By Sarafa Ibrahim

On Monday, something remarkable that will change the trajectory of Osun finances forever happened. The Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed announced that Thor Exploration Limited, the parent company of Segilola Gold Project, has conceded to the plank of the Osun State Government dispute with it and that Governor Ademola Adeleke will soon be “hosting the federal meditation team for the formal presentation of the share certificate to the state government..”

It is a cheering news because this is a victory not just for today but also the future. However, this victory did not come easy, and in fact, was possible basically because of the character of Governor Adeleke, who chooses not his personal benefit, but the collective interest of the entirety of Osun people. This was the highlight of the Governor’s message that was conveyed by Mallam Rasheed.

“Our dedication not to do under the table deal with Thors Explorations has paid off. From the beginning, I said I don’t want gold bars for myself or my family, I want Osun shares as asset of the state and that the taxes be paid into her treasury,” Governor Adeleke noted. What Governor Adeleke clearly indicated, is unusual, and indeed, will leave many, especially those who are conversant with Nigerian politicians attitude to collective interest of the people, speechless.

But the thing with Governor Adeleke is that, he is different, and this truth about him continues to manifest in all his conducts since assuming office nearly two years ago. While some other interest holders settled for “cash and smelter during the acquisition by Thors”, Governor Adeleke chose the side of the people, fighting fiercely to ensure that Osun is not cheated of what actually belongs to it.

That was a resolve from Governor Adeleke and a moment, I tried to picture what the scenario would have been if someone other than him is seating in the state’s top seat at a time like this. Just imagine a Governor who prioritizes personal benefit was presented with an opportunity to look the other way and maneuver the system to fill his own pocket at the detriment of the people.

Your guess is as good as mine. Segilola Gold Project is a multi-billion investment and a 5% stake is a whole lot, and the benefit will extend beyond the administration of Governor Adeleke. This is why I could not understand what the main opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, was thinking when it chose the side of a firm that tries to deny Osun what belongs to it.

This can never be politics because what Governor was fighting for was not for himself but the Osun people. Infact, the question that must agitate minds would be that what could the outcome had been if Governor Adeleke was not the Governor. And, if the past should be the guide, the outcome is better not imagined because it will be unpleasant.

By all measures, Governor Adeleke has done well and history will be kind to him. This is not just because he retrieved Osun shares in Segilola Gold Project, but also demonstrating the immense benefits that comes with having the right leadership. Governor Adeleke did not just press for Osun to get its due financial entitlements from the firm, he was critical about pollution caused by mining activities, which undermines the environment.

“We will submit our environmental inspection report. We will show the world that even a billion dollar cannot achieve the remediation and rehabilitation of our damaged environment. It is actually worrisome that an internationally quoted mining company will neglect and attempt to evade the care for environment it violated,” Governor Adeleke noted.

For quite sometime now, there has been concerns on the environmental impact that the operation of Segilola Gold Project has on the people. In a 2022 report, Aljazeera provided an idea on how deep the problem is, quoting Anthony Adejuwon, head of Osogbo-based civic advocacy group Urban Alert as noting that “In Osun, the contamination is through water which flows through communities with over two million people.” The paper added that separate physiochemical test conducted by it and Urban Alert on water samples on the area revealed the presence of high levels of heavy materials.

By making the protection of the environment a core of his objective, Governor Adeleke is making sure that natural resources doesn’t turn to harm the people. That is the purpose of leadership and Governor Adeleke is showing not to only understand this, but also working towards that direction.

● Sarafa Ibrahim is a Special Assistant to the Osun State Governor on Print Media and writes from Osogbo, Osun State

● OYETOLA GOVT GOT N3.5B; SPENT ALMOST N2B

OSOGBO- 30/10/2024 – osun state.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke did not receive any Eight Billion Naira as LAUTEC refund from the Oyo State government. Rather, the former Governor Oyetola government actually received Three Billion, Five Hundred Million and spent almost Two Billion Naira from the fund before leaving office.

Contrary to the fake news, the Oyetola administration actually got a payment of Three Billion, Five Hundred Million from the Oyo state government as part of the LAUTECH settlement payment before leaving office.

To put it more directly, the sum of Three Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N3,500,000,000) came in during the period of the last dispensation. The credit balance stood at One Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty Two Million, Four Hundred and Forty Thousand, and Four Hundred and Thirty Six Naira (N1,562,440,436.80) as at November 30th, 2022. It therefore means that the sum of N1,937,559,563.20 was expended during the last administration.

From November 2022 till date, the Adeleke administration received only Five Hundred Million Naira on the LAUTECH refund since assumption of office.

When added to the N3.5 Billion paid by Oyo government during the Oyetola administration, a total of Four Billion Naira has so far been received from Oyo state government by the Osun state government.

The state spent part of the fund on ongoing infrastructure upgrade projects across the sectors of the state economy.

As a transparent administration, all inherited and newly generated funds are properly managed by the state financial managers while state expenditures are drawn from the state accounts as stipulated in the Appropriation Act.

Report of an alleged Eight Billion Naira (N8B) payment on the LAUTECH settlement is therefore fake news from an opposition that has lost all its credibility and electability.

Governor Ademola Adeleke remains committed to transparency, accountability and anti-corruption practices in the management of state resources. We call on the public to ignore the baseless report from those merchants of falsehood.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke.

OSOGBO – 28/10/2024 – osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke has commended progress so far recorded in the state’s dispute with Thor’s Explorations Limited, affirming that mediation so far have confirmed the reality of most demands by the state government.

Responding after receiving preliminary report from the state team led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Mining and Mineral Matters, Prof. Lukuman Adekilekun Jimoda, the State Governor said it is great news that Thors Limited has eventually produced a written certificate of Osun state shares in the Segilola Gold Project. The intermediation has also made Segilola, the operator of Thor Explorations to accept the responsibility of opening all its accounting records for examination on the 3.25Billion Naira tax assessment by Osun state, in line with Personal Income Tax Act section 58 (2).

“We finally have an open and direct confirmation of Osun shareholding at five percent of what Tropical Mines Limited got. I look forward to hosting the federal mediation team for the formal presentation of the share certificate to the state government, although, our demand is five (5) percent of the value of the gold asset, when it was acquired by Thor Explorations from its interest holders. We also have additional economic interest, coming from Thor’s partnership offering, when it took 88 cadastral units, out of Osun’s exploration license”.

“Our decision not to do under the table deal with Thors Explorations has paid off. From the beginning, I said I don’t want gold bars for myself or my family. I want Osun shares as asset of the state and that the taxes be paid into her treasury”.

“We know other interest holders got cash and smelter fees during the acquisition by Thor, we are also insistent on immediate payment to the state treasury of the full amount due to the state from her interest in the gold project. The financial implications of our holding must be redeemed without further delay”, the Governor was quoted as saying.

On the update on payment of tax indebtedness to the state by Thors Exploration Limited which required further documentation from the state, the Governor directed his team to submit all required data and records, insisting that “Osun has legitimate PAYE tax demands which Thors firm must fulfil.

“I commend the federal mediation team for acting to enforce compliance with local tax and environmental laws. We are opposed to companies operating with impunity by neglecting observance of state laws. We are only asking Thors to comply with state laws as much as the federal laws. There are other asset classes in Nigeria that are registered with corporate affairs Commission. MTN and Airtel are telecom asset classes and they are registered in Nigeria, let Segilola Gold Project be registered in Nigeria.

“We will submit our environmental inspection report. We will show the world that even a billion dollar cannot achieve the remediation and rehabilitation of our damaged environment. It is actually worrisome that an internationally quoted mining company will neglect and attempt to evade the care for the environment it violated”, the Governor lamented.

Earlier, Prof. Jimoda had submitted a report of the mediation meeting between Thors’s management and the state government under the supervision of the intervention team set up by the Federal Minister of Mines Development, Mr Dele Alake.

He told the Governor that the meeting achieved significant milestones for Osun state especially on the issue of shareholding , payment of monetary implications, continuous discussion on the exact tax indebtedness as well as consensus on the need for environmental remediation.

The adviser however said the meeting did not address the many court cases over the disputes. A follow up meeting by disputing parties is to be held in Osun state in due course.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

OSOGBO- 26/10/2024- osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state has convened a meeting of the State Security Council for next week to assess and take action on recent security developments in the state including an open clash between some policemen and civil defence officials.

The Council meeting is to receive briefings from the various security agencies as well as top state officials led by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi who had intervened in the matter before its current escalation.

Governor Adeleke expressed surprise at the open brawl between the two security agencies, urging the services to strictly adhere to their codes of operations in the law enforcement process.

He also noted rising cases of police- civilian confrontations across the state, urging all service commanders to enforce discipline within their ranks and file to sustain the widely acknowledged civil- security cordial relationship in the state.

While warning against high handedness in law enforcement, the Governor further urged all stakeholders to avoid actions and inactions capable of jeopardizing the records of Osun state as the most peaceful state in the federation.

“I task our commanders to enforce discipline and operational rules among their men and women. Rogue operation is increasing, civilian harassment is on the rise and now service to service confrontation is added. We must restore normalcy.

“All these matters of urgency will be tackled at the next security council meeting. Our Service Commanders have been wonderful. We must not relax in our quest to restore closer inter- agency partnership and collaboration”, the Governor was quoted as saying in the statevent.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.

OSOGBO – 25/10/2024- Osungov.ng.gov

The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi has faulted recent statement credited to a former governoship candidate, Mr Goke Omigbodun , describing his assertion on governance priorities and flyover bridges as lacking in facts and a mere parrotting of opposition talks.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner who affirmed the rights of citizens to criticisise their government, cautioned against deliberate spreading of fake news, assumptions on false data and insinuation arising from half truths.

“While it is not part of my mandate as the Honourable commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Osun state to join issue with a citizen or group of citizens over their political beliefs or comments no matter how belligerent.

“I however, for the first time want to draw the attention of the innocent public, especially the people that are not readily familiar with Osogbo, to a misleading publication by an otherwise respected commentator in Osun state, in person of Architect Goke Omigbodun. Let me reiterate that, I have great respect for our referred Architect Omigbodun but that will not deter me from averring his mind to any of the areas where I believe his position is at variance with the reality on ground as it is in the instant case. This is necessary to avoid a pattern of persistence in error.

“It is quite astonishing that, in an effort to discredit the building of flyovers by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, the former governorship candidate published a statement which were full of factual errors amidst underlying subtle jibes which are also based on false assumptions and disguised hatred for the current administration.

“Before I address his illogical declaration on flyovers at Osogbo, I will first address his wrong suggestions on what the state government should have done as governance sectoral priorities.

“First, he was wrong to have asserted that federal allocation inflow into Osun is five time fold compared to the time of previous government. This is a false statement not supported by frequently available data on allocations from the federation account that are available to the public. Aside parrotting opposition lies, the architect turned politician goofed.

“While there is an increase in allocation, it is not up to two fold talkless of five fold. Additionally, the value of current allocations has largely depreciated due to current inflationary and national rate crisis. We had thought the writer would read publicly available allocation table to educate himself before putting that write up in place.

“Secondly, with false note on huge allocations, he pontificated that the government should have paid up all accumulated salary and pension debts. As the premise was not factual, the expectation of the state paying all debt would imply shutting down other sectoral demands. Only a bad administrator will adopt that approach. The phased payment was endorsed by labour and the debts are being liquadated in progression.

His sugggestion on agro investment was shocking not to say the least as he failed to acknowledge advances made by the Administration in the mechanization of the agric sector. The commentator pretended as if he was not aware of recent tractor acquisition, first in the last 13 years, ongoing agroprenueur programme, the cocoa and cashew initiative among others.

In his fixation on flyovers, he overlooked massive road construction ongoing across the 30 local governments with some local governments having as much as six kilometers, totalling almost 140 kilometer of roads already constructed. He pretended not to be aware of ongoing mass rehabilitation and upgrade of primary health centres with almost 100 completed out of almost 400.

“Quite strange that he has nothing to say about ongoing courageous mining reform including the breakthrough by the state daring Segilola Gold operators. The Administration targeted spending on education, sports, tourism, science and tech, energy, transportation, commerce and industry are conscious decisions to transorm the state economy.

“It is particularly shocking that Mr Omigbodun repeated his earlier false statement that the state is doing nothing on energy generation and distribution. For his information, the state has finalized the legal and policy frameworks to create a state electricity market system, a regulatory agency to license generators and distributors of electricity. My dear Architect, a legal framework is required before investors can venture into offgrid and mini grids power generation and distribution. And we have acted so well on those requirements.

Above are just to correct misrepresentation and misinformation spewed out by the former candidate. If he had been abreast of news publications and broadcast on sectoral developments in Osun, he would probably not have submitted those out of date and largely uninformed suggestions. Or is the Architect removing the garb of a public commentator to that of an opposition activist.

The more ludicrous side of the piece was his postulation that, a flyover is more needed at Olaiya junction than at Oke-fia. He contested that there are more traffic jams at Olaiya junction than at Oke-fia. This postulation coming from the Architect is strange and far from the truth. Let me remind himt that, the traffic jams at Olaiya junction has been resolved by the Administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola by building four adjoining roads at Olaiya junction, leaving few vehicles to actually reach Olaiya junction, which are being controlled by the traffic lights.

For the avoidance of doubt, the four roads are:

1. The adjoining road from Alekuwodo to Fakunle area that takes vehicles coming from Oke-fia/Alekuwodo axis directly to Fakunle area without getting to Olaiya junction;
2. The adjoining road from Asubiaro/Jaleyemi area to MDS area that takes vehicles coming from Jaleyemi to MDS directly to MDS without getting to Olaiya junction;
3. Adjoining road from MDS to Alekuwodo axis, that takes all vehicles coming from MDS to Alekuwodo axis without getting to Olaiya junction;
4. Adjoining road from Fakunle area to Jaleyemi area that takes vehicles coming from Ogoluwa/Fakunle area to Jaleyemi area without getting to Olaiya junction

I made bold to state that all the four adjoining roads have taken away the majority of the vehicles away from Olaiya junction, making any assertion of traffic jam at Olaiya junction a ruse.

On the other hand, the reverse is the case about Oke-fia junction. There’s no adjoining roads that can take away any vehicles from Oke-fia junction, so all roads lead to Oke-fia junction, with the attendant traffic jams especially early in the morning and the evening time.

For emphasis, let me take all the roads that lead to Oke-fia junction one after the other:

1. Lameco road: All vehicles coming from Lameco to Oke-fia usually encounter traffic jam starting from the front of the State High Court and it takes time before they maneuver their way to Oke-fia junction;
2. Dada Estate road: Vehicles coming from Dada Estate area usually start meeting traffic jam around Customary Court area;
3. Dr Olu Alabi road: Vehicles coming from Olu Alabi/GRA road usually encounter traffic jams, starting from around the police pay office;
4. Old Garage/Rasco road: Vehicles coming from Old Garage usually encounter traffic jam, starting from the Rasco area;
5. Alekuwodo road: Vehicles coming from Alekuwodo going to Oke-fia usually encounter traffic jam from around the First bank.

I repeat with emphasis and state that, vehicles from all the five major roads that meet at Oke-fia junction usually spend quality time from where they start experiencing traffic jam before they eventually get to Oke-fia junction.

From the clear analysis above, it is crystal clear that, while there’s heavy traffic jam at Oke-fia junction, the traffic jam at Olaiya junction has been permanently resolved before the last administration built the fly over there.

So, with greatest respect to my referred Architect Omigbodun, his assertion that, the necessity for the flyover at Olaiya junction is greater than that of Oke-fia is borne out by sentiment and is at variance with the facts on ground.

Let no man misconstrue my position, a flyover at Olaiya junction is also desirable because of the future challenges, but it has to be a flyover that is properly designed to meet such future challenges.

Mr Omigbodun and other critics need to know that this administration has solid team of policy experts who are crafting and delivering branch and root reform of state governance under Mr Governor. The big and small viewpoints are combined under a localisation framework for the realisation of the five point agenda.

In conclusion, let me state that, while I still hold Architect Goke Omigbodun in high esteem. But on this issue, Architect Goke Omigbodun got it wrong again.

E signed
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Hon Commissioner for Information and Public
Enlightenment.

OSOGBO– 23/10/2024— osunstate.gov.ng

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke congratulated Prince Gabriel Ajiboye Oladamade Oyinlola on the occasion of his birthday, hailing him as a unique individual who made a great mark in public service.

Governor Adeleke affirms Prince Oyinlola’s notable impact as the Permanent Secretary in the old Western region, particularly in Ila-Oragun, where he championed several developmental initiatives, applauding the elder statesman for his leading role in advancing meaningful progress in his community.

While commending Prince Oyinlola for guiding young people to achieve their goals in life, Governor Adeleke said the retired Permanent Secretary’s birthday presents a moment to celebrate a legend who touches a lot of lives.

In a similar vein, the Head of Service, Elder Samuel Ayanleye, lauds Elder Oyinlola’s longstanding contributions to society, saying that the elder statesman is a big motivation for him.

Elder Ayanleye praises Elder Oyinlola’s legacy in public service, expressing his deep respect for his remarkable record and how he continues to inspire people to greatness.

Governor Adeleke prays for enduring grace and good health for the celebrant just as Elder Ayanleye beseechs Almighty God to grant Baba more rewarding years on Earth.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
The spokesperson to the Osun State Governor.

OSOGBO – 24/10/2024- Osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke banned heavy duty trucks and trailers from plying Olaiya bridge to ensure public safety but there is no decision to demolish the bridge.

The decision was also a resolution of the State Security Council meeting whose members raised alarm over recent influx of trailers and heavy duty trucks on Osun roads. Public safety was the primary and secondary motivation behind this decision.

Responding to allegations of political bias by some leaders of the opposition, the Spokesperson to the State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed in a statement said the Governor has a sacred duty to take steps to secure public assets and residents especially in the face of two major developments in the last few weeks.

“Several technical reports have been submitted to the Governor on the deteriorating state of some sections of the bridge in recent times. As early as January, some public interest engineers approached the government to conduct an integrity test on the bridge. Similar conclusion was reached recently during a technical visit to the state by some national leaders of the construction industry.

“Several state leaders have also visited and examined the bridge with a verdict of urgency of action to preserve the assets while at the same time ensuring public safety. Members of the public can also conduct similar visits on top and around the bridge.

“While the technical review is ongoing, a new development in the transport sector warranted a preemptive action to limit load burden on the bridge. Due to road closure along Ibadan-Ogbomoso axiz, more heavy duty trucks now use Osun roads mostly passing through the bridge. Banning those trailers foreclosed any untowards happenings.

“I also want to inform the opposition that it was at the State Security Council meeting composed of security services commanders that the safety issue around Olaiya bridge was raised and resolution taken. All actors genuinely acted in the interest of the general public without political bias”, the Spokesperson noted in the statement.

Mallam Rasheed posited that Governor Adeleke has no time for petty politics as insinuated, noting that “a man building a multi- billion naira, multi- sectoral state infrastructure is too large hearted to worry about under-performance of recent past”

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke.

OSOGBO- 21/10/2024 – Osunstate.gov.ng

The attention of the Osun State Government has been drawn to a trending news about reported renovation of female hostel wing of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede in Osun State by Dr. Michael Oyerinde, the Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Primary Health Care.

We wish to clarify that the said renovation was a private endeavour of the special adviser. It was not a government project and the state has no hand in its conception, financing and implementation.

The Special Adviser has been advised to revisit the project to address any concern and the public is therefore advised to ignore any linkage of the project to the state government.

Signed:
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Honourable Commissioner for Information

OSOGBO- 21/10/2024 -Osunstate.gov.ng

Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to ban heavy duty trucks from plying the Olaiya bridge at the state capital, citing safety reasons arising from the technical reports on the state of the bridge.

The Governor who presided over a security council meeting at Osogbo said the decision became necessary to protect the bridge from possible collapse and avoid untoward happenings with continuous passage by heavy trucks.

Describing the decision as a preemptive step, Governor Adeleke said the Ministry should erect barricades across the bridge to allow only cars and buses to ply through the road.

As a step towards implementing the directive, the Governor also instructed the Ministry to issue a travel advisory with radio jingles to sensitize members of the public and the transport ecosystem.

The Governor assured the public that the decision was taken to protect the public and state assets while a long lasting review of the technical status of the bridge is being conducted by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.