Justice Kudirat Akano of Osogbo High Court, Osogbo has granted bail to the six suspects arrested  in connection with the crisis that ensued recently between the Hausa and Yoruba communities in the ancient town of Ile-Ife  which left about  46 persons dead.

 The six accused persons are: a traditional monarch,  Oba Ademola Ademiluyi, Pastor Taiwo Fakuajo, Akeem Eluwole , Bamidele Elurisanmi, Jimoh Sakiru and Daniel Olanrewaju 

 The bail of the suspects were argued by the defense counsel, Wole Olawoyin SAN and the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Simon Lough on Wednesday.

 Justice Kudirat Akano in her ruling on Friday said “the main objective or function of bail is to ensure the presence of the accused persons in court during trial, bail to accused during trial particularly capital offences are based on grace. Ordinarily granting bail rests solely on the discretion of the court especially on the discretion of the judge”

 “Bail is hereby granted to each of the applicant with N5 million each, two sureties, to swear to an affidavit of means. One surety must be one an Oba  or a level 14 officer resident in Osun State and other surety must be a blood relation of the applicant” 

“I hereby adjourn the case to July 13th, 2017 for further trial”.

 The court which had commenced trial on Wednesday had taken two Hausa witnesses; Mallami Nasri, Abubarka Mutari and a Police Investigator in monitoring unit of Inspector General of Police, DSP Akinlabi Ogundile.

 Before the bail was granted on Friday DSP Akinlabi was led in evidence by Prosecuting counsel, Mr Simon Lough.  He testified that, “I sighted 100 houses  and shops burnt during the clash, I saw 13 burnt vehicles and six motorcycles while myself and team also saw 46 dead people. We took the body of the 46 to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile Ife”.

 “I called pathologist, Dr. Olufemi Ojo and two other doctor to conduct autopsy on the corps after that we buried the corps .”

He further  explained  that some incriminating materials were recovered from the accused persons. Some items like; a green wheel barrow, 3 axes, a knife, sawing machine and four motorcycles.

He further said “During my findings I find out that the first accused person, Oba Ademola started and ended the clash but he claimed he traveled to Lagos during the clash”.

The witness, DSP Akinlabi tendered green wheel barrow, three axes, a knife, sawing machine and four motorcycle and three a standing fan while the court rejected the photograph of the 46 corpses because of failure of the witness to produce the serial number of the document.

Acting chairman of the Osun Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Bicci Alli, has appealed to unemployed graduates in Osun to seize the opportunity provided by the social empowerment programme of the federal government known as N-Power which commenced recruitment process of graduates across the country last week.
 

 
Mr. Bicci revealed that hundreds of graduates will be employed as Community Tax Liason Officers (CTLOs) across the state.
The NPower programme which is expected to reduce unemployment will engage a fresh 300,000 graduates in teaching, agriculture, healthcare and tax collection.
A statement by the Secretary, JTB, M L Abubakar, said the programme is available for people within the age of 18-35 years and will cover a period of two years.
The desire to diversify the nation’s economy warranted the introduction of Community Tax Liason Officers (CTLOs) for the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), a new field of the programme meant to optimize government revenue at all level.
He however urge qualify graduates to visit the N-Power portal at http://portal.npower.gov.ng for prompt registration before it closes.

Two parcels of land are being processed for UNIG Polymer Construction Ltd that specializes in the production of Modern plastic pipes and YUZHMASH Company that specializes in the production and assemblage of -Machinery for Agriculture both of which have their parent company in Ukraine.
 

 
The Honourable Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Arc. Akintunde Akinajo stated this while receiving the representatives of the following companies YUZHMASH- Mr Andriy Shchebet and Mr WILKFY OLADIPO of UNIG, in his office.
He noted that fifteen hectares of lands are being processed for the proposed YUZHMASH-Tractor Assembly Plant for Agriculture while ten hectares of land are being processed for UNIG-Polymer Construction Ltd, for their use , adding that the required documentation to fully secure the acquired landed properties are being worked upon by the relevant departments within the Ministry.
Arc Akinajo assured the duo that the Government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will continue to run an open door policy and will continually encourage more Private public partnership in the development of the state.
While appreciating the State Governor , Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for the interest shown to industrialize the State as well as creating employment opportunities directly and indirectly for the people of osun, Arc Akinajo enjoined all and sundry to give maximum support to the present administration.
Also with him were Officials of the Ministry led by the Coordinating Director of the Ministry, Estate Surveyor & Valuer (ESV)Tayo Hassan, the Director of Town Planning, TPL Ezekiel Oladejo, Deputy Director of Lands, Mr Dapo Fashina, TPL Segun Adeyemo and other staff.

A renowned University Don and the Proprietor of ENPOST FOREST RESERVE, Ido-Ijesha, Professor Olu Odeyemi has advised Nigerians to be less dependent on government in order to be able to
tap their potentials.
Professor Odeyemi gave this advice at the celebration of this year’s World Environment Day which was held at the ENPOST FOREST RESERVE, Ido-Ijesha.
 
 

 
The Professor observed that one of the banes of the modern Nigeria is people over-dependent on government which made it almost difficult for the citizens to utilize the potentials inherent in them.
The renowned Professor also observed that, the Nigerian educational curriculum being used at the present should be re-designed to incorporate the theoretical as well as the practical aspects of learning in order to make students practically oriented in whatever discipline they found themselves.
He also advised the people to take environmental protection seriously as the adverse effects of mans encroachment on the environments is now being felt worldwide.
In the lead lecture delivered by the Provost, State of Osun College of Health Technology, Ilesa, Dr. Fritz Olaoye, the Provost observed that over-population, deforestation and man’s uncaring attitude to the environment pose a great danger to man’s existence considering the fact that, man even with advanced technology may not be able to cope with some environmental hazards when they occur.
Dr. Olaoye therefore advised government at various levels and individuals to be proactive in protecting all environmental components in order to guarantee a safe and healthy environment for all.
The World Environment Day celebration which was observed by ENPOST FOREST RESERVE was done in collaboration with Eco Centre for Transformation and Empowerment Initiative, Osogbo and the Soroptimist
International, Osogbo chapter as part of their contributions towards the protection of the environment.
The occasion was graced by top officials of the State of Osun Tourism Board and the State Tourism Authority who were led by their Chairman, Engineer Abimbola Daniyan who advised the students of Abolarin College, Oke-Ila Orangun on the need to be science conscious and try to exhibit their talents without fear.
Highlight of the celebration was arts exhibition by the students of Abolarin College, Oke-Ila Orangun and a tour of the twelve hectares ENPOST FOREST RESERVE for observation of nature in its pristine state.

The newly appointed Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Arc. Akintunde Akinajo has assured the people of the State on plans to digitize all the existing layouts in Osun Government Reservation Areas, as well as to update the recommendations of Urban Renewal in the State and making things easier for all.
 

 
This was disclosed by the Commissioner while addressing the journalists in his office shortly after the site monitoring to the Government Reserved Areas (GRAs) across Osogbo Metropolis adding that, his Ministry is ready to provide all what the people need in order to protect their property.
He also stated that contractors, builders and people should do away with any form of contraventions and encroachment into the Government acquired lands. He however urged the people to work with the professionals in the industry, and lodge to the planning authorities of the State Government of Osun for approval saying that all the approvals must be perfected before moving to the site.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning is available for the people and set to create a server adding that photo-mapping shall be very strictly confirmed to recognize the land map and even faster to update digital maps as a way of ensuring that everybody is being captured.
While appreciating Mr. Governor for the opportunity accorded to him to serve as the Commissioner for the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, Arc Akinajo enjoined the people to continue to give total cooperation to the present administration for more proactive developmental projects.
He also advised the people of the State to have the required title documents and build their projects according to the specifications.
Also with him were officials of the Ministry led by the Coordinating Director, Mr Tayo Hassan.

The Board and management of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) have been charged to come up with new ideas that will make the State-owned broadcasting outfit to compete favourably with any other broadcasting station in the world.
 

 
 
The Hon. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Adelani Baderinwa gave the charge today in Osogbo when members of the Board and the management paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
The Commissioner pointed out that the State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, wants OSBC to become a first class broadcasting station that is highly competitive in terms of news dissemination and programming hence he charged them to improve on their performance.
While noting that  their problems are not insurmountable, Mr. Baderinwa solicited for their full support and cooperation in order to achieve the purpose for which OSBC and the Ministry of Information & Strategy were envisioned and established.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Interim Management Board of OSBC, Hon. Kola Akanji, said he and the entire board members and the management team were in his office to congratulate him on his appointment as the Commissioner for Information & Strategy.
He noted with joy and pride that a thorough-bred professional journalist is now heading the ministry and over-seeing the broadcasting station.
He then assured the Hon. Commissioner of their loyalty to him and the administration of the State and pledged their full support and cooperation for the success of his new assignment noting that  Ministry of Information and Strategy is the life wire of the State Government in terms of communication and information management.
Also speaking, the Director-General of OSBC, Mr. Wale Idowu pointed out that OSBC is undergoing noticeable transformation which the State Governor has commended.
He however explained that the broadcasting station is undergoing challenges especially in terms of  equipment and funding.
He therefore pleaded for assistance in terms of adequate funding  and provision of modern-day equipment.
In attendance were all board members, management staff of  OSBC as well as the management of the Ministry of Information  and  Strategy.

The Government of the State of Osun has commended Slava Yeditepe Construction Company handling the on-going road project of Oba Adesoji Aderemi West Bye-Pass in Osogbo for its unprecedented level of Performance
 

 
The Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Engr. Kazeem Salami, made the commendation during an on-the-spot assessment visit to some on-going road project sites in the state in company of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Nurudeen Adeagbo.
According to him, the government is using its meagre resources to construct the monumental road project in order to entrench a great legacy in the area of good roads that will last more than 30 years and to reduce the traffic jam that usually occur at Olaiya junction in Osogbo, the State Capital.
The Commissioner posited that the road project embarked upon by the State Government will definitely go a long way in promoting the socio-economic development of the state, adding that the quality of road network is a yardstick for any national development.
 
This is why the Governor in his wisdom had decided to ensure that quality work is provided by all contractors in the state.
While enumerating the level of performance of the 17.04 km
road, which is now 64% in completion stage, the Commissioner assured
the populace that the road would soon be ready for the use of the
people.
Among the roads visited were, Osogbo Ila-Odo Kwara State
Boundary, Olaiya Ita Olokan road, Ita Balogun, Akure express road,
Ilesa, Chief Bisi Akande Trumpet Bridge, Gbongan and the access road
to Osun State University’s main Campus, Osogbo

The State Government of Osun, through the Ministry of Social Protection, Sports and Special Needs, will have Interactive Session with Persons with Disability tomorrow Thursday, May 15, 2017.
 

According to the release by the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Social Protection, Sports and Special Needs, Mrs. Funmilayo Adegoke, the Interactive Session by the directive of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, is in commemoration of International Day for Persons with Disability.
The inauguration based on Health Education, especially on Reproductive Health of Persons with Disability will hold at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs, Government Secretariat, Osogbo.
Time is 10:00am prompt.
The statement added that invited participants are expected to be seated promptly.