In his efforts to turn Osun to a commercial hub of the southwest, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Thursday commissioned another branch of Omoluabi Mortgage Bank in Ilesa.
The new branch becomes the third of its kind in the state as two others  had previously been established in Osogbo, the state capital and Ejigbo respectively.
 

 
 
Aregbesola, at the official commissioning of the Ilesa branch of Omoluabi Mortgage Bank Plc, said the expansion of the bank was necessary as part of efforts to further enhance the economic development and commercial activities of the state.
He said the bank with its N4.6billion capitalization and N2.5billion assets capacity had contributed significantly to the economic viability, growth and development of the state since establishment.
Governor Aregbesola who described Omoluabi Mortgage bank as one of the best among its peers said the bank has been upgraded to meet the needs of the residents of the state as regards banking system.
Governor said branches of the bank are established across the state to promote and ease socio-economic activities of the residents irrespective of distance and locations.
He said his government’s initiatives to upgrade the modus operandi of the bank in line with international best practices had aided the state towards actualizating its economic dreams.
Speaking on the economic impacts of the bank, Aregbesola said the bank has the capacity to give out housing loans with little interest of 6 percent.
He said the bank has been empowered by the Central Bank of Nigeria and other regulatory agencies to render all services peculiar to commercial banks in the country.
Aregbesola further disclosed that the bank (Omoluabi Mortgage Bank) has a cordial collaboration with First bank and Access bank with the aim to enhancing effective operations in banking industry.
According to him, “Omoluabi Mortgage Bank has the capacity to perform all the services that can be rendered in any of the commercial banks in Nigeria.
“Deposits, withdrawals and other transactions can be made easily in any of the branches of this bank just as the bank can also give out housing loans with just 6% interest”, he added.
Governor Aregbesola who promised to replicate the branches of the bank across the state before the expiration of his tenure said, efforts are on the top gear to accomplish the goal as the state was ready to commission Ife branch next year.
He there urged all and sundry to see the bank as theirs with prompt patronage.
In his welcome address, the Chairman Board of Directors, Omoluabi Mortgage Bank, Alhaji Bayo Jimoh who described the bank as one of the successful banks in the country, said Omoluabi Mortgage Bank has been empowered to compete favourably with its counterparts in the subsector all over the world.
He said the dreams of the state with the establishment of the bank has been tremendously achieved in the last few years of establishment.
Jimoh noted that the efforts of the bank (Omoluabi) in expanding its branches was to enable it reach the nooks and cranies of the state and at the same time promote economic development by empowering businesses and creating employment opportunities.
Recounting some of the efforts made by the state government at upgrading the bank from its previous nomenclature, Jimoh said the bank which was initially registered as Livingspring Building Society way back in 1993 had gone through transformational changes all in structure, form, nomenclature, management and capital funding that helped to metamorphose it to Omoluabi Mortgage Bank Plc having successfully met the listing requirements of the Nigeria Stock Exchange and Securities and Exchange Commission respectively.
He added, “There is no doubt that it has been a long journey characterised with a lot of pains of growth before arriving eventually at the present shore, where we can boast without any fear of contradiction that this bank is sufficiently empowered to compete successfully with its peers in the subsector”.
The Board Chairman disclosed that the recapitalization of the bank by Governor Aregbesola in the quest to take the people out of poverty, was aimed at not only strengthening the bank but also to reposition it to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in the local market for speedy growth, profitability and empowering the good people of  the State.
He revealed that, the bank has restrategized its banking operations with a complete overhaul of its former business process and embracement of an up to date technology in carrying out its business.
“This include among others the successful acquisition of banking software that enables  seamless operations and ICT sufficiently adequate for Mortgage Finance and Banking Operations but at the same time addresses the core banking, treasury, consumer and corporate e-banking, mobile banking and web based cash management requirements for universal, retail and corporate banking that meet international standards”, he added.
Jimoh therefore commended Governor Aregbesola for boosting commercial activities of the state by contnuously threading the path to economic prosperity through the establishment of viable banking industry.
He said the government’s continued support has tremendously gone a long way to spur the officials of the bank on the need to continuously nurture the bank to become a pride to the state, saying “It is our hope that through patronage and cooperation of our host communities, there is the assurance of success”.
Earlier, the Managing Director, Omoluabi Mortgage Bank, Mr. Ayodele Olowookere, commended the state government for expanding the branch of the bank across the state.
Olowookere reassured the residents of the state on effective and efficient services, adding that “the necessity has been done by the state to serve the people excellently”.
He appealed to the host communities to need to be patronising the bank, saying “whatever the dividends made in any of the branches of the bank belongs to Osun government”.

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Tuesday called on parents that the decision to conduct qualifying examinations into the state’s newly built mega high schools is aimed at getting the most serious students into the schools.
He said any student that qualifies to be enrolled in the school is considered good enough and such would encourage others to aspire to aim higher in their educational pursuits.
 

 
He advised parents not to see it as a means by government to deprive their children entrance into the new schools, noting that they will be made to write an entrance examination where the most serious students will be selected.
The Governor stated this while speaking at the annual Children Christmas party organised by the wife of the Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola.
He said it is a move implemented so as to further sanitize the state’s education sector and bring the best out of the system.
Aregbesola said, “I urge you parents to go and obtain the entrance forms into our new high schools. Don’t listen to mischief makers who are trying to deceive you about our good plans.
“Those who obtain the forms will be selected through an examination which we believe will enable us get the best of the best into the schools for optimum performance.
“Our plans for the new high schools will go a long way in raising the standard of education in the state and we want you to key into the process”
While congratulating the children on the celebration of another Xmas party, the governor charged them to take their education seriously for them to become great future leaders.
He said the present administration in the state is spending so much in developing educational facilities in the state because his administration believes investing in the future of children through education is best way to guarantee a better future for the state.
The Governor held that the state government believes so much in creating a good platform for the growth and development of the Osun child so that they can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their peers from any part of the world.
He said, “As you are celebrating another christmas party today, I want you to know that our administration is spending so much in education because we believe so much in developing you for the future.
“We know you are our future and we believe that no amount of money spent into developing you will be wasted as you are our future and we want our future to be bright through you.
“I advise you to always face your education so that the huge investment of government in your education can be productive.
“We want you to be able to compete with any of your peers in the world, that is why we are investing in building state of the art schools that can compete with the best in the world.
“We are investing huge amount in the “O meal” programme because we believe through good food that are nutritious, your brains can be well developed for you to have the required mental capacity to face academic challenges”
In a welcome address, the wife of the Governor advised parents and all those present to always find time out of their busy schedules to recreate and interact with one another.
While commending parents on the care of their children, Alhaja Aregbesola implored children in the state to obey lawful instructions of their parents, guidance and teachers while advising them embrace hard work and shun all forms of immoral behaviour.
According to her, “It is expedient for you to step aside occasionally from your routine activities to come around from your different homes and socio-economic back grounds for leisure, recreation and interact with one another.
“I call on parents and guardians to continue to take care of their children because they are our future. I also charge you children to be obedient at all times and face your education for you to be great in future” she said.

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Tuesday called on parents that the decision to conduct qualifying examinations into the state’s newly built mega high schools is aimed at getting the most serious students into the schools.
 

 
He said any student that qualifies to be enrolled in the school is considered good enough and such would encourage others to aspire to aim higher in their educational pursuits.
He advised parents not to see it as a means by government to deprive their children entrance into the new schools, noting that they will be made to write an entrance examination where the most serious students will be selected.
The Governor stated this while speaking at the annual Children Christmas party organised by the wife of the Governor, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola.
He said it is a move implemented so as to further sanitize the state’s education sector and bring the best out of the system.
Aregbesola said, “I urge you parents to go and obtain the entrance forms into our new high schools. Don’t listen to mischief makers who are trying to deceive you about our good plans.
“Those who obtain the forms will be selected through an examination which we believe will enable us get the best of the best into the schools for optimum performance.
“Our plans for the new high schools will go a long way in raising the standard of education in the state and we want you to key into the process”
While congratulating the children on the celebration of another Xmas party, the governor charged them to take their education seriously for them to become great future leaders.
He said the present administration in the state is spending so much in developing educational facilities in the state because his administration believes investing in the future of children through education is best way to guarantee a better future for the state.
The Governor held that the state government believes so much in creating a good platform for the growth and development of the Osun child so that they can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their peers from any part of the world.
He said, “As you are celebrating another christmas party today, I want you to know that our administration is spending so much in education because we believe so much in developing you for the future.
“We know you are our future and we believe that no amount of money spent into developing you will be wasted as you are our future and we want our future to be bright through you.
“I advise you to always face your education so that the huge investment of government in your education can be productive.
“We want you to be able to compete with any of your peers in the world, that is why we are investing in building state of the art schools that can compete with the best in the world.
“We are investing huge amount in the “O meal” programme because we believe through good food that are nutritious, your brains can be well developed for you to have the required mental capacity to face academic challenges”
In a welcome address, the wife of the Governor advised parents and all those present to always find time out of their busy schedules to recreate and interact with one another.
While commending parents on the care of their children, Alhaja Aregbesola implored children in the state to obey lawful instructions of their parents, guidance and teachers while advising them embrace hard work and shun all forms of immoral behaviour.
According to her, “It is expedient for you to step aside occasionally from your routine activities to come around from your different homes and socio-economic back grounds for leisure, recreation and interact with one another.
“I call on parents and guardians to continue to take care of their children because they are our future. I also charge you children to be obedient at all times and face your education for you to be great in future” she said.

The Osun State  Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement organised a 2-day workshop on food security in the state.
With major players in the agricultural sector in attendance, the event was put together to formulate policies that would ensure that the State of Osun achieves sufficiency in the area for food production.
See pictures from the event below
 
Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right), his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd right), Leadership Ethics, Actions and Development, Mr. John Taiwo Ayegbaye (4th left), Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (right), Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC), Prince Gboyega Famodun (2nd left), Coordinating Director,  Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement, Dr. Isaac Aluko (left), and Former Special Assistant to the Governor, on Quick Impact Intervention Program, Hon. Dele Ogundipe (3rd left), at the A 2-Day Stakeholders Workshop Organized by Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement, State of Osun, at Aurora Conference Centre, Ring Road, Osogbo on Tuesday 20/12/2016.
 

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle), his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (right), Leadership Ethics, Actions and Development, Mr. John Taiwo Ayegbaye (left), at the A 2-Day Stakeholders Workshop Organized by Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement at Aurora Conference Centre, Ring Road,
Osogbo on Tuesday 20/12/2016.
 

Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left), his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (3rd left), Leadership Ethics, Actions and Development, Mr. John Taiwo Ayegbaye (left), Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (4th right), Former Commissioner for Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement, Mr. Wale Adedoyin (3rd right), and others at the A 2-Day Stakeholders Workshop Organized by Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement at Aurora Conference Centre, Ring Road, Osogbo on Tuesday 20/12/2016.
 

Governor ,State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle), his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (3rd left), Leadership Ethics, Actions and Development, Mr. John Taiwo Ayegbaye (2nd left), Secretary to the
State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (3rd right), Chairman All Progressive Congress (APC), Prince Gboyega Famodun (2nd right), Coordinating Director,  Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement, Dr. Isaac Aluko (right), Former Special Assistant to the Governor, on Quick Impact Intervention Program, Hon. Dele Ogundipe (left), and others at the A 2-Day Stakeholders Workshop Organized by Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement, State of Osun, at Aurora Conference Centre, Ring Road, Osogbo on Tuesday
20/12/2016.

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called on all apparatus of government to always engage the services of Nigerian Legion Cadets and accord them necessary recognition.
He made the appeal at the weekend during the official decoration of the Batch “A” Cadets of the Corps of Nigerian Commissionaires, Nigerian Legion, Osun State Command and Widow’s Empowerment Ceremony, at Government Technical College, Osogbo.

 
 
Aregbesola, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr. Sunday Owoeye, emphasised that the corps, if supported by government, would complement the efforts of Nigeria police in providing adequate security for the people.
The governor who frowned at the way the Nigerian Legion are being treated by the government said, “they deserve better treatment because of the price they paid for the country during the wars”.
“Some of them lost their lives while some of them were paralysed in the course of protecting their country. It is very clear that government have not been treating Nigerian Legion as they deserved”.
He described the emergence of the Nigerian Legion Cadet as a round peg in a round hole towards the protection of life and property.
Speaking, the National Publicity Director, Corps of Nigerian Commissionaire, Corps Commander Isreal Alonge, who represented the National Coordinating Commandant, Ernest Kumapayi Akoteyon, appealed to Nigerians to help the corps with necessary information that would help them to nip crime in the bud.
While presenting gifts to widows of the ex-service men, Alonge called on well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisation to support the corps in helping widows of the falling heroes.
“We call on well meaning Nigerians to always give recognition to the widows and families of fallen heroes who have lost their lives for the peace of Nigeria.
In his address, the Osun State Commandant of the Commissionaires, Corps Commander Bola Eludire noted that involving his men in combating criminal activities in the society cannot be over emphasised.
Eludire, who was  elated to witness the decoration of the batch “A” Cadets in Osun State said his men would be performing their duties in conjunction with the Nigerian Police Force, Osun State Command and other security personnel in the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Chairman Nigerian Legion, Col. Alimi Samotu, rtd congratulated the newly trained officers while calling on the philanthropists, community leaders and governments to make use of the Cadets for the security sake at any point in time.
Samotu, who enjoined the Cadets to see their assignments as a call to service commended the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for being part of the event.