…As Ooni, Alaafin, Tinubu, others honour Aregbesola at 60
It was a day of Encomia for the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as eminent Nigerians honoured him with a Colloquim for his 60th birthday on Thursday.
 

 
 
At the event organised by associates of the Governor, speakers were unanimous in their assessments that Aregbesola represents the goodness of the future generations.
Lead Speaker at the colloquim and President of the Nigerian Bar Association Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, a university don and newspaper columnist, Prof Niyi Akinnaso, legal scholar, Prof Akin Oyebode, and the Director General of the Office of Economic Development and Partnership, Dr. Charles Akinola, all summed up Aregebsola’s more than six years and concluded that he has raised the bar of good governance.
In his lecture,‎ Professor Oyebode said nothing is comparable to democracy and no right thinking Nigerian will want the military to truncate the nation’s democracy again.
He described the governor as an epitome of democracy and good governance judging from the development the state has recorded since he came to power.
The don said virtue permeated Aregbesola’s transformational policies be it education ,‎ youth empowerment,‎ food ,‎ agriculture,‎ health,‎ rural development,‎ security and other social infrastructure.
Oyebode noted that what is termed the dividend of democracy is nothing other than welfare of the people which not only the primary responsibility of any government but also the acid test with which government is measured everywhere.
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”In sum‎,‎ this was an administration that was not afraid to confront head on problems engendered by socio political transformation and which was ready,‎ willing and able to share confidences with the people that put him in office.
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‎”While‎ the jury is still out regarding his scorecard, e‎ven the most virulent critics‎ would agree that he has changed the Osun landscape and the rules of engagement such as to rekindle hope and confidence among the people.
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‎‎”A review of the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola ‎thus far,‎ would reveal no diminution of resolve and commitment to better the lot of the masses and underprivileged,‎ even in the face of dwindling financial resources.”‎ Oyebode said.
The NBA President, in his lecture, ‎said every leader must possess certain qualities for him or her to succeed among which are honesty ,‎ humility,‎ forgiving spirit,‎ confidence and commitment to the cause of the people.
Mahmoud‎ said Aregbesola possessed all these qualities,‎ which made it possible for him to achieve what he has achieved in Osun.
The NBA President listed the newly constructed school buildings‎,‎ road construction networks,‎ innovative e-learning tablet,‎ Opon Imo and the various welfare intervention programmes.
Mahmoud continued‎,‎ ”‎Aregbesola has demonstrated what it takes to be called a hero by his sterling performance.
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‎”I commend him for obviously raising the bar of governance in the country today. I have been to Osun and I have seen the phenomenal performance.
“Is it the quality of the schools. Is it the architecture of the schools. The infrastructural facilities scattered across the state. All these certainly cannot be by accident.”
Among speakers who delivered goodwill messages were the former Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Chief Bisi Akande; Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole; the  Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; representative of the national leader of the APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon James Faleke.
It was a roll call of who is who in the political circles, business and corporate communities and others that gathered to give Aregbesola a befitting birthday Colloquim.
Speaking, the Minister of Health, said Aregbesola has done well in all aspects of human’s life.
According to him, “no government has ever invested in education as being done by Aregbesola’s administration in the history of Nigeria.
“When I went round some of the ultra-modern schools built by Aregbesola’s administration, in fact I was very amazed because I couldn’t believe that a government could be so passionate about education to the extent of investing on education to that extent.
“Your achievements in the last six years have qualified you to be an unusual being whose passion for development seems to be incomparable by all strata.
“With the achievements recorded in education, there is no doubt that you are wiping off ignorance, poverty, unemployment and other societal vices in our state and Nigeria as a whole.
“You are representing the future of this country as you have brought a drastic change to governance.
Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, Senator Sola Adeyeye, said Governor Aregbesola has never disappointed the people of the state.
He commended the state helmsman for turning around the socio-economic fortunes of the state since assumption of office.
Adeyeye who recalled the challenges faced by the Governor before reclaiming his mandate in 2010, expressed gladness with the giant strides made by the Aregbesola’s administration.
“Aregbesola has really surprised me. He has proved to the people of Osun what good governance stands for. He brought unusual governance into the democratic system of Osun.
“He is a developer par excellence. He is a builder of sustainable development. He is a man with exemplary quality leadership. An inventor of human and capital development.
“He has changed the face of Osun in terms of good roads, good hospitals, good schools and many infrastructural projects that have given birth to a new Osun.
Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, said all the lawmakers in the state identify with Aregbesola not because he is Governor but because he is a leader of leaders.”
He described Aregbesola as a great leader whose impacts have brought hopes to countless number of people in the state, Nigeria and beyond.
“Aregbesola is a man who has never found it difficult to help even if the circumstances seem to be difficult to do so. He is a great being of note that his existence has improved the lives of many.
“He has a way of navigating even when road seems to be blocked as you are always compassionate about human matter.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, said Aregbesola’s passion for development cannot be measured. He said, “One thing I so much respect Aregbesola for is the fact that he is a virtuous man to the core. He is an Omoluabi par excellence. Aregbesola is a man of peace.
“Aregbesola is a man whose passion for development can never be measured. He was the one that God used to install me as Ooni of Ife and to the glory of God our relationship has been cordial.
“This will be in records forever that I was installed during his tenure as Governor. It is God that gave us Aregbesola to move the state forward especially at a much needed time.
The Alaafin of Oyo, in his remark said, “‎Aregbesola is the first Omoluabi of Yorubaland. He bagged this title through his commitment to human development. He is a good example of all characteristics of a virtuous being. He  is hardworking, humble and respectful as these among other qualities earned him many titles and accolades.
” So, it is obvious even to the blind that Aregbesola has really transformed Osun just a the general well being of hi people had Ben greatly and positively impacted.
“He deserves praises ‎and commendations.”

The Osun  House of Assembly would on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, honour the Governor of the State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola with Honorary Life Member of the House.

The Legislative honour, which would be corroborated with annual lecture as part of the programmes listed to mark his 60th birthday celebration.
 

 
According to a statement by the Chairman House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila would deliver the inaugural lecture of the series on a topic, “Suitability of Presidential System of Government In A Multiethnic Democracy.”
The programme would be held at the House Chamber in the Assembly complex, the statement stated.
The parliament noted that the programme was targeted at celebrating the commitment and developmental ideas the governor has brought into governance in the state.
It said the record of achievements of Aregbesola within six years of his administration would forever remain evergreen in the state.
The Assembly then noted it would not relent in giving Legislative support to the Executive in order to aid the development of the State.

The governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday moved a motion for the probe of allegations that politicians are putting pressure on the military to stage a coup in the country.
 

 
Aregbesola moved the motion while performing his first legislative function after being honoured with Honourary Life Membership of the Osun State House of Assembly in Osogbo where he said the House must pass a resolution commending the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, for his thorough professionalism and belief in the current democracy.
The governor also called for a probe into the coup allegation with a view to bringing any erring officers to book. Stressing that the heart of any democracy is the parliament, the absence of which there is no representation by the people from which power actually flows. Aregbesola said the nation is so diverse as a people that anything short of true federalism as its system of government is an invitation to chaos.

He also canvassed for a change in the mode of legislative representation based on only geographical space to more modern criteria like occupation and professional categories.
His words: “I have also made the strident call for a political system and practice that is best suited for our clime, which will bring inclusion and amount to real political empowerment for all the people.
“I have, after our revered leaders, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bola Ige, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and others, all convinced federalist, argued that for a plural society like ours, true federal practice is a minimum condition of statehood. We are so diverse as a people that anything short of true federalism is an invitation to chaos.”
The Speaker, Najeem Salam attributed the unanimous decision of every member of the House to honour Aregbesola on his 60th birthday for “the governor’s unprecedented contributions to the development of the state.”
Salam, who described Aregbesola as a leader par excellence and an astute political leader, said the action was collectively taken as part of the legislative resolves to reward the governor for his good works not only to the people of Osun but Nigeria as a whole.
The speaker who frowned at the insinuations making the round that the House has been incapacitated and turned to a rubber stamp of the executive, said on no account does the House act outside the constitutional frameworks of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria since assumption of the current dispensation.
He said the House has succeeded in its oversight functions to ensure transparency and accountability on the executive arms of government, thus serving as the watchdog on the policies, activities and programmes of the executive since inception.
He however lamented what he described as “malicious mischief” being sponsored by some disgruntled political gladiators, which was targeted at scuttling the existing mutual relationship between the executive and the legislature in the state.
The Speaker said the House has successful fostered peaceful existence with other two arms of government in a bid to promote democracy, good governance and as well raise the standard of living of the populace.
According to him, “unless there is unity and love between the three arms of government, no iota of development could be achieved and it is on this that the Osun Assembly had laboured hard to strengthen the fundamental principles of separation of power, checks and balances and above all the rule of law as enshrined in the constitution.”
Describing the legislative honour given to the head of the state executive as well-deserved, Najeem said it is pertinent in a democratic society for people to clearly understand the principles guiding the peaceful and symbiotic relations between the three arms of government.

Pensioners under the aegis of ‘Forum of 2011/2012 retired public servants of Osun state” led by their chairman Ilesanmi Omoniyi today pleaded with the acting President, Yemi Osinbajo through governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to release the second tranche of the Paris Loan refund so their pending gratuities and pensions arrears can be paid.
 

 
 
Mr Ilesanmi Omoniyi, who led the group in a peaceful rally in Osogbo on Monday said “We are using this medium to appeal to Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Acting President of the federal Republic of Nigeria to use his good office and promptly direct the minister of finance and the Central Bank Governor to release the 2nd tranche of the Paris Club Fund to stem the rate of death of both workers and pensioners as they are the worst hit”.
Recall that the State of Osun had allocated the sum of N2,496,605,100.64 for payment of pensions out of the N13,645,546,673.04 paid out as arrears of four (4) months salaries and Pensions in December, 2016 to the state civil servants and pensioners.
The state through the accountant general, Mr. Akintayo Kolawole revealed last month that, “the sum of N8,519,437.233.43 was paid out as salaries for September, October, November and December. Similarly, the sum of N924,676,305.24 was paid out as leave bonuses for the four months, while the sum of N2,496,605,100.64 was paid in pensions for the same period.”
Osun state received N11,744,237,793.56 from the federal government in November 2016 as first tranche of the Paris Club Refund.

..rates roads, schools, others of high standards
The Bishop of Osun Anglican Diocese, Reverend James Popoola has described the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the first harbinger of massive infrastructure development in the state.
 

 
The Bishop, who spoke at the interdenominational christian prayer session organised by Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Osun state chapter to commemorate the 60th Birthday Anniversary of Governor Aregbesola at the popular Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo,
The Clergy stated that the present administration led by the Governor has recorded remarkable successes in the infrastructure sector.
Popoola said the government of Governor Aregbesola has in no doubt institutionalised real physical infrastructure development in line with the much desired change that the citizens voted for.
Describing Aregbesola as “God-sent” to redeem the already lost glory of the people of the state, said in spite of the present economic recession ravaging the nation, Osun government has distinguished itself by all socio-economic dimensions.
He noted that the economy of the state under the watch of the Governor has witnessed a drastic change and monumental transformation when compared to what was obtainable in the state before now.
The cleric attributed the myriads of social infrastructure development brought about by the present government commitment to pro-masses policies being orchestrated by the Aregbesola’s administration.
According to him, “”This has been the hallmarks of the present government as series of impressive interventions had been made to improve the state’s economy.
“We are here to praise God for His protection upon the life of His son and Governor of our dear state Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who God has been using to turn around Osun for better in the last few years.
“Though he would be 60years old in few days to come, but his remarkable achievements on the economy of our state cannot be over-emphasised.
“Aregbesola has made way for the state where it seems difficult to do so. He has turned around the economic fortunes of Osun to the betterment of all, as this can be justified through his physical infrastructural programmes.
“The present government has brought about infrastructural development to the system as this can be attested to in terms of the accomplished projects in the state.
“As we all know, Osun was not like this before. All we have now were not in place before the emergence of this government. But today, Osun can compete favourably with its peers in terms of infrastructure.
“Aregbesola’s administration has brought hope and change to leadership. For instance,   this place (Nelson Mandela Freedom Park) was in a deplorable condition before this government rehabilitated to a world class Park.
“The road that leads to this place was also terrible to the extent that one could not have imagined that such beatification can be achieved here.
“If we look at Olaiya Junction and see the beatification and high level of renovation made, one will not but commend this government.
“We are also aware of several interventions which this Government has made in other sectors of the economy aside infrastructure as this remains the basis for commendation.
“To us, these are social intervention programmes that centred mostly on the lives of the citizenry, as impacts of these have been greatly felt.
“We know that people of the state can testify to all this most especially the impact of this government on roads construction that had saved many lives from avoidable roads crashes,” Popoola remarked.
Urging Aregbesola on the need to double efforts in tailoring the state’s economy towards prosperity, Popoola affirmed the commitment of the religious leaders in the state to ensure the success of his administration.
Popoola, who prophesied better future for the state, thanked God for what he has been able to do through the governor who he said has been used to deliver the state.
In her remarks, Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye Tomiri who described Aregbesola as a special gift to the state, said all the achievements made by the present administration have been planned for long before his advent.
According to her, Osun has been favoured and blessed with the emergence of Governor Aregbesola who can be best described as game-changer, developer per excellence and a rare faithful being.
“The drastic changes experienced in Osun are not accidental, but rather, a well-designed plan to turn Osun around and place the state in the finest position in the comity of states in the country and beyond.
“As we all know, the radical nature of this government is all about human and capital development, and this had placed our dear state to viable position”, she added.
Mrs. Tomori commended the religious leaders in the state for being supportive spiritually to the present government, a thing which she described as grease to the progressive wheel of the state.
In his response, the Governor commended all religious leaders in the state for promoting religious peace in the state.
Aregbesola, who described the Black race as one of the best races in the world, lauded the leadership of the three major religions in the state, for championing the core values of their religious principles which are love, unity, peace and togetherness.
He therefore implored all religious leaders to support his government in the campaign for agricultural rejuvenation, the use of Omoluabi weighing scales among others.

 
…Adjourns for final findings
The Coroner Inquest set up by Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to look into the sudden death of the first civilian Governor of the State, late Senator Isiaka Adeleke has adjourned its sitting to May 29 for presentation of findings.
 

 
The Coroner in charge, Chief Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara made this announcement during the court sitting on Monday.
He said those who shunned the summon of the panel intentionally cannot hold the panel down and that the panel would not wait endlessly for them.
He reminded that the Coroner inquest sitting started fully on the 10th of May and 15 people were summoned but only 10 people responded.
He said it seems those who shunned the inquest did so intentionally.
His words,”To create awareness of the inquest, advertisement was made on the 11th of May in two national newspapers in place of the Tribune newspaper and The Nation newspaper.
“15 people in all were summoned but only 10 showed up. Obviously, those who didn’t show up did so intentionally and I cannot wait for them forever.
“So, the sitting is adjourned to May 29 for presentation of final findings.” Ayilara added.

Some of the friends and political associates of Governor Rauf Aregbesola have stated that the governor’s 60th birthday anniversary would be funded by the committee of friends and political associayes of Mr Governor and not the State of Osun.
 

 
While addressing journalists at the Press Conference marking the kick off of activities of the sixtieth birthday, this committee which was represented by the former Assistant Chief of State and Commissioner-designate, Barrister Gbenga Akano, said the friends and political associates of Mr Governor had opened an account at First City Monument Bank (FCMB) with account number 4495130013 for whoever wishes to donate for the programme.
He debunked the rumours that suggested otherwise, saying “monies for this elaborate programme are coming from very many friends of Mr Governor across the country and they are the ones sponsoring it.
“The cost size is reasonable over which the government has no control because the friends have resolved to give a befitting birthday bash to Ogbeni.

“The rationale behind this press conference is to solicit your support to communicate and propagate the positive results of these programmes both on the economy of the state as no single Kobo will be spent outside the state.
“This press conference was also aimed to provide answers to movement of bodies and materials aimed at celebrating the Governor as he clocks 60 in a couple of days.
“Like in most situations, birthday period is a time stocks and do self examination not only by a leader like Ogbeni but in the minds of addicted followers.
“This, we make bold to say that people who are seated here with us and those who are not here present that we are addicted to Rauf.
“I wish to inform you that the followership, political fellowship and admiration which Ogbeni enjoys across Nigeria is robust and huge.
“It is our pride and elation to inform you that these admirers have therefore chosen to ambush Ogbeni by celebrating him on the occasion of his 60th birthday which comes up next week Thursday in Osogbo”

Eminent Nigerians including Southwest Governors and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Thursday at House of Chief, Parliament Building, Agodi Ibadan, capital of Oyo State to witness the lying-in-state of the former Governor of the old Western State, Major General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo.
The lying-in-state marked the kick off funeral ceremony of the nationalist and political icon who will be buried in his home town, Iyin Ekiti on Friday.
Among the serving and former governors and the deputy governors in attendance were: Governor Abiola Ajimobi, his counterparts from Lagos, Ondo, and Osun, Akinwunmi Ambode, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola respectively, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, and Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose were represented by their deputies: Mrs Yetunde Onanuga and Dr Kolapo Olusola, State of Osun Deputy Governor, Chief Grace Laoye Tomori, and former Deputy Governors of Oyo, Osun States,  Chief Bisi Akande of Osun State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo, Gen. Oluwole Rotimi, Gen. David Jemibewon, Gen Oladayo Popoola, Admiral Akin Aduwo, Sen. Cornelius Adebayo and Chief Iyiola Oladokun.
See photos below: