The Government of the State Of Osun on Friday again recorded another first when it turned the sod of an Ultra Modern Central Abattoir in Iwo.

The first of it kind Abattoir in the South western region which will have the capacity to handle between 200  to heads to 400 heads per day, is expected to be completed in 15 months in collaboration with Hanfirqul Nigeria Limited.
Speaking at the event, Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stated that Iwo was chosen because of its long history in cattle rearing and the business of butchering, adding that the abattoir when completed will create job opportunity for the people of the area, as the workers will be selected within the area.
According to the Governor, ” this abattoir project, on-completion will attract graduates, as they will see for themselves that contrary to the believes in some quarters that the business is for the illiterate class, they will then see that meat business goes beyond what people think”.
He described the abattoir project as one that will attract huge economic benefit to the state when completed as there is an already made market in Lagos because the city requires meat from over 6,000 cattle everyday.
“The abattoir has an already made market especially in Lagos because Lagos state consumes over 6,000 herds of cattle per day and this why we have situated the abattoir very close to the rail way line” the Governor stressed.
The state commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Wale Adedoyin declared that the meat industry in the state has been in a pitiable condition for quiet a long time with previous Governments paying little or no attention the ugly situation which is why government of Ogbeni Aregbesola has decided to take the bull by the horn.
“The intervention of government in the sector has resulted in job creation which has resulted in the employment of nine qualified veterinary officers and other supporting staff engaged mainly in the meat inspection duties and other veterinary activities”. The commissioner stated.
The commissioner pointed out that the Abattoir, which is to be built in Iwo is one out five which will be replicated in all the five zones in the state, announcing that the next sod will be turned in Osogbo next week by Ogbeni Aregbesola.
He stressed that it is the beginning of a new era for butchers, cattle dealers and ultimately the consumers of meat in the state, as very hygienic and wholesome meat fit for human consumption would be made available to the consuming populace.
Representative of the partner company, Hanfirqul Nigeria Limited, Mr Dapo Adelosu emphasized that the company is proud and happy to be part of history in the state of Osun.
He said for the fact that the modern abattoir is the first to be built in the whole of Western Nigeria, it is a pointer to the fact that Osun is a unique and target oriented state in the country.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Butchers Association of Nigeria, Osun chapter, Alhaji Tiamiyu Gafaru and the Chairman, Iwo Cow Sellers Association, Alhaji Wale Olufare who both stated that the two associations have jointly adopted the second term bid of Ogbeni Aregbesola stated that the abattoir when completed will go a long way in boosting their business.
They said the abattoir is what they have been yearning for noting that marketers from within and outside the state will start coming to Osun to learn from them and this will boost the economy of the state.
OSUN DEFENDER

 
Governor. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has emerged the winner of governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress for the August 9 governorship election, in the just conducted primary election in the state today.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola recorded 269,631 YES votes against 0 NO votes to win the Osun State APC Direct Primaries Governorship Election which took place throughout 332 wards and 30 local Governments of the State yesterday.

Prince (Dr) Charles Onuoha is a chieftain of All Progressives Congress in Imo State. He was also a two-time Commissioner under the leadership of Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State. He also served the governor as the SA to MDS and is currently the Chairman, Imo State Housing Corporation.
In this chat with newsmen in Lagos, this banker-turned politician lauds the achievements of the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola saying he has given Osun State a new face in terms of governance and development; the reason for which he should be re-elected to finish up the good work he started in Osun State.
Why I left banking for politics
When I was in the banking industry, I was a General Manager. I rose to the peak of office in the industry.  Many people have asked me why I left banking for a dirty game like  politics? My answer has been that I got a call from God to go and serve the public as a leader.
So when I was leaving the banking sector, I did not have any regrets and truly till tomorrow, I did not have any regrets leaving banking for politics which people always described as dirty. I always disagreed with those who used to say that Nigerian politics is dirty. We are learning. It is a gradual process. We joined to sanitise it.
On Govs Okorocha and Aregbesola
Okorocha has a policy in Imo State which I truly understand and can analyse. Governor Aregbesola deserves a second term. You don’t change a winning team. I am not saying this because I am a member of APC. I’d known him since he was the works Commissioner in Lagos State under the then Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as governor. He has been an achiever.
I am very sure nobody has surpassed his achievements in that State as Works Commissioner. Even when he was elected governor of Osun State, I knew he will perform. What he has done so far  in Osun State has proved me right. Governor Aregbeshola has done wonderfully well as the governor of that state. I used to go to Osun some years back when PDP government was incharge. What Osun is today under Aregbesola is not what it used to be then.
Non-indigenes in Osun under Aregbesola
The report from Igbo indigenes in Osun State is very encouraging. They are very happy living in Osun State and the governor has been so friendly with the non indigenes in that state. There has been no marginalization according to them. So, from the bottom of my heart, even though I am not a Yoruba man, the truth must be said. He has so developed Osun State. He has created value in that State economically and otherwise.
People can easily visit Osun State now than before because he has put in place things and activities that can attract other people from other states to Osun State. He has also improved the traditional institution of Osun people. The traditional rulers in Osun State are happy with him according to their report on him which I used to read. He has carried the market women in the state along, making sure trade and commerce boom in the state.
APC in the State
APC has come to stay. In case you don’t know, APC is the peoples party not only in Osun State but in Nigeria generally. By the special grace of God, APC with Aregbeshola will definitely win  when Osun people go to the polls. The party is very much on ground in Osun and in every state in Nigeria. Our victory in Osun is not negotiable.
Your advice to Osun indigenes
Actually, I am not a Yoruba manlet alone an Osun State man but the achievements of Gov. Aregbesola has really moved me to say what I am saying. If one does well, good people around him must commend him. So, I am commending Aregbesola for the good work he is doing in his state, the reason he deserves to come back. I want to tell Osun people that they have gold in Aregbesola.
Can a right thinking man throw away gold and take silver? No. so let Osun people hold tight to the gold they are having. And I am using this forum to tell the non indigenes in Osun State especially the Igbos to massively support Aregbesola’s re-election bid.
VANGUARD

The state Government of Osun would spend N710m on the purchase of assorted fertiliser for the 2014 planting season.
The Commissioner for Information for the state, Mr. Sunday Akere comfirmed this, in Osogbo on Friday. He said that the State Agricultural Development Programme (OSSADEP) had requested for 6,000 tonnes of fertiliser.
He added that, the fertilizer will be made available and distributed earlier before the commencement of the planting season.
Mr. Sunday Akere, further stated that the consignment would be delivered the Sunshine Oil Chemical Development Limited, and be inspected by the state Tenders’ Board and the state Planning Committee before payment.
OSUN DEFENDER

From another PDP stalwart came a message of ‘well done a good ambassador’ to the workaholic and result-oriented Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola over the weekend.
The pat on the back given to Mr. Aregbesola by a former Governor of Abia state, Dr. Uzor Orji Kalu who was on tour of South-West with his team is quite notable. And it reminds us of that very important quote from that great thinker, Jerome K. Jerome; “It’s always the best policy to speak the truth unless, of course, one is exceptionally a liar”.
Truth, they say, is bitter. But no policy surpasses speaking the truth. To possess the courage to call a spade a spade is really edifying. And this is the reason why our society must not hesitate to recognise a few men of honour who have chosen to follow the path of honesty by being able to speak the truth when the need arises irrespective of their political, religious and other ideological beliefs.
The positive comment by Dr. Kalu about the performance of Ogbeni Aregbesola in the state of Osun shows that there still exist among our leaders, those who prefer to say things as they see it irrespective of whose ox is gored. We believe this to be the hallmark of honourable people. Even as a member of opposing political party Dr. Kalu would not close his eyes to the reality he found on ground in Osun apropos the sterling performance of Ogbeni Aregbesola.
With his objective assessment of Ogbeni’s performance in the state the former number one citizen of Abia state has identified himself as a person who would not see white and call it black and vice-versa. In his words over the weekend as reported by Sunday Sun Dr. Kalu had said among other things that; “though I am a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, I cannot close my eyes on the numerous achievements the government of Aregbesola has recorded which spread across almost all areas of human life”.
While we cannot quote verbatim all that the candid Dr. Kalu said, it is still important to quote him further; “with what I have seen in Osun, I have come to the conclusion that the PDP has nothing to offer in this state. This is a state where you can see true development, a state where the government is committed to the development of its state and its people. We will not because of our party divides not to say the truth”.
Dr. Kalu’s courage for saying the truth as quoted above deserves to be appreciated. We are proud of him for his sense of candour. The PDP in the state have also heard for themselves from one of them. Thus what this means is that no amount of desperation on its part, no amount of running from pillar to post and no amount of campaign of calumny against the government of Aregbesola can make the party (PDP) win the coming governorship election. No doubt the victory is for Ogbeni Aregbesola whose government has done much good for the state.
It’s also important to mention it at this juncture that Dr. Kalu would not be the first PDP bigwig to commend Aregbesola’s performance. We recall here that Senator Chukwumerije did openly applaud Aregbesola’s good work in the state when he and other members of the Senate Committee on education came on assessment tour to the state in 2011. He even recommended his (Aregbe’s) style of governance especially his education reforms to other state governments then.
In the light of the above we believe the truth has spoken for itself. Truth, as the saying goes, is constant. It’s uncoverable just as it’s unchangeable. It will always speak for itself as it will speak in the coming election when the wish of the Osun electorate will prevail; when Ogbeni Aregbesola will have cause to stand before his people again to say; ‘thank you for returning me, the good work continues’. Until then, who will tell the PDP and its desperate candidate not to continue to chase shadow?
OSUN DEFENDER