In his 2015 ‘Budget of Renewed Hope’, Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, proposed to spend N197.8 billion as against the N234 billion he spent in 2014.
The total recurrent expenditure is N87 billion while capital expenditure is N110 billion.
In the proposed budget, the Economic Sector, covering agriculture and rural development, rural/urban electrification, commerce, industry, finance and transportation accounted for the largest chunk with N41.6 billion.
Aregbesola said that the budget would ensure the completion of on-going projects and commencement of new ones for the comfort of the people. He noted that extra efforts would be made to generate more revenue internally, especially through collection of existing taxes and rates without necessarily imposing new tax regime on the people.

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has urged leaders in the state to mandate their followers to fulfil their responsibilities of paying tax as a means of supporting the present administration in Osun State.

The governor stated this at the Inter-religious service held at the Governor’s Office, Osogbo to usher in Year 2015.

Aregbesola promised to judiciously use the money to improve the standard of living of masses and development of infrastructure in the state.

He thanked people of the State for their cooperation and support during the past  years and enjoined them to ensure that they vote for the All Progressives Congress in the coming general elections.

He noted that APC is the only party that can guarantee the desired progressive change which the country needs at the moment.

According to him, “It is obvious that the Peoples Democratic Party PDP can not rule the country well and any well meaning Nigerian should endeavour to vote them out of office.‎

“I want to assure you that if the APC comes into power at the federal level of governance, all the masses-driven programmes of the present government in Osun will be extended to all the states in the federation.

“The All Progress Congress is ready to adopt people oriented programmes like the school feeding programme which will accommodate pupils in primary 1-6, the party is also ready to adopt the youth empowerment scheme in all the states of the federation as well as the programme of the aged(Agba Osun)” the governor stated.

He also reminded them of the need to collect their permanent voter cards to be able to exercise their franchise during next month’s general elections.

In their sermons, the State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN Reverend Elisha Ogundiya and the Mufashir of Osogbo, Alhaji Ma’ruf Ishola prayed for the continued peace and development of the state.

The clergy men thanked the Governor for deeming it fit to begin the year with the offering of prayers to God.

“We are very happy that the Governor has decided to start official activities of the state with prayers, it shows that he is God fearing man and we urge all our leaders to follow his footsteps.”

They also stressed the need for Nigerians especially the religious preachers to always speak the truth to those in positions of authority rather than sing- praising them.

Earlier in a welcome address, the State Head of Service, Mr Olayinka Owoeye promised on behalf of all civil servants to continue to support Government towards achieving its aspirations.

Prayers were offered for the peace, progress and development of the state and the country at large by both the Christian, Muslim and traditional religious leaders.

The Election Petitions Tribunal hearing matters arising from Osun State governorship election has adjourned till January 28 for adoption of written addresses.
The Counsel for the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Bashiru Ajibola, had told the panel at the resumed hearing on Monday that the second respondent (APC) had decided to close their defence.
Ajibola told the panel that the petitioner, Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party, had no case.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, which is the third respondent in the case, also opened its case and closed it the same day.
The counsel for INEC, Mr. Ayotunde Ogunleye, had tendered certified true copies of form EC8E which is the final result and declaration form, permanent voter cards distribution list and the certificate of the list.
Counsel for the first respondent, Mr. Wale Afolabi, who is also the counsel to the APC, did not raise any objection to the admissibility of the documents. However, the petitioner’s counsel, Mr. Nathaniel Oke (SAN), however, objected to the admissibility of the document.
He argued that the certificate of the PVCs distribution list should be rejected because it was not front-loaded.
The tribunal admitted the document.
He said, “We apply to close our case upon the evaluation of the case made out by the petitioner, coupled with evidence we have extracted from the witnesses called so far by other respondents and the petitioner.”
Ogunleye told the panel that the third respondent did not need oral evidence since virtually all the document tendered by parties in the case emanated from the INEC.
The strike action embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria had almost stalled the proceedings as the union withdrew their members who are interpreters and bailiffs.
The striking workers had earlier locked the gates to the court premises and prevented lawyers and others from going inside.
However, the workers eventually allowed lawyers and others who had businesses in the court to gain entry.
The JUSUN in the state said that they were ready to go on with the strike action until state governors complied with the judgement of the Federal High Court delivered on January 13, 2014, according to all the terms contained in the Memorandum of Understanding.
THE PUNCH

Photos of the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola exchanging with representatives of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),  the Imam of Osogboland, Araba Awo of Osogboland and others during the Inter-religious Service for the New Year 2015 at Office of the Governor, State Secretariat, Osogbo on Monday 05/01/2015.

Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right), his
wife, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola (right) exchanging pleasantries with Chief
Imam of Osogboland, Sheikh Musa Animasahun (2nd left); Araba Awo of
Osogboland, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon (left) and others, during the
Inter-religious Service for the New Year 2015 at office of the Governor,
State Secretariat, Osogbo on Monday 05/01/2015.

Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola exchanging
pleasantries with Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),
Reverend Elisah Ogundiya during the Inter-religious Service for the New
Year 2015 at Office of the Governor, State Secretariat, Osogbo on Monday
05/01/2015.

From left- Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Mrs. Titi Laoye- Tomori;
Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Mrs.
Sherifat Aregbesola and Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Adepele Ojo
during the Inter-religious Service for the New Year 2015 at Office of the
Governor, State

From left- Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Mrs. Titi Laoye- Tomori;
Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Mrs.
Sherifat Aregbesola and Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Adepele Ojo
during the Inter-religious Service for the New Year 2015 at Office of the
Governor

Ariel view images of the the changed face of Osun; the newly constructed Second Bypass Road  (Oba Adesoji Aderemi Road) as captured at the weekend.

At the close of last year, it was widely reported that the Federal Government and some states were owing workers up to, and in some cases, more than three months salaries. This allegation was first made by the Secretary General of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Mr Alade Lawal. His concern, on which he gave details, was the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government.
However, Punch newspaper in its usual mischief and anti-Aregbesola diatribe added some states to the mix, prominent of which is Osun. A few days later, regrettably, the president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) just took the Punch’s false report verbatim and also included Osun prominently in the list of states owing workers three months salaries and in which industrial action could commence.
This is unfortunate. If the Punch had done any investigation as it claimed, it would have known that as at the time of the report, it was only November 2014 salary that was outstanding since the October salary had been paid. So much for mischief and adversarial reporting that makes no distinction between truth and falsehood.
We must however have a holistic understanding of the salary situation. When Governor Rauf Aregbesola was sworn in November 27, 2010, the total wage bill in the state was N1.6 billion. The following year, the minimum wage act was passed into law and it became binding on all states. By 2012, all states of the federation had complied, making Osun wage bill to rise to N3.6 billion.
By the same token, with higher oil prices and increase in the pump head price of refined fuel locally, Osun’s revenue jumped to N4.6 billion, which was relatively safe, wage wise. However, by July 2013, Osun’s revenue had dropped to N2.8 billion. Within the same period, Aregbesola had shored up internally generated revenue from the meagre N300 million he met to N1billion, thus he was still able to pay salaries usually by the 26^th of every month. However, allocation has dropped progressively since then and the last allocation Osun got for November 2014 from the Federation Account was N1.03 billion. There is no magic to this. Aregbesola should be commended for the astute manner he has managed the state’s economy, implementing wondrous projects and still fulfilling obligations to workers in spite of dwindling revenues.
The grim options before any state in this situation is either to reduce its workforce size to a sustainable level or find creative ways to generate revenue. The governor has chosen the later and should be commended. Even the workers understand the dire situation. If NLC and Punch newspaper are so concerned about salaries, let them pay the workers or ask them to transfer their services to your organisations.
Dwindling state allocation is a time bomb that portends the grave danger of state meltdown and the Federal Government should be held accountable for the malaise of oil theft and underproduction, which brought this about, not states trying to cope with the consequences.
Adekunle Ajayi,
Mushin, Lagos

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Obokun constituency of Osun House of Assembly, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has urged Nigerians to reflect on the past and effect the necessary change in the 2015 general elections.
In his new year message, Oyintiloye said the deplorable situation of the country under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government calls for serious concern such that everyone must rise up against it through their votes in the new year.
He noted that President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP-led government were responsible for the country’s woes.
Oyintiloye pointed out that  Nigerians have the responsibilities of taking their destiny into their hands and change the situation.
“Nigeria is in trouble that the PDP-led government brought on us because of leadership incompetence, selfishness and corruption”
“Apart from states like Osun and few others, hardly could the people sleep with their two eyes closed because of insecurity and the Federal Government has failed to tackle it headlong.
THE NATION

The Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Titilayo Laoye-Tomori and the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, have applauded leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, for initiating a robust platform, Airtel Touching Lives, that will empower and assist the less privileged in the society.
Otunba Laoye-Tomori and Mrs. Amosun who were among the top dignitaries that graced the premiere of the Airtel Touching Lives TV series held recently at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, noted that the Telco remains exemplary in its efforts to assist underprivileged individuals, communities and groups in the society.
While delivering her goodwill message at the event, Mrs Amosun described the Touching Lives programme as a laudable project, which has positive impact on the lives of people who are affected by one disability or unfavourable condition. She praised the kind-heartedness and commitment of Airtel towards alleviating the hardship and suffering of Nigerians across the country.
The First Lady, who also caters for orphans and vulnerable children through her non-government organisation (NGO), noted that Airtel Nigeria has over the years given huge support and generous donations to her orphanage.
Commending Airtel for the good work, she said:  “You do not need to have lot before you can touch the lives of others. If we all can assist the next person in our community, it will go a long way. Airtel has demonstrated kindness, care and love through this Touching Lives intervention and we can all learn to share from the little we have in order to bring smile to the faces of others.”
In similar vein, the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Laoye-Tomori said: “This is a powerful and touching programme. Airtel has demonstrated its commitment to give hope to the needy ones in Nigeria. It is a big venture that is highly commendable. Airtel out of its genuine desire to assist the disadvantaged ones in our society has taken from its purse to support the weak.” She urged everyone to support the Telco in the laudable course through patronage.
Premiered at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, the first episode of the television series, which has two stories, evoked high emotion among the guests.
The premiere was attended by other dignitaries including United States Consul General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey J. Hawkins; Chairman of Airtel Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, Rtd (CGON) and HRH, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu.
The Season One of Airtel Touching Lives TV series is a 13-week episode scheduled to air on terrestrial and satellite television stations beginning from January 2015. It has been tipped to redefine the television-viewing experience of Nigerians.
WORLD STAGE

iSince April 14, 2014 more than 200 young secondary school girls of Federal Government College, Chibok, Borno State have been in the captive of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
So far, the security agencies have been unsuccessful in rescuing them, even as the war against insurgency rages. Some of the girls managed to escape from the den of their captors while majority of them are still languishing there and far away from their families.
As the year comes to an end, the Wife of the Osun State Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola remembered the girls when she played host to hundreds of children from across the 30 local government councils of the state during an event marking the end of the year children party.
Mrs. Aregbesola who dedicated the event to these girls languishing in the hands of their abductors said all hope is not yet lost for their release and called on the entire Nigerians not to relent in their efforts to continue praying for the release of these innocent girls and peace in the country.
While lamenting that the girls had been separated from their families for a very long time, Mrs. Aregbesola who celebrated the event with the children in low key as part of efforts honouring the kidnapped girls, said “it is not impossible for God Almighty through our prayers to release the girls.
According to her, “although we are celebrating here today, let us individually pray for the children who are at the moment denied the comfort of their families. These are the Chibok girls who have been kidnapped and are yet to be released for a long time now. We should pray for their safe release and peace in our nation.
Also at the event were physically challenged people, children from special schools, selected children from public schools in the state, children from across the 30 local government councils and Modakeke Area Office, religious leaders, parents and guardians as well as market women among others.
There was dance competition for the well-dressed children, quiz competition and other things to make the event memorable for the kids. The event was organized by the office of the Wife of the Governor in conjunction with the State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.
The wife of the Governor also admonished parents to continue to improve on the care and attention being given to their children adding that “we should ensure that we see to their good health and happiness at all times.
“We should also train them to inculcate the virtues and the culture of our people. Most importantly, I urge you to make the education of our children a top priority. There is no excuse for any child not to go to school any longer in the State of Osun given the comprehensive free education policy of the state government. We should understand that education paves way for better living standard in the world.
Speaking on the essence of organizing the programme, Mrs. Aregbesola said “bringing together our children from different socio-economic background on occasions such as this would further inculcate in them high sense of belonging.
“It would oil the spirit of unity and enhance peace and joy in our state. I wish to use this opportunity to plead with our parents and guardians to continue to improve on the care and attention being given to the children.
“As you know, it is our tradition in the State of Osun to celebrate our people, especially our children regularly. The philosophy behind this is very simple. Government is about the people and a responsible government would always make people the centre of attention at all times. Here in the state, our administration places the highest priority on the welfare and happiness of our people. We believe that this is the only way we can truly say we have a democracy.
Mrs. Aregbesola charged the children to be good to their parents and elderly ones in the society. She also enjoined them to refrain from all kind of misbehaviour that could negatively affect the society.
“Just as our parents have crucial role to play in the life of our children, we as children also have our duties and responsibilities. Every child has the responsibility to be good child to his or her family and to the society at large. You should respect your parents, teachers, leaders, and the elderly in our society. I also urge you to refrain from all kinds of misbehaviours that could negatively affect the society. You should grow up as true citizens who come from a state that enthrones the virtues of Omoluabi.
Governor Rauf Aregebsola while speaking at the event noted that 2014 edition of children party is unique that it was the festive period when he secure second term in office assuring the people of the state that the state will witness more developmental projects and dividends of democracy more than before.
While expressing appreciation to the people of the state especially the youths for their support to his administration during the electioneering period, Governor Aregbesola maintained that “your support signifies that you appreciate this administration through its people oriented programmes and projects being executed.
Governor Aregbesola who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti assured that his administration will give good and qualitative education to children adding that the administration has built over 100 new modern schools across the state.
He urged children in the state to desist from violence and act of thuggery which he said is on the increase in schools in the state.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Mrs. Adebimpe Ogunlumade said that the occasion has afforded children from different socio-economic background to come together and interact with one another in order to enjoy the festive period.
The programme was attended by wife of the Speaker, Mrs. Sallam, wife of the SSG, Alhaja Adeoti, wives of the members of the State Assembly, wife of the chairman of APC, Mrs. Famodun, wife of Chief of Staff to the Governor among others.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

…Says Osun can never be ranked among states with anti-workers posture

The State Government of Osun on Thursday asked the Nigeria Labour Congress to allow its state council from Osun provide it with reliable and verifiable information about the government/workers relationship to avoid falling into the error of generalizing its alleged anti-workers’ posture by some states.

Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, said in a statement that if the national office of the NLC had made efforts to get the accurate information on the state of affairs between the workers and the state government, it would not have listed Osun among states which must be served ultimatum over unpaid salaries.

“We find it curious that at a time that the state council of the NLC which is the umbrella body of many of the trade unions has initiated a move to partner with the state of Osun on how to sustain the state as a result of falling allocation from the Federation Account, the national office is singing discordant tunes by erroneously listing the state among states with “anti-workers” postures.

“May we inform the NLC that workers in Osun can attest to the unparalleled pro-workers disposition of this government right from inception. At a time when many states had started owing their workers up to five months salaries, Osun, despite its very meagre allocation as the 34^th on the allocation ladder then, had continued to meet its obligations by paying as at when due. We can say categorically that no state in Nigeria can boast of the records of paying salaries by 26^th of every month before the pang of their painful reductions in allocation began to bite harder,” the statement added.

Setting the records straight, the statement denied Osun owing up three month salaries as contained in the allegation by the NLC saying if the state had paid up to October at least, it would be wrong for the NLC to conclude Osun is among states owing “between three to eight months salaries.”

While advising the NLC to verify its claims from the state council well, it reminded the congress that Osun has a rich history of pro-workers dispositions which has been attested to by all workers in the state.

“This has been the basis of the cordial working relationship because the labour in Osun can see the extent to which the government has gone in satisfying the yearnings of the labour force in spite of the excruciating financial situation. This is why workers in our state, rather than confront, are engaging the state government on ways to boost the revenue generation capacity and look inward for alternative sources of funding.”

The statement assured the NLC that it has one of the most workers-friendly governor in Governor Rauf Aregbesola, adding that the government is irrevocably committed to the welfare of workers even in the face of fast-dwindling resources.

It said that with a dip of the allocation to the state from N4.6billion to N1.1billion, the state government deserves more than kudos for the creative way it has managed the economy without collapsing.