Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Friday said the death of the elder statesman and chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi.
In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said the late frontline politician believed and worked for the progress of the Yoruba race and the country as a whole.
 

 
 
The governor, who described the deceased politician as a giant and one of the surviving disciples of the Awolowo School of thought.
He said like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late Ajayi advocated for true federalism and resource control as panacea for the political imbalances in the country.
Aregbesola said the late politician was one of the best the country has produced as he never wavered in his political philosophy until his demise.
The statement read in part: “He was a politician of high repute and immense clout. His political horizon spread across the country and beyond. He was a giant in the battle for a better Nigeria.

“All his life, he defined his politics and pitted his tent early in life with the progressive school.
“Even after the demise of the late sage and when others abandoned the Awoist camp for other political philosophy, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi remained steadily on the Awo progressive track.
“He was, till he breathed his last, very consummate about the progress and development of Nigeria as well as that of the Yoruba race.
“To therefore describe him as a top-on-the-shelf politician and Awoist disciple of a first class hue is to aptly capture his essence as a politician.
“Nigeria as a whole and the Yoruba nation would surely miss his wealth of experience,”
Aregbesola also prayed for the repose of the late politician in the bosom of his Lord.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu on Thursday evening eulogized Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun for breathing life into the economy of the state through the promotion of science, technology and innovation.
The Minister said the state has contributed greatly towards enhancing and mobilizing the energies and potentials of the people for general advancement.
 

 
Dr. Onu stated this while addressing the people at the 14th conference of the National Council on Science and Technology, at Atlantis Civic Centre, Osogbo, Osun state.
Onu who described Governor Aregbesola as an unusual Governor, running unusual government, said his great interest in science and technology has placed the state above its counterparts.
Onu said the nation was aware that the state government of Osun led by Governor Aregbesola has succeeded in bringing innovation to governance as being reflected in the countless number of his policies and programmes.
He attributed his successes to the great interest he has in the well being and welfare of his people irrespective of socio-economic, political and religious affiliation.

Onu added, “I appreciate you on your irrevocable commitment to innovate the state through your consistent application of science, technology and innovation.
“I am not only appreciating you on giant strides recorded over the years as the Governor of this state, but most importantly, your undaunting determination in creating a knowledge based society for the citizenry.
“We are aware of your immense contributions to science and technology as we are consciously aware that your government brought science, technology and innovation into governance through the promotion of quality and functional education, infact, this is the right state in the right direction.
“Your administration’s determination to e-learning devices provided for public school students and home-grown feeding scheme have been a paradigm of innovation in governance as these laudable feats had encouraged millions of pupils to education.
“I can say this over and over again that Osun through Mr. Governor’s innovative ideologies has revived the lost glory, rot and decadence in education system of this country as his administration widely opened doors of the schools to all children without being influenced by any socioeconomic, political and religious tendency.

“He (Aregbesola) believes that every child is entitled as enshrined in our constitution to benefit from quality, functional and qualitative education just as his administrative philosophy is based on the need to ensure that every child is educated, knowledgeable, literate and westernised in order to contribute meaningfully to national growth and development.
“We know you, and we knew that within six years of your administration, Osun has reenergized both human and capital potentials in building an ideal society greatly conscious of science, technology and innovation.
The minister disclosed that Osun state social intervention programmes have taken priorities in the agenda of the Federal Government just as many of these intervention programmes have been implemented by President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.
“Your social intervention projects are now being implemented by Federal Government. This include; School feeding programmes, youth empowerment programmes, among others.
“So, when we talk of moving our nation from a resource based economy to a knowledge based economy, we can’t achieve this until we eliminate illiteracy, and this is what Governor Aregbesola has been doing in Osun as he has been banishing the scourge of illiteracy and mediocrity by promoting science and technology”, the Minister stressed.

He commended Governor Aregbesola for assigning science and technology to his Deputy, saying the move was a clear manifestation of the Governor’s appreciation of the importance of education, science and technology to nation building.
“Though Aregbesola is an Engineer but there are so many Engineers who cannot do what he has done. He has proven to the world that no country, state, local or society moves forward without being grounded in science and technology”, Onu buttressed.
Speaking on the theme of this year conference: “Role of Science, Technology and Innovation in the Diversification of the Economy”, the Minister said the theme was symbolic especially at this time of economic doldrums.
He said the economic challenges facing the nation requires urgent action to diversify the nation’s economy in a sustainable and competitive manner by deploying science and technology as an instrument for national rebirth.

The Visitor to the Osun State University and Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has approved the appointment of Prof Labode Popoola as the new Vice Chancellor of the University.
 

 
The appointment follows the recommendation by the Council of the institution which was signed and forwarded to the Visitor by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Yusuf Ali (SAN) after considering the report of the Selection Board.
The Appointment takes effect immediately.

The Atlantic Bond Initiative Group led by its president, Mr. Rotimi Vaughan paid Governor Aregbesola a courtesy visit.

The Atlantic Bond Initiative Group is a United States’ friendship organisation based in Oyotunji, Sheldon city. The group seeks to promote cultural interaction and representation between South Carolina, U.S.A and Nigeria.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola said “This initiative will generate foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria, as many Africans in the Diaspora will be visiting Nigeria. This, in turn, will improve the Nigerian economy and create a strong cultural bond between Nigeria and America.”

According to Vaughan, the group aims to reconnect black people in the diaspora with their original African roots. He also said that there are plans to hold a festival in Lagos and Sheldon come December.

Vaughan says the theme of the festival is child trafficking, an evil reminder and legacy of the era of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade.

He also said that he was in Nigeria on behalf of the group to establish and maintain strong cultural ties between Nigeria and Sheldon.

To formally unveil the Atlantic Bond Initiative (ATBONDI), a tourism workshop will be hosted in Badagry on October 29, 2016.

The Osun Police Command has rescued the Ekiti State Administrative Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Muslim Omoleke, who was kidnapped in Iwaraja in Osun.

Omoleke was reported to have been kidnapped around Iwaraja in Osun on Thursday while traveling to the  state from Akure.

The  Osun  Police Public Relation Offocer, SP Folashade Odoro, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo on Friday.

Odoro said Omoleke was rescued on Friday evening  from his abductors and  had been reunited with his family.

The PPRO said  that Omoleke  was in good condition.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, led the rescue operation.

According to him, the  police will intensify efforts to apprehend the kidnappers and bring them to justice.

The PPRO did  not however give detailed information about how Omoleke was freed, but said the command would soon issue a statement on the incident.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has explained that the need to produce the total man who is useful to his society remains the rationale behind his administration’s huge investment in education in the state.
 

 
The governor said whatever is invested in education is for the future adding that his government has embarked on massive construction of classrooms, reforms of the schools system, provision of other modern learning tools and others for the good of the state’s future.
Speaking at the public presentation of a book titled: The Heritage of Islam in Nigeria: Essays in Memory of Dr. Dawood Adekilekun Tijani on Saturday in Ede, Aregbesola said scholarship does not die as he noted that the huge investment in education in the defunct Western region by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo culminated in the Western part of Nigeria having the edge it had over other parts of the country.
Aregbesola, who was represented by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said, “Scholarship does not die. Erudition does not perish and handwork does not fade away.”
The governor said the late scholar, Dawood Adekilekun Tijani, who was being honored with the book of essays on Saturday had invested energy on education, adding that this is why he is still being celebrated many years after he had departed.
“Through scholarship, the late Dr. Adekilekun Tijani was able to touch lives. Those whose lives were touched by his investment in education are today touching other lives. The lesson here for us today is that we should all endeavour to touch lives and education remains the best way to do this,” Aregbesola said
The governor said that a man taken out of ignorance has been given his weapon against poverty adding that this is the reason for his government’s heavy investment in education.
He said, “ I must state that this is the major reason functional education remains our biggest investment. A man that is knowledgeable is a man that is wealthy. And in a knowledge-based society and economy that we are advocating, functional education is the only way to be relevant and be in position to play a role.
Others present at the public presentation include the Timi of Ede, Oba Muniru Adesola Laval, former Governor of the state and senator representing Osun West senatorial district, Isiaka Adeleke, who was represented by Alhaji Olumide Laval, Speaker House of Assembly, Najeem Salam, who was represented by his media aide, Goke Butika, National Commissioner Public Complaints Commission, Prof Aderemi Abubakre, Vice Chancellor Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology, Prof Adenine Gbadegesin, former Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Dr. Bashir Ajibola and others.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun for sustaining the economy of the state through the promotion of science, technology and innovation.
He noted that Aregbesola’s great interest in science and technology has placed the state above its counterparts.
 

 
This was even as Aregbesola stated that it is disheartening that Nigeria, ‎in the face of present economic downturn, continues to import fuel costing $7.2 billion annually without maximising the potential of its crude oil.
The Minister and Governor Aregbesola disclosed these at the ‎14th meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology holding in Osogbo.
The Minister said, “I can say this over and over again that Osun, through Mr. Governor’s innovative ideology has revived the lost glory, and decadence in education system of this country as the state widely opened the door of the schools to all children without being influenced by any socio-economic, political and religious tendencies.
“He (Aregbesola) believes that every child is entitled as enshrined in our constitution to benefit from quality, functional and qualitative education just as his administrative philosophy is based on the need to ensure that every child is educated, knowledgeable and literate in order to contribute meaningfully to national growth and development.
“We know you, and we knew that within six years of your administration, Osun has been re-energised both in human and capital potentials in building an ideal society greatly conscious of science, technology and innovation.
The minister disclosed that Osun state social intervention programmes have taken priorities in the agenda of the Federal Government just as many of these intervention programmes have been implemented by President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.
He added, “Your social intervention projects are now being implemented by Federal Government. This include; School feeding programmes, youth empowerment programmes, among others.
“So, when we talk of moving our nation from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy, we can’t achieve this until we eliminate illiteracy, and this is what Governor Aregbesola has been doing in Osun.”
Onu stressed that Nigeria can make the difference in the search for economic diversification by not only nurturing indigenous technology, but creating new technology that will help improve productivity that will change the country to a producer nation.
Speaking, Governor Aregbesola noted that if the country maximises the potentials on crude oil, the country should not even export a drop of crude oil.
He pointed out that Nigeria should locally refine it’s entire production and in the process add value, create thousands of jobs, create wealth for individuals, business organisations and revenue for governments to grow the economy.
Aregbesola said, “Still, we have Geology and Petroleum Engineering and economics departments as choice placement in our universities and at least one specialised university on petroleum with hundreds of doctorate degrees and professorial chairs in these disciplines.
“How can we also be spending $20 billion on food imports, including $700 million on fish? If we leverage on our population alone, we have enough market for as many products we can come up with.
“However, we know that if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. We simply lack the capacity to produce. This includes the knowledge base, quality personnel, financial capability and entrepreneurship.
‎
“I believe that before we begin to talk about science and technology, we should first be concerned with the making of a knowledge-driven society. There is a prevalent disdain for knowledge and scholasticism in our society,” The Governor emphasised.

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has appointed Labode Popoola, a professor, as the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Osun (UNIOSUN).
 

 
This is contained in a statement issued by Semiu Okanlawon, media aide to the governor, on Friday.
According to the statement, Mr. Popoola’s appointment followed the recommendation by the Governing Council of the institution.
It said the recommendation was signed and forwarded to the governor by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Yusuf Ali, for approval.
The statement said the appointment was with immediate effect.

Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Friday said the death of the elder statesman and chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi.
 

 
In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola said the late frontline politician believed and worked for the progress of the Yoruba race and the country as a whole.
The governor, who described the deceased politician as a giant and one of the surviving disciples of the Awolowo School of thought.
He said like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late Ajayi advocated for true federalism and resource control as panacea for the political imbalances in the country.
Aregbesola said the late politician was one of the best the country has produced as he never wavered in his political philosophy until his demise.
The statement read in part: “He was a politician of high repute and immense clout. His political horizon spread across the country and beyond. He was a giant in the battle for a better Nigeria.
“All his life, he defined his politics and pitted his tent early in life with the progressive school.
“Even after the demise of the late sage and when others abandoned the Awoist camp for other political philosophy, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi remained steadily on the Awo progressive track.
“He was, till he breathed his last, very consummate about the progress and development of Nigeria as well as that of the Yoruba race.
“To therefore describe him as a top-on-the-shelf politician and Awoist disciple of a first class hue is to aptly capture his essence as a politician.
“Nigeria as a whole and the Yoruba nation would surely miss his wealth of experience,”
Aregbesola also prayed for the repose of the late politician in the bosom of his Lord.