The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has sought the support of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to strengthen the infrastructural development of tertiary institutions in the state.

Adeleke made the request during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono in Abuja.

The Governor noted the educational decline of the state, saying “The visit was necessary to ensure education takes its pride.”

While commending the fund on its role in giving tertiary education a face, Governor Adeleke said that hardly would there be any development in tertiary institutions that would not be traceable to TETFund.

He said; “In Osun state, we are enjoying Tetfund in the areas of infrastructure.

” I am here for the support from TETFund for Osun State and to come and ask for more because we still need a lot of support as our education has really dropped.”

Responding, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono said that tertiary education played special role in the affairs and even the destiny of any country.

Echono said, “This is because tertiary education is where the greatest level of production, creativity, and the greatest impact happens, especially in terms of new ideas, new products and services, and also better ways of doing things, thus must be given the needed attention.”

He said; “We believe strongly that tertiary education plays a special role in the affairs and even the destiny of any country because that is the level where greatest level of production, creativity, and the greatest impact happens.

“Whether it is in terms of new ideas, in terms of new products and services, in terms of better ways of doing things, it is at that level that innovation is at its highest, that creativity and enterprises are at its highest.

“And it is that body of knowledge of expertise that services the various sectors of every economy whether it’s health, media in any field.

“So if we get our tertiary education right, we can even export that to other African countries and indeed other parts of the world because Nigerians are known and we are endowed by God-very intelligent and hardworking people.”

Echono explained that when Nigerians were equipped with the best facilities and the enabling environment to excel, they do better in every field.

“The task before every one of us is how do we prepare our people, how do we improve on their living standards, how do we give them the necessary tools to transform to the end of other places in the world.

“And as a state, we see you as one who can give this.

“Osun has taken a lot of lead even at technical levels called STEM, trying to promote technical education and the Governor has been talking to me on how we can work together to take this beyond the basic and secondary education to the tertiary level,” he said.

Echono, therefore, commended the state Governor for paying attention to education while also underlying how important it is to lay a solid foundation so that collectively the country could be developed.

The three day education summit recently organized by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration is aimed at resuscitating the education sector in Osun state from its current poor state

Chairman of the state teaching service commission, TESCOM, Mr Temitope Mustapha stated this on IMOLE AYO, a sensitization programme promoting the activities of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration on OSBC Radio and Television channels

The weekly simulcast Yoruba programme is put in place by the office of the spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed to highlight the achievements of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration in Osun state

Mr Mustapha said the Governor while receiving the report of the education summit from the organizing committee promised to study the report and implement the recommendations therein to revamp the sector

He added that Governor Ademola Adeleke has mapped out strategies to provide incentives for teachers working at the grassroots to make the villages comfortable for them to live and reduce their quest for transfer to urban areas

On the issue of teachers recruitment, he said stakeholders are already brainstorming to work out modalities to ascertain the number of subject teachers needed to be employed and posted to schools where their services are required across the state

The TESCOM chairman urged parents and guardians to support the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke by paying necessary dues on the education of their children and wards regularly, saying such money is being used for the maintenance of schools as government alone can not do it.

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 24/09/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

The government of Governor Ademola Adeleke has reacted to the rumor of accrued pensions not paid by his government as alleged by opposition in the state, upon which some unscrupulous elements are allegedly planning a protest march.

We want the public to note that the current government has been consistent in paying some of the accrued pensions, owed by previous governments, from inception of his administration

While we have ascertained and confirmed that the rumour of a planned protest is not true,we alert the public to the spreading of the fake news designed to offend and confuse the contributory pensioners who are strong supporters of Governor Adeleke.

We assert that the pensioners and other stakeholders are aware of sustained efforts of the current government to pay up the inherited pensions.

It may also interest stakeholders to note that the Governor has 48 hours ago directed the hosting of an emergency consultative meeting with contributory pensioners to table full data before them and agree on a path to further payments.

Details of the meeting are to be communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Ahead of the meeting, we take liberty to release part of the records with renewed commitment of the administration to accelerate the payment process.

The records according to the Local Government Staff Pension Bureau in the state, shows that the government of Ademola Adeleke has made payment to both the contributory pensioners and old pensioners in the state, with effect from 28th November, 2022 till date.

The breakdown is as follows:

MONTHLY PENSION (Old Pension Scheme) – Three billion naira (N3 billion).

PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS – Two billion, nine hundred and sixteen million, two hundred and twenty-four thousand, three hundred and forty-one naira and thirty kobo (N2,916,224,341: 30).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF PENSIONERS – One billion, Sixty-two million, Four Hundred and Sixty-nine thousand, Seven hundred and Forty-three naira, Eighty-six Kobo (N1,062,469,743 : 86).

Regarding Death Benefits:
PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS – Three hundred and Twenty-four million, Two hundred and Eighty-nine thousand, Five hundred and Ninety naira, Sixty-two Kobo (N324,289,590: 62).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF PENSIONERS – Nine-six million, One hundred and Eighty-one thousand, Thirty-two naira, Ninety-two Kobo (N96,181,032: 92).

MONTHLY PENSION (Contributory Pension) Remittances:
PRIMARY SCHOOL – One billion, Eighty-three million,One hundred and Ninety-seven thousand,two hundred and Sixty-five naira, Thirty-six Kobo (N1,083,197,265:36).

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF PENSIONERS – Six hundred and One million, Seven hundred and Seventy-four thousand, Thirty-two naira, Thirty-two kobo (N601,774,032:32).

PRESENTATION OF BOND CERTIFICATES:
PRIMARY SCHOOL – One billion, Nine hundred and Eleven million, Three hundred and Seventy thousand, Two hundred and Eleven naira, Forty-four Kobo (N1,911,370,211:44).

LOCAL GOVT STAFF PENSIONERS – Seven hundred and Eight million, Forty-one thousand, Three hundred and Seventy-eight naira, Ninety-seven Kobo (N708,041,378:97).

The government appreciates the Pensioners and especially the contributory pensioners for their understanding, resilience and appreciation of the high level of commitment already shown by the government and urge them to distance themselves from evil operatives of the previous regime who were responsible for the pension debt in the first place.

As we remind the public and pensioners that Governor Adeleke has workers welfare as a number on his agenda, we affirm that the Governor has the best interest of workers, pensioners and the public at heart and his government will therefore not under any circumstances deny retirees their due rights and privileges.

The government reiterates its commitment to the good people of Osun state, and asked that the lying opposition party be shunned, as they are mischief makers.

Signed:
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment

PRESS STATEMENT

ABUJA – 23/09/2023

Osun State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Chairman for the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has assured the people of Kogi State that development will be restored in the state when Senator Dino Melaye is elected as governor.

Adeleke, who stated this when he met the elders and stakeholders of the Kogi West chapter of the PDP in Kabba, Kogi State, on Thursday, said Kogites had proud accomplishments when the party governed the state.

“Kogites know that when PDP was in office, their lives were better than now. Their business concerns were doing well, their salaries were paid in full and things generally moved smoothly.

“I’m Imole (light) and Dino is Imole too. Together, we are bringing light to Kogi State and I implore the people of Kogi State to unite and rescue the state.

“I have told Governor Yahaya Bello that Imole is coming to Kogi State. Our campaign will be issue based and we shall repeat the Osun feat in Kogi State by God’s grace.

He called on the people of Kogi State not to be deceived again by the machinations of the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that, “if you go to APC, they will use you and dump you, no matter who you are. Let us join hands together and move both the PDP and Kogi State forward.

The Chairman, contact and mobilization committee of the national campaign, Professor Jerry Gana, told the people of Kogi West that they “have a golden opportunity to produce the next governor of Kogi State.

“You must pull all your political capital together to ensure that the opportunity of producing a governor this time does not elude you.

Also speaking, the secretary of the national campaign council, Senator Biodun Olujimi, said the people of Ekiti State share close affinities with Kogi West and it is their great desire to see PDP restored to power in the state.

Those present at the meeting were the Kogi State PDP deputy governorship candidate, Hajia Habibat Mohammed Deen; PDP National Vice Chairman (North Central) Mr Dakas Shan; Hon Tajudeen Yusuf; Hon Shaba Ibrahim; Dr Steven Olorunfemi; Hon Abiodun Ojo; the Director General of the Dino/Habiba Campaign Organisation, Prince Inuwa Iyodo; Prince Richard Akanmode; Kola Ologbondiyan; Hon. Mohammed Etudaiye; Hon Adakole Ijogi; Hon Soji Olumorin; Hon S.K Adekunle; Hon Adams Olorunmo, among others.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Osun State Governor

Threat of Legal Action, Interloping Actvism Usurping Union-Employer Rights

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 21/09/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

Our attention has been drawn to a threat of legal action by an Ibadan based legal practitioner, Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, to sue the Osun state government for non-payment of allowances owed judicial officials by the previous administrations. The action does not only amount to meddlesomeness but a misrepresentation and misinterpretation of employment relationship between employees and the employer.

As much as we will not wish to attribute the threat of legal action to politicization of service matters, we must remind the public that the lawyer expressly affirmed that the allowances were owed by Aregbesola/Oyetola administration. We can add for him that the Adeleke administration inherited from the two previous governments of the All Progressive Congress a whopping salary, pension and employment related debt to the tune of 100 billion naira. This is outside another state debt of over 400 billion naira.

The Adeleke administration has however commenced payment of such salary and pension debt amidst cash crunch and equally competing demands for state expenditure. The public is aware that Governor Ademola Adeleke has deployed strategic ingenuity and uncommon resource management options to administer the state, delivering on various sectoral targets and also attending to the welfare of workers.

It is on record that the Adeleke administration ensures payment of salary as at when due and is also working to pay up inherited employment related debt from the previous administrations. Many would wonder why the Ibadan lawyer did not sue those who created the mess while they were in office. We are even shocked that the barrister in question chooses to attack a Governor who is doing all within his powers to correct fundamental errors of the last 12 years and set the state on the path of sustainable growth.

We must also put on record that Osun judicial workers have their unions and it is not in doubt that the union leadership is capable and able to advance the interest of their members. The Unions are also not unmindful of the inherited rot and ongoing efforts of the government to holistically address their issues.

We are constrained to therefore urge the lawyer to avoid distractive and interloping activism. As we believe he is not politically recruited, he should adopt other dignifying route rather than usurping labour dispute question which only the unions and their employers can undertake.

As we assume the lawyer has good intention, he can rework his threat into an appeal to the State Governor to continue his ongoing phased payment of outstanding liabilities inherited from the previous administrations. He may further commend the Governor for acting for all Osun people by devising strategies to complete abandon projects and gradual payments of outstanding liabilities.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has reiterated the readiness of the state government to welcome all development partners who are ready to support the state and his administration in the effort to engineer the desired progress for the state.

The Governor stated this at the opening ceremony of the 34th annual Catholic Nurses Guild of Nigeria being held in Osun.

The Governor who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr Akindele Adekunle stated that the government is pushing effort and activating action plans to rejuvenate the health sector of the state and thereby ready to welcome any development partners who is ready to support the government effort in the area of health and other important sector in the state.

“I therefore reiterate the resolve of my government that we’re open to development partners who are ready to support us in our efforts to rejuvenate the health sector of the state in ensuring a good standard of living and well-being for the citizens of the state.”

Governor Adeleke appreciated the Catholic Church for being a partner of progress in the state and seek for more collaboration between the state and the Church organisation.

” We see the Catholic Church as a partner in progress in the state and therefore enjoined them to do more by continuing to support my administration and people of the state in any area of their capacity.

” We will also continue to appreciate your collaborative efforts and good relationships you’ve built with the state government and our society in the past, but we humbly demand for more.”

Dr Akindele thereafter declared the 34th edition of the Catholic Nurses Guild of Nigeria annual conference opened and launched the magazine of the organisation onbehalf of the state governor.

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO

17/08/2023
Osun State.gov.ng

The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has preached fear of Allah and advocated judicious use of available resources as a way of reshaping the past for the future in our society.

This admonition was delivered by the governor at a symposium organised by the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN B-ZONE) on Saturday, 16th September, 2023, in Osogbo.

Speaking, the governor, who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Hon. Hashim Abioye, congratulated the leadership of the Muslim body on the successful hosting of the symposium themed: Reshaping the Past for the Future.

He noted that the programme was a platform for the entire citizenry, especially those in leadership positions to reflect on the past, use it as a yardstick to assess the present so as to reshape the future for the betterment of our society at large.

“I congratulate the leadership of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN B-ZONE) for successfully hosting this symposium. I am particularly elated that this discussion did not leave out Christian leaders from Catholic, Anglican and other Christian denominations. Apart from fostering religious harmony, I am convinced that the lesson we have learnt from the papers presented by the guest lecturers and the discussants today would reshape our thoughts rightfully and enable us to observe the teachings of Allah on judicious use of available resources,” the governor said.

Quoting references from the Glorious Qur’an, the Governor noted that “Prudent use of resources has been the guiding principle of our administration since we came on board, particularly in the area of delivering dividends of democracy to all, irrespective of political, social and religious affiliations.

“Looking at our past, we are a people who pride in peaceful co-existence, and our administration will continue to harp on this cherished tradition in our quest to provide effective governance and equitable distribution of resources to all so as to develop key areas of the State’s economy.”

Papers were presented at the event by Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau (former Governor of Kano State and former Minister of Education) and Professor Abdul Azeez Olaniyan from Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Also at the event was Oba AbdulAzeez Olatunbosun, The Akire of Ikire-Ile Kingdom, in the Ola-Oluwa Local Government area of the State, as well as notable Islamic clerics.

Earlier in his address, the Zonal Amir of the MSSN B-Zone, Barrister Qosim Odedeji, eulogised Governor Adeleke and his cabinet members for the unprecedented support the body received from the government towards the successful hosting of the symposium, acknowledging that “MSSN had received support from various administrations in the past in Osun State, but the support received from the present administration is the best so far.”

He therefore prayed for the success of the administration of Governor Adeleke and asked Allah to reward him bountifully.

Signed :
Mallam Olawale Rasheed
Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke.

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 17/09/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

Osun state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has reacted to the communal clash between Ilobu and Ifon communities, imposing curfew on the affected communities to enforce law and order.

The notice of curfew conveyed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Hon. Kolapo Alimi reads as follows:

This is to inform the public that the attention of the Osun state government has been drawn to the communal clash on land dispute between Ilobu and Ifon Communities.

Based on this, Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed that Curfew begins immediately in the two local governments: Orolu and Irepodun local governments.

The Curfew will start between the hours of 8pm every night, and 6am in the morning. Human and vehicular movement is hereby restricted during the curfew till further notice.

This is to forestall attempts of destruction of lives and properties during this period, because of the land dispute.

Anyone caught wandering or moving around in Irepodun and Orolu local governments during the curfew period will be arrested and prosecuted appropriately.

Governor Ademola Adeleke sued for peace between these two local governments, and asked that the ethos of Peace, Love and Unity which the state is known for, be imbibed.

Signed:
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi
Commissioner for Information
And Public Enlightenment

OSOGBO – 17/09/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has confirmed the reported aircraft incident involving Governor Ademola Adeleke but clarified that there are strong indications that the two aircraft engines were tampered with before boarding.

Reacting to news reports on the incident, the Spokesperson said the highly technically equipped aircraft was well maintained with the best technical crew and was never an unused platform where birds could build nests.

Contrary to the claim by the hanger owner that birds’ nests caused the incident, birds’ nests are made with straws not bidding wires as in this case.

According to him, the near fatal incident was averted shortly after boarding and less than two minutes after the commencement of taxing on the tarmac.

An early warning noise from the engines immediately prompted the pilots to direct the evacuation of the passengers. Everything happened within five minutes.

Early reports from the internal investigation indicated sabotage. But the authorities, locally and internationally, are still investigating the incident.

We however want to assure the public that Governor Adeleke and his aides are safe and there was no injury or any outward explosion on the plane.

The Governor expressed his deep appreciation to well wishers and supporters who have been calling since the report of the incident. Mr. Governor is hale and hearty.

Signed

Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke.