The State of Osun House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam has described as a rude shock and great loss, the death of the first Executive Governor of the State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, who currently represents Osun West Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

 
In a statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the Assembly said the death was a great loss to the people of Ede town, Osun West Senatorial District, Osun State, Upper Chamber and the Nigeria in general.
 
The parliament said the death of the federal lawmaker had robbed of the state of one of its grassroots experienced politician and a philanthropist who has entrenched himself in the quest for good governance.
 
Describing the late Senator Adeleke as a politician of repute whose existence was significant to the democratic tenet in the state, the statement notes that the role he played as the first executive governor of the state could never be over-emphasized.
 
“Senator Adeleke was a leader of leaders, a philanthropist par excellence has made significant impacts in the lives of many young ones in Osun and Nigeria as a whole”.
 
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the state has lost one of its most experienced politicians, whose death will no doubt leave a huge vacuum in the pool of experienced politician and democrats in our state.
 
“The state parliament valued the invaluable contributions of Senator Adeleke to the development of our state, and entrenchment of democratic tenets. No doubt, he will be greatly missed”
 
“In the State of Osun parliament, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the immediately family of Senator Adeleke, the people of Ede town, Osun State with particular reference to Osun West Senatorial District, the Senate and Nigeria as a whole.
 
The parliament then prayed that Almighty God to grant everyone affected by the death of the former governor, the fortitude to bear the loss.
 
The State of Osun House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam has described as a rude shock and great loss, the death of the first Executive Governor of the State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, who currently represents Osun West Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

Governor of Osun Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Friday expressed shock over the death of the Director General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, Mr. Dipo Famakinwa.
 

 
Aregbesola said Famakinwa’s sudden exit has left a sour taste in the mouths of all stakeholders in the development agenda for the South-West.
In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola has played a pivotal role in the efforts to integrate the South-west and use the platform to engender a new growth for the people of the region.
“We are left speechless with this sudden loss,” Aregbesola was quoted as stating.
The statement went further, “Famakinwa has been very dogged in the pursuit of that assignment given to him. He was committed wholeheartedly to the progress of the Yoruba. Through the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, we have moved to accelerate regional revolutionary growth to rediscover our strength as a people of common heritage through agriculture, culture, education, and even sports development.
“Since the birth of that organization, Famakinwa has left no one in doubt on his comprehensive understanding of what we set out to do and the zeal with which he pursued the assignment has been commendable.”
The Governor said it is painful that the late Director General of DAWN did not live long enough to see the objectives of the organization come into full fruition before his untimely exit.
“We are however consoled by the fact that Famakinwa did his best to raise the consciousness of this region. We are also consoled by the fact that death is a necessary end and must come when it is its time. On behalf of the good people of the State of Osun, I commiserate with his immediate and extended families, members of the DAWN Commission family, my colleague governors and other stakeholders in the development agenda of our region. May the soul of Famakinwa rest with his Lord perfectly.”

The Government of Osun has paid a total of #1,471,996,379.00 as counterpart funds for RAMP projects covering the year 2013 to 2017 of
the World Bank Assisted Rural Roads Projects. (RAMP)
 

 
The move by the Aregbesola administration has qualified the State for the next stage of the project, just as the State is ranked top among the five benefiting States under the RAMP projects done in collaboration with the World Bank and French Development Agency (AFD).
Project Coordinator, Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP II), Engr. Adelere Oriolowo disclosed this while speaking at a
programme to usher in a 3-day Bi-Annual World Bank Supervision Mission, held in Osogbo.
He stated further that, Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project (O’RAMP-II) is a credit finance projects of the World Bank and French Development Agency (AFD) assisted project brought up for the provision of access to the rural areas of the State on transport facilities, adding that, apart from the construction of rural roads, Osun RAMP also take it as her onerous duties to campaign against AIDS and advise the people to have best practices.
Engr. Oriolowo also said that the mission was among other things, to look at the project implementation holistically with the
emerging issues serving as an impediment to snub implementation and proffer solutions.
He said the meeting is a referral on the project implementation comprising the RAMP Family of the five participating States on the Rural Access and Mobility Project-II (RAMP-II) which includes; the State of Osun, Enugu, Niger, Adamawa and Imo State with the motive of presenting the achievements and challenges to the World Bank and AFD Representatives for assessment, so as to pave way forward to the next levels.
He noted that the World Bank Mission has been tremendously helpful in having impacts on all the rural communities where the rural
roads construction are being done, saying that two Petrol Stations and commercial centres were already being put in place at Osi-Ara and
Gbengbeleku in Ife region to boost the economy/commercial activities of the area.
The Project Coordinator also maintained that the completion of Iwo to Patara 4km roads brought up the erected structures like,
residential, commercial and religions buildings saying that the indigents in the State of Osun are mostly farmers and the hindrances
in taking input to the farm and carrying of farm products to the markets or having access to schools and hospitals have been drastically reduced.
Earlier, the State of Osun Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) led the World Bank and AFD Team on a pre-mission technical visit to
cover parts of the work being undertaken by RAMP on a field visit to the project site, to assess the levels of implementation and the way
forward.
While appreciating the Governor of the State of Osun, OgbeniRauf Aregbesola for the regular payment of the State counterpart fund,
he enjoined all the rural road users, especially the Okada riders to be courteous and make good use of the road signals and protect the
public utilities.
Engr. Oriolowo added that, the Timber lorry drivers at Osi-Sooko, Ara-Joshua in Ife region en route Womonle – Orile-Owu in Ayedaade Local Government Area of the State should do away with the idea of putting heavy loads on carriageway and blocking of the roads which is meant for the general public, saying that, the dumping of refuse or waste products on drainages must henceforth be stopped.

In terms of quality and network, the roads and schools constructed in Osun have proved to be the best in Nigeria.
This was the assessment of the National President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel who described the quality of the roads being executed by the Osun state government as unprecedented in Nigeria.
 

 
He commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration in the state for securing a better future for the state through the provision of developmental infrastructures.
Comrade Khaleel made the statement after his assessment tour of some of the roads and mega-schools in the state during his visit to the state for the 2017 NULGE Week 2017.
The NULGE National President said the visit of the national leadership of the Union to the state was a clear testimony to the giant strides made by the Aregbesola administration in the last six years.
Khaleel stated that no road in the country shares common quality in terms of materials being used by the state on its roads construction.
He said the presence of the national leadership of NULGE in Osun avails him and other members of the union the opportunity to tour some of the strategic places where government interventions had clearly manifested.
He stated that the kind of model schools built across the state under Aregbesola’s watch are not only beneficial but incomparable with others in the country.
The NULGE President explained that the visit of the Union to some of the ongoing government projects across the nooks and crannies of the state depicted the high sense of Governor Aregbesola’s determination to quality in public service delivery.
He attributed the presence of infrastructural facilities being put in place by the state government as a manifestation of the Aregbesola’s passion to good governance.
Khaleel said with what he personally testified to, there is no doubt that the Osun government has distinguished itself in maintaining and sustaining international best standard in road construction and rehabilitation.
He said the state had laid a good foundation for quality in public services as this was reflected in the implementation of its socio-economic polices and programmes.
He said it was obvious that the people of the state have started enjoying the advantages of the projects which are scattered across the state.
“I am very happy to be in Osun to testify to the good things going on across the state. In fact, what I saw is clearly different from the pictures painted about the state.
“We have moved round the state and the quality of the infrastructural developments that we personally saw can never be compared with others anywhere in Nigeria.
“The quality of the road construction in the state is in no doubt strictly in consonance with the international standards as this can never be compared with any road in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“I am highly impressed that one of our governors could do these laudable projects in spite the challenges facing the nation’s economy.
” As I call on other states including Federal Government to key into the Osun quality moves in infrastructural development, I also urge them to, as a matter of necessity, prioritise quality in all the public services rendered to the people, as this remains the only way to sustain the people’s confidences and promote good governance.
“We in NULGE identify with the achievements of Governor Aregbesola and the quality of his work which can never be found anywhere in Nigeria,” he added.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori who hosted the NULGE delegation on behalf of the Governor, commended the national leadership of the union for supporting sustenance of democratic ideals.
Describing NULGE as a vibrant trade union for socio-economic emancipation in the country, she said the role of the union in nation building can never be over-emphasised.
Laoye-Tomori lauded the National President of the union for being relentless in pursuing comfort for his members across the nation.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has dissolved the Community Development Council Executives in the State.
 

 
The Governor made the disclosure today at the seminar organised for the Community Development Council Executives which was held at the Local Government Service Commission Hall, Abere.
 
 
Ogbeni Aregbesola thanked the Community Development Council Executives for their support in ensuring peace and security in the
state saying that the government count on them in the task of developing the state.
The Governor who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, Water
Resources, Rural and Community Affairs, Mr Muftau Oluwadare who was also represented by the Director of Local Government, Mr. Taiwo Agunlejika explained that the government considered it imperative to take the Stakeholders in the Community Development through the processes involved in the election of new executives.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Rural Infrastructure and Community Development, Engineer Moshood Titilola who was represented at the event by Mr Rafiu Abewurere charged the Executives to be good representatives of their people.

Engineer Moshood Titilola promised that the government will continue to support the Community Development Council to ensure rapid
development of the state. He, however, solicited continue support of the CDC.
The Director of Community Development, Mrs Hannah Mosadomi explained the inbuilt mechanism for the conduct of election into the
Community Development Council. She promised that the government would provide an enabling environment to conduct a free and fair election that will be acceptable to all.
The Guest Lecturers at the event, Mr Tola Adegbite and Mrs Funmi Oladosu enumerated the qualities expected of a good Community
Leader. The processes involved in the election of the new Executives of the Community Development Council.
Goodwill message of the Chairman of CDC, Cheif Okediya was delivered by the Secretary, Deacon Isaac Afolabi, Dr. Ogunrinade spoke
on behalf of the Zonal Coordinators while Mrs Solagbade spoke on behalf of the Heads of Socials in the Local Governments.

The Osun House of Assembly in Osogbo on Tuesday said it had received names of 39 nominees for Commissioners and Special Advisers from the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola.
 

 
 
Newsmen report that the Speaker of the assembly, Mr Najeem Salaam, read the letter from the governor on the list at the plenary session.The governor, in the letter dated April 11, urged the lawmakers to give the list of the proposed cabinet member’s speedy consideration.
 
The letter read partly, “Pursuant to Sections 192 (2) and 196 (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I have the honour to forward the list of nominees for consideration and confirmation by the house of assembly as Commissioners and Special Advisers”.
Newsmen recall that the governor had been without a cabinet since his inauguration for the second term on Nov. 27, 2014.
 
Among the nominees are Mr Kolapo Alimi, former commissioner, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Mr Bashiru Ajibola, a former adviser, Special Duties.
 
Sen. Hussein Mudasiru, who represented Osun West Senatorial District between 2011 and 2015, also made the list. Other former commissioners on the list include Ms Mobolaji Akande, Human Resources and Capacity Building; Mrs Toun Adegboyega, Women and Children Affairs and Mr Ismail Jaiyeoba, Commerce, Cooperatives, Industry and Empowerment.
Former special advisers on the list include Kunle Ige, Community Development and Rural Affairs; Mr Bola Ilori, Environment; Mrs Latifat Giwa, Education and Dr Rafiu Isamotu, Health.
 
Others former special advisers are Mr Biyi Odunlade, Youths, Sports and Special Needs; Mr Bisi Odewumi, Local Government and Dr Olalekan Yinusa, Commerce and Cooperatives.
 
A former Chief Whip of the house of assembly, Mr Binuyo Ipoola and Assistant Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr Mudasiru Toogun, also made the list.
The assembly, also on Tuesday, screened 22 nominees for the Caretaker Committee Management for the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 31 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
 
Newsmen recall that Aregbesola had in a letter dated April 6, sought for the consideration and confirmation of nominees as executive secretaries and members for the LGAs and LCDAs.
 
The letter was read by the speaker on April 10 at the plenary session. Salaam, however, said during the screening that any nominee who has yet to pay his or her tax to date would not be screened.
 
According to him, payment of tax is an important aspect of the screening.
 
Newsmen report that further screening will continue on Wednesday.