Beneficiaries from Ogun and Osun States have topped the lists of the second edition of the Presidential Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development (PRESSID) with 17 and 15 respectively out of 104 awardees.
The Supervising Minister for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, disclosed this  during the award ceremony in Abuja yesterday
Wike again emphasised that the selection process was based purely on merit and merit alone, adding that the beneficiaries underwent a thorough and rigorous screening process before emerging tops out of about 2000 candidates.
Wike urged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and added that the government would not hesitate to withdraw the scholarship if any act of misconduct is discovered or reported.
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie, speaking earlier said 90 per cent of the beneficiaries from the first edition of PRESSID are currently in schools  abroad and are doing very well in their studies.
“This shows that our first class degrees are truly first class. It also shows that some of our private universities are coming up and do not just award first class degrees anyhow,” Okojie said.
He added that the scheme was introduced following the discovery that less than 40 per cent of lecturers in the university system had doctorate degrees, and to produce a critical mass of individuals to develop Nigeria in the area of innovation and development.
The style, he said was adopted by India, China and Singapore several years ago, adding that Nigeria would start to benefit in the five years time when the beneficiaries start returning.
Okojie emphasised that the award was based purely on merit and was not influenced by any individual or group.
“There was no nomination from anywhere. This is the only scholarship scheme where the names of the awardees are published, because they are deserving. Nobody came to meet us to do anything, your fate is in your hands,” he said.
The beneficiaries who would study for masters’ and doctoral degrees in the 25 best universities abroad comprises 76 males and 28 females.
Adapted from ThisDay News

Osun State government has spent N2.5 billion to mitigate the perennial death associated with flooding in the state.
In Osogbo, the State Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Professor Bukola Oyawoye, said that in the last three and half years, the present government has done everything within its power to stem the annual death as a result of flooding in the state.
She said that all the rivers in the state had been dredged, expanded and people conscientious had been awaken on the danger of blocking water way in the state.
Her words: “Before the present government came on board, things were extremely bad in the state as rivers were just sweeping pupils and students away in the state; there was even one in the state capital on July 7, 2010 when a pupil was swept away. It was a real agony in the state as the government of the day could not do much to mitigate the agony of the people of the state.
“But what could not be done by the past administration, this government has done, and in the last three and half years, nothing of such has happened. It is due to the ingenuity of the present administration which deems it fit to dredge all the waterways in the state and make live more bearable for the people of Osun 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.
She said that the effects of the scenario in the contemporary world are coaster erosion, severe flooding and incessant loss of lives and property, calling on the people of the state to stop blocking waterway in the state, saying the consequence was always devastating flood that will be injurious to the health and lives.
” People are always at risk when water rises as a result of pouring refuse on water and blocking the waterway. So also when rain falls and it is not allowed to flow freely, there will be effect on the environment”.
Oyawoye therefore called on the people of Osun State to always live in a healthy environment and stop dumping refuse on the main water in the state, saying that government has provided enough waste bins and deposed vehicles to make the state clean.
Special Adviser to the governor on Water Resources and Rural Development, Kunle Ige, assured the people of the state that the state government will continue to make life better for them through the ongoing beautification exercise across the state.
ALLAFRICA

The people of Iwo Federal Constituency have been called upon to come out en mass to vote and protect their votes from electoral fraudsters in the coming August 9^th Governorship election.

The Secretary to the Government of the State of Osun (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, made this call at the kick-off of the re-election campaign of the governor for the Iwo Federal Constituency.

It was a carnival as political office holders from the area gathered to mobilise support for the second term bid of the governor.

Among those present at the rally were the member of the House of Representatives representing the area, Mr. Ghafar Amere; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mofolake Adegboyega, Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, Assistant Chief of Staff, Hon. Mudathir Toogun, member of the House of Assembly, Hon, Bola Akinloye and a host of others

The Constituency comprises three councils of Iwo, Ola Oluwa and Ayedire.

Alhaji Adeoti said the Government of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, will leave no stone unturned in making sure that the August 9 election in the state is violent-free.

The Osun Government scribe said the people of the state are well-informed about the choice that will benefit them and so they will do everything within their powers to prevent any politician to dubiously upturn their electoral choice.

“The people of Osun are ready for election. We have told them not only to troop out to vote but also to stay at the polling booths and ensure their votes are properly counted, recorded and announced.

 “This time round, there won’t be chance for anyone to rig or stuff the ballot boxes.

“Our people are ready to vote. They know the leader who loves them. And they are ready to support him. The people will come out en mass and vote and protect their votes.

“Our party, the All Peoples Congress (APC) abhors violence. People of the state are peace-loving. And they will conduct themselves peacefully as they are doing before, during and after the election,” Adeoti said.

The member of the House of Representatives representing the constituency, Hon. Ghafar Amere, said the election is going to confirm the good work of Aregbesola.

He called on the people of the constituency to come out as they used to do and vote for the second term of Aregbesola.

Addressing the gathering, Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, noted that the achievement of Aregbesola in the past three and half years speak volumes of the governor’s people-focused policies.

Okanlawon averred that the governor’s achievements in all facets are more than enough campaign for the governor.

“The past three to four years have been eventful for this state and the people.

“It is evidently clear that Aregbesola’s government has transformed the state positively beyond the imagination of the people.

 “Our people can also bear testimony to the fact that the government is working assiduously to take the state to an enviable height.

“It therefore expected that our people will also vote for continuity of these good works,” Okanlawon said.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Folake Adegboyega, called on women to come out and support the Aregbesola government in other for the good programmes to continue.

Adegboyega warned the women against selling their voter’s cards for whatever amount as this would amount to mortgaging their future.

The Commissioner warned the women folk that they should gird their loin for the election as them have more roles to play both at home as well as at the polling booth to perform their civic duty

Also Speaking, a member of the House of Assembly from the area, Hon. Bola Akinloye, assured party faithful that the Legislature had found it most convenient to work with Aregbesola because of the capacities of the policies to change the fortune of the state.

“The experience of we the lawmakers in the state in the last three years and a half has shown that when you have a focused executive. The Legislature too will have no choice to ensure that it backs such policies with adequate legislative supports. Aregbesola is a committed leader whose main objective is the happiness of the people,” he said.

Download inspiring Quotes from the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Today’s Quote emphasises the power of your Vote, and why it is important you make your vote count.Vote Wisely. Visit the website at www.osun.gov.ng  or Twitter @stateofosun for more updates on the State of Osun and its projects.

Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described the death of Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, as a huge loss to Nigeria.

In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said the news of the demise of one the most prominent traditional rulers in the country was shocking and sad.

The governor said the nation lost the influential Emir at its critical socio-political challenges.

He said that Ado Bayero’s death will leave a huge gap in the political, social, security and religious affairs of the nation.

The statement read in part: “Indeed the death of Alhaji Ado Bayero is very sad. We have lost a father-figure; we have lost a great leader; we have indeed lost a bridge builder and a great man whose image stood tall not only in Kano State and the North but also the country as whole.

“The wisdom, experience and vast influence of the Emir will be missed as the nation searches for permanent solutions to insecurity, religious and socio-political upheavals it currently battles with.

“Ado Bayero will be remembered as one of the strongest and influential emirs in the history of the country.

“During his life, he demonstrated an uncommon will and love for peace and religious harmony among ethnic groups and religious organisations in his domain.

“Besides, the later Emir had always constantly identified with traditional rulers from other parts of the country to ensure that there is peace and religious tolerance among ethnic nationalities in the country wherever they may be residing.

” I have no doubt that we are going to miss this eminent leader greatly. On behalf of myself, the state and entire people of Osun, we  extend our heart-felt condolences to the family- immediate and extended- of the late Emir and, especially his intimate friend, His Royal Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Ooni of Ife, Kano State Government and the entire people of the ancient commercial city.

“May Allah Grant the deceased aljana firdaus.”