OSOGBO – 25/10/2024- Osungov.ng.gov

The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi has faulted recent statement credited to a former governoship candidate, Mr Goke Omigbodun , describing his assertion on governance priorities and flyover bridges as lacking in facts and a mere parrotting of opposition talks.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner who affirmed the rights of citizens to criticisise their government, cautioned against deliberate spreading of fake news, assumptions on false data and insinuation arising from half truths.

“While it is not part of my mandate as the Honourable commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Osun state to join issue with a citizen or group of citizens over their political beliefs or comments no matter how belligerent.

“I however, for the first time want to draw the attention of the innocent public, especially the people that are not readily familiar with Osogbo, to a misleading publication by an otherwise respected commentator in Osun state, in person of Architect Goke Omigbodun. Let me reiterate that, I have great respect for our referred Architect Omigbodun but that will not deter me from averring his mind to any of the areas where I believe his position is at variance with the reality on ground as it is in the instant case. This is necessary to avoid a pattern of persistence in error.

“It is quite astonishing that, in an effort to discredit the building of flyovers by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, the former governorship candidate published a statement which were full of factual errors amidst underlying subtle jibes which are also based on false assumptions and disguised hatred for the current administration.

“Before I address his illogical declaration on flyovers at Osogbo, I will first address his wrong suggestions on what the state government should have done as governance sectoral priorities.

“First, he was wrong to have asserted that federal allocation inflow into Osun is five time fold compared to the time of previous government. This is a false statement not supported by frequently available data on allocations from the federation account that are available to the public. Aside parrotting opposition lies, the architect turned politician goofed.

“While there is an increase in allocation, it is not up to two fold talkless of five fold. Additionally, the value of current allocations has largely depreciated due to current inflationary and national rate crisis. We had thought the writer would read publicly available allocation table to educate himself before putting that write up in place.

“Secondly, with false note on huge allocations, he pontificated that the government should have paid up all accumulated salary and pension debts. As the premise was not factual, the expectation of the state paying all debt would imply shutting down other sectoral demands. Only a bad administrator will adopt that approach. The phased payment was endorsed by labour and the debts are being liquadated in progression.

His sugggestion on agro investment was shocking not to say the least as he failed to acknowledge advances made by the Administration in the mechanization of the agric sector. The commentator pretended as if he was not aware of recent tractor acquisition, first in the last 13 years, ongoing agroprenueur programme, the cocoa and cashew initiative among others.

In his fixation on flyovers, he overlooked massive road construction ongoing across the 30 local governments with some local governments having as much as six kilometers, totalling almost 140 kilometer of roads already constructed. He pretended not to be aware of ongoing mass rehabilitation and upgrade of primary health centres with almost 100 completed out of almost 400.

“Quite strange that he has nothing to say about ongoing courageous mining reform including the breakthrough by the state daring Segilola Gold operators. The Administration targeted spending on education, sports, tourism, science and tech, energy, transportation, commerce and industry are conscious decisions to transorm the state economy.

“It is particularly shocking that Mr Omigbodun repeated his earlier false statement that the state is doing nothing on energy generation and distribution. For his information, the state has finalized the legal and policy frameworks to create a state electricity market system, a regulatory agency to license generators and distributors of electricity. My dear Architect, a legal framework is required before investors can venture into offgrid and mini grids power generation and distribution. And we have acted so well on those requirements.

Above are just to correct misrepresentation and misinformation spewed out by the former candidate. If he had been abreast of news publications and broadcast on sectoral developments in Osun, he would probably not have submitted those out of date and largely uninformed suggestions. Or is the Architect removing the garb of a public commentator to that of an opposition activist.

The more ludicrous side of the piece was his postulation that, a flyover is more needed at Olaiya junction than at Oke-fia. He contested that there are more traffic jams at Olaiya junction than at Oke-fia. This postulation coming from the Architect is strange and far from the truth. Let me remind himt that, the traffic jams at Olaiya junction has been resolved by the Administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola by building four adjoining roads at Olaiya junction, leaving few vehicles to actually reach Olaiya junction, which are being controlled by the traffic lights.

For the avoidance of doubt, the four roads are:

1. The adjoining road from Alekuwodo to Fakunle area that takes vehicles coming from Oke-fia/Alekuwodo axis directly to Fakunle area without getting to Olaiya junction;
2. The adjoining road from Asubiaro/Jaleyemi area to MDS area that takes vehicles coming from Jaleyemi to MDS directly to MDS without getting to Olaiya junction;
3. Adjoining road from MDS to Alekuwodo axis, that takes all vehicles coming from MDS to Alekuwodo axis without getting to Olaiya junction;
4. Adjoining road from Fakunle area to Jaleyemi area that takes vehicles coming from Ogoluwa/Fakunle area to Jaleyemi area without getting to Olaiya junction

I made bold to state that all the four adjoining roads have taken away the majority of the vehicles away from Olaiya junction, making any assertion of traffic jam at Olaiya junction a ruse.

On the other hand, the reverse is the case about Oke-fia junction. There’s no adjoining roads that can take away any vehicles from Oke-fia junction, so all roads lead to Oke-fia junction, with the attendant traffic jams especially early in the morning and the evening time.

For emphasis, let me take all the roads that lead to Oke-fia junction one after the other:

1. Lameco road: All vehicles coming from Lameco to Oke-fia usually encounter traffic jam starting from the front of the State High Court and it takes time before they maneuver their way to Oke-fia junction;
2. Dada Estate road: Vehicles coming from Dada Estate area usually start meeting traffic jam around Customary Court area;
3. Dr Olu Alabi road: Vehicles coming from Olu Alabi/GRA road usually encounter traffic jams, starting from around the police pay office;
4. Old Garage/Rasco road: Vehicles coming from Old Garage usually encounter traffic jam, starting from the Rasco area;
5. Alekuwodo road: Vehicles coming from Alekuwodo going to Oke-fia usually encounter traffic jam from around the First bank.

I repeat with emphasis and state that, vehicles from all the five major roads that meet at Oke-fia junction usually spend quality time from where they start experiencing traffic jam before they eventually get to Oke-fia junction.

From the clear analysis above, it is crystal clear that, while there’s heavy traffic jam at Oke-fia junction, the traffic jam at Olaiya junction has been permanently resolved before the last administration built the fly over there.

So, with greatest respect to my referred Architect Omigbodun, his assertion that, the necessity for the flyover at Olaiya junction is greater than that of Oke-fia is borne out by sentiment and is at variance with the facts on ground.

Let no man misconstrue my position, a flyover at Olaiya junction is also desirable because of the future challenges, but it has to be a flyover that is properly designed to meet such future challenges.

Mr Omigbodun and other critics need to know that this administration has solid team of policy experts who are crafting and delivering branch and root reform of state governance under Mr Governor. The big and small viewpoints are combined under a localisation framework for the realisation of the five point agenda.

In conclusion, let me state that, while I still hold Architect Goke Omigbodun in high esteem. But on this issue, Architect Goke Omigbodun got it wrong again.

E signed
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Hon Commissioner for Information and Public
Enlightenment.

OSOGBO– 23/10/2024— osunstate.gov.ng

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke congratulated Prince Gabriel Ajiboye Oladamade Oyinlola on the occasion of his birthday, hailing him as a unique individual who made a great mark in public service.

Governor Adeleke affirms Prince Oyinlola’s notable impact as the Permanent Secretary in the old Western region, particularly in Ila-Oragun, where he championed several developmental initiatives, applauding the elder statesman for his leading role in advancing meaningful progress in his community.

While commending Prince Oyinlola for guiding young people to achieve their goals in life, Governor Adeleke said the retired Permanent Secretary’s birthday presents a moment to celebrate a legend who touches a lot of lives.

In a similar vein, the Head of Service, Elder Samuel Ayanleye, lauds Elder Oyinlola’s longstanding contributions to society, saying that the elder statesman is a big motivation for him.

Elder Ayanleye praises Elder Oyinlola’s legacy in public service, expressing his deep respect for his remarkable record and how he continues to inspire people to greatness.

Governor Adeleke prays for enduring grace and good health for the celebrant just as Elder Ayanleye beseechs Almighty God to grant Baba more rewarding years on Earth.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
The spokesperson to the Osun State Governor.

OSOGBO – 24/10/2024- Osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke banned heavy duty trucks and trailers from plying Olaiya bridge to ensure public safety but there is no decision to demolish the bridge.

The decision was also a resolution of the State Security Council meeting whose members raised alarm over recent influx of trailers and heavy duty trucks on Osun roads. Public safety was the primary and secondary motivation behind this decision.

Responding to allegations of political bias by some leaders of the opposition, the Spokesperson to the State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed in a statement said the Governor has a sacred duty to take steps to secure public assets and residents especially in the face of two major developments in the last few weeks.

“Several technical reports have been submitted to the Governor on the deteriorating state of some sections of the bridge in recent times. As early as January, some public interest engineers approached the government to conduct an integrity test on the bridge. Similar conclusion was reached recently during a technical visit to the state by some national leaders of the construction industry.

“Several state leaders have also visited and examined the bridge with a verdict of urgency of action to preserve the assets while at the same time ensuring public safety. Members of the public can also conduct similar visits on top and around the bridge.

“While the technical review is ongoing, a new development in the transport sector warranted a preemptive action to limit load burden on the bridge. Due to road closure along Ibadan-Ogbomoso axiz, more heavy duty trucks now use Osun roads mostly passing through the bridge. Banning those trailers foreclosed any untowards happenings.

“I also want to inform the opposition that it was at the State Security Council meeting composed of security services commanders that the safety issue around Olaiya bridge was raised and resolution taken. All actors genuinely acted in the interest of the general public without political bias”, the Spokesperson noted in the statement.

Mallam Rasheed posited that Governor Adeleke has no time for petty politics as insinuated, noting that “a man building a multi- billion naira, multi- sectoral state infrastructure is too large hearted to worry about under-performance of recent past”

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke.

OSOGBO- 21/10/2024 – Osunstate.gov.ng

The attention of the Osun State Government has been drawn to a trending news about reported renovation of female hostel wing of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede in Osun State by Dr. Michael Oyerinde, the Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Primary Health Care.

We wish to clarify that the said renovation was a private endeavour of the special adviser. It was not a government project and the state has no hand in its conception, financing and implementation.

The Special Adviser has been advised to revisit the project to address any concern and the public is therefore advised to ignore any linkage of the project to the state government.

Signed:
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Honourable Commissioner for Information

OSOGBO- 21/10/2024 -Osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to ban heavy duty trucks from plying the Olaiya bridge at the state capital, citing safety reasons arising from the technical reports on the state of the bridge.

The Governor who presided over a security council meeting at Osogbo said the decision became necessary to protect the bridge from possible collapse and avoid untoward happenings with continuous passage by heavy trucks.

Describing the decision as a preemptive step, Governor Adeleke said the Ministry should erect barricades across the bridge to allow only cars and buses to ply through the road.

As a step towards implementing the directive, the Governor also instructed the Ministry to issue a travel advisory with radio jingles to sensitize members of the public and the transport ecosystem.

The Governor assured the public that the decision was taken to protect the public and state assets while a long lasting review of the technical status of the bridge is being conducted by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.