The Government of the State of Osun has commended the Slava Yeditepe Construction Company Limited which is handling the Oba Adesoji Aderemi Bypass, Osogbo for their impressive performance.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Engr. Oladepo Amudah, gave the commendation on behalf of the state government when he paid an un scheduled on-the-spot assessment visit to the project site.
According to him,  the 18km road dualization project that started at Round- about, Iwo Road, will involve 150mm stone base, 70mm asphalt, construction of new culvert and bridges, construction of railway underpass, construction of inter change and provision of street lights which will terminate along the New Ikirun  Road, around, Osogbo City Stadium, has now reached an advanced stage.
Engr. Amudah posited that the present administration led by Ogeni Rauf Aregbesola will ensure social and infrastructural transformation that the state has never witnessed since its creation adding that, the people of the state should continue to extend their hands of cooperation to the present administration.
OSUNNEWS

Renaissance Capital, a leading emerging markets investment bank in Africa, has revealed that Osun, Ekiti, Lagos and Oyo  states are the leading economies  in Nigeria.
Among the ranks include two Oil producing states, Akwa Ibom and Rivers state while Kano, Katsina and Kaduna made the list of highest per-capita income from the northern part of the country. According to experts from Renaissance Capital, consumer companies are likely to find the greatest opportunities in states with highest per-capita income.
They noted that Akwa Ibom and River states in the South South region and Osun state in the southwest will embrace retail banking, given the opportunities for banks to expand services and employees  in  those states with high per-capita income and high population densities  will provide the footfall required for a bank to open a branch nationwide.  The report states that “We think consumer companies are likely to find the greatest opportunities in states  with greater purchasing power, as indicated by  relatively high per capita income, including Lagos, Oyo and Osun in the south west and Kaduna and the Niger Delta states.”
On  assumption of office in 2010, the  administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola had  blocked all the leakages that were existing in the state revenue which jerked up the state internally generated revenue from N300million to N1.6billion.  Governor Aregbesola also  promised to put the state of Osun with a population of 4 million on the path of socio-economic development. The formulation of right economic policies has been attributed for the growth in the economy of the Osun from N110 billion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) recorded in 2010 to over N800 billion last year.
The GDP is the measure of economic activity. Thus, there are diverse economic activities which include trade, transportation, energy, mineral, energy, telecommunication, construction, agriculture and  manufacturing,  The ranking of Osun above Anambra, Enugu , Imo and Ebonyi among others implies that the level of economic activities in Osun is higher than these states. The steady investment in infrastructural development like dual carriage roads, power, hospitals and education among others contributed to the growth in the GDP of  Osun.
Aregbesola has also embarked on the construction of  an international airport with the longest runway in Africa. Hence, the activities of various constrution companies on site for these infrastructural development projects contributed in no small measure to the boost in GDP.   Another factor attributed to the improvedment in economic activities is the existence of  six  Universities including Obafemi Awolowo University , Osun State University , Bowen University ,Heritage University , Oduduwa University and Ladoke Akintola College of Medicine The GDP is also rising as result of proactive programme of the following tertiary institutions including Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State Polytechnic Iree, Osun State College of Technology Esa Oke and Osun State College of Education, Ilesa. The State is also targeting N10billion IGR.
NEWSDIRECT

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, Monday took a giant step in his effort to boost the economy of the state and create jobs with the opening of a multi-million naira RLG/ Adulawo Technology City in Ilesha with a promise to make the state Nigeria technology hub.
The technology city, which is already in operation, is a partnership venture with West Africa’s leading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Phone Company, RLG, and has facilities to train youths in the assembling and repairs of electronic devices including mobile phones and computers, and also manufacture products for sale.
According to the governor who performed the official opening of the company alongside his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Group Chairman of RLG, Mr. Roland Agambire, the commencement of the project at the premises was an evidence that with the right attitude, focus and hard work, dreams can become reality.
He noted that the city was part of his administration’s effort to create job, wealth and improve the living standards of the state through the technology industry, adding that he has no doubt that the city will be the hub of ICT in Nigeria and beyond.
Aregbesola stated that the technology city would be producing mobile phones, tablets, television sets and computer systems and both desktops and laptops computers.
“While in full production capacity, it will directly employ 800 people while over 15,000 indirect jobs will be created round the state through the enterprise from sales and repair points.
“It will positively impact on the state economy through taxes, rates and levies and in addition to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it will create wealth and bring development to the community where it operates,” he said.
The governor noted that the city was also a demonstration of the government’s resolve to partner with the private sector to create enabling environment and provide adequate infrastructure for rapid industrialisation of the state.
The RLG/Adulowo Technology City has the capacity to assemble 5,000 mobile phones and 2, 500 computers daily. It has fully equipped training centre called the RLG Institute of Technology, a Research and Development Laboratory complete with a Green Technology Bio-mass plant which will provide cooking gas for the staff quarters and generate 3KVA electricity.
In his speech, the Chairman of RLG said he was delighted to partner with Aregbesola whom he stated fell in love with the dream and supported it vigorously to its conclusion.
THISDAY

THE Osun State government said on Monday in Osogbo, the state capital, that it has no plan to sack workers in the state civil service and the local government levels.
Mr Peter Babalola, Chairman, Osun Local Government Service Commission, stated this while defending the commission’s budget before the House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
“There is no plan by the present administration to sack or retrench any staff, either at the state or local government levels, there is no such plan. The only situation that can attract sack is when an employee absconds from work without permission.
“Just imagine a case of a staff that travelled out of the country without informing the authority while still collecting salary. Aside this, there is no plan to retrench workers in the state,’’ he said.
Babalola, however, said that the commission had improved its services through monitoring the activities of its personnel.
“Now, we have an upstanding local government service as we have involved all stakeholders, including traditional rulers and community leaders to ensure good service at the local government areas,’’ he said.

“Whatever reform you are bringing to local government service, should have human face before implementing it, this is because, civil servants are part of the people of the state, and this government must be seen to be considerate in addressing their plights,’’ Oyedele said.
TRIBUNE

The Independent Electoral Commission in the state of Osun has stated that it is eighty percent ready for the conduct of a credible gubernatorial election in the state.

The Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Osun,on Sunday said the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration’s concerted industrialization efforts are yielding fruits.
The Bureau said the berthing of the Rlg Adulawo Technology City, in Ilesa represents the gradual realization of the dream of an industrialised Osun where economic and commercial activities will be buoyant enough to sustain the people.
In a statement against the backdrop of the commissioning last Thursday of the Rlg Adulawo Technology City in the state, the Bureau explained that an ingenious approach to industrialization of a hitherto unindustrialized state has opened fresh hopes of more industries that will make job opportunities more abundant.
The Bureau’s statement, signed by the Director, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said with the opening of the new technology city, Osun has recorded a landmark with the assemblage of Information Communication Technology devices such as ipads, laptops, telephone handsets, plasma television where youths from the state are assured of more employment opportunities.
“The consistent, ingenious job creation strategies being employed are helping to realize the dream of banishing poverty and unemployment in Osun. The Rlg Adulawo Technology City, a $50million worth investment by Rlg of Ghana, opens yet another opportunity for our people. At least, no fewer than 100 graduates of the OYESTECH scheme have been absorbed in the first instance. There is certainty that more graduates will be employed in that company.”
The Bureau reminded the people of the State that the same initiative that brought the Omoluabi Garment Factory to Osun assisted in facilitating the coming of the Rlg Adulawo Technology City.
“Having realized that Osun requires immediate industrialization, the government of Rauf Aregbesola is employing all methods to encourage investors to come this state. This is a complete departure from what obtained before the advent of this administration where the entire environment was unfriendly to investments either for local or foreign investors.
“What is more? With adequate security put in place, good road networks that link the various parts of the state, a re-orientated populace that now embraces the ethics of hardwork and honesty in businesses, the state is now more than positioned for new job creating ventures either through the government or public private partnership initiatives,” the Bureau explained.
The Bureau therefore called on the citizens to further increase their support for the government, adding that this would only strengthen the government’s resolve to facilitate the berthing of more rewarding ventures in the state.

 
By Gbenga Faturoti/Osogbo

Najeem Salaam.
Osun State House of Assembly has threatened to scrap any ministry or agency of government that deviates from the budget plan for 2014.
The Speaker, Najeem Salaam, gave the warning at a budget defence of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the floor of the parliament.
While tasking the MDAs in the state to always work in tandem with the outlined Six Point Integral Action Plan of the government, he said “the state parliament would not hesitate to wipe any ministry or agency of government that deviates the budget plan to the line”.
Salaam, who stressed that the era of foot-dragging on budget implementation was over, said setting the positive evaluation of budget in the previous year was made possible by the openness of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration which was not averse to the oversight functions of the parliament.
He said: “We shall continue to give the MDAs the way they choose to give it to us. We shall step up our constitutionally-guaranteed oversight functions on all agencies of the government, not to witch-hunt anyone, but to procure positive result for our people.
“Let it be known that we are working for the people, and the overall interest of the state must come first in our dealing. So, it must be registered that where people’s interest clashes with the narrow interest, the former must prevail.”
The Speaker, while appreciating the enormous task before the Finance and Appropriation committee, demanded the cooperation of all heads of ministries and agencies of government, saying that all books would be checked for transparency and accountability.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

RLG, a technology company based in Ghana has announced that its plant sited in Osun State has capacity to roll out 5000 mobile phones and 2500 laptops daily.

The facility named the “RLG & Adulawo Tech City” is being promoted in partnership with the State of Osun under a programme to deepen technology development in the state.
“The factory is a fruition of government private partnership. The plant is designed to assemble a minimum of 5,000 mobile phones and 2,500 laptops per day”, the company announced.
RLG & Adulawo Tech City also has a training centre, research & development (R & D) lab, corporate office building and staff quarters amongst other facility.
The company said that the facility is also fitted with Green Technology – Biogas Plant, which will provide cooking gas for the staff quarter and also the capacity to generate 3KVA electricity that can be used for lighting.
Under the plan, RLG says the facility has the capacity to employ 10,000 people directly and indirectly.
The first set of employees are the beneficiaries of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme Technology (OYESTECH), a programme set up by the state government to equip youths in ICT and it was implemented by the RLG Training Institute, according to the company.
According to RLG, “a total number of 20,000 beneficiaries will be trained on this programme. The first set of 5,000 beneficiaries have graduated already.
The launch of this factory will bring together all stakeholders from around the world especially where we have business interest.”
TECHNOLOGY TIMES

OSUN State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, took yet another giant step in his effort to revolutionize the economy of the state, on Thursday, when he commissioned the multi-million naira technology complex, tagged RLGAdulawo Technology City, along Akure-Ilesha road, in Ilesha, Osun State.
The project, a partnership with telecommunication company, RLG, is expected to offer employment and training to 20,000 graduates of the state government OYES programme. The centre is expected to be one of the most productive assets through technological innovations, production and assemblage of electronics communication devices. While commissioning the complex, Governor Aregbesola, said the project was part of his administration’s efforts to create wealth in the state and improve the living standard of citizens. “Time is running against Africa and all hands must be on deck to ensure that the continent attains its rightful position.
As a government, political power is obtained for the service of the people and we shall continue to serve our people with all sense of responsibility. “At the inception of our administration, out of our voluminous programmes, we set two agenda as a priority: to create employment and make our state a hub of Information Communication Technology. ICT is no longer a future phenomenon but current tool for best communication. “Our World has changed. In the last 20 years, NITEL estimated all available phones as 150, 000 and the recent figure puts mobile lines in Nigeria at 117 Millions with 200 million mobile phones and the number will keep growing because we must add RLG product to it.”
The governor was supported by his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, the governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the Chairman of RLG, Mr. Roland Agambire, to open the facility for business. The technology magnate said Aregbesola has the vision to carry Osun State to an enviable height with the citing of RLG assembly plant in the state. According to him, “we invested this huge facility here to demonstrate that we are here to stay to catch the opportunity of mobile technology.
Let one in every 100 million Nigerians has only RLG devices and Osun State will make billionaires that will also be in the world map. “Our product is cheap, quality and durable. The facility will also employ direct 800 people and over 10,000 people across the country, some will be at coupling plants while others will also be at selling points,” he pointed out.
THE NATION