Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola  has called on Nigerians to condemn all forms or utterances and acts capable of disintegrating the country.
 
 

 
Governor Aregbesola spoke against the backdrop of hate speeches coming from different parts of the country, especially with regards to the notices to quit being served Nigerians by ethnic groups in different regions of the country.
 
Aregbesola made this call in his address entitled We have overcome, to mark the 26th anniversary of the creation of Osun State on August 27, 1991.
 
He enjoined citizens of the state in particular and Nigerians in general to eschew all forms of anti-social behaviours and discriminations based on faith and ethnicity, for the nation to move forward as a united entity.
 
He also issued a wakeup call to Nigerians to prepare for an impending economic revolution, which wind was blowing across the world in the form of recession and the ongoing global efforts to discover a “new world economic order without crude oil.”
 
Governor Aregbesola urged the people to be prepared both intellectually and spiritually to be able to stand up to the new development.
 
He averred that if the people unite, work assiduously, harness their God-given potentialities and pray fervently, the nation would overcome any challenge— economic, political or social.
 
He said: “We should practice tolerance in religion, ethnicity and ideology and abhor any form of hatred or discrimination against anyone different from us in any social category.
 
“We should remain strong, united, unbroken and unbreakable, in the spirit of togetherness. “We should show kindness, love and generosity of spirit and of our substance to others’ needs. We must love our neighbours just like ourselves.
 
“An economic transition is in the horizon in which our national dependence on oil will end as we know it. We should all brace up for this development by preparing spiritually and intellectually, using our God-given endowment.
 
”Our faith in God and responsible use of our endowments will see us through. We will overcome any challenge we face. Our best is yet to come.”
 
He noted that the state must not depart from the path of greatness and development it was currently treading, stressing that people of the state should demonstrate virtues in all their dealings.

Governor of Osun, Ogbeni  Rauf Aregbesola has recalled five officials of the Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun, who were disengaged from the institution in 2015.
 

 
This was announced by the Provost of the institution, Prof. Isaac Oyewole, in a statement on Saturday by the Public Relations Officer of the school, Mr. Niyi Kolawole.
The provost lauded the governor for his gesture and called on the reinstated workers to reciprocate the love shown them by being more dedicated to their duties.

The statement read, “The Provost of the Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun, Prof. Isaac Oyewole, has lauded the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for magnanimously reinstating five officials of the institution earlier disengaged by the college.”

As Osun State celebrates its 26th anniversary on Sunday, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged Nigerians to eschew acts, capable of jeopardizing the corporate existence of the country.

 

 
 
He said that in the midst of hate speeches and threats of evacuation by ethnic groups and heightened political unrest across the geo-political zones, Nigerians must be united to condemn all forms of utterances and acts that are capable of ripping the country a party.
In a special broadcast to commemorate 26th anniversary of Osun, which was created on the on 27th of August, 1991, Aregbesola underscored the need for indigenes of Osun and Nigeria in general to shun all forms of anti-social behaviours and discriminations based on faith and ethnicity, for the nation to move forward as a united entity.
He averred that if the people unite, work assiduously, harness their God-given potentialities and pray fervently, the nation will overcome any challenges that come its way be it in mode of economic, political or social problems.
According to Aregbesola, “we should practice tolerance in religion, ethnicity and ideology and abhor any form of hatred or discrimination against anyone different from us in any social category. We should remain strong, united, unbroken and unbreakable, in the spirit of togetherness.
“An economic transition is in the horizon in which our national dependence on oil will end as we know it. We should all brace up for this development by preparing spiritually and intellectually, using our God given endowment. Our faith in God and responsible use of our endowment will see us through. We will overcome any challenge we face. Our best is yet to come”, he posited
While recalling that the creation of Osun in 1991 was the realisation of the demand of the people for a state of their own, Aregbesola described  the birth of the state as ‘a dream come true,’ as it brought government closer to them and through which they have been experiencing human and infrastructure development and life more abundant.
He stated that his administration, building on the achievements of the past successive governments, had positioned the people to realise their greatest potentials by bringing them to the consciousness of who they are as the virtuous people.
Aregbesola further contended that “under our watch in nearly seven years, we have worked hard to establish a people-friendly government whose resources have been judiciously used for the development of the people in every area. Though we went through a daunting financial challenge occasioned by tumbling oil price, but we have steadied the ship of state, ushered in unprecedented peace, prosperity and human development”.
“We have made agriculture to be important and assisted farmers to excel in their vocation and banish hunger as we promised during our campaign. We have invested huge sum in education and our brand new state-of-the-art schools are now the reference in quality and standard for others. Our social protection programmes like youth engagement and empowerment, women development and empowerment, care for the aged and care and rehabilitation of the destitute have won laurels and hoisted for others to duplicate”, he added.

Few days to the festival, the Government of Osun on Sunday announced that it has concluded arrangements for 2017 eid-il-Kabir free train ride from Lagos to Osogbo.
 

 
The state government, through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives Hon. Ismail Adekunle Jayeoba-Alagbada, said the gesture is in furtherance of Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration’s commitment to the welfare of the ordinary people who deserve this form of support from the government.
Jayeoba-Alagbada’s statement explained that the free train is expected to move from Lagos twice to Osogbo and will operate only one trip for the post-sallah return journey.
“The first train moves from Lagos on Wednesday August 30th, 2017 at exactly 10amfrom the Iddo Terminus, Lagos enroute our usual Ikeja, through Ogun and Oyo State to end the journey in Osogbo. Another one leaves at the same time on Thursday August 31st, 2017 through the same route down to Osogbo. 
“After the Eil-il-kabir celebration, the train leaves Osogbo on Sunday September 3rd, 2017 for Lagos. This we have concluded as the plan for this year’s eid-il-kabir festival,” the statement said.
Jayeoba-Alagbada expressed the hope that the free train provided by the government would give Osun indigenes in particular the opportunities to return home in order to savor the joy of the festival with their relatives. 
“This is one of the social protection projects of the Aregbesola administration and since we commenced this more than six years ago, we have not looked back. Even in the face of very harsh financial constraints, we have strived to keep this offer going convinced that it has offered great opportunities for our people and helped their finances as well,” Jayeoba-Alagbada
Signed By:
Hon. Ismail Adekunle Jayeoba-Alagbada
Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives
State of Osun
Date: Sunday August 27, 2017

An inter-denominational prayer was held yesterday in Iwo, Osun State, for the speedy recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.
 

 
The prayers featured Islamic, Christian and traditional clerics.
It was held at the palace of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi.
Personalities at the prayers included the President’s wife, Hajia Aisha Buhari, who was represented by the wife of the Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), Mrs. Halimot Alli.

Mrs. Buhari expressed gratitude to the Oluwo and others Nigerians for their prayers for her husband.
She called for continued support for the Buhari administration.
The Iwo Muslim community, led by the Chief Imam, Sheikh Abdulfatai Olododo, who was represented by through Sheik Abdul Mumin, stressed the need for religious tolerance among religious groups.
Iwo Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Caleb Ayoola, as well as Rev. Niyi Akinola, who read from 2 Chronicles 7: 14, noted that God is the utmost healer.

A delegation from the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme, N-POWER today paid a commendation visit to volunteers who organized remedial summer classes for pupils in SSS1 to SSS3 in Ilesa East Local Government area of the state of Osun.
 

 
 
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and Youth Employment, who was represented by N-POWER Project Adviser, Mr. Kabir Aregbesola commended the volunteers for carrying out the community service, which is outside their primary assignment.
“You are fulfilling the very essence for which N-POWER was created, that is, adding value to the community where you serve. You are paid a token for contributing positively to your communities.
“I’m happy to know you haven’t stopped working because the schools where you serve are on holiday. You came up with this wonderful initiative to give back to the society, for this, N-POWER is encouraged,” Afolabi said.
He continued, “We want this to serve as example to other beneficiaries in other areas of the state and in the country at large. The essence of this initiative is to create a platform where people can serve their community, and you have chosen to give back in an area that is unquantifiable. This will in no small way improve the performance of pupils in Ilesa East. We are proud of your activities and it will be rewarded.”
Earlier, the Chairman of N-POWER volunteers in Ilesa East, Ojo Oladimeji whilst delivering his welcome address said 30 amongst a total of 496 volunteers deployed to Ilesa East are participating in the teaching exercise which simultaneously holds in three schools; St. Margaret’s Secondary School 1, St. Margaret’s Secondary School 2 and Obokun High School.
“Sir, 700 students are presently benefitting from this free summer coaching school. The student cuts across SSS1-SSS3. We packaged the programme to keep our student busy throughout this holiday period. We started on the 1^st of August and hope to wrap this up on the 31^st of August.”
Meanwhile, the commissioner for Education in the state of Osun, Mr. Kola Omotunde-Young who was represented by the Director of Schools, Mrs. Olufunke Adeyeye appreciated the Federal Government for investing in various social programmes.
“N-POWER is an upgraded version of our own Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, OYES. We thank the Federal Government for making this scheme available, as volunteers in the state school system have consistently added value by providing quality and quantitative education for our students in primary and secondary schools.
Omotunde-Young said, “This type of intervention could be the only saving grace for many students when it’s time to write their final examination. On behalf of the state, I thank you for your selfless service.”
Dignitaries who attended the reception includes Deputy Director Schools, Osun Ministry of Education, Mr. Akinloye Oyebanji; representation of N-POWER focal person in Osun, Ms. Toyin Akinpelu; Head of Strategic Communications, Policy and Economic Team of the Governor, Mr. Kikiowo Ileowo; Host Principal, St. Margaret Secondary School 1, Mrs. B.A. Komlafe; Principal, St. Margaret Secondary School 2, Dr. Mrs. R.O. Aluko; Principal, Obokun High School, Prince Ogunmoke; representatives of the National Ofientation Agency, NOA and Chairman, Osun N-POWER Volunteers’ Forum, Mr. Gbogboade Dotun amongst many others.

In a bid to enhance speedy administration of justice in Osun, Governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Wednesday commissioned the Justice Research Center in Osogbo, just he says effective judicial system will aid economic growth.
 

 
The center situated in the premises of the State high court of justice complex, is equipped with state of the art facilities for research and speedy judicial service delivery.
Facilities at the center include: a server room, 30 computer sets, internet facilities, printers, scanners, 20KVA inverter that can run for twenty four hours among others.
Speaking at the commissioning of the project put together by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the European Union (EU), Ogbeni Aregbesola assured the donors that the state will ensure that the center is accessed from any part of the state within four months.
The governor emphasised the need for every individual to have access to justice as it is one one of the ways through which the economy can also grow.
Aregbesola pointed out that no economy can grow where there is injustice, stressing that no investor would want to put money in a society where adequate justice delivery system is lacking.
He assured the donor agency of the state’s readiness to make maximum use of the facility, stressing that the center will be widely publicised and guided jealously.
He said, “we want everyone to have access to justice in our state, we want criminals and the recipient’s of the crime to have access to easy justice, that’s why we are happy about this.
“Many people don’t know that the growth of any economy is also tied to the efficient and speedy delivery of justice in such a society.
“The economy can not grow when there is no justice, I can absolutely tell you that nobody will be ready to put his money in a society where there is no adequate dispensation of justice.
“We are so happy about what you have given to us through this center, I assure you that we will make good use of it, we will publicise it and make sure it is accessible to whoever needs it.
“I want you to know that I will commission our Ministry of Innovation,Science and Technology to work and see to it that this center can be accesed from any part of the state within the next four months”. Aregbesola stated.
In an address, ChiefJudge of the state, Hon.Justice Adepele Ojo said the establishment of the center is in a bid to take justice delivery in the state to a world standard.
She explained that the centre will aid judicial workers in the state to be at par with their peers from any part of the world, while also appealing to the donor agency to continue to remember the state with more interventions.
“This center will go a long way in enhancing justice delivery in the state and assist judiciary  workers in the state to raise their standards in terms of justice delivery.
“The overall idea of this is to deliver a world class research center on the judiciary in a bid to make our judiciary workers stand shoulder high among their peers.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Bashiru Ajibola while delivering a goodwill message noted that any contribution to the judiciary is highly important to the governor of the state as it will ensure fair judgement to all.
He charged all stakeholders in the judiciary sector to work in harmony in a bid to promote fair justice delivery to all and sundary in the state.
He commended the efforts of the UNODC for counting Osun worthy of the center, stressing that it goes a long way in emphasising the importance of Osun to the entire world.
According to the Attorney General, “all hands must be on deck to take judicial delivery to the next level in every nook and cranny of the world in a bid to aid smooth judicial service delivery.
“Judicial delivery all over the world has gone digital for it to be quickly delivered, judicial workers need to engage in research and modern methods of delivery for justice not to be delayed or denied.
“We are happy for this judiciary  research center because it is obvious that this will go a long way in assisting justice  delivery in our state. Ajibola stated.
Representative of the UNODC, Miss Christina Albertini stated that the aim of the project is to assist governments across the world to be able to uphold the rule of law to all and sundary.
She added that it is also to assist judiciary  workers to enhance their capacity through information and communication technology, while urging the state to make good use of the facility.
“We will continue to do all we can as an organisation to see that equitable justice is delivered to all at all times.
“We don’t want anyone to be denied of access to justice “. Miss Albertini stated.

THE crisis which led to the closure of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, will soon be resolved, its Pro-chancellor, Prof Oladapo Afolabi, has said.
Afolabi, who chairs the Governing Council, spoke to reporters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
 

 
 
Other council members, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Adeniyi Gbadegesin, and his fellow principal officers were at the briefing.
The school was shut five months ago, following the management’s inability to pay workers for 10 months.

He said the council was inaugurated at a time the institution is in its trying moment, assuring that they had accepted the challenges and were ready to ensure all issues causing perennial crisis at the institution, including funding, would be addressed.
The professor of Chemistry said the council would interact more with employees through their unions in order to gain their confidence and to boost their morale. He added that the council would also meet with students and other stakeholders, including governors of Osun and Oyo, former VCs, Soun of Ogbomoso, among others to ensure that the crisis is permanently resolved.
Afolabi said: “We had our inaugural meeting at the main campus in Ogbomoso on August 9, 2017 and created a 90-day action plan which has started in earnest. Consultations have been held with the various unions, parents’ forum and traditional rulers.
“We have also engaged the service of an auditing firm to ascertain the financial standing of the institution. We are expecting an interim report from the firm in a matter of days. It is this report we will be presenting to the visitors to the university. We have high hope that submission of this report would go a long way in bringing get a lasting solution to the problems of LAUTECH.
“From various interactions the council has had with the diverse stakeholders, we have realised that we are on the same page, working towards the same goal. The council will spare no efforts to get the university re-open for students to continue with their studies and move on with their academic pursuits. The students have pledged their cooperation to abide by any decision taken, if that would make the university to work again.

Afolabi promised that the council would ensure accountability in the spending of the institution’s funds and would not become a burden to the two owner states. He said there would be judicious use of subventions released by the government to run the institution.

The audit report on Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, may be presented to the owner-states tomorrow.
 

 
Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela announced this yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, while featuring on a radio programme.
He said the management of the institution finally agreed to the call by the two owner states to audit the institution as a way of resolving its perennial and protracted crises.
Assuring  the general public that the audit report will fast-track resolution of the crisis, the commissioner said work was in top gear to ensure the school’s crises are resolved soon.

According to him, TechU’s fee stands at about N900,000 to make it self-sufficient and self-dependent.
Olowofela said the technical university was built for people who can afford its fees.
The commissioner said there were modalities to resolve LAUTECH’s crisis in the interest of the people.
On why LAUTECH’s crisis lingered, Olowofela said there were intricacies in the university’s administration.
According to him, Osun State, which is a co-owner, has a university, which is self-financing, although it was established years after LAUTECH.

He said: “The position of Osun State government was that if its university, which was established 12 years ago, can be self-financing, LAUTECH, which has been established for 20 years plus, must be self-financing as well, especially now that there’s dwindling allocation to states from the Federal Government.”
Olowofela noted that to show their seriousness towards the institution, the two states, last January, committed N292 million each to solve problems in the school.
The commissioner said they jointly approved the audit of the school by KPMG.
He recalled that between 2011 and 2017, the Oyo State government single-handedly spent N10.2 billion on LAUTECH, N8.3 billion on LAUTECH Teaching Hospital at Ogbomoso in Oyo State and N3.7 billion on LAUTECH Teaching Hospital at Oshogbo in Osun State.
Olowofela added that if the Oyo State government was not serious about LAUTECH, it would not have spent N22 billion on the institution.