The governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola yesterday attended the 2017 Memorial lecture of Cheif Obafemi Awolowo.
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Five years after his death, major stakeholders in the nation’s justice administration at the weekend remembered one of the greatest Justices of Supreme Court, Justice Kayode Eso at a book launch in Lagos. Justice Eso, who died in 2012, was eulogized by the crème la de crème in justice administration who had thronged Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, venue of the launch of a book in his honour.
 

 
The book entitled ‘Justice Kayode Eso: Beacon of Judicial Activism” was authored by by four lawyers-Dauda Ajadosu, Ayodele Temitope Justice, Arigbabuwo Lateef and Odunlami Oluwaseun and supported by a journalist, Mr. Rranti Thomas.
At the book launch were the Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, a former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Adesola George Oguntade, the late Eso’s widow, Helen Aina, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, represented by Prince Adegboyega Ogunwusi, a former Ekiti state governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Engineer Segun Oni, Ekiti state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, Ogun state Justice Commissioner and Attorney- General, Dr. Olumide Ayeni, Mr. Stephen Kola-Balogun, Venerable Ladipo, Mrs.Bunmi Eso-Williams, Mr. Mike Igini, Commodore A. C. Unonome and Brigadier-General Yusuf Shalangwa, among others. Aregbesola and Oguntade described the late Justice Kayode Eso as a courageous and fearless jurist whose life was dedicated to the rule of law.
The duo while speaking at the presentation and launch of the book- “Justice Kayode Eso: Beacon of Judicial Activism” urged judges to remain steadfast and courageous in carrying out their functions.
For instance, Aregbesola, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Mrs Titilayo Laoye Tomori described Justice Eso as a quintessential legal intellectual who brought much erudition and elevated language to the service of law without losing the greater objective of justice. Aregbesola said: “Justice Eso belonged to the rarest breed of legal minds whose life and times was dedicated to law as the instrument in service of justice for the rich and the poor, the weak and the strong.
“The late jurist did not just pass through the land but left giant legal landmarks and shot into national prominence when he successfully defended black miners in tin mines of Jos who protested against colonial authorities.
“At the western Nigerian judiciary, he gave landmark judgements most notable of which was the trial of Prof. Wole Soyinka for bringing gun into the television studio of Western Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation.
He discharged and acquitted the Nobel Laureate. This was a courageous decision that earned him ‘banishment’ to Akure as a punitive measure. “He also gave the dissenting judgement on the 1979 presidential election petition.
Though the Supreme Court with a verdict of 6-1 resolved the petition in favour of Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Justice Eso ruled in favour of Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the Unity Party of Nigeria. “Justice Eso delivered a total of 463 judgements, 390 of which were concurring judgements, 69 lead judgements and 4 dissenting judgements.”
Oguntade, who doubled as the chairman of the occasion, noted that the late jurist had constantly demonstrated that the essence of judicial function was to continuously develop and strengthen the law and its resultant effect.
He said: “This he was able to achieve by intelligibly applying provisions of the law to scenarios not fully envisaged by drafters of the law and arriving at what many soon after referred to as ‘locus classicus.’ Justice Oguntade also revealed that the judgements of the late Justice Kayode Eso have been very helpful to him in his career on the Bench.
“I remember being labelled ‘Mr. Dissenter’ by lawyers and jurists alike on the positions I took in arriving at some of my decisions on the Bench.
The ability to channel my reasoning in arriving at some of those decisions then was brewed from examples already laid by the late Hon. Justice Kayode Eso.”
The book reviewer, Prof. Ademola Popoola, the Dean of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, said the publication was done with the aim of celebrating the everlasting integrity of Justice Eso, describing him as a crusader for human dignity and the rule of law and also praised him for “his exceptional brilliance of the law.”

The traditional institution such as Kingship which dates back to pre-colonial era is still held in high reverence in the state. Their foresight, determination and aggressiveness led to the creation of Osun .Obas as they are called play pivotal roles in ensuring peace and stability in their domain as well as preserving the age-long tradition and culture
 

 
The State is blessed with qualitative traditional rulers, highly educated and sound in their various field of endeavour thus using it for the overall development of their people and domain. They are highly enlightened, widely travelled and committed to the progress of the state in general.
Foremost traditional rulers in the state includes the Ooni of Ife, The Ataoja of Osogbo, The Owa Obokun of Ijesa Land, The Timi of Ede, Oluwo of Iwo, Akinrun of Ikirun, and a host of other traditional rulers

Farmers in the State of Osun have been advised to desist from illegal harbouring of Fulani/Bororo cattle rearers in their community so as to guide against farmland destruction commonly caused by cattle grazing on cultivated farmlands in the State of Osun

 
The Committee Chairman on peaceful coexistence between Fulani/Bororo and Farmers in the State of Osun, Hon Mudasiru Oguntola Toogun gave this advice while addressing the people of Ajenisuwa Village, Oke Osun, Osogbo during an on-the-spot assessment of a Cassava and Plantain farm that was destroyed by cattle grazing in the area.
Hon Toogun who went in company of some officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), with the aim to apprehend the perpetrators of the painful act, described farming activities as difficult task that requires energy and time. He noted that it would be painful for farmers to lose such an energy and time to cows that move freely and graze around cultivated farm lands.

He further disclosed that such a painful development could not be possible without the support and cooperation of the saboteurs among the farmers that harbour herdsmen illegally in the area.
He stressed that, the Government of the State of Osun led by Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola is not against Fulani/Bororo staying in any part of the State but they must be ready to adhere to rules and regulations to forestall peace.
He therefore directed the people of Ajenisuwa Community to fish out the illegal Fulani/Bororo herdsmen in the area and their accomplices to avoid further damage on farm crops.
Hon Toogun who was amazed when he saw over seven thousand cows grazing within the farm settlement area during the visit, recounted the past experience to the people of the area that Bororo people are always armed and aggressive to attack at any time.
He also implored farmers not to argue or fight with any cattle rearer that may offend them but rather report their unwholesome activities to Fulani/Bororo Committee or Law enforcement agents.

Also speaking, Baale Ajenisuwa Village, Prince Musibau Oyedele and Seriki Fulani in the State of Osun, Alhaji Sulaiman Oluwatoyin both appreciated the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola’s peace moves and promised their unalloyed cooperation and support to make Osun the most peaceful State in the Country.

A former member of the National Assembly, Senator Mudasiru Hussein who represented Osun East Senatorial District in the 7th assembly has described Governor Rauf Aregbesola as a movement of good governance and as a pace setter.
 

 
According to Hussein, Aregbesola’s achievement and programmes are intimidating and laudable, considering the status of infrastructural decay before his emergence as the governor of the state in 2010.
Hussein who spoke with Newsmen on Saturday in an interview, said Aregbesola has made a landmark that would be difficult for his successor to outshine with his innovative and ‘people friendly’ programmes.
The senator maintained that Aregbesola’s socio-economic intervention programmes like the Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme (OYES), free school feeding for elementary school pupils, free ambulance service for emergency and accident victims, rehabilitation of mental disorder, among others made the governor a pace setter in good governance.
He stressed that infrastructural development of the state with the massive construction of roads and schools would linger in the memory of the people of the state years after Aregbesola had left office.

Hussein stated that the governor has established himself as a factor to reckon with in good governance and in the Osun politics, adding that it would be a herculean task for anybody planning to dislodge Aregbesola from the state.
The senator called on the people to continue their unwavering support for the governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging them to shun any form of incitement against the governor by aggrieved politician

As part of its resolve to diversify economy using agriculture,Bank of Agriculture and Osun state Government had agreed to partner with each other to enhance collaboration between them in the area of business and farming.
The Bank has also commenced disbursement of funds for farmers in Osun and Oyo states under the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).
 

 
Already the Bank had  disbursed 213million to  200 fish out grower farmers  and over 4,600 cassava farmers under anchors programme. Also, 17.5 million naira had already been distributed to 83 beneficiaries for arable crops, livestock, and trading.
The Anchor programme which is the first in the South-West will accommodate fish out grower farmers  and cassava out growers Farmers. The Anchor programme will also  provide degree of support through supply  of input and technical advice to farmers in South-West.
However, the Bank of Agriculture had visited Erinmo-Ijesa, Erin-Ijesa, Onilapa village in Ogbagba area of Osun state  to educate rice and potatoes farmers in the area. Also a mega forum was held in Osogbo the state capital where the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola commended the Bank for enhancing corroboration with government.

Aresgbesola promised full collaboration with the Bank in the coming raining season in a large scale. In his remarks, the state  Governor Rauf Aregbesola called for mass participation in agriculture as the only way to rescue the nation from her present socio-economic challenges. He said the economic situation in the country has called for the need to improve on the nation’s agricultural capacity, saying all hands must be on deck to promote farming.
Lamenting on the state of the nation’s economy, Governor Aregbesola said it has become imperative for all to do the needful in promoting agriculture. Aregbesola said his government was ready to support and collaborate with any individual or group that shows interest in farming. According to him, with the present economic reality, it has become imperative to produce what we consume because failure to do so, we will remain dependent.
“Any nation that cannot feed itself will continue to be enslaved. It is time to embrace agriculture and take our minds from the money coming from the crude oil as the commodity can no longer sustain our economy”, he added.

Expressing the readiness of his administration towards the realisation of an improved farming practices in the state, Governor Aregbesola said efforts continue to be geared up in meeting the state objectives on agriculture sector. He called on the rice farmers to double efforts at increasing their productivity, saying “Osun has the capacity to produce 20 tones of rice per hectare”.
 
Meanwhile the South West Zonal Manager of the Bank, Mrs Idiat Folorunsho  therefore appreciated Governor Rauf Aregbesola, for his interest in farmers and support for business relationship with BOA in Osogbo. Also at Iseyin area of Oyo state, the South West Zonal Manager, Mrs Idiat Folorunsho, commended both Osun and Oyo state governments for showing massive interest in the scheme that is set out to alleviate poverty in the country.
At the two events, the Branch Manager of Osun, Mr Ojo Faniyi and Saliu Awotoye, the Iseyin Mnager respectively expressed their support to both Osun and Oyo for the success of the scheme.

Office of Transportation in Osun state has called for mutual cooperations from the citizens of the state so as to avert road calamities.
 

 
The Acting Executive Secretary, Office of Transportation in the state, Engr. Wahab Olayiwola Ibrahim gave the plead while speaking with newsmen in in his office on Friday.
According to him, it requires the support of the generality of the people in the state to ensure rendering maximum services to the people of the state.
Engr. Ibrahim called on members of the public found guilty of any traffic offence to always insist on the collection of receipt as P.O.S. is attached to his officers at their different location.
Warning his staff against corruption, he assured that adequate sanctions would be melted to any of his staff found guilty of any corrupt act.
He added that “members of the the public especially motorcyclists, motorists, vehicle owners and all road users in the state should ensure compliance with all traffic rules and regulations.”

Warning the public further, he said, “Henceforth office of transportation will frown at the use of unroad worthy vehicles and/ or with expired particulars in the state. Stiff penalties will be melted
out to defaulters of any traffic law and regulations as approved by Osun State House of Assembly.”
Explaining further, Ibrahim said, “all vehicle particulars like vehicle license, road worthiness with back-up hackney permit (for commercial vehicles only), insurance, prove of ownership, change of ownership, Number plate, heavy duty permit, (for trucks),driver license and commercial vehicles in any of the state colour should be up to date as the office of transportation will not tolerate any motorist without his/her valid document.”
He assured of the determination of his officers and men in ensuring safety on the roads in collaboration with the police and the Federal Road Safety Corps.

 
Back in 2013 when the State Government of Osun launched Opon Imo ‘Tablet of Knowledge’, many were skeptical about its sustainability and its effectiveness in combating the low rate of student performance, especially for secondary school students writing final year West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE.
Four years on since it was launched in Ilesha, we present to you, 10 things you don’t know about ‘Opon Imo’.

1.    ‘Opon Imo’is the first standalone e-learning system in sub-saharan Africa.
2.    ‘Opon Imo’ has saved parents in Osun the sum of N8.2 billion worth of textbooks.
3.    ‘Opon Imo’ was recently endorsed by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in February 2017, and recommended to other states for adoption in Nigeria.
4.    ‘Opon Imo’ is endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Orgainisation, UNESCO.
5. Over 90,000 students have benefited from ‘Opon Imo’ in Osun since inception in 2013 to 2017.
6. Less than 3 billion Naira has been spent on procurement, installation, distribution and maintenance of ‘Opon Imo’ since inception till 2017.
7.    ‘Opon Imo’ has helped to improve performance of students in Osun, culminating in 46% pass rate in 5 subjects including Mathematics and English. The best result in a 10 year period.
8. In 2013, ‘Opon Imo’ won the e-learning and science category in World Summit Award, World Congress in Sri Lanka.
9. Children of farmers and other rural dwellers now have access to a computer device, a thought previously impossible for them.
10. ‘Opon Imo’ contains e-textbooks, past questions (WAEC and JAMB) and virtual classroom for ALL approved subjects from ss1 to ss3.