Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has joined people of Osun and well-meaning Nigerians in commiserating with the family of late Chief Olu Abiola, who passed on on Sunday.
He said the late Abiola was a true patriot.
 

 
In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola described the death of Chief Abiola as a great loss to the business circle, the State of Osun and Nigeria as a whole.
The governor said the late industrialist and Chairman Unique FM radio station, fondly called Baba Olomi, was an invaluable asset in the business world.
Aregbesola said Abiola’s death has undoubtedly robbed the state and the industrial sector of another great personality.
“The death of Chief Olu Abiola is a sad one to us in Osun. Here is a man of immense qualities, which he had employed to promote everything ideal in his lifetime.
“Chief Olu Abiola, undoubtedly, distinguished himself in business sector to the extent that his name became a household one across the country.
“He made his mark in the timber industry and became one of the great Timber merchants in the country. Chief Abiola was also during his life a notable socialite.
“Throughout his life, he distinguished himself as a man of immense wealth, a perfect gentle man and an Omoluabi per excellence, which is what the Osun epitomises.
“There is therefore, no gainsaying the fact that Abiola’s exit would create a huge gap in the business and industrial in Nigeria. We are however consoled by the fact that he led a fulfilled life.
“I, on behalf of the government and people of Osun, offered our heartfelt condolences to the immediate and extended families of deceased as well as friends and well wishers.
“We pray that the Almighty God reposes his gentle soul in paradise,” Aregbesola said.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is passionate about the payment of worker’s salaries and allowances.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Kolapo Alimi made this known today while interacting with the management and staff of Ifedayo and Ila Central Local Council Development Areas.

 
Barrister Kolapo Alimi explained that he was in Ila and Ifedayo Councils to interact with the staff to know their feelings about the government in the state. He went down memory lane to explain experiences of workers under different administrations in the State.
The Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the administration in the state to the welfare of the workers with the Constitution of Fund Allocation Committee under the leadership of the revered labour leader, Pa Hassan Sunmonu. He emphasized that the current modulated salary structure is not borne out of wickedness.
Barrister Alimi appealed to the entire work force of the two local governments to cooperate with the government. He promised to take up the issue of the confirmation of staff to ensure that every staff due for confirmation is confirmed.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs assured the staff that the government in the state will not victimize anybody. He urged the staff to be dedicated to their duties.
The Executive Secretaries of Ifedayo and Ila Local Council Development Areas, Honourable Abiodun Idowu and Ademola Kolawole respectively appreciated the visit of the Commissioner to their Councils and pledged their support for the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The Chairmen of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees of Ifedayo and Ila Central Local Council Development Areas, Comrades Isiaka Lawal and Raji Monrufu expressed the readiness of the workers of the two Council Areas to work with the government of Aregbesola in the onerous task of developing the state

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Saturday described the sudden death of Mrs Olufunke Oluwakemi Kolawole, Permanent Secretary Bureau of General Services, Office of the Governor, as a colossal loss in the state civil service.
 

 
In a statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy signed by its Director, Semiu Okanlawon, the Governor was quoted as speaking when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the slain Mrs Kolawole who met her untimely her untimed death in the hands of kidnappers while on a journey to Abuja last Thursday.
Aregbesola was quoted as saying the untimely demise of Mrs Kolawole was not only shocking but has left a huge vacuum within the civil service in the state.
Governor Aregbesola who described the Permanent Secretary as a great woman of virtues, loyal and dedicated, said Mrs Kolawole while alive, used her position to impact greatly on humanity.
According to him, death is a misery and something that no one wants. “It is a phenomenon that everyone hates, but because God has destined man to die, we all reconcile with death.
“It behoves on every mortal to always be conscious of end day and know that it is God that gives and takes at any time.
“Mrs Kolawole’s death is not only a rude shock to us as government but also a great misfortune at a time her quality services are needed most.
“Her sudden death is shocking, unfortunate and calamitous to state and civil service in particular as she (deceased) was known to be a committed, dedicated and loyal civil servant who had never being found wanting of her professional role to the people.
“She was a great woman. She was a committed being. A woman of courage and a loyal civil servant. 
“She was very diligent and upright to duty as this could be seen in her character of leaving office lately sometimes 12:00am, sometimes 1:00am. In fact, she worked round the clocks often times.
“I knew late Mrs Kolawole as a very hardworking woman who had never been derelict from duty”, Aregbesola added. 
While commiserating with the family of the deceased, Aregbesola said,”I share your grieves, I share your pains and sorrows at the critical times.
“I also share the feelings of despondency in those that saw the deceased as source of their livelihood.
 
“But one couldn’t but take solace in the enormity of the consequences of her sudden death.
“The news of her death was broken at a time the state was still nursing the transition of the wife of the former Governor, Chief Mrs Omowumi Akande.
“It is quite understandable that the family most especially the children of the deceased need the care of education, care of living and care of being in all things but we strongly believe that the grace of God will take control over the needs of the entire family.
“I pray God to console the family especially the children and those whose her demise affected greatly, as I pray for divine grace for the family to weather the storm being experienced at this critical moment”, he stressed”.
Health Minister, Prof Isaac Adewole, who joined the governor with other permanent secretaries and members of the executive council, prayed for the family of the deceased.

Governors of Borno, Alhaji Kazeem Shetima and his Kebbi State counterpart, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu have expressed conviction that their colleague in Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has recorded feats that could be emulated by other governors in Nigeria.
 

Two of the northern governors in Nigeria at the weekend described Osun education system as one of the best in the world.
In a statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, the two governors were quoted as speaking  as guests at the official commissioning of Islamic Centre for Research and Human Development, a project of an Islamic group, the Ja’amatul Ta’awunil Musleem, in Iwo.
The centre was built by the religious organization in recognition of Governor Aregbesola’s commitment to education.
The northern governors said no state in Nigeria has done what Aregbesola did in education sector.
The duo noted that Osun has not only revolutionalised education system in the country but also democratized education for easy accessibility by common citizens.
The governors, who described Osun education system as a model, said Governor Aregbesola has set the pace for others in the education sector to thrive.
The two northern governors commended his commitment to human and capital development, saying Aregbesola has made them proud in all sectors.
Particularly, the two governors said what is unique about Aregbesola’s sterling performance is the very lean resource available to his government while putting in place the people-focused policies.
Shettima said Aregbesola has invested hugely in the youths of Osun as this is reflected in the various state-of-the-arts schools being constructed across the state.
He described Osun education as one that can compare easily and favourably in the world, saying this has been seen as a landmark achievement made by Osun government.
 
Shettima asserted that Osun Mega schools which according to him have been the hallmark of Governor Aregbesola’s successes cannot only stand the test of time but compare favourably with others anywhere in the world.
 
‎He said, “The people of ‎ Osun may not appreciate Aregbesola now until he leaves because it is common that good leaders are not appreciated while in power until they leave.
“This is my second time in Osun within 12 month. I am familiar to this state. I am fully aware of the economic capacity of this state. I am aware of the state resources.
“It is not news that Osun realises meagre resources every month. The  state’s resources can never be compared with Lagos, Ogun, Oyo or any state in Nigeria.
“Aregbesola has invested hugely in the youths of Osun as this is reflected in the various state-of-the-arts schools being constructed across the state.
“This is a landmark achievement because Osun Mega schools which have been the hallmark of Governor Aregbesola’s government cannot only stand the test of time but compare favourably with others anywhere in the world.
“I know Aregbesola very well. He is not a rich man ‎by any standard but a committed man who has worked with high sense of commitment to rescue the people of the state and her economy from collapse.
“Aregbesola’s commitment to education has been rewarded tremendously as this is manifested in the successes recorded by the 85 medical students sponsored by the state to Ukraine for further academic studies.
“I will urge the people of the state to cherish Governor Aregbesola and respect him because he is a man whose passion for human and capital development cannot be measured.
” I have seen in Governor Aregbesola a rare determination to bring much out of little, that is why Osun is progressing even with little resources and meagre allocation from the federation account.
“In fact, Aregbesola is an embodiment of anything positive
“The people of ‎ Osun may not appreciate Aregbesola now until he leaves because it is common that good leaders are not appreciated while in power until they leave.
Also, the Kebbi state Governor, Senator Atiku Abubakar Bangudu said Aregbesola has set a new standard to revive education in Nigeria.
According to him, “What Aregbesola has done to education sector, no state has done it in Nigeria. He has not only revolutionalised ‎education sector in Nigeria but set a new standard for all to emulate.
“I cherish so much the achievements made in the education sector by the Aregbesola led administration. He has done so much. He has laboured with high sense of sincerity and honesty to ensure that the education sector in the state is not only revamped by accessible to all.
 
“He is a man who serves with passion to ensure that no one suffers even in the face of limited resources and daunting economic situations, Aregbesola has done excellently well.
 
“To me, Governor Aregbesola’s interventions have been yielding positive fruits as many of the state’s projects have witnessed huge replication by various governments.
“I know Aregbesola as a man who speaks for justice nothing but justice. Being a good Muslim, he has demonstrated the virtues of humility, loyalty and sincerity in all his actions and inactions.
 
“Though he might not be appreciated now because some leaders like him are not oftentimes ‎value while in power, but sooner or later, we will see the need to appreciate him for all his good works.
 
“I am very happy that Osun is blessed to have Aregbesola. He is selfless, nationalistic and dedicated to serve. He is a moral beacon in Nigeria.
 
“I came to Osun because I used to honour Aregbesola’s invitation each time I am invited simply because of what he has done for his people in Osun.
“Aregbesola has made us proud not only in APC but in the governors’ forum. He is a factor for national development and nation building.
“Aregbesola is a democrat par excellence as this is being exhibited in all his inter‎ventions.
Also, former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume described Governor Aregbesola as one of the most valuable Nigerians whose roles can never be over-emphasised.
He said Aregbesola has brought unprecedented developments to the state through his interventions in all sectors.
Ndume described the APC flag bearer in the Osun West by-election as a symbol of good governance whose wealth of experience had added much value to the senate while he represented his people in the last dispensation.
In his remarks, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola commended the Islamic group for promoting education through religion.
He said Ta’awuni has done so much in educating the society, a move which he said has helped in eliminating literacy in Iwo and its environs.
 
According to him, I know Ta’awunil in 2004 and the organisation has done so much in propagating Islam through the promotion of western education.
“This organisation is unique because it’s evangelism is quite different from others. The organization raises funds to support education.
“I am very happy to associate and identify with your organisation as you propagate Islam in the way the Prophet Muhammad did”, he added.

The panel of inquiry on disturbance of public peace set up by Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to unravel the circumstances that led to the communal clash in Ile-ife has concluded its sitting.
 

 
 
Governor Aregbesola set up the panel on 25th day of March, 2017 and charged them to investigate the crisis within four weeks.
Since the panel began its sitting on April 19, 2017, it has not received any eyewitness account from those that testified before it.
Majority of those that submitted memoranda were those that approached the panel for compensation from the government.
While many claimed that their shops were looted during the fracas, many claimed that their houses were burnt and appealed to government to assist them.
The Secretary of the panel, Mr. Bisi Babalola, said that the panel has treated 289 of the 406 memoranda it received.
Babalola who admitted that majority of those that submitted memoranda were not at the scene of the crisis, assured that the panel would address it in its recommendations.
He dispelled rumour that the crisis was a tribal issue, saying “security report revealed that the crisis started between a Yoruba woman and Hausa man due to a
misunderstanding.
“We received 406 memoranda and with the four we have taken today, we have treated 289. I can assure the public that the panel would soon make recommendations to the government in due course.
“We started sitting on April 19 and we sat for 27 days. Many of those that submitted memoranda have refused to show up before the panel despite announcements and several invitations,” Babalola stated.
Earlier, the chairman of the panel, Justice Moshood Adeigbe, appreciated the people of Ife for the cooperation and support given to the panel during its sittings in the town.
He said the panel was ready to fulfil its earlier promise to give a fair and unbiased recommendations on the outcome of its findings.
However, the President, Ife Development Board, Lawrence Olajire Olawoyin, appreciated the governor for allowing the panel to sit in Ile-Ife where the crisis occurred.
He said that the governor had selected those that know how to manage crisis, adding “we found them very appropriate for the assignment.