Photos from the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) courtesy visit to the Governor,  at the Government House, Osogbo on Saturday 05-04-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right), decorating Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, while the Deputy Governor, Mrs Grace Laoye-Tomori watches, during the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Government House, Osogbo on Saturday 05-04-2014

Reverend Abraham Akintola (left); Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu (2nd right); Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh (3rd left); Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd right) and Reverend (Dr) Samuel Sowale, Bishop Ilesa, during the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) courtesy visit to the Governor at the Government House, Osogbo on Saturday 05-04-2014

From left, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh ; Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs Grace Laoye-Tomori; Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his wife, Mrs Sherifat and Reverend Samuel Sowale, Bishop Ilesa Anglican Communion, during the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) courtesy visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo on Saturday 05-04-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right) presenting gifts to Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, during his courtesy visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo on Saturday 05-04-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right), presenting gifts to Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh. With them Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, during the Primate courtesy visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo on Saturday 05-04-2014

Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh; Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Reverend Samuel Omowale and Reverend Emmanuel Komolafe, during the Primate courtesy visit to the Governor at Government House, Osogbo on Saturday 05-04-2014

Both Aregbesola and Kalu spoke at the Saint Benedict Catholic Church, Osogbo on Sunday when Aregbesola accompanied Kalu who was on a visit to the state to the church to worship.
Particularly, Kalu, a devout Catholic who spoke to the church congregation during the mass noted that love is lacking in the country, hence the slow pace of development in the country.
The former Governor who was accompanied to the church by Senator Emmanuel Onwe described Aregbesola as a humble politician who has contributed significantly to the development of the state and entire Yoruba nation.
He said “Aregbesola is a very humble politician and it’s not common to see such Politician with high level of humility like Aregbesola. He is a lesson in humility and his genuine love for the people has set Osun state on the world map today.”
Dr Kalu who also met with Igbo Catholics called on the people of the state to support Governor Aregbesola in his bid to develop the state and make it envy of others, stressing that governor Aregbesola has the acumen to lead the state to the Promised Land.
Speaking during the church service, Governor Aregbesola said his determination to develop the state was born out of his love for the people, stressing the need for Nigerian leaders to also exhibit great love for the followers.
Aregbesola who pledged to personally renovate the church also promised that his government would construct befitting roads that would lead to the church.
He said he was in the church to honour Dr Kalu, who he described as an elder statesman and a detribalized Nigerian who has contributed significantly to the growth of the country.

Ahead of the Osun State gubernatorial election scheduled for August, the Coordinator, Osun Movement for Peace, Comrade Temidayo Bankole, in this interview, talks on why well-meaning Osun indigenes must speak up against attempts to derail the current developmental momentum in the state to attain the Osun of their dreams.
Is your being in the news a strategy to make your organization ahead of the coming governorship election in the state?
We have been in the news for a while now, but it is wrong to conclude that our increased tempo of advocacy and media visibility is to achieve political or election-related goals. Osun Movement for Peace, OMP, is a non-political and non-governmental public advocacy cum civil society group. We are a part of the Civil Societies Coalition in the state. Our concern and purpose of existence since 2007 has been to defend the peace, unity and interest of our state.
In the last few months, attempts have been made by some irresponsible political elites to push the state to the precipice by misrepresenting the intentions of the state education policy. Our movement decided to intervene by organizing an education summit to douse tension.
Our objective has always been clear – we don’t want politicians to play politics with the future of Osun State, so we ask those who want to contest elections to go about it responsibly and not instigate our people against one another. Let issues that will determine elections in Osun State be as objective and development-focused as possible; not religion, ethnicity, thuggery or any other form of societal manipulation.
Well meaning indigenes and professional groups in Osun State must rise up and speak against all attempts aimed at derailing the current developmental momentum in the state. If you knew Osun five, ten years ago, and you see what is going on now in terms of visible positive transformation, you will want to pray that the state should never be returned to the era of the past. The least we all can do is to say no to vandalism and any form of manipulation that could turn the hand of the clock back.
Is this about working for the second term of the incumbent administration?
OMP is not working for any political party or contestant; rather, we are a watchdog for the well-being of Osun State. Go and check: we have never received any form of patronage from anybody or party within or outside the state and we have no intention of doing so.
There is nothing wrong if Osun people are impressed with what is happening in the state in the last couple of years and they want the person who is responsible for the transformation to continue. All we are saying is that let whoever will lead Osun assume the mandate of the people freely, fairly, peacefully and responsibly because we are decent, peace-loving people.
What role do you see your group playing in the build-up to the governorship election?
We will be playing the town-crier role by vehemently and ceaselessly drawing the attention of the whole world to any minute incident that could affect the peace of the state. We will also work with  like-minded interest groups to put together programmes that would serve as a strong platform for advancing the wish of the people of Osun for free, fair and peaceful election.
Now is the time for us to let the world know that our state is replete with pragmatic, intellectual and peace-loving people who are passionate about forging an alliance to promote the best interest and development of the ordinary people.
In terms of how prepared we are in mobilizing Osun citizens towards achieving peaceful, rancour-free elections, the truth is that majority of the people of Osun are wiser now because they have seen the transformation going on in the state. So, they are keying into the direction the state is going now and will definitely not precipitate crisis, rancour or any such unwholesome acts that may destroy the peace of the state.
VANGUARD

Emmanuel, Aregbeshola and Kalu
Former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, speaking at the 15th edition of the fitness exercise of the State of Osun, tagged, “Walk to live” said that Aregbesola deserves a second term based on the performance and developmental projects being executed in the state.
Kalu explained that despite his leadership position in PDP, admitted that Aregbesola deserves a second term.
He said the massive transformation of the state points to the fact that Aregbesola has performed.
Kalu, who expressed satisfaction with the large crowd that followed Aregbesola, was a pointer to the fact that PDP will not, because of difference in political party, say the truth about the development he has seen in Osun.
Commercial activities was temporarily brought to a halt as people in their thousands snaked through major towns of Ife North state constituency for the 15th edition of the fitness exercise of the State of Osun tagged “Walk to live”.
As early as 8’0 clock in the morning residents and citizens trooped out from towns like Edun-abon, Moro, Yakooyo, to join the convoy of the state government led by Aregbesola in yhe company of Kalu.
The fitness exercise, a seven kilometer walk, climaxed at the Origbo Community Unity School in Ipetumodu, where members of the various towns joined officials of government and invitees to exercise and listen to address of the governor and well-wishers at the programme.
Kalu pointed out that he was drawn to Aregbesola for his sterling performance as the governor of Osun.
He commended Aregbesola for what he has done to lift Osun from the level he met it, saying such governor or individual needs the support of all and sundry irrespective of political differences.
According to him, “I am still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, but what I have heard and seen about your governor made me to come out in the open to support good work, Iyiola Omisore is personal friend of mine, but I will always say the truth.
“Few days that I have spent here and the way his people talked about him truly showed that Governor Aregbesola deserves another term to complete that good work that the Lord has used him to start during his first term.
He charged the people of the state to discountenance insinuation that Aregbesola wants to Islamise Osun, saying politicians are only at work to use Aregbesola’s strong faith in Islam to mislead people.
“I am a committed Catholic and I am sure that Aregbesola will follow me to my church, if he’s dropped and converted his Christians friend will it not be a futile exercise in a state, politician should stop bringing religion into politics”, the former governor stressed.
Speaking earlier former PDP senator representing Ebonyi Central, Emmanuel Onwe, commended Aregbesola for the developmental stride in Osun, stressing that Osun has become a reference point for good governance in Nigeria.
Excerpts from DAILINDEPENDENT

Photos from the 15th Edition of Walk to Live for Healthy Living Exercise in Ife North Local Government at Origbo Community High School, Ipetumodu, State of Osun on Saturday 05-04-2014

Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Loaye-Tomori (2nd left);
Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu (3rd left); Governor
State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (4th left); Member National
Assembly representing Osun East Senatorial District, Senator Babajide
Omoworare ( 6th left); Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji
Moshood Adeoti (7th left) and other State Executives leading the
crowd, during the 15th Edition of Walk to Live for Healthy Living
Exercise in Ife North Local Government at Origbo Community High
School, Ipetumodu, State of Osun on Saturday 05-04-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers
from the crowd, during the 15th Edition of Walk to Live for Healthy
Living Exercise in Ife North Local Government at Origbo Community High
School, Ipetumodu, State of Osun on Saturday 05-04-2014

Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Loaye-Tomori (2nd left);
Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu (3rd left); Governor
State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (4th left); Member National
Assembly representing Osun East Senatorial District, Senator Babajide
Omoworare ( 6th left); Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji
Moshood Adeoti (7th left) and other State Executives leading the
crowd, during the 15th Edition of Walk to Live for Healthy Living
Exercise in Ife North Local Government at Origbo Community High
School, Ipetumodu, State of Osun on Saturday 05-04-2014

Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Loaye-Tomori (2nd left);
Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu (3rd left); Governor
State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (4th left); Member National
Assembly representing Osun East Senatorial District, Senator Babajide
Omoworare ( 6th left); Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji
Moshood Adeoti (7th left) and other State Executives leading the
crowd, during the 15th Edition of Walk to Live for Healthy Living
Exercise in Ife North Local Government at Origbo Community High
School, Ipetumodu, State of Osun on Saturday 05-04-2014

Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Loaye-Tomori (2nd left);
Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu (3rd left); Governor
State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (4th left); Member National
Assembly representing Osun East Senatorial District, Senator Babajide
Omoworare ( 6th left); Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji
Moshood Adeoti (7th left) and other State Executives leading the
crowd, during the 15th Edition of Walk to Live for Healthy Living
Exercise in Ife North Local Government at Origbo Community High
School, Ipetumodu, State of Osun on Saturday 05-04-2014

From left, Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Loaye-Tomori;
Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu; Governor State of Osun,
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Member National Assembly representing Osun
East Senatorial District, Senator Babajide Omoworare and other State
Executives leading the crowd, during the 15th Edition of Walk to Live
for Healthy Living Exercise in Ife North Local Government< at Origbo
Community High School, Ipetumodu, State of Osun, on Saturday
05-04-2014

From right, Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu; Governor
State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his Deputy, Mrs Titi
Loaye-Tomori; Deputy Speaker State of Osun House of Assembly,
Honourable Akintunde Adegboye and others, during the 15th Edition of
Walk to Live for Healthy Living Exercise in Ife North Local Government
at Origbo Community High School, Ipetumodu, State of Osun on Saturday
05-04-2014

Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Loaye-Tomori (2nd left);
Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu (3rd left); Governor
State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (4th left); Member National
Assembly representing Osun East Senatorial District, Senator Babajide
Omoworare ( 6th left); Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji
Moshood Adeoti (7th left) and other State Executives leading the
crowd, during the 15th Edition of Walk to Live for Healthy Living
Exercise in Ife North Local Government at Origbo Community High
School, Ipetumodu, State of Osun on Saturday 05-04-2014

From left, Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Loaye-Tomori;
Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu; Governor State of Osun,
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Member National Assembly representing Osun
East Senatorial District, Senator Babajide Omoworare and other State
Executives leading the crowd, during the 15th Edition of Walk to Live
for Healthy Living Exercise in Ife North Local Government< at Origbo
Community High School, Ipetumodu, State of Osun, on Saturday
05-04-2014

Deputy Governor State of Osun, Mrs Titi Loaye-Tomori (3rd left);
Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu (4th left); Governor
State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (5th left); Member National
Assembly representing Osun East Senatorial District, Senator Babajide
Omoworare ( 6th left) and other State Executives leading the crowd,
during the 15th Edition of Walk to Live for Healthy Living Exercise in
Ife North Local Government at Origbo Community High School, Ipetumodu,
State of Osun on Saturday 05-04-2014

Nothing beats a Selfie with a Selfless Governor in it….#Osun4Aregbesola

 

The Government of the State of Osun has reinstated its commitment to making the best living condition available to people of the state irrespective of their social or economic status by ensuring that the series of developmental programmes currently going on across the state would be evenly distributed across the length and breadth of the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, stated this in her remark while addressing participants at the flag off of a five-day Re-Orientation workshop organized for different categories of politicians in the state with the theme; Colloquium Phase One: Issues in Political Engagement, powered by The Knowledge Plaza and held at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo.
Mrs. Laoye-Tomori, who acknowledged God’s love and mercies as the major reason for the sustenance of peaceful atmosphere that is currently being enjoyed by the people of the State of Osun since the commencement of the present Administration in the state three years ago, recalled the deplorable state of the state’s infrastructure coupled with the spate of economy disintegration at the birth of the
Aregbesola led administration in November 2010.
The state Deputy Governor, who condemned in its totality the high rate of youth unemployment in Nigeria, said the only visible means of providing lasting solution to the persistent civil unrest in the country together with increase insecurity challenge confronting the nation at present is for the government to devise better means of giving gainfully employing the teeming youths of the nation.
She said the government of Mr. Rauf Aregbesola in the State of Osun has performed creditably well in this regard by placing high priority on youth employment in the scheme of his government through various programmes like the OYES, O-REAL, O-BEEF and other sectors of the state adding that, the federal government and other state governments
across the nation should be committed to youths’ employment in their programmes saying Nigeria is blessed with an avalanche of energetic, vibrant and knowledgeable youths that could turn around the fortune of the country if given opportunity to express themselves.
Mrs. Laoye-Tomori also used the opportunity to appeal to members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and lovers of the party and administration of Governor Aregbesola to come out en-mass to re-elect the party in the forthcoming August 9 gubernatorial election in the State of Osun so as to allow Mr.
Aregbesola to complete all the ongoing people oriented programmes. Alluding to the good that lies ahead for the State of Osun in particular and Nigeria as a whole if APC could be elected in all the coming elections across the country, APC acting Chairman in the state, Elder Adebiyi Adelowo, enjoined party faithful not to renege on their loyalty to the party.
He said APC as a party will not disappoint them but will make good, its promises to them and continue with the provision of basic social amenities across the length and breadth of the state with a view to making life conducive to the good people of the State of Osun. Participants to the programme were drawn from all the political parties that come together to form APC across every part of the State of Osun.
OSUN NEWS

To make payment transactions convenient for customers of Osun Water Corporation, the Osun Internal Revenue Service has introduced a cashless system of payment automation with the help of revenue automated machine called Point of Sale Terminal (POS).
This was made known by the Acting Chairman/CEO Osun Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Dayo Oyebanji during the training session on POS organised for the staff of Water Corporation in charge of payment transactions.
According to the Project Officer in charge of the training, Mr. Saheed Ogunbase, what is only required by the customers whenever they want to make any transaction on the POS is their ATM card, which has been designed to make payment transaction possible within 24hours without any hindrance.
OSUN NEWS

The present administration in the state  under the dynamic leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has contributed immensely to the development of the State and its people through its various programmes.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Bade Adeshina dropped this hint recently during a live programme at the State Broadcasting Corporation Service in Osogbo.
Mr. Adeshina used the opportunity to address the issue of the welfare of pensioners in the state. According to him, if the present administration can cater for the aged in the state through its programme called ‘Agba Osun’, Ogbeni Aregbesola’s Government cannot but do more to enhance the welfare and the interest of the senior citizens in the State of Osun.
The Special Adviser further stated that, the inconsistency and then shortfall in the Federal allocation is responsible for some financial challenges being faced by the Government. This situation is not  peculiar to the State as some states are even contemplating on salary cuts of their workers.
He called for understanding from the pensioners, saying that, the present administration in the state cannot take with levity, issues that concern pensioners, especially when most of them have worked
He however, urged the people of the state to continue to support the present government in order to move the state to greater heights.
On the entourage of the Special Adviser were, the Permanent Secretary of Office of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Segun Olorunsogo, the Director of Budget, Mr. Gbenga Fadele, and the Information Officer,Miss Adenike Adisa.
OSUN NEWS

The Government of the State of Osun under the leadership of Governor Rauf Aregbesola will continue to provide for the needs of vulnerable children in the state in order to make life better and more meaningful for them.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs. Mofolake Adetoun Adegboyega on the occasion of the distribution of Nutritional and Educational materials to vulnerable children which held at the hall beside Moremi Crèche at the New Secretariat.
Mrs. Adegboyega expressed further that, the present administration is working assiduously towards achieving better living conditions for the people of the state. She therefore enjoined the people of the State  to reciprocate the kind gesture of Governor Aregbesola by supporting the policy of the government in the same manner.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Women and Children Affairs, Barrister (Mrs.) Funmilayo Eso Williams in her remarks, also commended the Governor’s efforts in making life worth living for the vulnerable children in the state.
She then implored the people living with HIV/AIDS to take their drugs as prescribed and eat nutritious diets.
In their responses, Dr. M. A. Bello, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on AIDS, and Dr. Akin Oyebade the Project Manager on AIDS pledged the support of the State Agency for the Control of Aids (OSSACA) to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in their efforts to better the lot of children in the state.
Mrs Alamu Abosede, a representative of Humanitarian and Health Support (NGO), expressed her profound gratitude in recognition of the kind gesture of the state Governor to vulnerable children in the state .
She added that Non Governmental Organizations will continue to support the policy of the present administration in their endeavour to raise the standard of living of the citizenry in the state.
OSUN NEWS