SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OSUN, OGBENI RAUF AREGBESOLA, AT THE OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING OF THE OSOGBO METROPOLITAN ROAD PROJECTS, HELD AT OROKI ESTATE, ON MONDAY APRIL 28, 2014
Protocols
A VISIONARY ROAD MAP
I want to start today’s commissioning ceremony on a note of congratulation to the people and State Government of Osun. This stems neither from a sense of vanity nor an attempt to celebrate frivolity. Rather, it arises from a feeling of concrete achievement at transforming our vision into reality.
As an administration, we have operated on the notion that governance is inescapably about vision – a clear conception of where you want to go from where you are. But the vision would amount to nothing without actually moving from where you are in the direction of your conceived destination. This means that vision must be translated into concrete achievements on the ground.
In effect, at the inception of our administration, we had a vision of progress for Osun, of which road infrastructure development is a vital component. Because of the paramount importance of road transportation for the movement of people and goods in Nigeria, including Osun, we also accorded it a priority attention in our development scheme.
Consequently, we came up with a map for the comprehensive development of our road network. These encompass rural and local roads, intra-city and inter-city roads, as well as inter-state roads. This road plan cuts across the length and breadth of Osun.
But we conceived our road infrastructure development plan in the full consciousness that people do not commute on road maps; they travel on actually marked-out asphalted surfaces. Consequently, we embarked on giving concrete effect to what we have conceived in our mind and mapped out on paper.
All over the state we commenced in earnest the construction of new roads, the reconstruction of some others, and the repair and rehabilitation of old and dilapidated ones. In the Six Geo-political Zones of Osun, we selected six roads extending for over 74.1 kilometres.
Likewise, in the state’s Federal Constituencies, we chose for construction and rehabilitation intra-city roads which cover 79 kilometres. In the road map being executed, there are also 20 inter-city roads that extend over a distance of 294.27 kilometres.
Included in the road plan under implementation are 10 kilometres of road construction in each of the state’s local council areas including the Area Office. These are in addition to the eight road rehabilitation projects that we inherited from the immediate-past administration, with a total coverage of 144.29 kilometres.
There are of course the big ones, the massive road projects that connect various parts of Osun to other states with which we share borders. These include the 36.85-kilometre dual carriageway road we are constructing from Osogbo to Ila-Odo on the state’s border with Kwara State, and the Gbongan-Orileowu-Ijebu Igbo Road, which is also a dual carriageway.
Then, there is the Omoluabi Motorway, being reconstructed into a dual carriageway, from Akoda to Gbongan Junction, where it will have a Trumpet Interchange named after our elder statesman and former governor, Chief Bisi Akande.
The township roads component of the plan includes different towns and cities in the state in their coverage. They have been completed in Ede, in Ilesa, and now in Osogbo. As the state capital, the Osogbo township road development project stands out as a product of a visionary road map. They are intentionally aimed at making Osogbo the truly modern state capital it deserves to be
In view of this, the roads are designed to ease transportation within the city, as well as in and out of it. Together the roads stretch for 26.31 kilometres. They are a total of 21 roads that we are commissioning today. They include: Station Road to Ebenezer Hotel Road; Boorepo to Elelede Junction Road; Elelede to Gbemu Road; Gbodofon to Gbemu Junction Road; and Ilobu Road to GRA Road.
Others include: Oja Oba Road to Plantain Area; Balogun Biiro to Oke Baale Road; Alafia Street to Church Street, Awolowo Way; Coca-Cola to Capital Hotel Road; Oke Onitea Road to Anaye Market Junction; Okefia to Ita Olokan Road; the Road from Opposite Capital Hotel to Oroki Road; Oroki Estate to Ilobu Road; Odetoyinbo to Heritage Hotel Road with Spur; and Kola Balogun Road Junction to Fiwasaye Olohunosebi Junction.
There are also the Osunbukola to Ede Road; John Mackay Road to Oke Baale; the road from Tanisi to Keji Adigun Street; Adams Street to Mercy Land and Road Spur; Steel Rolling Camp to Kabelo Filling Station; and Rehabilitated Ifeloju Omo-West Road.
A closer look at these roads would reveal a deliberate pattern of an Inner Ring network of roads within Osogbo which connect and complement the existing Outer Ring Road around the city.
The Inner Ring Road takes off from a point directly opposite First Bank along Osogbo-Gbongan Road, from where it winds through Gbodofon to Jaleyemi and Gbemu Junction Road, and up to Isale Aro. This stretch covers 1.79 kilometres. It then cuts across the Oja-Oba Road to connect Gbemu Junction to Oluode Market through Elelede Junction and Abaku Road, and on to Boorepo, covering a distance of 1.47 kilometres.
From there, it links up with the ongoing dual carriage Osogbo-Ikirun-Ilaodo Highway. From across the Highway, another stretch of the road runs from Church Street to Bisi Bankole/Anaye Market Street, through Alaafia Street to Oke Onitea Road and up to Anaye Market Junction, to connect with the existing West Bypass Road. Here it covers 2.08 kilometres and loops into a semi-circle inside Osogbo.
Another 1.35-kilometre section of the Inner Ring continues from GRA Road to Adesina Crescent and up to Osogbo-Ilobu Road around Lameco Junction. From here it branches off into the dual carriageway Oroki Lane. Up this lane, an L-arm of the road   turns right to connect with West Bypass at Jerry Paul Filling Station.
The other arm goes up through Oroki Estate onto Tinumola/ Wonderful Road to intersect with the Iwo Road to Okefia, at a point directly opposite Capital Hotel. Another span of the road goes in from beside Capital Hotel to Alekunwodo right through Coca-Cola.
This 2.33-kilometre section bursts out onto Osogbo-Gbongan Road, but this time beside First Bank, from across the point where it took off, to complete the Inner Ring Road formation in the Osogbo Road Master Plan.
These roads are constructed to last between 15 and 20 years. They feature drainages that are fortified with iron and concrete thickness of between 60mm and 70mm. The accompanying drainage channels will further enhance the life span of the roads by draining flood water away from the roads and thereby preventing their being washed away by erosion.
To improve the engineering integrity of the roads, they have been constructed with various layers consisting of laterite, stone base and asphaltic overlay of 50mm. Their asphaltic thickness is of the same quality because they will be plied by all grades of vehicles.
All these roads put together have cost us tens of billions of naira. But we are not perturbed by the huge amount of money we have committed into the road projects, we have our minds on the unquantifiable benefits they will have on the lives of our people and the overall socio-economic development of Osun.
In what we do, we do not allow ourselves to be detained by the little details of short-term inconveniences; that is for small minds to get in a stew over. Instead, we focus our minds stoutly on the big picture and the long-term value of the sacrifices we are making today.
When we started these roads, our traducers scoffed and mocked the project, claiming that we would never have the funds or the presence of mind to see them through. But to the glory of God and their eternal shame, we have delivered on our promise. We are not resting on our oars; our greater vision is to tar every road in the state since we cannot conceive of a beautiful environment without good roads.
We will therefore continue to convert our visionary road map for Osun into concrete and enduring legacy of asphaltic surfaces for the engendering of socio-economic development, progress and prosperity for our people.
I thank you for being attentive.
Osun a dara!
 

The government of the state of Osun has promised the relations of all victims of the April 14, 2007 Governorship/ House of Assembly Election in the state of Osun that they will not die in vain.
It said that everything possible will be done to immortalize them as heroes and martyrs of democracy.
The state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Sunday Akere, gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of the bloodiest election in the history of the state.
Akere said that the memory of the harmless young men that were killed at various polling units across the state while defending their ballot boxes from being forcefully hijacked and taken away will not rest until free, fair, credible and transparent election is entrenched as the order of the day not only in Osun but all over Nigeria.
It would be recalled that about 12 people lost their lives in Ikirun, Igbajo, Ila Orangun, Ile-Ife, Ilesa and some other parts of the state on April 14, 2007 while trying to stop thugs of a political party from carting away their ballot boxes in their desperate bid to prevent the emergence of the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, at the election.
Besides, Akere said financial support, employment opportunity and educational scholarship had been provided to the families of these fallen heroes while no effort will be spared to ensure that they are immortalized and their names written in gold.
He also used the opportunity to admonish the people of the state to be wary of these desperate politicians who are lurking around the corner again to deceive the people with money and materials to keep them in perpetual penury and underdevelopment.
He said the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will continue in its strive to make life better for the people as it is presently doing while also continuously building on the existing peace and tranquility prevailing in the state.
He warned those promising to turn the hand of the clock back to the era of violence and instability to steer clear of Osun as nothing will be spared to defend the life and properties of all its citizens.
To those that suffered one measure of incarceration, harm and dislocation of economic activities, he promised that adequate compensation will be given to them as a committee is working on the financial details of the white paper on the Justice Uwaifo Truth and Reconciliation Commission as accepted by the state executive council.
He said “By the grace of God, the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in Osun will be more peaceful and rancor-free than the April 2011 elections as the principle of one man one vote will hold.”
DAILY INDEPENDENT

Photos of the 21 selected roads (26.40km) in Osogbo Township in the State of Osun newly commissioned by Governor Rauf Aregbesola on

Shows some of the 21 selected roads (26.40km) in Osogbo Township in
the State of Osun newly commissioned by Governor Rauf Aregbesola on
Monday 28-04-2014

Shows some of the 21 selected roads (26.40km) in Osogbo Township in
the State of Osun newly commissioned by Governor Rauf Aregbesola on
Monday 28-04-2014

One of the 21 selected roads (26.40km) in Osogbo Township in the State
of Osun newly commissioned on Monday 28-04-2014. Inset: From right,
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman, RATCON
Construction Company, Mr Elias Saad; deputy Governor, Mrs Titi
Laoye-Tomori; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood
Adeoti; Permanent Secretary, ministry of Works, Engr. Nurudeen Adeagbo
and others, during the commissioning.

Shows some of the 21 selected roads (26.40km) in Osogbo Township in
the State of Osun newly commissioned by Governor Rauf Aregbesola on
Monday 28-04-2014

One of the 21 selected roads (26.40km) in Osogbo Township in the State
of Osun newly commissioned on Monday 28-04-2014. Inset: From right,
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman, RATCON
Construction Company, Mr Elias Saad; deputy Governor, Mrs Titi
Laoye-Tomori; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood
Adeoti; Permanent Secretary, ministry of Works, Engr. Nurudeen Adeagbo
and others, during the commissioning.

One of the 21 selected roads (26.40km) in Osogbo Township in the State
of Osun newly commissioned on Monday 28-04-2014. Inset: Governor State
of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from the crowd
during the commissioning.

One of the 21 selected roads (26.40km) in Osogbo Township in the State
of Osun newly commissioned on Monday 28-04-2014. Inset: From right,
Wife of Governor State of Osun, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola; Governor
Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman, RATCON Construction Company, Mr Elias Saad;
deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Secretary to the State
Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and others, during the
commissioning.

Shows some of the 21 selected roads (26.40km) in Osogbo Township in
the State of Osun newly commissioned by Governor Rauf Aregbesola on
Monday 28-04-2014

From right, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman,
RATCON Construction Company, Mr Elias Saad; deputy Governor, Mrs Titi
Laoye-Tomori; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood
Adeoti; Permanent Secretary, ministry of Works, Engr. Nurudeen Adeagbo
and others, during the commissioning of the 21 selected roads
(26.40km) in Osogbo Township in the State of Osun newly commissioned
on Monday 28-04-2014.

From right, Special Adviser to Osun Governor, Engr Oladepo Amuda; Wife
of Governor State of Osun; Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola; Ataoja of
Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chairman,
RATCON Construction Company, Mr Elias Saad; deputy Governor, Mrs Titi
Laoye-Tomori and others, during the commissioning of the 21 selected
roads (26.40km) in Osogbo Township in the State of Osun newly
commissioned on Monday 28-04-2014.

There is no denying the fact that Osun State, also known as the ‘Land of Virtue,’ is wearing a new and confident look under the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. In fact, one can safely describe the entire state as a huge construction site. Definitely, the people are yet to come to terms with their good fortune.
When Governor Aregbesola came into office in November 2010, he revealed his vision to rebuild the state. He organised a summit headed by Professor Wole Soyinka, to seek panacea to the ailing education sector. In the end, the government decided to rebuild public schools at the cost of N30 billion. But that was not going to be at the expense of other infrastructure like roads, markets, industries and agriculture.
Heading towards Ikire, one cannot but notice the beautification drive that has culminated in the landscaping of the highway median at the boundary between it and Oyo State. At Ikire, one notices that the major road into the town has been tarred. According to government officials, the plan is to tar at least 10 kilometres of road in each of the 30 local government areas. One thing that stands the roads out is the quality, they compares with any in the world. As at last count, the state has constructed a total of 280 kilometre roads and still revving to go.
While on recent media tour, one notices striking model schools being constructed on a massive scale in all towns and cities around the state. At Sango Ikire, the NUD Middle School that was once a dilapidated structure before the advent of the administration is now a sight to behold. In fact, the structures are not only modern, the ambience has been consciously designed to make academic learning conducive. The same could be said of Salvation Army School, Osogbo. At Wasimi, the government has constructed vast experimental ‘Green Houses’ for agriculture. These Green Houses are a replica of those found in the Negev Desert of Israel. In addition, it has established a ‘Youth Academy’ for the training of future farmers. At Gbongan, the Adebisi Akande Trumpet Interchange, a massive flyover that will link many areas of the state is a sight to behold. The project will reduce the road accidents always experienced along the federal highway passing through the town.
Nearby is the imposing Hassan Olajoku Recreation Park that was commissioned by Governor Aregbesola on May 15, 2013. According to the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Ajibola Basiru, the park was so named after the party activist, who died fighting for restoration of the governor’s stolen mandate.
On industrial initiatives, the Osun government has established the Omoluabi Garment Factory at Osogbo, a collaboration between it and Sun and Sara Company Limited, Lagos. Showing journalists round the edifice, the Commissioner for Finance, Economic Planning and Budget, Wale Bolorunduro revealed that it employs more than two thousand workers working in shifts. As was revealed, the factory is responsible for the sewing of uniforms for pupils and students in all primary and secondary schools in the state. According to Bolorunduro, the garment institute now sews uniforms for institutions in the adjoining states of Oyo and Ekiti. In the area of sports, Osun State is not found wanting, as it is presently constructing a giant stadium in Osogbo.
The ongoing Oba Aderemi Bye- Pass, a massive infrastructural undertaking, will on completion divert vehicular traffic from Osogbo and thus save the capital the perennial traffic gridlocks witnessed in other cities. Tucked away in Ilesa town is the magnificient Adulawo Technology Institute, set up in collaboration with a Ghanaian company for the manufacture of mobile phones and technology transfer.
As part of efforts to equip the citizens with relevant skills, Osun has established a ‘Life Academy’ in collaboration with the Federal Industrial Centre, Osogbo, which Commissioner Ajibola Basiru, explained will empower people to become self reliant and employers of labour. Inside the cavernous workshops are industrial machines, a testimonial of the government’s determination to make Osun an industrial giant. Within this sprawling complex, is a new shoe factory being set up with help from an Italian company, Global Impianti.
In the area of commerce, Osun is building the ultra modern Ayegbaju International Market at Osogbo. Conducting journalists round the complex, the consultant, Engineer Olufemi Oshonyi said on completion, the market which also has a four star hotel, will have ample spaces for vehicles and a filling station.
Briefing journalists later, Wale Boluwaduro said the state’s monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which was a paltry N300million in 2010 now stands at N1.6 billion. Today, the state is the seventh largest economy in the country with a GDP of $9 billion. This is no doubting the confirmation of developments on ground.
NATIONAL MIRROR

The era of ‘business as usual’ in the road construction sector in the State of Osun is over, as the state government will not condone sub-standard job delivery from any contractor.
This admonition was given by the Head, Special Project Unit (Office of the Governor), Abiodun Isola, while briefing journalists after a meeting with some contractors handling road jobs across the state.
He said that if the government, in spite of its lean purse, with competing demands, could strive to provide the citizenry with essential amenities, there is no excuse for any contractor to be shoddy in the execution of projects.
In his contribution, the Co-ordaining Director of the agency, Wale Ajayi, lauded the governor for his people-oriented programmes.  He urged motorists to bear with the government, especially on the Gbongan /Akoda road project.
Ajayi further said that there were so many intervention works on the road which required optimum professionalism and meticulous execution.  Road users were enjoined to always observe carefully, all road signs for their safety and that of others.
The meeting was rounded off with Isola reiterating the commitment of the Aregbesola administration to completing all the projects as soon as it is practicable for the benefit of all citizens.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

Osogbo, the capital of the State of Osun consists of network of road within the City interconnecting Federal, State and Local Government Roads. Strategically focusing on developing the state capital and providing smooth transportation of human and goods within and around Osogbo, the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola commenced rehabilitation and construction of selected 21 roads with a total length of 26.31km.
The selected roads under the first phase constructed and rehabilitated in the last 3 ½ years targets constructing roads with a life span of between 15-20 years. It features drainage construction fortified with iron and concrete thickness of between 60mm-70mm, a departure from using blocks which cannot stand the test of time. The drainages have been constructed to ensure smooth flow of water and also help in controlling erosion activities from washing away the layers of the roads. Aside from fortified concrete drainages, the roads have various layers such as laterite, stonebase and asphaltic overlay of 50mm.  The asphaltic thicknesses of the roads are the same all since it is plied by all grades of vehicles.
A unique feature of Ogbeni Aregbesola’s road construction efforts is compliance with the state capital road master plan. The master plan consists of several roads connecting the inner Ring Road and the Outer Ring Road. No administration before now had paid special attention to radically connecting these roads together. The Osogbo Inner Ring Road as constructed by this administration takes off from Off Osogbo-Gbongan Road and routes from Gbodofon-Jaleyemi-Gbemu Junction Road-Isale Aro (1.79km). It leaps over the Oja-Oba Road to connect Gbemu Junction-Oluode Market-Elelede Junction-Abaku Road-Boorepo (1.47km) bursting out and connecting the on-going dualisation of Osogbo-Ikirun-Ila Odo-Kwara State Boundary Road.
The other stretch leaps over the Osogbo-Ikirun-Ila Odo Kwara State Boundary Road and picks off from Church Street-Bisi Bankole/Anaye Market Street-Alaafia Street-Oke Onitea Road-Anaye Market Junction-Oke Onitea Road (2.08km) to connect the existing West By Pass. This forms a semi circle inside Osogbo.
The next stretch is from GRA Road-Adesina Crescent-Ilobu Road (1.35km) and connecting the Osogbo-Ilobu Road. It picks off from Off Osogbo-Ilobu Road from Lameco Junction and routes Oroki Lane( dualised and connects West By Pass at Jerry Paul Filling Station)- Tinumola/ Wonderful Road( opposite Capital Hotel (2.06km). It intersects the Iwo Road/Oke fia Road and takes off from Capital Hotel-Alekunwodo-Coca Cola(2.33km) and burst out on the Osogbo-Gbongan Road to complete the Inner Ring Road formation in the Osogbo Road Master Plan.
Other road constructed/ rehabilitated which interconnects other roads includes Station Road-Fagbewesa-Odi OlowoJunction-Ebenezer Hotel (0.61km). Oja Oba-Osun Groove Gate with Road extension (1.02km), Balogun Biiro/Oke Baale Road( 0.85km), John Mackay-Gbeja Road-Oke Baale with Constain (0.96), Kola Balogun Road Junction-Fiwasaye Olohunosebi Rd( 0.87km). One important stretch of constructed road is the Heritage Hotel Road-Dupe Aina-Odetoyinbo Rd(3.28km) which connects the on going dualisation of the 18km East-West By Pass Road at the Fountain University End. The second axis which connects the East-West Bye Pass (Outer Ring Road) is the Osunbukola/Mercy Land-Ajani Street-Prime Petrol Station (0.98km) to connect the Ofatedo- Ido Osun Road and connect it at the Ebunoluwa School Area
A careful study of the constructed and rehabilitated roads will reveal an interconnectedness of these roads with one another showing a deliberate, conscious, strategic and skilful road infrastructure upgrade of the State Capital. As stated earlier, the roads with asphaltic thickness of 50mm will no doubt last between 15-20 years thus giving the state value for money.

The Bureau of Communications and Strategy in the Office of the Governor of Osun on Sunday said the administration of the state is an uphill task demanding creative energy that is obviously outside the reach of a mediocre.
The Bureau said the deployment of creative energy to proffer solutions to many of the challenges of transforming Osun especially in the face of very meagre resources have shown that only those gifted with the commitment to alleviating the conditions of the poor and ingenuity to think out of the box for solutions.
In its statement signed by the Director, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the  Bureau said those eyeing the governorship seat of Osun have certainly failed to examine the reality that credibility, transparency and doggedness and sincerity of purpose are the factors that have made the Rauf Aregbesola-led administration excelled to the admiration and satisfaction of the Osun people.
The statement said, “Governor Rauf Aregbesola had very clear understanding of what he wanted to do and that is what this government has been pursing in the last three and half years.
“The statistics on ground testify to the performance of our government. The empowerment for 40,000 youths; development of massive farm estates across the state; completion of about 2,000 new classrooms in 39 schools; are certainly not a little feat within the education sector.
“We have improved on the state self-reliance ability through enhanced Internally Generated Revenue by systematically increasing the revenue base from its paltry N300m monthly to N1.6bn monthly.
“This administration also established social welfare package for the elderly people through identification of 1,602 highly vulnerable people tagged Agba Osun for monthly stipends for their upkeep,” the statement added
Saying Osun remains the state with the kind of meagre resources that can boast of the harvest of achievements such as now available in the state, the Bureau said over 800 kilometres of roads across the state; provision of tablets of knowledge (Opon Imo) for secondary school students have all created a new state which the current administration is proud of.
The statement noted that the people of Osun were not surprised when the state’s economy was rated 7^th largest in Nigeria even as Osun boasts of least unemployment rate in the country.
The statement noted also that government’s swift response to environmental challenges at the beginning prevented flood in the state while many states were ravaged by intense deluge.
All these programmes and policies were made possible, according to the Bureau, owing to the creative ability of the government to source for funds for the massive projects going on all over the state in spite of meagre resources in the coffers of government.
Aregbesola continued: “All these programmes were possible to implement because we have prepared well ahead of coming to power.
“Those that have partnered with this administration could only have done so because they saw credibility, transparency, tenacity and sincerity of purpose. This is why we have said the task of developing Osun and maintaining the streak is not for mediocre.
“For a leader to achieve as Governor Rauf Aregbesola has done here in Osun despite the level of decadence, heavy debt burden and meagre resources, it requires strategic and focused thinking.
“This is why we said that to administer Osun, a courageous and clear-headed thinker is needed. Rather, what the people have been treated to is a consistent demonstration of capacity to unleash violence in order to gain power. It is gratifying to note that the people of Osun have moved beyond such old-fashioned thinking and can recognize consistently credible leaders who are committed to the welfare of the people from purveyors of violence.”

Prince Bola Ajao and Iyiola Omisore are of course far apart in financial strength and popularity, but such cannot be said of their ages. It is highly absorbing that the man currently occupying the position of PDP Publicity Secretary in Osun is not realizing that his excessive commitment to Iyiola Omisore’s governorship ambition in the state which has turned him into a vuvuzela, has eaten up his personal appeal. Bola Ajao’s recent assassination alarm in the State of Osun could be likened to a noise being made by a child before he pollutes the air in order that he may not be suspected after polluting it.
It has become a well known story to every right thinking people that PDP is not good in opposition. They are known for campaigns of calumny and name-calling against the persons they see as obstacles to their occupation. It is axiomatic that such a campaign against a formidable governor whose performance has become to be legendary in the history of state governance in Nigeria cannot hold water in both court of law and court of public opinion.
Nigeria would be a better place today if the bulk of those who call themselves leaders consider Aregbesola’s leadership style for answers to our challenges as a country. It will hurt some people to hear this but, this Son of a Kolanut Trader, Rauf Aregbesola, is arousing just about every thinking person’s idea of a true leader.
My candid advice to the PDP is that, a housewife, who was divorced by her husband on the grounds of adultery and ‘’moral bankruptcy’’ cannot win a war of character assassination against her successor. The history of PDP wasteful government in the State of Osun, nay Nigeria, will for decades remain green in the memories of the people of the state. That must have taught them a great lesson before they went back on the electoral field that produced Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola the governor of the state. It has been a long night in the State of Osun, but today, the dawn is here
Till august 2014 when we are going to witness a governorship poll, which is going to mark one of the rarest moments voters would demonstrate with an overwhelming action to cast their lots through their votes for one man in a governorship election in Nigeria, I say: Ogbeni, don’t stop flying above the stars. Don’t stop
Rafiu Olayinka is a Public Analyst from Abuja (Culled from Sunday Vanguard April 27 2014 (page 9)

This serves as a public service announcement that the Government of the state of Osun, in continuation of its fulfillment of its decision to improve on the welfare of its citizens, particularly to the senior citizens, has commenced payment of the pension arrears that emanated from the administrative bottlenecks and improper cash flow planning attributable to the last administration in the state.
In order to ensure an immediate settlement of the arrears, Mr. Governor recently approved that the sum of N1billion be released immediately by the state’s Treasury to the retirees that were forced to retire by the last administration. The payment has thus commenced.
Whereas the state continues to uphold the welfare of its senior citizens as one of its topmost priorities, it needs to be stated that the issues leading to the pension arrears are actually not the makings of the current administration. The N1billion is an addition to the payment made on the 142% pension arrears.
The challenges actually commenced with the huge 142% pension arrears, the current administration inherited from the last administration in 2010. At the inception of the current administration, the state’s liability on the 142% pension arrears was about N4billion.
In demonstration of the magnanimity of the present government, up to N1.2billion of the inherited liability hitherto unattended to by the previous administrations was paid.
The impact of the mass retirement of the state’s employees in late 2012, given their unwillingness to join the contributory pension scheme in the state also contributed in no small measure to the current challenges and the origin of 2011/2012 Retiree forum. Aside from the fact that the previous administration that approved the forceful retirement of the group of the referenced retirees did not consider the cashflow implication when granting the approval of the forceful exit, it is also worth mentioning that the administrative bottlenecks in processing retirees’ entitlements contributed to the problem.
The last administration failed to automate the manual processing of retirees’ benefits to take care of the surge in their number, thereby leading to delay of processing the Authority to collect (ATC) papers of the retired personnels. This consequently led to the situation whereby some people who retired since December 2012 were unable to submit their Authority to collect until later month such as November 2013. This is the genesis of the pension arrears. Government has however kept pace to pension-roll the retirees as soon as their Authority papers are submitted.
For avoidance of doubts, over 5,000 employees of the state joined the existing over 9,000 retirees in the state, while the local government retirees schedule also increased by about 3,500. Ofcourse the fresh recruitment conducted in 2013 by the state was to fill the numerous vacancies created by the massive retirement. In the middle of all these, the retirees continue to enjoy their monthly emoluments (in form of pension), albeit slightly reduced by 15%.
The impact of the aforementioned 2011/2012 retirement was an unprecedented surge in the state’s salary and pension obligations from N250million in November 2011 to N600million monthly now, and the creation of relatively young retirees, called 2011/2012 Retirees Group.
Total pension arrears arising from the aforesaid forced retirement was recently ascertained. For the interest of the concerned and in further demonstration of the current administration’s humane spirit and resolution to ensure that the interest of all and sundry in the state is well protected, and as recently approved by Mr. Governor, the state has further earmarked the sum of N1billion towards payment of the established outstanding liability on the pension. To this end, payment of the pension arrears has commenced in earnest.
The government however wishes to appreciate the understanding and patience exercised by our senior citizens during the challenging period, and solicits their further support to the current administration and its various beneficial programs. One good turn they say deserves another.
Thank you.
Wale  Bolorunduro  PhD
Hon. Commissioner for Finance, State of Osun.