Photos from the signing of the memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on power generation with the Vergnet Group of France in Abuja, at the weekend

From left, Chief Executive Officer of Vergnet Group, France, Mr. Jerome Douat; Minister of Trade, Mr. Olusegun Aganga and Director General, Economic Development and Partnership, State of Osun, Dr, Charles Akinola, at the signing of memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on power generation with the Vergnet Group of France in Abuja, at the weekend

President of France-1 From left, Chief Executive Officer of Vergnet Group, France, Mr. Jerome Douat; Director General, Economic Development and Partnership, State of Osun, Dr, Charles Akinola and Special Adviser to Osun Governor on Federal Matters, Hon. Idiat Babalola, at the signing of memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on power generation with the Vergnet Group of France in Abuja, at the weekend

President of France-1 From left, Chief Executive Officer of Vergnet Group, France, Mr. Jerome Douat and Director General, Economic Development and Partnership, State of Osun, Dr, Charles Akinola, at the signing of memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on power generation with the Vergnet Group of France in Abuja, at the weekend

The Government of the State of Osun has signed a 29Million Euro memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the establishment of a 13 Megawatt Solar Power Plant in the state with an output of 16.5 Megawatt hour/ year.
The MOU between Osun and Vergnet Group, a French industrial company which specialises in sustainable and renewable energy development took place at the International Conference Centre in Abuja last Thursday.
The Director General, Office of Economic Development and Partnerships (OEDP) Office of the Governor, Dr. Charles Diji Akinola signed the MoU on behalf of the State Government of Osun while Mr. Jérôme Douat, Chief Executive Officer of the Vergnet Group signed on behalf of the French Group.
The ceremony was witnessed by President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and the French President, Mr. François Hollande, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Minister of Trade and Investments, Dr Segun Aganga, representatives of the State Government of Osun and the Vergnet Group and members of the diplomatic corps were also in attendance.
Speaking at the signing of the MOU, Dr. Akinola who represented governor Aregbesola held that the ceremony is another demonstration of the resolve of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration to utilize partnership initiatives to bring sustainable development to the State.
According to him, “the administration of Aregbesola in Osun is that of the people, that is why the people come first in everything the administration wants to do and will ensure such project will give life abundantly to the masses.
“This project when completed will increase the power supply to the people of Osun, boost economic activities in Osun and further attract foreign investments and investors”. Akinola noted.
He pointed out that the project which is scheduled to commence this year will be sited near Osogbo while Vergnet Group will provide technical expertise, advisory services including the project design, project planning and financing plan.
Akinola also added that the french group will facilitate the financing of the project from the French Government.
He said, “On the other hand, the State Government of Osun will be responsible for identification and allocation of land for the project, contractual clearing with administrative authorities and for developing the necessary infrastructure such as access roads, among other necessary requirements”. He emphasised.
The Director General (OEDP), on behalf of the State Government commended the Vergnet Group for considering the State of Osun for the project.
He assured them that the State will continue to partner with them and other reliable companies to realise other areas of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s Six Point Integral Action Plan for the development of Osun.

THE Osun Agency for Community and Social Development Project (OCSDP) has lauded the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for increasing the agency’s annual fund.
Managing Director of the agency, Mrs. Funmi Abokede, at a press conference in Osogbo, the state capital, disclosed that the state government’s contribution has risen from N100million to N200million, noting that the increase will, no doubt, enhance the efficiency of the agency.
Abokede, who said that out of 36states across the nation, Osun State was rated high in project implementation and prudent spending, said the state governor’s support for the agency has contributed greatly to the sustenance and development of community projects and also improving the living standards of the people in rural communities in the state.
Abokede also disclosed that the agency was using the Community Driven Development (CDD) approach to take decision on allocation of resources to community groups, adding that interested communities are required to come forward with expression of their interest in the project.
She said, “A formal sensitisation visit and a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRP) have been carried out and members of the communities visited identified their needs in order of priority and elected the Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) members in a democratic manner under the supervision of the agency.
“Every participating community is required to contribute ten percent of the project cost. The community contribution can be in cash and kind, and this is to ensure ownership and sustainability. Our agency has achieved a lot in some critical areas which have direct positive impact on the people of the community and this is done regardless of your tribe or where you hail from,” she declared.
THE NATION

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy State of Osun, Engineer Olusegun Aduroja has tasked all Information Officers in the state to be committed, astute and responsible, stressing that the three are very germane to a successful and fulfilling career.
Engineer Aduroja stated this at the monthly meeting organized by the Ministry to interact with all officers with a view to knowing what is going on at their various beats.
The Permanent Secretary said, it has became imperative for the officers to constantly make information available at the doorsteps of the people because an environment devoid of facts is prone to blackmail, falsehood rumour and anarchy.
Highpoint of the event was the feedback session, where the officers recounted their experiences and challenges, with the Permanent Secretary promising to address them within the shortest possible time.
Present at the event were the Director of the Grassroot and Public Enlightenment Department of the Ministry, Mrs. Femi Webster-Esho her counterpart at the Social Mobilization and Strategy, Mr. Bunmi Oladele, the Director, Social Mobilization and Guidance, Mr. Bayo Ojo and other management staff of the ministry.
OSUNNEWS

The opposition parties in the State of Osun have been warned to desist from instigating religious crises in the State, particularly on education reform of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Executive Governor of the State.

The Forum of the Executive Secretaries in the State of Osun said, oppositions were supposed to bury their heads in shame for they have totally failed in their plan to truncate the peaceful co-existence among the people of the state since the inception of the present Administration.
The Forum chairman, in the state, Prince Olusoji Ajayi disclosed this on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at a media briefing, held at the Local Government Secretariat, Abeere, Osogbo.
Ajayi who described education reform of Governor Aregbesola as a positive step to ameliorate the future of the state education, said parents who have their children and wards in the public schools, disclosed that pockets of crises experienced in some schools were politically motivated.
Ajayi maintained that the school reclassification was aimed at strengthen education, and to make education more functional in the state as obtainable elsewhere in the world, adding that all these were vividly clear to the majority of people in the state and that was why they strongly gave Aregbesola support over the reclassification.
Commending Aregbesola for his relentless effort at revamping education in the state, the Chairman noted that before the advent of the present administration, the education sector was appalling; majority of school buildings were in shambles, adding that with the intervention of the Aregbesola educational policy, the story has since changed for better.
Part of the ground breaking achievements according to the chairman was the rehabilitation and construction of over 170 state of the art model schools, the model school which each of them have the capacity to accommodate 1,000 pupils, 1,200 students for middle schools and 3,000 students for high schools.
On the suppose controversies trailing the school reclassification and merger, The Chairman debunked the allegations that Aregbesola wanted to impose the use of Hijab on Students of the public schools, saying that there was nothing of such.
Ajayi who explained that public school was not meant for a particular person, or religious, said it is a place where everybody, irrespective of their religious affiliation, has equal right, saying nobody can enforce his/her religious doctrine on others.
“A public school is not even where you can practice religion at all; it is basically for academic purpose. The present administration is not giving priority to a particular religion; it is an administration that allowed level playing ground for all religions”.
“We want to dismiss the rumour that Governor Aregbesola is enforcing the use of hijab in the missionary established schools.”
The chairman stated categorically that the uproar in some public schools were politically motivated; noting that the oppositions are hiding under reclassification to attack the education policy, which he said had been yielding positive result.
He therefore, urged the parents, guardians, religious leaders not to allow themselves to be used by the disgruntle politicians who were ejected from government due to electoral fraud.
“These set of politicians are being frustrated by the achievements of Aregbesola, and thus, they have resulted to negatively imbue people to reject his policy. They are set of politicians that failed the state between 2003 and 2010.”
“The rapid development of the state of Osun under the present administration is jolting them and signaling their fading out of mainstream politics in Osun; thus they want to soil Aregbesola’s image”, he added.
Ajayi who described opposition’s devilish efforts to drag the good image of Aregbesola into the mud as a total failure said the upsurge in the enrolment of public primary schools was unprecedented which could be attributed to the introduction of a pragramme called O’ Meals, the school feeding and health programme where over 3000 food vendors were employed.
He added that the introduction of the award winning and ground breaking Tablet of Knowledge popularly called “Opon-Imo” into the state education sector where over 150,000 copies were distributed among the senior students was another commendable achievement of the Aregbesola’s led administration.
Ajayi while urging the governor not to relent in his effort at consolidating the state education, also enjoined all religious leaders to cooperate with the Governor and support his administration to success.
 BIOREPORT

Transparency, accountability, probity and zero tolerance to corruption have been referred to as the hallmark of the success of any organization.
This was stated by the former Chairman Local Government Service Commission Chief Tunji Abolade while declaring open a 3-day workshop titled “Financial Management Service” held today at Local Government Service Commission, Multi-purpose Hall.
Chief Tunji Abolade explained that, the workshop is organized to equip accountants and auditors in the Local Government Service with necessary skills that would make them prudent and judicious financial managers.
According to him, a responsible and responsive government must tackle the issue of finance management in a bid to channel the revenue generated towards the programmes that will be of benefit to the people.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman Local Government Service Commission Dr. Peter Babalola made it known that Chief Tunji Abolade was invited to declare the workshop open in view of his commitment and performance while he was the Chairman  of the Commission.
He stated that, Chief Abolade during his tenure built the Multi-Purpose Hall which had just been renovated by the present Board.
Also in his address of welcome, the Managing Partner Fiderat Consult Mr. Adebayo Adedokun stated that, the training programme will expose participants to the new orientation in auditing, particularly forensic and value for money auditing as well as update their knowledge on the use of basic accounting concepts as a guide in management decision.
OSUN NEWS

The State Government of Osun and the Vergnet Group of  France will today 27 February, 2014 sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja on the establishment of a 13 Megawatt Solar Power Plant in the State of Osun.
The Vergnet Group is a French industrial company which specializes in sustainable and renewable energy development. The Group has a strong presence in Africa and in particular in Nigeria where it is in the process of commissioning the first wind farm (10MW) in the State of Katsina, under a contract with the Federal Ministry of Power.
The event which will take place at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja will be witnessed by President Goodluck Jonathan, the French President, Mr.  François Hollande, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Minister of Trade and Investments, Dr Segun Aganga, representatives of the State Government of Osun and the Vergnet Group and members of the diplomatic corps.
Dr. Charles Akinola, Director General, Office of Economic Development and Partnerships (OEDP) will sign the MoU on behalf of the State Government of Osun while Mr. Jérôme Douat, Chief Executive Officer of the Vergnet Group will sign on behalf of the Vergnet Group. This is another demonstration of the resolve of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration to utilize partnership initiatives to bring sustainable development to the State. The project will increase the power supply to the people of Osun, boost economic activities in Osun and further attract foreign investment.
The project which is scheduled to commence this year will be sited in Osogbo.
Under the MoU, the Vergnet Group will provide technical expertise, advisory services including the project design, project planning and financing plan. In addition, the Vergnet Group will facilitate the financing of the project from French Government.
On the other hand, the State Government of Osun will be responsible for identification and allocation of land for the project, contractual clearing with administrative authorities and for developing the necessary infrastructure such as access roads, etc.
The Director General (OEDP), on behalf of the State Government commends the Vergnet Group for considering the State of Osun for the project and promises that the State will continue to partner with them and other reliable companies to realise other areas of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s Six Point Integral Action Plan.
iReport

For Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the uniform controversy at the Baptist High School, Iwo, was a sore point in recent time he would probably want to leave quickly behind. Ogbeni, as the easy going governor is called, shares a lot in common with my own State governor, Adams Oshiomhole – both great performers, progressive minded, courageous, dogged and not afraid to step on any one’s toes in the course of their many reforms.
As a regular visitor to Osun since 2008, this commentator as an appreciative and concerned observer has seen enough on the ground and so thinks the governor does not deserve the furore generated by the uniform saga.  Verifiable evidence abounds of the impressive work of transformation and modernization the governor has done all over the State.
It is unfortunate that the country has continued to allow itself held down by the dogmas of religion and ethnicity. Being a Christian by faith – I would rather have an honest, dynamic, astute Muslim leader who knows his onions and serves his people well than a fellow Christian leader who is incompetent and playing the religious and ethnic card to hold on to his office.  These sentiments will not put food on the table nor will it bring regular power supply – the country’s major albatross, it will not ensure good health-care for the teeming population, it will not bring good roads and effective transportation nor generally the good things of life that ensure high standard of living.
The country is getting increasingly divided along religious and ethnic lines with religious leaders and tribal chieftains who are supposed to know better fanning members of divisiveness.
But for the preponderance of thieving, divisive, selfish leaders, religion and ethnicity would not have too much relevance in the matters of governance. The sing song all over the land is “it is our turn” (to steal from the public till)? How unfortunate. The country requires leaders who are builders that can bring all the people together through good governance, dynamic selfless leadership, and transparency with accountability to the people. A true good leader would not need to play any mischievous religious or ethnic card because as a rallying point, everyone would see him or her as “our governor, our president”, before any other consideration.
In Osun State, political forces wearing the togas of religious bigots are working hard to undermine the impressive achievements of one of the best performing governors in the country.
It is not how a governor or president dresses that makes him a good or bad leader. Some public commentators in recent write-ups even detest even the governor’s mode of dressing and labeled him as a Taliban. The governor’s humility and simplicity are ready qualities that announce his amiable personality and his mode of dressing is just one way to express it for the same reason, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State would always want to be identified of his pedigree as a labour leader and dress in the famous Khaki attire as a comrade. In any case, the writer would have performing governor dressed the way he is rather than in silk Italian suits or flowing Agbada and is not performing. Conversely, that a public officer wears cassock does not mean the public till safe with him.
The Aregbesola administration has been able to bring about pragmatic transformation in the various sectors of governance and compared with previous administrations in the state, there has been much impact and improvement.
The government has also been able to reduce youth unemployment in the state through the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYEMS). Perhaps, the most endearing aspects of the Ogbeni reforms in the state are the social orientation and the egalitarianism thrust. The poor are well provided for and given a sense of belonging which is absent in most other governments throughout the country.
Is Aregbesola really a zealot or fundamentalist? Is he out to Islamize Osun State? A fundamentalist definitely would not have no tolerance for other religions and would not respect other religious viewpoints or associate with adherents of other faiths. Boko Haram offers a good example.
The deputy governor and several aides in his administration are also Christians.  Some time ago, he hosted a PAN – Yoruba Conference aimed at forging Yoruba integration across the globe. He is also presently involved in the building of 200,000 Christian Ecumenical Centre in Ilesha which commenced in December 2010 long before the crisis snowballed.  Recently, he went on pilgrimage to Oke Maria to pray alongside some of his most vicious political opponents.
To be surrounded by people of other faiths and to have taken part in various exercises of other religions shows that he is tolerant in his personal religious affairs. These are not qualities of a religious zealot. The governor has been grossly misunderstood because of his faithful adherence to his avowed faith and his critics are making a capital of it in an election year. There is no doubt that he fervently loves and practices his Islam faith on account of which some commentators have called him an Imam. But he does not hate the other religions and would not stop anyone from practicing their own faith when he has not stopped his own close aides.
It is understandable that Christians of whom the writer is one especially the Baptist Convention do not want ancient landmarks removed from the Baptist High School. But beyond this posturing, many Christian leaders in Nigeria today can be likened to the Pharisees and Sadducees that Jesus Christ labeled as hypocrites in the Bible. They don’t see anything wrong in acts of injustice, maladministration, corruption, wasteful government spending as long as they are benefitting from them.  They are hobnobbing with political leaders to enrich themselves. President Goodluck Jonathan has been junketing from Church to Church and not one of those pastors has been bold enough to tell him (amongst others) of his wasteful spending of Nigeria’s resources with the eleventh plane about to be added to his presidential fleet. These leaders have lost the right to be the moral conscience of the society.
Aregbesola is certainly not a Saint as other mortals and political leaders. His greatest weak point is allowing his controversial nature speak louder than his true good intentions and acts and having been unable to assuage the fears of Christian leaders in the state, accommodate them and letting them know that he means well for them and all Osun people.
The response of the government machinery to the barrage of orchestrated phantom attacks was (strangely) operationally inept and strategically pedestrian. As the controversy brewed, the state government should have come out decisively before now to stop the practice though the governor in a recent address stated that the government did not approve the use of hijab in any School at any time.
The governor as leader and father of the state should also try to carry the Christian faithful along and continually reassure them of government resolve to protect their rights of worship. The state government could also review the policy of reclassification and mergers of schools to allow harmony. As done successfully in Lagos, Mission schools could be handed over to their owners to manage themselves, spend their own money on them and dictate their terms.
BUSINESS DAY
 

Contrary to insinuations of a frosty relationship between the governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and local government chairmen in the state, the chairmen yesterday said they are not at loggerheads with the governor.
Speaking at a press conference attended by the executive secretaries of the local governments and addressed by their chairman, Prince Olusoji Ajayi, the forum of LG chairmen in the state described the speculation as the nefarious act of some fifth columnists, adding that the body still maintains a cordial relationship with the governor.
The chairmen who declared their commitment to the second term bid of the governor noted that whoever wants the state to continue to develop will know that Aregbesola deserves a second term.
Prince Ajayi warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies not to attempt to rig the August 9 governorship election in the state, calling for a level playing ground for all the political parties involved.
The forum condemned pockets of crisis in some of the re-classified schools in the state, claiming that the crises are politically motivated, saying the re-classification is designed to strengthen education.
“The government does not just merge schools; it is to fill up the model schools which have higher accommodation capacity than the old ones,” he said.
On local government election, the forum expressed members’ readiness for the exercise, adding that the uniform development that has become the hallmark of Aregbesola’s administration has eroded any kind of fear of defeat at the polls.
Opposition parties, under the aegis of Alliance of Collaborating Political Parties (ACPP) in Osun State, have described the call for the removal of the state resident electoral commissioner (REC), Mr Rufus Akeju, by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as an attempt to scandalise the electoral body in the state.
A statement issued by their chairmen in Osogbo yesterday noted that PDP’s position on the REC did not enjoy the support of a majority of the registered political parties in the state.
LEADERSHIP