Aregbesola was responding to allegation of financial recklessness levelled against his administration by the Social Democratic Party.
The governor, who spoke through his Commissioner for Information, Mr Sunday Akere, said the government had been prudent and transparent in the handling of its finances.
Akere said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Osogbo that the governor would at any given time or period, be ready to explain in details all actions of government in the last three and half years.
“The Aregbesola government is built on accountability and transparency; we have nothing to hide, especially when it has to do with finances and projects execution.
“Be it on an independent platform or through accredited organisations like the National Orientation Agency (NOA), we will be ready to answer all questions pertaining to our government.
“The government will always be ready to give account on how it has been spending public funds, most importantly is the fact that we have been trying our best to be up-to-date with pension matters.”
NAN reports that Mr Segun Akinwusi, the SDP governorship candidate, had in a statement recently, accused the administration of profligacy in the handling of the state finances.
Akinwusi, a former Head of Service in the state, challenged Gov. Aregbesola to a live debate on the matter.

Wife of the Governor State of Osun, Alhaja  Sherifat Aregbesola (left) and President General of Iyalode  in the State, Chief {Mrs}

Aramide  Awolola, during a visit of Mrs Aregbesola to Chief (Mrs) Awolola  in her Akui residence, Ile-Ife, State of Osun on Friday

06-06-2014

Download inspiring Quotes from the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Today’s Quote is focused on  Education. Visit the website at www.osun.gov.ng  or Twitter @stateofosun for more updates on the State of Osun and its projects.

Hon Adetona Sikiru Ayedun is the Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism in the State of Osun, the Osun.gov.ng team met with him recently and he had a lot to share about his experiences so far holding his office and also his thoughts on the future of projects in the State. Find excerpts below…
Can we know you Sir?
My name is Omo’ba Adetona Sikiru Ayedun. I’m in my late forties, an indigene of the ancient City of Ile-Ife, State of Osun, Nigeria.
I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the prestigious University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1992, and acquired a Masters’ Degree in Public Administration in 1996. In 2002, I obtained another Masters’ Degree in Transport Management from Olabisi Onabanjo University. I am a Chartered Member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport Studies, which qualifies me as a Logistic Specialist. I worked in the sub-sector of the Maritime industry with SAPID Agencies Limited, an organisation into shipping, freight forwarding and bonded ware-housing. After spending ten years in that firm, I became the Managing Director.
As an activist, I was a member of Student Union Representative Council and the Welfare Officer of the Student Union Government of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, which prepared me for politics and governance. As a politician, I was a member of SDP and Secretary of Moore Ward, now in Ife East LGA. I was appointed as Information Officer to the first Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, (who is now the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the State) before Gen. Sani Abacha sacked the Second Republic of the country.
While growing my career in the maritime industry as a Chartered logistics and maritime practitioner, I was still involved however, in political activities, though silently, before I returned to fore-front of political party activities in 2010, to vie for the of Federal House of Representatives ticket under the Action Congress of Nigeria platforn, which not successful.
I was appointed as the Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism in the State of Osunin August 2011.
Can you compare the performance of your ministry before you began heading it to its performance now?
Where we are today as a Ministry is quite incomparable to where we met the Ministry when we came into government in 2010.
But before going into details, let me explain the responsibilities of this Ministry in line with the vision and mission of this administration. The core responsibilities of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism, is to boost the economic and social standard of the State through tourism development and culture promotion in; sustain capacity building for tourism sub-sector of the economy; revive historical spots and buildings for cultural relaxation and educational tours; and to use renaissance of culture, the rebirth of tourism and the reconstruction of societal cultural values for revenue generation, job creation, positive wealth evolution and rural development. We are committed to making this a reality and this is why we work so hard.
Mr. Governor is ensuring infrastructural development is ongoing in all nooks and crannies of the State. This has allowed economic stakeholders, tourists and culture enthusiasts move easily around the State of Osun.
We have renovated our cultural sites such as the Osun Osogbo World Heritage at Osogbo; Oke Agbomiregun at Oke-Itase; Opa Oranmiyan Shrine at Arubidi; Oduduwa House at Oduduwa Street, all in Ile-Ife.  Olumirin Waterfall at Erin-Ijesa is been worked upon. Our hospitality sector is also growing because we know that for tourism to develop, you have to successfully work on three areas; you must have good roads, a thriving hospitality industry and extraordinary security. These are the things the state government is really working on.
If you have gone round the State, you will see the level of influx of hotels, guest houses, restaurants, leisure joints and so on. We are upgrading the standard of our hotels and we are working on the hygiene of all eateries. On the issue of security; we are working round the clock to make sure we have a peaceful and accommodating environment. We are also working on our fire services, and a cleaner environment through periodic monitoring.
These are the things that compliment tourism development and culture promotion. Most of these things were not in place when we came into office, and between then and now; we have gone far in putting them in place.
Sir, can you mention some things you have done to change the Ministry?
A lot has been done to change the face of the Ministry. We have restructured the entire ministry to prepare it for great changes ahead. We have renovated part of our office building and erected replica of some of our artefacts; we have trained and retrained our staffers, especially the professionals among them to enhance their skills and abilities for optimal performance.
Also, we have set in motion modality that will ensure monitoring of services and security of our hospitality industry which is growing at a faster rate than ever before; we have improved our pilgrimage services, which has earned us commendation from home and abroad.
We have procured and installed modern fire protection and fighting equipment for our fire stations.
We have also introduced the official celebration of more festivals, across the towns in the State of Osun. We have set a new agenda for the promotion of our culture and the development of tourism that we believe will positively change our fortune in the nearest future.
Tourism is a big industry in the World, what are you doing to improve this industry in the State?
Tourism is a big sell and fortunately, we are endowed naturally with all it takes to explore, and invest in tourism for the welfare and wealth of our nation. The government of the State of Osun is investing close to N5.7billion in tourism. Our investment target is N5.7billion, and this is such a huge sum to take out of State fund or revenue, so what we are doing is entering into public-private partnership with serious-minded investors. This is the trend across the globe and we are moving with the 21^st century.
How many tourist spots do we have in the State and what are the plans of government to upgrade or improve the infrastructure?
There are sixty-two historical and monumental sites also referred to as tourist sites spread across the six zones in the State of Osun. The six zones are: Osogbo, Ilesa, Ife, Iwo, Ede and Ikirun. Incidentally, six of these have been upgraded and improved upon. Plans are on ground to do the same to others depending on funds available and as soon as other plans enumerated earlier become a reality.
Ekiti State has turned Ikogosi Warm Springs into a major hospitality spot in the country. What are the plans of the State to do the same with our tourist spots?
In the State of Osun, we have a similar attraction, the Olumirin Waterfalls. This is a major eco-tourism site with which the State of Osun is naturally gifted. According to a custodian of the fall, the site was discovered by Akinla, a grand-daughter of Oduduwa, the Progenitor of the Yoruba, through her hunters in 1140AD, during her migration from Ile-Ife.
Before the advent of the present government in the State of Osun, tourists and excursionists usually found it extremely difficult to ascend the next fall as they would crawl, fall and rise. However, when Ogbeni Adesoji Rauf Aragbesola, the Executive Governor of the State of Osun came on board, he approved the commencement of the development of the hitherto moribund natural site, thereby breaking the age long jinx. This has therefore made it easier for the tourists and researchers to ascend the next fall with ease. The premises of the Olumirin Waterfalls has equally been landscaped with beautiful flowers, ornamentals shrubs and many cultural waterproofed banners, strategically installed along the fall sides. The seven-layer waterfall, besides being a veritable tourists’ site, also serves as a mountaineering exercise for sporting enthusiasts.
Your Ministry is in charge of Home Affairs and Culture too? What does this entail?
The ministry is actually called Ministry of Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism. I think we have dealt with the Culture and Tourism responsibilities aspect of the Ministry. Left untouched is the Home Affairs, which is in the two folds. Through Home Affairs, we are responsible for Fire Services in the State. The other responsibility has to do with the religious pilgrimages to the holy lands. We have the Christian and Muslim pilgrimage boards with the sole responsibility to register, collate and administer the prospective pilgrimage to holy lands.
We have had three sessions of these for the two holy lands, and it has been very successful. The government of Saudi Arabia commended us at the last outing and gave a dinner in honour of State of Osun pilgrims. In fact, people from other states are now coming to us to fly to the holy lands because of the way we package our programmes, and the level of welfare we exhibit.
We owe this success and honour to the amiable Governor of the State, Ogbeni Adesoji Rauf Aregbesola. He is been our pillar of support.
How much is the state targeting from Tourism, where are we in line with the target and what are you doing to meet and surpass this target?
In addition to what I explained earlier on the investment target of N5.7billion and the investment strategy of public-private partnership, we envisaged that with the investment, we are looking at influx of tourist in the state, to any part of the State, we need a lot of facilities to cope with the influx, which we are already experiencing, and we are working to meet up.
Part of what we are doing to meet up with the target and surpass it; are in three folds; One, we are upgrading our hotels and in general the hospitality business within the State of Osun. This implies that if anyone wants to build a hotel, you must meet the standard we have set. Even after you are done with your construction, your services are still under the scrutiny of the State, so with this, we all know there are standard rules and regulations to be followed in attending to guests, securing the lives and property of the guests in ho, and also in terms of culinary services provided. We are working around these.
There are no recreation parks like Ibadan Amusement Park. Is there any plan for that in the State, knowing it is a source of revenue generation for the State?
Yes, there is a well-structured plan on ground. The old railway station is being renovated and transformed into a modern park serving as a railway station, a recreation park and an amusement park to serve as a transportation hub, event centre and tourist site respectively.
We have invested heavily on the transportation and recreation part of it; and very soon, the on-going work on the amusement park will be concluded and it will be opened to the public. By the way, the park is been named after the great icon of Africa Leadership and Governance; Dr. Nelson Mandela.
Pilgrimage is also under your purview and Osun’s performance, like you mentioned, has been excellent since this administration came on board, what made the difference?
First, is the concern and commitment of the Executive Governor of the State of Osun; Ogbeni Adesoji Rauf Aregbesola, he has been the pillar of support for the past three pilgrimage sessions we have had. Number two is the experience and expertise of our staff at the two pilgrimage boards, and those we worked with at home and in Saudi Arabia and Israel. Third is the comportment of our pilgrimages.
People are saying government should stop funding pilgrimage, what is your own view, sir?
No, I do not think government should stop funding pilgrimage. Rather, they should seek for more funds to increase participation. These pilgrimages are beneficial to our people; it helps in fulfilling spiritual or religious injunction and help in widening their spiritual knowledge. Hence, positively improve their spiritual life and moral status. The eventual effect is that the society gets better for it.
 Elections are some months away, what is your opinion about Ogbeni’s re-election?
Ogbeni Adesoji Rauf Aregbesola has performed credibly well over same period of time, compared with all the past governors and sole administrators in the state. He started by stating his plans for the State, he has executed many of these plans and this is visible to everyone, hence his re-election, Insha Allah, is more certain than his opponents. These opponents cannot point to any tangible contribution to people’s welfare and needs, in whatever capacity, they have worked.
His re-election will sustain good democratic governance, economic development, broaden prosperity, justice, equality, moral purpose, and humanity all of which are symbols personified in what Mr Governor, represents in our state.
What has your experience been so far in politics?
I have come to realise that the essence of living and holding political office is to serve the people. The vocation affords you the opportunity to be in charge of resources and deploy it to the benefit of mankind. Anything contrary to this is apolitical. Though, it has its own dirty aspect; the good out-ways it. However, it is always good to get trained for it and better to be strategic about one’s involvement in politics. That is what helps us stand out among the politicians in this terrain.
 

Osun State Government, yesterday, said it has spent about N2.5billion on dredging of waterways and canals to ensure free-flow of water and save the state from flooding.

Speaking to newsmen on the occasion of World Environment Day in Osogbo, the Osun State Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Professor Bukola Oyawoye, said that in the last three and half years, the present government has taken necessary precautions to ensure a flood-free raining season in the state.

Oyawoye added that apart from clearing waterways, the administration has also embarked on sensitisation of the populace on the dangers of dumping refuse on water paths.

She said: “Before the present government came on board, things were extremely bad, as towns in the state usually experience flooding. The most devastating one occurred in the state capital on July 7, 2010 when a pupil was swept away by flood.

“But what could not be done by the past administration, this government has done and, in the last three and half years, we have not experienced any incident of flooding. It is due to the ingenuity of the present administration, which deems it fit to dredge waterways in the state.

The commissioner said that the world is at risk of extinction, as a result of gas flaring, emissions from industries and other anthropogenic and natural activities released into the atmosphere, leading to depletion of the ozone layer.

She added that the results of this in the contemporary world are coaster erosion and severe flooding, calling on the people to desist from blocking waterways so as not to endanger themselves.

“People are always at risk when water rises as a result of dumping of refuse on waterways and blocking of water channels. When rain falls and it is not allowed to flow freely, there will be negative effects on the environment,” Oyawoye said.

In his words, the Special Adviser to the governor on Water Resources and Rural Development, Kunle Ige, stated that the present administration will continue its ongoing beautification exercise across the state.

Ige, who spoke through the Project Manager, Rural Water Environmental Sanitation Agency, RUWESA, Alhaji Olaposi Adiatu, said in the last three and half years, Aregbesola’s administration has committed huge amount into making environment safe for people to live in, calling for peoples’ support to ensure clean and safe environment.

NATIONAL MIRROR

Five Heads of Department in the Osun State Judicial Service Commission, JSC, have been presented with vehicles to enhance their operations.

Presenting the vehicles to the officials on behalf of the state government, Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, said the gesture was aimed at improving judicial workers operations in the state.

The Chief Registrar of the Osun State High Court, Mr Ayo Oyebiyi, who represented Justice Ojo at the event, held at the premises of the state High Court, Osogbo, said judicial workers must show more commitment to their work in order to promote the course of justice in the state.

He posited that the government’s gesture was aimed at enhancing the performances of judicial workers in the state with a view to promoting their sense of responsibilities.

He also charged them to rededicate themselves and be more loyal to the government in the discharge of their duties.

He advised those who are yet to benefit from the gesture, to continue to work hard and remain dedicated to their jobs, adding that government would continue to reward hard work and commitment to duty.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Principal Registrar in charge of Maintenance Department, Mr Jacob Adeniyi, said “it is the first time in the history of the High Court that new official cars would be handed to heads of various departments.”

He assured the management of their continuous dedication to the work, just as he pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the state government.

NATIONAL MIRROR

Analysts point out that the aging population is constantly grappling with health issues, economic stress, family matters, uncertain living arrangements, gender disparities, urban-rural differences, displacement and slum-like living conditions. Years ago, traditional values and religious beliefs were quite supportive of elderly people. Today, economic hardship and the faltering nuclear family system are drastically eroding the support base of aged people.
Experts have expressed the need for review of the area of social assistance and the treatment of vulnerable groups nation-wide as well as to develop appropriate plans to transform the management and provision of services to these groups.  There is growing interest on issues affecting the youth and elderly people within the informal economy.
In this regard, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has established so many social protection platforms.
One of these is Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O’YES) cadets which is a revolving volunteer scheme designed to eliminate the frustration and paralysing effect of high and seemingly intractable youth unemployment pervasive in the state and country at large.
It aims at equipping as many young men and women with positive work ethics and culture, self sustenance, resourcefulness and respect for the environment. It is designed to develop youths with character and competence.
OYES corps are deployed to productive services in identified areas of socio-economic life and paid a basic allowance to help cover basic needs. They are also kitted for group identity and high morale.
Governor Aregbesola announced recently that the State Government had been committing about N200 million to pay allowances for the over 20,000 youths engaged in the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O’YES).
The governor remarked that the success of the programme attracted the attention of the World Bank, which studied it and certified it to be a viable and sustainable solution to the problem of youth unemployment in Nigeria and consequently recommended it to the Federal Government and other states in the country.
The result, the governor said, is the Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) that was launched in Abuja.
Aregbesola said O’YES has helped the state to manage unemployment rate to a considerable manner, stressing that the National Bureau of Statistics, in its publication rated Osun State to have the least unemployment rate.
According to him, the Federal Government can help in eliminating the scourge of unemployment by matching the states.
“With that, nobody can accuse you of favouring one state over the other. If the state employs or empowers 1,000 let the Federal Government also employ or empower 1,000. If the state can do 10,000 or 100,000 let the Federal Government match it with the same 10,000 or 100,000 and it is easier for Federal Government to do it,” he said.
The governor stated that he is worried by the spate of insecurity in Nigeria, arguing that there can’t be a solution outside providing employment for the youth.
He noted that the energy, vibrancy and creative talents that abound in young people are vital ingredients of development that only need to be properly channelled into productive engagement.
He suggested that youths must be kept positively engaged by any government that is serious about the task of social and economic development.
“Keeping young people meaningfully engaged is not only a sound economic policy; it is a sensible approach to good governance. For no effective or successful governance can take place where there is rampant unemployment among the youth,” he said.
Using his state as an example of government intervention in youth empowerment, Aregbesola said the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O’YES) became a very effective mechanism of massive public sector employment that offered not only income but great hope for the youth that are absorbed into the scheme.
Speaking with our correspondent at the sidelines of a World Bank Training of Trainers on Community-based Targetting in Iloko-Ijesa, the Director-General of Bureau of Social Services (BOSS) and Head, State Operations Co-ordinating Unit for the Youth Empowerment Social Support Operation (YESSO) in Osun, Mr. Femi Ifaturoti said income security is one of the most urgent needs of the nation’s aging population.
The situation, he added, is worsened by absence of effective measures at the national level to cushion people from risks of old age, sickness, disability and  unemployment, among others issues.
Generally, schemes for the poor and vulnerable come with several conditions that are hard to meet. For instance, they are meant for those who are officially listed as living “below the poverty line” (BPL).
Simply identifying the poor and vulnerable households and providing them with cash assistance, the BOSS D-G noted is insufficient to keep families out of poverty, adding that the state has adopted “graduation policies” that help activate the poor to enter into the labour market and other tailor-made social programmes.
The lead trainer and World Bank Sector Leader, Human Development, Prof. Foluso Okumadewa said Nigeria is grappling with problems that result from high youth unemployment, adding that the presence of idle and unemployed youths pose a problem, even as the challenge is huge.
He sees solution coming from Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO), funded through $300 million assistance by the World Bank.
The project would commence in Cross River, Bauchi, Osun, Ekiti, Niger, Oyo and Kwara states for the Phase one of the community-based system.
THE NATION