It will be difficult if not absolutely impossible for politicians or political parties to rig the August 9 governorship election in Osun State.

The state resident electoral commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, who stated this at Osogbo yesterday, said the commission had put measures in place to prevent rigging.

Speaking at the venue of a two-day workshop organised by the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Democracy Vanguard, Akeju explained that the forthcoming election in the state would be strictly monitored by election observers from both within and outside the country.

He said that INEC would guard against all forms of rigging during the election, adding that all forms of malpractices that characterise elections in the country would be strictly prevented by the commission.

The INEC boss also urged media practitioners in the state to play active roles in the election and avoid being an appendage of any political party, just as he stressed the need for them to be unbiased in their reports during the election.

Earlier in his speech, the co-ordinator, Democracy Vanguard, Mr Adeola Soetan urged the electorates to troop out to cast their votes during the election and urged them to also monitor their votes.

He said the only power that the masses have is their vote, and urged them to use the power well for the sustenance of democracy in the country.

LEADERSHIP

The ancient town of Ile-Ife in Osun State yesterday, stood still for several hours as the state Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, flagged off his re-election campaign in the town with a call on the people to give him maximum support in his desire to rule the state again.

Aregbesola, who arrived the premises of the Government Technical College, Ile-Ife venue of the campaign rally at 5.45pm, said his resolve to seek a second term in office was born out of his determination to improve on all the developmental programmes he executed in the last three and half years of his administration.

Accompanied by his wife, Sherifat and members of the state Executive Council, the governor declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would take over the reins of government in the country in 2015. Aregbesola, who stressed the need for all Nigerians to vote out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the centre, said the PDP had brought untold hardship and victimisation to the country.

Describing the APC as the only progressive political party in the country with programmes for the masses, Governor Aregbesola assured that he would not deviate from the programme and policies of the party if given the opportunity to rule for a second term.

He blamed the PDP for the woes and calamities of the country, stressing that the APC when it assumes control of the Presidency in 2015, would bring about change in all facets of the economy.

The large crowd of people that converged on the ancient town of Ile-Ife for the rally were drawn from both Lagos and Osun state and they all expressed their readiness to support Aregbesola in the August 9 Governorship election.

Speaking at the rally, the Director-General, Aregbesola Door to Door campaign group, Mr Segun Omoworare listed the continuation of good governance that cut across every facet of life and stability of peace in the state as part of the reasons why the people should re-elect Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
According to Omoworare, the people should not only consider the massive developmental projects already executed by Aregbesola, they should also consider the policies, programmes and projects that would bring more fortunes to the state in voting for Aregbesola.

Omoworare said remarkable projects like the Osun Airports, Osogbo East Bypass, Aje International Market, the modern Elementary, Middle and High Schools, dualisation of Gbonga to Osogbo road, among few other projects would transform the state and make it more economically viable after completion.

THE SUN

Customers of Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN) Nigeria in Osun State may experience network outage as the state government has shut all of the firm’s base stations in the state over unpaid taxes running to about N207 million.

According to a statement by Chairman/Chief Executive of the State’s Internal Revenue Service, Dayo Oyebanji on Tuesday, in Osogbo, the amount represented unpaid “outstanding taxes, fees and charges in respect of base stations, and right of way for laying fibre optics due to the State Government since last year.

He said the step was taken after all necessary steps in terms of consultation and persuasion, among others.

According to him, “the meeting held with the representatives of the MTN Company led by Emmanuel Uganden was concluded with a unanimous decision that the outstanding should be paid latest by the close of business on Friday (May 16), having reconciled with the company from N399 million to N207.609 million for the right of way and N135.668 million for base stations.

The statement recalled that the base stations of the company were on April 7 closed by the officials of Osun State Internal Revenue Service(IRS), but later released two days after, following the intervention of a top manager in the communication outfit, Emmanuel Seton.

The revenue service boss said that the imperviousness of the MTN Company to clear their outstanding bills despite various suasions implored, is what necessitated the action.

He further stated that, the ongoing distraining exercise will not be  limited to MTN company alone, but also would be extended to other telecom communication companies, banks and other recalcitrant tax debtors found guilty of owing the state government.

DAILY INDEPENDENT

Download inspiring Quotes from the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Today’s Quote is focused on the highlights of Governing the people of Osun. Visit the website at www.osun.gov.ng  or Twitter @stateofosun for more updates on the State of Osun and its projects.

 

• Condemned the abduction of girls of the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State
• Declared a day of fasting and prayer for safe return of the over 200 girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State abducted by the  Boko Haram Sect
• Provides a free daily nutritious meal for over 250,000 pupils of Elementary School 1-4 in all public schools in Osun under the Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (OMEALS)
• Empowered and engaged 3,007 community caterers to provide daily meals for over 250,000 pupils of Elementary School 1-4 in the state
• Abolished the payment of PTA levies and other fees in public schools in the State of Osun
• 40 State of the art Elementary, Middle and High Schools being embarked upon under the first phase of the school infrastructure revamp
• Providing standard recreational facilities in Elementary schools
• 8,000 students trained on calisthenics
• 750,000 pupils in all public schools provided with free school uniforms
• 150,000 tablet of knowledge (OPON IMO) being distributed to  students of High Schools in the state
•   Free healthcare for under 5 children as well as pregnant women
• Distributed over a million pieces of insecticide treated nets for mothers and children to curb the incidence of malaria
• Routine immunization for children against the six-killer diseases
• Constantly sensitization and education of prevention of mother to child (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS
• Celebrated the first Oodua World Children’s Day in which participants were drawn from all Yoruba speaking communities within and outside Nigeria
• Resuscitated Agriculture in schools to develop new generation of youths with interest in  Agric
• Introduced Spelling Competition in Schools
• Introduced Debate competition in schools to develop the art public speaking and confidence in public students
• Set to inaugurate free transportation for public schools students with over 40 Coaster buses provided
• Distributed fortified healthy nutritious milk for public school pupils in partnership with West African Milk Company (WAMCO)
• Established the Omoluabi Boys and Girls Club to teach good morals and values in children
• Re-introduced into schools the forgotten  rhymes and poems which teaches hardwork, resilience and honesty

Photo of the Overall Winner, State of Osun Public Schools Debate, Ayodele Habibllah during his ‘One-day with Ogbeni’ after Winning the Osun High School’s Unity Debate Competition at Government House Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 26-05-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) with the Overall Winner, State of Osun Public Schools Debate, Ayodele Habibllah (left), during his One-day with Ogbeni after Winning the Osun High School’s Unity Debate Competition at Government House Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 26-05-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) welcoming the Overall Winner, State of Osun Public Schools Debate, Ayodele Habibllah (left) to the Government House, during his One-day with Ogbeni in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 26-05-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); his Wife, Sherifat (right) and Overall Winner, State of Osun Public Schools Debate, Ayodele Habibllah (left), during his One-day with Ogbeni after Winning the Osun High School’s Unity Debate Competition at Government House Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 26-05-2014

Wife of the Governor State of Osun, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola (left) with the Overall Winner, State of Osun Public Schools Debate, Ayodele Habibllah (left), during his One-day with Ogbeni after Winning the Osun High School’s Unity Debate Competition at Government House Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 26-05-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); his Wife, Sherifat (2nd right); Overall Winner, State of Osun Public Schools Debate, Ayodele Habibllah (3rd left); Chairman, Omoluabi Support Group (OSG), Pastor Israel Alagbe (left); Chairman, Lagos State House of Committee on Transportation, Commerce and Industry, Honourable Bisi Yusuf (right) and Secretary OSG, Barrister Kayode Tinubu (2nd left), during his One-day with Ogbeni after Winning the Osun High School’s Unity Debate Competition at Government House Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 26-05-2014

Download inspiring Quotes from the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Today’s Quote is focused on the Good Governance in the State. Visit the website at www.osun.gov.ng  or Twitter @stateofosun for more updates on the State of Osun and its projects.

‎The governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola over the weekend said the improvement of the lots of the people of the state was a strong motivation for his seeking office.

The governor made this disclosure while delivering his address titled “The Difference Leadership can make” at the third Babatunde Jose Lecture on Media and the society and the formal presentation of the National Infinity magazine’s “Nigerian of the Year 2013” Award to him‎ at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osogbo.

Aregbesola pointed out that leadership should offer a golden opportunity to serve the people and bring improvements to bear on their lives and existence.

He also noted that leadership is a core pillar upon which a viable and successful human society can be built, adding that from the beginning of history, leadership has been of the essence in the affairs of men.

The governor revealed that when he sought the leadership of the State of Osun as governor, he was fully aware of the implications and well-prepared to face the responsibilities.

According to him,” ‎the improvement of the lots of the people of Osun was therefore a strong motivation for my seeking office and a paramount object of the deployment of my talents. Thus, as a leader I constantly seek for ways of bringing about progress and advancement for my people in every area of their lives.

“In education, everything done under my leadership is meant to improve the standard for the benefit of our children. Building of new schools; recruitment of more teachers; provision of uniforms, distribution of Opon-Imo; provision of free food etc. are all aimed at raising the standard of public education in Osun.

“This is grounded in my belief that education is one of the greatest legacies we can give to humans. Similarly, the intention behind my administration’s agricultural policy is to transform farming in the state to big business”. The governor told audience at the lecture.

Aregbesola held that roads being constructed by his administration are meant to enhance the various levels of human transactions including trade and commerce.

He ‎thanked the National Infinity magazine for the award; and for adding voice to the motivating choruses of appreciation that have greeted his demonstration of the difference leadership can make in society.

In his lecture, entitled: Governance, Deficit and Accountability in the Era of Twitter, Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi identified four challenges confronting Journalism in Nigeria.

According to Olorunyomi, who is the Editor In Chief of PremiumTimes, these challenges are conflict of interest, invasion of privacy, confidentiality of sources and general fabrication of stories.

Olorunyomi also identified the problem confronting investigative journalism, saying it’ s expensive, dangerous and time-consuming.

“In the independence of our profession to serve as a real public watchdog for making government accountable and serving the society, there must be an independence of the pocket, which will guarantee independence of the practice.

“Journalism remains the vital force for restoration of investigative journalism in the restoration of values and general development of the society,” Olorunyomi said.

In his opening remark, the President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adesina, listed truthfulness, accountability, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and limitation to harms as the core cannons of ethical journalism.

Adesina said financial independence in journalism business can only guarantee the independent practice of journalism.

“Governance, accountability and integrity go together in ethical journalism.

“Despite the availability of online media, present journalists must be wary of throwing away their integrity in investigative journalism,” Adesina advised.

Editor in Chief of National Infinity magazine Mr. Jide Ige said the publishing house’s choice of Aregbesola was informed by the noticeable transformations in Osun noting that the spare of development in the state is startling.