Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has reiterated his commitment towards making life more meaningful to the people in a bid to making tourism a money spinning venture and ecotourism accessible to tourists all over the world in order to boost the economy of the host community and the State in general.
 

 
 

Ogbeni Aregbesola who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Mrs Taiwo Oluga made this remarks at Erin-Ijesa during the flags off ceremony of access road to Olumirin Water Falls.
The Governor explained that provision of access road is a major criterion for consideration before a tourism site is recognised and when the road is completed, a lot of unimaginable transformation will definitely come to Erin-Ijesa and its environment in terms of socio-economic and cultural-tourism activities.
Ogbeni Aregbesola said his administration has made easy the task of tourists at Olumirin Water Falls by constructing the Pedestrian bridge to ease the ascension and dissension of tourists and aesthetics to attract visitors and researchers.
The Governor who said this is happening at a time when MKO Abiola International Airport, Ido-Osun is being put in place thereby making the arrival of tourists to Olumirin Water Falls from around the world an easy one.
He therefore thanked the management of International Breweries Plc, Ilesa for the construction of Garden Parks at the site as part of her Corporate Social Responsibility while appealing to the people to pay their taxes and other levies, so as to make government provide more infrastructural development to the State.
Also speaking, Chairman Osun State House of Assembly House Committee on Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Hon. Olasunkanmi Akinola, Chairman House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Kamil Oyedele and Hon. Israel Aloba appreciated the governments’ gesture and appealed for the continued support to Aregbesola’s administration.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman Osun Tourism Board and Authority, Engr Abimbola Daniyan thanked the Governor for his commitment to tourism development in the State.
In his brief on the project, the Project Coordinator, Office of Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs, Engr. Adelere Oriolowo said the intervention of the RAMP which is to make life meaningful to rural dwellers has impacted positively in Osun through the commitment of Mr Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. He then assured all that, the road will be completed by January, 2018 and all bridges will be done to standard with asphaltic lane.
In his address, the royal host, Oba (Dr) Engr Isaac Adeyeba Ayeni, Okin Oloro 2nd of Erin -Ijesa who was visibly happy thanked the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his support and commitment to making Olumirin Water Falls the desired place for every tourist. He therefore appealed to the government, to provide security post and health centre along the site for the safety of visiting tourists.
Highlights of the event were cultural entertainment by Osun Cultural Troupe and site tour of the vicinity.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has approved the appointment of Mr. Anthony Okunola Famoriyo as the new Permanent Secretary/ Tutor-General of Osun Central Education District to replace the incumbent, Mr. Bunmi Obisesan who is retiring from the public service in November 14, 2017.
 

 
Mr. Anthony Okunola Famoriyo until his appointment is the Principal, Saint Charles High School, Osogbo.
In a press release by the Head of Service, Dr. Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade, the new Tutor-General was selected owing to his experience
and dedication to work, apart from the fact that, he performed creditably well during the written and oral selection processes
earlier carried out.
The statement added that, the appointment of Mr. Famoriyo is in line with Governor Aregbesola’s determination to re-position the state of education in the State.
The statement congratulated the new Tutor-General, wishing him a fruitful stay in office.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has inaugurated Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MINRECO).
 

 
The committee members include the Special Adviser to the Governor on Forestry, Natural & Mineral Resources, Hon. Tunde Ajilore as the  Chairman, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Engr. Umaru Kabiru (Secretary), others include Acting Executive Secretary, Office of the Forestry, Natural and Mineral Resources, Mr. Kayode Lanlehin, Town Planner Tunde Adeyemo, Surveyor Sola Abioye and Mrs Abosede Olukanmi.
While speaking during the inauguration, which was done at the Governors’ Exco Chamber, Abere, Ogbeni Aregbesola disclosed that the
Inauguration of the committee is part of the effort to have good coordination of activities of the solid minerals in the state as well have effective linkage of all the stakeholders in the sector.
 
Ogbeni Aregbesola stressed that the committee would go a long way to assist in curbing the menace of illegal and unauthorised miners in the state.
He therefore charged the committee members to prove their mettle as experienced professionals and carry out the assignment with all sense of responsibility for the development and economic benefit of the state.
 
In response, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Tunde Ajilore appreciated the Governor for counting them worthy of the assignment  and pledge on behalf of other members that the committee will not disappoint the trust the government have in them.
Hon. Ajilore noted that the action that would put the mining sector in the State in its proper condition would be taking without fear or
favour.

Development Agenda of Western States of Nigeria (DAWN COMMISSION) team have commended the Governor of the State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on the sustainability of Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme inspite of the paucity of funds to the State.
 

 
Senior Analyst on Social and Human Development Desk, Miss Olamide Odedina and Private Consultant to DFID /LEAP, Mr. Sunny Kulutuye made this observation at the O-Meals Office while on a tour to understudy the School Feeding Programme (O-Meals.) in the State.
The duo who were overwhelmed with the ingenuity of the State Government in providing free and healthy meals to pupils in public Elementary Schools in the State, said the scheme will help in increasing school enrollment as well as sharpening their memories to
understand what they are taught from time to time.
They explained that their visit is to learn about the programme and recommend same to other states for emulation.
Earlier in her presentation, the State Programme Facilitator, Mrs Olubunmi Ayoola said the present administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola rebranded and restructured the programme to what it is now so as to gain national acceptability.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager, Mr. Adeolu Oketayo said the government is responsible for the feeding of the pupils in grade four (Primary 4) since January when the Federal Government took over the programme.

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has charged Communication Officers of Donor Funded Projects and Support Operation in the State to be more dutiful in the area of adequate reportage of their activities.
 
 

 
Governor Aregbesola stated this during an interactive session with the Image makers facilitated by the Senior Technical Adviser to the Governor of Osun on Development Partners and International Relations, Dr. Michael Olugbile at the Executive Council Lounge of the Governor’s Office in Osogbo.
He disclosed the need for the media managers of such projects to ensure adequate coverage of activities through the print, electronic and the new media for the stakeholders and the citizenry to be kept abreast of the monumental strides his administration has achieved through the projects and support operation in the state.
Ogbeni Aregbesola who assured the media practitioners of his unalloyed support, enjoined them not to rest on their oars at giving the activities of their beats the deserving maximum publicity in the interest of their productivity and the present administration.
“We have ensured every sector is taken care of in ensuring that poverty becomes a thing of the past through our several social safety net initiatives and programmes, which we believed are not only second to none but have also repeatedly earned our administration plethora of accolades nationally and internationally from the World Bank, UNICEF, among others”, Aregbesola added.
In their separate responses at the parley, Messrs. Oluwamayowa Fagbohungbe of Osun YESSO, Femi Anwo of FADAMA, Gbenga Oni of SLOGOR, Adedoja Adedokun of Osun RAMP, Olusola Adepoju of Osun RUWESA and Mrs. Aduke Obelawo of Osun CSDP assured Governor Aregbesola of better communication of the activities of their Projects and Support Operation to the populace.

When the first phase of MKO Abiola International Airport, Ido Osun in Osun state is completed, the facility will save the country a foreign exchange of N22 billion per annum.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the Chief Executive Officer of AWOL International Company, the new concessionaire in charge of the project, Nurudeen Ogunlade, while briefing newsmen in Osogbo.
 
 

 
He said Nigeria on average spend, for the maintenance of aircrafts, a sum of N22 billion per year and when completed, the MKO Abiola Airport will have aircraft maintenance facilities.
 
According to him, apart having full patronage from airlines operating in Nigeria, the MKO Abiola Airport, will get patronage from many West African countries, since the three aircraft maintenance facilities in Africa located in South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia are relatively far from the region.
 
Ogunlade explained that the company is in partnership with a Turkish company, Biray Group for the construction of the airport, disclosing that work has already commenced on the project.
 
He maintained that the funding of the project was 100 per cent the responsibility of his company, stating that the AWOL has negotiated and finalized agreement with the former contractors handling the project.Enumerating the benefit that the airport will bring to the country, Ogunlade said the airport is designed to facilitate smooth movement of the people and goods from one point to other and serve as a channel way for tourism, hanger and cargo.
 
“Compared with other local Airport, MKO International Airport will open the doors of business and other trade related opportunity among Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi, Oyo, Kwara and Edo State as well as our foreign visitors.
 
“On the completion of the construction of First Phase of the Airport within the period of 8months, it will take off with five aircraft, three passengers helicopter and one cargo by AWOL International Company,” he said.
 
He said the airport would be completed with the establishment of five Star Hotels, Cultural center, Water Park, Recreation Center and Garden, Butterfly Museum and Casinos within the period of two years.