The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has called for quick architectural intervention to stimulate the nation’s economy.
Aregbesola also charged the leadership of Nigerian Institute of Architects, NIA, on the need to intensify efforts at fast tracking rapid economic recovery of the nation through quality of service delivery.
 

 
The Governor made the statement while playing host to the national delegation of the NIA, at government house, Osogbo.
Aregbesola stressed that the nation has gotten to a stage where architectural intervention is required to salvage her economy from the drift of collapse.
The Governor who decried the untapped numerous resources being endowed with the nation, said the time has come for government at all levels to maximize their endowments for greater productivity.
He contented that prompt intervention of government towards building an effective and efficient architectural institution would go a long way in encouraging adequate patronage of locally produced building materials in the country.
Aregbesola who attributed some of the architectural challenges in Nigeria to negligence of “necessity”, contented that government’s intervention on the activities of Nigerian architects would go a long way in building a vibrant architectural institution that would be a model in the world.
According to him, “one of the ways to revive our economy is to invest greatly in resuscitating some of our dearth and dilapidated sectors as architectural institution is of greater importance.
“it is obvious that our economy has been seriously bastardized by the successive administrations, but nevertheless, much has to be done to stimulate our economy for greater development.

The Government of Osun has declared Monday June 13, 2016 as a public holiday across the state in recognition of it as Democracy Day.
 

In a statement, the Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, stated that Monday, June 13, 2016 has been declared public holiday for the Sunday June 12, 2016 Democracy Day commemoration.
The June 12 Democracy Day is in recognition of the June 12 presidential election won by the late Moshood Abiola in 1993.

The governor, state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola took centre stage as the federal government launch the National school feeding programme in Abuja on Thursday.
 

 
Aregbesola, who has been an ardent preacher of the school feeding initiative, reeled out enviable figures of the success that the state had recorded with the O’Meal programme.
” The Federal Ministry of Education consequently selected 12 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), to begin a phased-pilot implementation of the programme. Osun was fortunate to be among them”.
“The programme began in our state as Osun State Home Grown School Feeding and Health Programme in May 2006. However, on our assumption of office in November 2010, we undertook a comprehensive review of education, including the school feeding programme, which we re-launched as O’MEALS on April 30, 2012. Its execution began immediately across all the 1,375 Elementary Schools in Osun”.
“In addition to feeding, we also carry out deworming exercise twice every year. This is to prevent the food from being shared with the pupils by worms in the stomach and maximise the nutritional value of what is eaten. This is the health component of the programme”.
“The total number of pupils being fed is now well over 252,000. This comes to about N14.8 million per day, N74 million per week, N325.6 million per month and N3.6 billion per annum. This is reducible to about N50 per pupil. The sum of N601,400 is paid out to the 3,007 caterers as transport fares on a daily basis”.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola aslo stated that elementary school enrollment have reached an all time high in the stated and he attributed this to the successful execution of the O’Meal programme
Urging the federal government to follow the Osun example, Rauf Aregbesola said he was in no doubt as to the fact that the programme was due for national scaling and that the results would be mind blowing.
 
Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme_Governor’s Presentation_09_ June 2016

Press Release: CAN’s Allegation against Government over court’s Judgement on the wearing of hijab in Public schools is unfortunate!
 

 
It has come to the notice of the State Government of Osun that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) alleged that the judgment of the High Court of the State in favour of the right of female pupils to wear hijab in public schools was masterminded by the State Government.
While we consider this to be unfortunate, we hasten to remind all religious groups, Christians, Muslim and traditional religion worshipers that the Judiciary is an independent arm of Government that is responsible and not under the control of the Executive in anyway.
2. We must state that it is unfortunate and very sad that a body of religious leaders could level such an allegation without any proof or evidence. It is a fundamental principle of law that he who asserts carries the burden of proof which CAN has failed to discharge in the present circumstances! It is unbecoming of any party to a suit to engage in casting aspersions on the Judiciary, deriding the rule of law and challenging constituted authority, particularly when there is a Right of Appeal guaranteed by the Constitution of the land. This is an option we are aware CAN has already settled for having filed a Notice of Appeal in the Court of Appeal on the same matter.
3. For avoidance of doubt, it is the right of any aggrieved party who is dissatisfied with the judgement of the Court to Appeal. Both parties should remember that the Government was a defendant in the suit and has remained neutral on the issue even before the court. The Government should, therefore, not be dragged into the matter, as it will continue to maintain its neutrality in matters of this nature, preferring to maintain and promote our roles in the interest of all regardless of their religious affiliations.
4. The State Government of Osun hereby urges all people of good conscience to ensure the maintenance of peace in our dear state progress and development can never be achieved in the midst of rancour and denigration of the rule of law.
5. I thank you.
Signed: Abiola Adewemimo
Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Justice,
State of Osun.

The Osun State House of Assembly has enacted laws that will improve the lots of the masses, enhance the economy of the state and development of infrastructure.
 

 
The Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, gave the above indication in Osogbo, the state capital, while listing the achievements of the House.
He said seven bills, including the ones that would boost the states revenue and block leakages in the finances of the state among others, have been passed.
Oyintiloye added that the House has also paid specific attention to oversight functions, especially where it concerns the completion of ongoing projects across the state, in line with the commitment of the state government.
The Chairman said a total number of seven bills have been passed by the Assembly, while others were at different stages of consideration before the House.
The bills, he said, are: Public Procurement Bill; Land Use Charge Bill; Primary Healthcare Development Board (Establishment) Bill; Street Trading and Illegal Market (Prohibition) Bill; Micro-credit Agency Bill; Conservation Fund (repeal) Bill; and the 2016 Appropriation Bill.
According to him, each of bills passed has connection with revenue generation, blockage of loopholes and sustaining transparency in governance.It said: “Osun Public Procurement Agency Bill would enhance due process in the bidding and procurement procedure through probity, accountability and transpaprency; just as it will check undue influence and interference in the procurement process.

“Also, Osun Land Use Charge Bill, is aimed at improving the Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state through enhanced payment of rate and levies on property to the coffers of the government.
“Osun Primary Healthcare Development Board (Establishment) Bill, on its part, was targeted at helping to take care of the health needs of the people, in line with the cardinal point of the government’s six-point integral action plan, one of which is “to restore healthy living”, through enhancement of efficient monitoring of healthcare system at the state and local government levels among others.
“Also, Osun Street Trading and Illegal Market (Prohibition) Bill, would enhance free-flow of traffic and pedestrians; ensure clean and tidy environment; prevent road side traders from falling victims of roadside accident, as well as discourage child abuse.
“While Osun Micro-credit Agency (Establishment) bill, was aimed at using it as effective tool to liberate people from the bondage of poverty; the Omoluabi Conservation Fund (repeal) bill, was aimed at allowing the government have access to the conserved fund to carry out infrastructural development.

“The 2016 Appropriation Bill, which is the budget, was also passed with focus on the completion of ongoing projects across the state and make it revenue-driven, such that the largest percentage of it has been arranged in a way that it will be financed by IGR.
“In considering this bill, experts and other stakeholders were carried along through public hearing on some of the bill and their inputs were put into consideration before their passage”, he said.
Oyintiloye also stressed that the Assembly has passed several resolutions, which includes amendment of State of Osun Signage, Hoarding, and Advertisement Law; and resolution on the petition by a sitting judge of the State High Court Against the Governor over alleged mismanagement of funds.
Among others, he also said, were the reinstatement of the sacked lecturers in fours state-owner tertiary institutions, and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
The parliament also noted, there were other interventions made, which include, land dispute between parties; and the issue of demand for compensation by those whose properties were separated due to one development or the other among others.

It also averred that, the 6th Assembly has been able to strengthen its oversight machinery through standing committees, especially to ensure the blockage of loopholes in the revenue of the state, towards increasing its IGR without putting unnecessary burden on the people, and ensure that the ongoing projects across the state are completed.
It specifically mentioned the audit carried out on the management of IGR by the management of the four state-owned tertiary institutions, saying, the audit showed that there were leakages.
The Assembly noted that it has subsequently passed a resolution to automate the payment of all fees in their campuses, which it said, would block leakages and make the institutions self-sustainable.
It then assured that the 6th Assembly has resolved to improve on its legislative activities and do more of oversight without abandoning the passage of laws that will benefit the people of the state.

The Government of Osun has said the commendably low crime rate in the state as confirmed by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, is the direct result of the several initiatives of the Rauf Aregbesola administration since inception in 2010.
 

 
The government said the Aregbesola government did not just secure the state through procurement of security hardwares, it achieved the feat through a dint of well-thought out welfare packages that are disincentive to criminal activities.
The Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the office of the Governor, said the declaration by the Inspector General of Nigeria Police that the state is the most secured and peaceful in the country as one that has justified the huge investment of Governor Rauf Aregbesola led administration on security.
The Bureau’s statement signed by its Director, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, stated that the commendation has shown that‎ the commitment of the governor to security of lives of it citizens has not gone without notice.

The Inspector General of Police had commended the State government and the indigenes for making Osun the safest state in the country at‎ an interactive forum of the Association of Veteran Journalists in Osun State where the IGP was also given an Award of Excellence.
The IGP who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner of Police, Osun Command, Mr. Femi Oyeleye, said the achievement was not without the cooperation of the patriotic citizens and varying vigilante groups that have had excellent relationships with the police.‎
The Bureau said ‎apart from the huge investments in security, the government of Aregbesola had prevented crime through its numerous programmes such as youths employments, infrastructure, social welfare schemes and others.
According to the Bureau, “Apart from the regular police manning the state, government had at inception, set up a dedicated crime response team code-named Swift Action Squad (SAS), which is visible in strategic areas in the state as well as identified troubled spots.”

The statement said rather than concentrate on the provision of security hardwares as the only way to solve crime, the government, through its various intervention programmes, had made crimes unattractive.
“A huge army of unemployed youths could be a veritable recruitment ground for criminal activities. Our intervention in the area of youths employment was targeted at ensuring that this army of unemployed youths was depleted. With 40,000 direct employment of youths through this strategy, we succeeded in preventing what could have been the insecurity implications of such huge population of jobless people,” the statement added.
The Bureau added that apart from youths employment, the state government’s massive infrastructure programme such as new roads, schools construction, introduction of modern agricultural extension and practices, and other infrastructure projects, several thousands of indirect jobs have been created to reduce the problem of unemployment.
The Bureau added that the government is very conscious of problems that insecurity poses to direct investment both local and foreign, adding that no investor would risk investing in an atmosphere of violence and insecurity.

‎It added that the fact that Osun is impregnable to criminals could easily be attributed to the foresight of Governor Aregbesola in considering security most paramount in his heavy‎ investments in security equipment.
It added that criminals who had tested the will of the state in recent times have found out that the state is not a haven for crime.
The Bureau listed incidents such as the Ikirun bank robbery, the kidnap of prominent business woman and Iyaloja (Head of Market Women) of Kajola-Ijesa market in Atakumosa East Loca Council, Mrs. Adunni Adegbokun, and her rescue as instances that buttress the IGP’s commendation.
It assured residents that the government would continue to make the state safe for residents, tourists and investors adding that this is the only way through which the state could develop.

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has reiterated his government’s determination to stamping out the scourge of poverty in the state.

 
 
Aregbesola also reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to ensure all-round development by creating wealth, empowering youths and generating employment through participatory agricultural engagement.
The Governor made the statement while addressing farmers during a meeting tagged “Abekoko”, at Alaye Village, Irewole Local Government Area of the state.
Aregbesola who described farmers as “kings” said his administration had come up with a life-changing policy that would continuously transform the lives of the rural dwellers.
The Governor further disclosed that the current administration under his watch had since assumption office taken seriously the significance of farmers in all it does most especially towards creating sustainable economic development of the state.
Governor Aregbesola who vowed not to relent in his efforts in banishing all forms of  poverty, hunger and unemployment, however restated his government’s decision to build and strengthen a formidable beneficial relationship with farmers so as to enhance the level of agricultural productivity in the state.
Aregbesola said his government through his genuinely-designed policies and programmes had re-positioned the agricultural sector in the state.
He said with his prompt intervention on revolutionary agricultural development, the production capacity of the state has drastically improved over the years.
Aregbesola adulated his government for being conscious on the well being of the rural dwellers especially the farmers, saying his administration has succeeded in its bid of revamping agricultural sector.
The Governor emphasized that the state has been in partnership with different groups to promote agricultural production of the state, just as he attributed strides recently recorded to  the effects of the mutually beneficial relationship.
He stressed that the present administration under his leadership had constructed, reconstructed and rehabilitated several kilometers of roads in the rural areas through Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project (O’RAMP) in order to ease transportation of goods and other farm produce from rural communities to urban centres.
Aregbesola who said his government was committed to maintenance of rural roads, however promised farmers in the state of adequate provision of social amenities and accessible roads across the length and breath of the rural areas.
The Governor also told the farmers at the meeting that his government would aid the activities of their community by constructing the main road linking the dwellers together in the next few months.
According to him, “Our commitment is to stamp-out the scourge of poverty in the state and ensure that Osun becomes the food basket of the nation.
“In achieving this lofty initiative, our government had entered into partnership with agricultural investors in order to boost the volume of our agricultural productivity and as well improve the general well being of our farmers.
“We shall champion our goals in building an enviable structure, creating wealth, empowering youths and generating employment through participatory agricultural engagement.
“It is on this clear objective that we are determined in our efforts to banishing all forms of  poverty, hunger and unemployment by building and strengthening a formidable beneficial relationship with farmers so as to enhance the level of agricultural productivity in the state.
“We have constructed, reconstructed and rehabilitated several kilometers of roads in the rural areas through Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project (O’RAMP) in order to ease transportation of goods and other farm produce from rural communities to urban centres”, he stated.
Governor Aregbesola therefore used the occasion to appealed to the farmers who benefited from the loans provided by the state to refund in accordance with the agreement without further delay , saying the gesture would pave way for others.
Meanwhile, some of the farmers who spoke intermittently commended Governor Aregbesola for being committed to the welfare of farmers in the state.
They also lauded the Governor for being resolute towards the transformation of the state even in the face of the present  financial hardship.
The farmers who requested for basic amenities, however urged the state government not to loose focus in its resolve to better the lives of the citizenry especially the rural dwellers.

The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said the development effort of Nigeria or any country must begin with providing good and nutritious food to school pupils and all children.
 
The Governor, during his presentation at the launch of the National Home Grown School Feeding programme strategy at the State House Banquet Hall, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja,‎ held that well fed children will most likely be more successful in life than the hungry and malnourished ones.
 

 
 
A statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, signed by its Director, Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Aregbesola as saying that the implementation of the programme began in the state in May 2006.
 
Aregbesola added that on his assumption of office in November 2010, he undertook a comprehensive review of education, including the school feeding programme, which was re-launched as O’MEALS on April 30, 2012.
 
He pointed out that the re-launch began across all the 1,375 Elementary Schools in the state, adding that‎ the programme is consistent with his administration’s 6-Point Integral Action Plan of banishing poverty, hunger, creating work and wealth, functional education, restoring healthy living and engendering communal peace and progress.
 
The Governor emphasised that the overall objectives of O-MEALS are to improve the nutritional and health status of pupils by ensuring that pupils are dewormed regularly for healthy living.
 
He also added that the programme has enhanced enrolment, retention and completion of pupils in schools and to reduce poverty and stimulate development of small and medium scale enterprises.
 
Aregbesola noted that with the school feeding programme, the state has been able to engage the services of 3,007 community caterers to prepare the food for the pupils as hygienically as possible.
 
He said: “To be able to achieve this, the caterers were first medically screened and certified fit and proper, retrained on the rudiments of cooking and particularly made to understand the importance of, one, hygiene in disease prevention and secondly, good nutrition to healthy living.
 
“For effective administrative purposes, they were organised into 124 functional Cooperative Investment and Credit Societies (CICS) in order to benefit fully from bulk procurement and allied services. Necessary operational funds are then transferred to the personal bank accounts of each caterer through their CICS.
 
“The account from which this funding emanates is secure because it is not accessible through issuance of bank cheques. Funds can only be transferred from the account into the caterers’ and other contractors’ accounts by approved mandates. This will minimise, if not eliminate altogether, incidents of fraud and diversion.
 
“The caterers receive funds in advance concerning meals to be prepared for school pupils within a two-week period. For organisational purpose, the number of pupils assigned to each caterer varies and so is the fund allocated.
 
“Each caterer also benefits from a government facilitated interest-free loan of N41,500 for the acquisition of cooking and other kitchen utensils. The loan repayment period is spread over 36 months, with N1,152.78kobo deducted from their account every month.”
 
Aregbesola pointed out that the total number of pupils being fed in the state is well over 252,000, which comes to about N14.8 million per day, N74 million per week, N325.6 million per month and N3.6 billion per annum.
 
He averred that the amount spent by government can be reduced to about N50 per pupil, adding that N601,400 is paid out to the 3,007 caterers as transport fares on a daily basis.
 
According to the Governor: “The commitment, passion, prudence and seriousness we deployed to O’MEALS has earned us the worthy support and partnership of the Imperial College, London-based Partnership for Child Development (PCD).
 
“Through this fruitful collaboration, we have received technical assistance in redesigning the school feeding programme through endorsement of the Transition Strategy Plan Document, among others, from PCD.”
 
Aregbesola highlighted the immediate impact of O’MEALS within the first five weeks of introduction as an increment in elementary school enrolment by 38,935 pupils from 155,318 to 194,253, representing 25 per cent and the highest elementary school enrolment in Nigeria.
 
Aregbesola is of the hope that the Home Grown School Feeding and Health Programme will be extended to all pupils in public schools and made an integral part of education for all pupils in Nigeria, both public and private.

The governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has refunded N17.7 million to Osun pilgrims who performed their Hajj last year in Mecca, Saudi Arebia.
 

 
 
The money was refunded due to the lapses in rendering some services to the pilgrims while in holy land.
The Amir Hajj, Barrister Dhikrullahi Olakunle Hassan, refunded the money at the Government Secretariat in Osogbo, Osun State on behalf of the governor, saying that a sum of N11, 500 was repaid to 852 pilgrims on April 6th, 2016 and N9, 300 on June 6 to sum up a total of N17, 721,600.
Speaking with journalists, Barrister Hassan said that 852 pilgrims from Osun went to perform Hajj in Mecca last year, adding that the money was refunded by Saudi government through National Hajj Commission of Nigeria due to the failure to render some services as a result of crane crash during Hajj.
He said that the governor paid the first repayment immediately it was received in April, saying that the second pay back in June was got last week and has already been paid
The Amir added that 9 pilgrims were yet to receive the first reimbursement paid in April as they failed to show up , adding that government is committed to give them when they come.
He stated further that both the first and second refunds would be given to them when they come.
Amir therefore stressed that if the 9 people failed to come for the money, it would be returned to the National Hajj Commission’s account.
Some of the beneficiaries of the refund were: Alhaji Rauf Tiamiyu, batch one; Alhaji Lukman Oyebamiji, batch one; Alhaji Tiamiyu Yusuf, batch two; Alhaji Adeleke Abdul-Ganiyu, batch two; Alhaja Abimbola Mujidat, batch three as well as Alhaja Simbiyat Durodoye, batch three.