should endeavour to pray for the state and the governor, despite all the challenges that Nigeria is going through which is also affecting our state. I believe that with prayers, there will be light at end of the tunnel.
“I charge our governor not to weary in well doing, every government has its challenges, the present challenge will soon be a thing of the past, there has never been any government that Osun has witnessed that has surpassed what Aregbesola has done.
“If we begin to count, we will not leave this place, is it the feeding of our children or the employment given to over 20,000 of our children, or the good roads that we are enjoying. Let us continue to pray for Osun, all will be well”. The cleric emphasised.
The cleric who condemned the act of terrorism held that Boko Haram has nothing to do with Islam, and that Islam in no way support the killing of human being.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

Pictures of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with the Executive Chairman, Safari Books Limited, Chief Joop Berkhout, at Ibadan Airport on Tuesday 14/07/2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) exchanging
pleasantries with Executive Chairman, Safari Books Limited, Chief Joop
Berkhout, at Ibadan Airport on Tuesday 14/07/2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Executive
Chairman, Safari Books Limited, Chief Joop Berkhout (left) and
Professor Johnson Ekpere (right), at Ibadan Airport on Tuesday 14/07/2015.