Extracts from the Transcript of Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s submission at the One-Day Conference on  Southwest in National Governance Organized By Urban Media Resource Limited, On 15th September, 2017.
 

 
Nigeria’s economy is centered on petrol dollar and that is what we all rely on for survival as it
represents 70 per cent of our revenue. While I was ruminating on our
income generation in Nigeria, which centers around oil production, I wondered; how much  can the average man possibly earn from Oil.
Going by OPEC’s production allowance for Nigeria, we can only produce 2.1 million barrels of oil per day, it means we can produce a maximum of  766.5 million barrels annually. With an estimated population of about 170 million, if we divide the barrels of oil per head which we are all entitled to, it means we are all entitled to approximately 5 barrels per head per year. The cost of a barrel of oil as of today is 50 dollars, meaning that each Nigerian is entitled to 250 dollars per year.
The cost of the dollar today in exchange for the Naira is between N366 and N370 per dollar but lets us assume that a dollar is N400 for ease of calculation.  Multiplying 250 Dollars by N400, this amounts to N100,000and that is what each Nigerian is entitled to per head per year from the proceeds of Crude Oil Sales assuming this very simplistic analysis. Now, Let’s divide this into twelve months, it means on a monthly basis, we are entitled to N8,333.33. How much is #8,333,33 to an average Nigerian in a month; does it take care of his basic needs? Lest we forget, our current minimum wage is N19,000, way above our N8,333 earning as a Nation.
As bad as the picture painted above is, it is sad to admit that this is the reality of the everyday Nigerian. This is why as a country, we languish in poverty and wretchedness. The proceeds from oil seem enormous to us because only a few, I would say at most ,  about a million Nigerians of our the entire population benefit immensely from the proceeds, which makes them extremely richer than the average Nigerian.
By the statistics I have given, if the proceeds of crude oil that every Nigerian was entitled to was actually given to him, even at the cost of N8,000 in a month, maybe the situation would not be as dire as it is now, but because about 99 per cent don’t have access to their entitlement, that is why we think we are rich but all this while, this has been the basis of our wretchedness and poverty as a nation.
So what’s the way out, Oil income is definitely not enough to realize the prosperous the Nigeria of our dream, sharing the “National Cake” is not the way out. We need to create New Wealth. We need to move from rent income and earn our way to prosperity. For Nigeria to succeed, We will need to Produce. Produce our Food , our  Clothes,  our House and other Needs. We must move from a Rent Culture to a ProductionCulture.

The Government of the State of Osun is set to re-position the moribund Osun Games village located in Ijebu-Jesa/Ijeda in Oriade Local Government Area of the State in order to tap from its vast potentials.
 

 
The Commissioner for Social Protection, Sports  and Special Needs, Comrade Biyi Odunlade stated this while on an on–the-spot inspection of the multi-million naira Games Village.
Comrade Odunlade,  who was accompanied by his counterpart in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dr. Obawale Adebisi and officials of the Ministry of Social Protection, Sports and Special Needs and those of the State Sports Council explained that the decision of the State Government to resuscitate the Games village is borne out of
government’s realisation of its potentials in terms of sports development, tourist attractions as well as a veritable venue for income generation.
He stated further that  government will liaise with the host communities in order to check the activities of land speculators from encroaching on the land and put a stop to the activities of some unscrupulous elements who have turned part of the Games village into a quarry site.
The Commissioner explained further that, when completed, the Games village which is at present being occupied by Osun State Technical College, Ijebu-Jesa/Ijeda will have all the facilities of a world Class Games village
The centre, which was devastated by a fire outbreak in 1998, has a total of 173.5 acres of land which had been in use since 1998.

The annual celebrations of Olojo festival has commenced in Ile-Ife with the movement of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi into Iledi, a place of seclusion where he is going to spend the next seven days.

 
The festival is a major event in Ile Ife, meant to celebrate the creation of universe and the week long event will climax with wearing of “Are” crown, a special crown worn once annually by Ooni.
 
According to a press release signed by the Director, Media and Public Affairs of Ooni’s palace, Mr. Moses Olafare, said Ooni’s seclusion began on Sunday and will end on Saturday.
 
The statement which reflected Ooni’s position on the festival read, “Our ancestors will be appeased during the period and by the time I come out on Saturday for the grand finale, the seclusion rites would have been be concluded.
 
“It is a celebration of creation of the universe and many visitors from within the country and the Diaspora will come around to celebrate with us. My duty is specifically to offer prayers and that I will do to the best of my ability.”
 
It would be recalled that when this year’s edition was declared, it was made known that foreigners, the members of the black caucus of Pennsylvania House of Representatives and about 150 other black Americans have already indicated interest to participate in the Festival.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola has been lauded on his youth empowerment and engagement policies which have placed the Youths of the state of Osun as role models and in front burners worldwide.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Empowerment and Youth Engagement Mrs. Mofolake Adetoun Adegboyega made this known during a courtesy visit by the Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) Programme Implementation Unit.
 

 
Mrs. Adegboyega stated that the creation of State of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) gave birth to Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) at the federal level, and has been embraced and implemented in states of the federation.
She affirmed the readiness of the ministry to collaborate with YESSO in achieving the set goals as championed by the Aregbesola government.
In his speech, the Head of Unit, Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operation, who doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Empowerment, Mr. Olugbenga Odulaja, stated that the State of Osun is one of the pilot States where the targeted beneficiaries for the Federal Government Empowerment programme are poor individuals through community based target register done by State Operation Coordinating Unit (SCOU) across the state.
Odulaja stated that the Federal Government and World Bank Assisted Project, set to run for seven years, to promote massive youth engagement which will eliminate poverty in two hundred and ninety-four communities in Osun.
He added that the beneficiaries will be closely monitored for Empowerment by their community, local government and YESSO Unit Supervisors at the state and federal level.
In his remarks, the Training and Communication Head of the unit, who is also State of Osun Senior Special Adviser to the governor on General Duties, Dr. Olufemi Oyedele stated that potential beneficiaries will be given orientation just as he asked for the support of all stakeholders.
Oyedele also lauded Governor Rauf Aregbesola for meeting the standard required by the World Bank.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has declared Thursday, September 21, 2017 public holiday to commemorate the Islamic New Year.

Thursday, September 21, 2017 is the New Islamic Year 1439 AH.
 

 
The governor in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa, called on Muslim faithful to use this period to pray for the state of Osun and Nigeria.
“The Islamic year started counting in 622 AD after the emigration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in Saudi Arabia.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola had adopted the day as official public holiday in the state on November 15, 2012.
“Governor Aregbesola wished Muslims in the state and across the world a happy New Year celebration and enjoined residents of the state to continue living harmoniously and peacefully with tolerance and understanding.
“The governor said as Muslims enter a New Year, they must not only celebrate but also strive, as part of what Allah commands them, to internalise the lessons and  essence of the Hijrah as exemplified by uncommon patience and endurance of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in the face of hardship.
The Governor expressed the hope that the new year would usher the state into another era of economic prosperity, stability and peace.
Governor Aregbesola specifically charges Muslims and other people of the state to imbibe the lessons of the Hijrah by leaving sinful and malfeasance practices that have been constituting stumbling block to the progress of the state and Nigeria for a new life and conduct that will add value to the state and the country.
The governor advised the people to use the new Islamic Year for their spiritual development.
Governor Aregbesola call on the Muslim faithful to intensify prayers for the nation against all manners of afflictions that we seem to be currently undergoing in term of economic hardship, and insecurity, praying for Allah’s intervention.

The State Government of Osun on Wednesday said the report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has vindicated the state and confirmed that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration has been prudent and accountable in public spending of the state’s funds.
 

 
 
Responding to lies being told by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on the state’s loan profile, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa in a statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER, said the report will bridle the tongues of opposition and help to halt the speculation flying around about the state’s debt profile.
 
The report by NBS which disclosed both the internal and external loans, bond and other credit line obtained by the State Government to N179bn ($96, 347, 432, 73 and N147, 069, 973, 626.49) has also slammed speculations of N600bn, N450billion and N400billion debt.
 
According to the statement, “The State government wishes to note that the totality of N179bn includes all loans and all other debt instruments obtained by all administrations that have ruled the state since its creation and those inherited from the old Oyo state.
 
“With the NBS’s 179bn debt figure, the government wishes to note that the loan is still within its capacity to access and pay back in a normal economic situation and government has indeed been servicing its debts without public knowledge before the Peoples Democratic Party induced economic recession.
 
Baderinwa also faulted PDP’s allegation that the loan secured by the state government was mismanaged saying the ugly financial situation the country found itself was as a result of the party’s misrule.
 
He explained that the sudden drop in the federal allocation was as a result of the mismanagement of the country’s resources and brazen corruption in the 16 years of PDP’s reign.
 
“For what it worth, we state that the loans obtained by the Aregbesola’s administration have been prudently and judiciously used for the undisputable, glaring and transformative development that is evident in every part of the state. Any thinking or submission contrary to this must be a product of deluded mind and or mischievous head.
 
“It is a well known fact that most successful governments in other parts of the world achieve development and great dynamic society through the aid of loans and other financial facilities which they put to good use as have been done in the State of Osun.
 
“The administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola as a visionary, prudent, accountable and proactive one took the loans to finance rapid development of infrastructure that made Osun a reference point and cynosure of good governance in the land.
 
Adelani referenced China and U.S.A which have developed economies in the world as countries with highest debt profile.
 
He stated that, U.S.A and China debt profile indicated that as rich as they are, their resources seem not enough for their development plans, thereby resorting to loans.
 
He noted that, “the new look that the state is carrying today in terms of infrastructure and socio-economic development by which many accolades had been poured on the government of the State of Osun led by  Rauf Aregbesola at national and international levels, and the facts that many of its projects have been copied at national and international levels, commendation is what should be showered on the government by the people as they often do.
 
“We now have good roads and modern schools, our hospitals are now a reliable healthcare centres and not death centres, the state capital is now having a befitting look unlike before. It is left for the mischief makers and the naysayers to appreciate the good work of Rauf Aregbesola; the right-thinking people (both elites and illiterates) of the state are already appreciating and commending Aregbesola’s for the development and transformation of the State of Osun through his hand.”