*Soap makers, local delicacies producers, others to access international markets
The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, took a step further on Tuesday in his administration’s expansion of economic opportunities for the state as he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Growth and Employment in States 4th scheme (GEMS4).
Aregbesola said at the signing of the MOU that his administration has been able to endure the harsh economic challenges in the country because of the government’s huge investments in human development.
 

 
GEMS4 is a Department For International Department-funded programme that will link and expand markets for unique wholesale and retail products from Osun into larger local and international markets.
Under this scheme, local producers of black soap, local delicacies, mat makers, and other petty producers are to be assisted to gain access to bigger markets for bigger economic opportunities.
The governor said investment in the people helps the commerce and economy of states as well as help in the process of wealth creation.
He said the signing of the MOU is to promote collaboration and cooperation with GEMS4 so as to provide assess to markets for the production of local products.
He said no government could create wealth where there is hunger, poverty and wants, saying his government is committed to raising the standard of living of the people through wealth creation.
According to him, a lot of people had asked how the state has been coping with the economic downturn, while others even castigated the state for the abnormal revenue that had previously accrued to the state from the federation account.
He said: “A lot of people have been asking how we are surviving in spite of the economic challenges. Some people even castigated us for the abnormal revenue we got from the federation.
“The answer to this question is that we have made human development centre of our programmes and policies long before taking over the mantle of leadership.
“The investment of our people is paying off handsomely. This is what we want to consolidate with the MOU with GEMS 4.
“We also believe there are still opportunities untapped and unexplored. The MOU will help us explore the opportunities previously unexplored for wealth creation, progress and development.”
The governor emphasised that wealth creation is the fulcrum of the MOU and the benefits are numerous and immeasurable particularly for the small scale industries.
He stressed that what is important is the readiness of the people to explore the opportunities the MOU offers.
In his remarks, the GEMS4 Project Director in Nigeria, Mr. David Joiner at the MOU signing ceremony at Executive Chambers, office of the Governor in Osogbo stated the project will raise the production and earning of the poor in Osun,
He noted that some of the industries that will benefit from this unique partnership between the state and GEMS4 include the soap making industry, agro-processing industries among others.
The DFID boss added that the project is aimed at creating and sustaining 10,000 full time equivalent jobs and increased incomes for 500,000 people in the state.
Joiner disclosed that the unique products identified so far for re-packaging, branding and marketing for larger markets include local black soaps, the popular ‘dodo Ikire’, domestic goats and sheep among every other trades.
“With signing of this MOU, we will hit the ground running, SMEs will benefit from the project and we believe that employment will be generated, up to 5,000 traditional soap makers in different parts of the state.
“We are also bringing new technology in goat rearing so that they can have better income and increase, we also look forward to making impact to the people.
“We seek to improve income and employment opportunities within Nigeria’s wholesale and retail sector, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable”. Joiner told the gathering.

As the world celebrates International Day of the Girl, the State Chairperson of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Osun State Chapter,   Mrs. Toyin Adeoye has charged the global community to support girl child development and champion the rights of the girl child.
 

 
Mrs. Adeoye said this while speaking with pressmen in Osogbo. She  said the girl child with an estimated population of 1.1 billion are talented and creative bunch whose potentials are often thwarted by discrimination, violence and unequal opportunities.
While commenting on the theme for this year’s celebration, which is “Girls Progress equal to (Sustainable Development) Goals Progress: A global Girl Data Movement”, Mrs. Adeoye stated that when a girl is educated and well trained, it will be easy for such a child to reach an enviable height in life.
Mrs. Adeoye then admonished the girl child to be disciplined, obedient and always dress decently in order to avert any form of sexual harassment.    She also admonished government and parents to take the education of girls serious, as doing so will liberate their minds and expose them to achieving their dreams, thereby enabling them
to contribute positively to the development of the country.
NAWOJ Chairperson thereafter congratulated every girl child in the state and wishing them better years.

The opening ceremony of this year’s Olojo Festival took off in Ile-Ife on Saturday with Gbajure which is one of the major events in the celebration of olojo festival.
The carnival procession, which took off from Oranmiyan Groove moved to the toll gate on the Ife-Ibadan Expressway finally and terminated at the Ooni’s Palace.
 

 
In the procession were the custodians of the festival. These include Chief Owa Eredunu, Chief Akogun, Chief Okogun, Officials of the Ministry of Information, Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, State Council for Arts and Culture who appeared in various Yoruba costumes and cultural groups with thousands of spectators.
The procession was led bearing a replica of the Aare Crown which the Ooni will wear on the final day of the celebrations.
Other activities, as part of the celebrations, include Ayo Olopon traditional game, which will hold on Wednesday (12th October, 2016). The Yoruba culture entertainment night, festival musical concert, omidan olojo cultural pageant and festival fashion show all of which will take place on Thursday (13th October,2016).
Other activities are Ojo Ilagun, Iwode Ile-Ife (Community Cleansing), Oonirisa terrestrial message to the world which will hold on Friday (14th October, 2016).
Similarly, there will be Okemogun day, the Are’s cultural procession on Saturday (15th October, 2016) while the grand finale of this year’s Olojo festival takes place on Sunday (16th October, 2016).
The closing ceremony, which will feature Oonirisa ancestral traditional propitiation cultural trade/art exhibition is billed to hold on Monday (17th October, 2016).
The State Government of Osun and the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola hereby felicitates with His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II and all sons and daughters of Ile-Ife on the celebrations of 2016 Olojo festival.
The State Governor prayed for more celebrations of the festival.

The Cash Transfer Unit of the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs in the State of Osun will hold a Step-Down Training program today (Tuesday )at Palm Crest Hotel, along Gbongan Road, Owode.
 

 
According to the release signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Affairs, Pharmacist Mrs. Omolara Ajayi, the main objective of the training program is to build the capacity of Local Government facilitators in order to ensure the implementation of Cash Transfer activities in the state.
The release stated that the two -day training program will be declared open tomorrow (Tuesday 11th October) by 8am.
The Permanent Secretary then enjoined all stakeholders to attend the programme punctually.

The Chairman of the State of Osun Christian Welfare Board , Pastor Isaac Alabi has said that the 2016 journey to Jerusalem will start as from the 29th October 2016.
This was made known at an OSBC Yoruba programme Eroya .
 

Pastor Isaac Alabi also said the cost for the pilgrimage is six hundred and seventeen thousand, one hundred and forty naira.
Furthermore, he said intending pilgrims should not fear as proper security measures will be in place for their safety and proper health screening will be done for pilgrims before they embark on the journey.
Finally, he then pleaded to financially buoyant Nigerians to help sponsor individuals who cannot afford the trip to the holy land.

In order to boost the economic fortunes of Osun State, the state government has adopted the federal government’s Economic Development Levy (EDL) programme that will make it obligatory for business owners to pay an approved revenue tariffs and rates into the government’s coffers.
 

 
Speaking while launching the programme in Osogbo, the Acting Chairman of the Osun Internal Revenue Service, OIRS, Prince Dayo Oyebanji noted that the dwindling economic fortune of the state informed the domestication of the law.
According to him, Economic Development Levy (EDL) was introduced by the federal government last year, permitting all the states across the federation to increase their Internally Generated Revenue as part of efforts to find lasting solution to the current economic meltdown.

The OIRS Acting Chairman stressed the need for the residents of the state to live up to their civic responsibility through prompt payment of taxes and other constitutional obligations as the compliance remains the only way to sustain the government efforts at turning around the economy fortune of the state.
According to him, the levy is a charge introduced and permitted by law to increase the number of revenues that are accruable to state governments in order to meet certain obligations
Oyebanji further explained that the levy became imperative following the current economic downturn which was actually caused by the appalling fall in the prices of crude oil over the years.
He noted that, the Osun state under the leadership of governor Rauf Aregbesola has brought unprecedented development to the state through the implementation of some laudable projects since its inception.

The Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria (OSCAN) has commended the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for his commitment to the development and transformation of the state in the face of present economic recession.
 

 
The Association also lauded the state government for being consistent in championing equity, balance and harmony among the adherents of the three major faiths in the state.
 
The Chairman of the Association, Very Reverend Michael Okodua who led the newly constituted Executive members of the Association gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the governor his office in Osogbo. ‎
 
He held that the present administration under the leadership of governor Aregbesola has really done well in fostering peace, love and unity among the different religious faithful in the state.
 
He commended Aregbesola’s sagacity for continuously piloting the affairs of the state even in the face of huge condemnation and attacks from various quarters.
 
According to him, “It is expedient for us to commend and congratulate you on the success of your mission to transform Osun despite the glaring economic recession affecting the state and the country at large.”
 
The cleric stated that the purpose of the visit was to officially inform the state government on the new nomenclature of the Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria (OSCAN).
 
He said Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria remains a critical stakeholder in the development of the state, stressing that, “It is therefore incumbent on the Association to liaise and work with the Governor on critical issues bothering on state and religion, among others that would further enhance the general well being of the people of the state.
 
“Our goal therefore, is to promote peaceful coexistence and religious harmony, as basis for rapid socio-economic development of the state.‎ It is on this basis, that the Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria wishes to assure the government  of our loyalty, cooperation and unflinching support towards meeting the needs and aspiration of the people of the state.
 
“We also look unto your excellency for support, in our efforts towards meeting the aspirations and desires for the growth and development of the church in the state.
 
“We wish to assure your excellency that the church will continue to support you and your administration with prayers and goodwill at all times.
 
In his remarks, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola charged the people of the state on the need to continuously champion religious tolerance as being demonstrated by his administration.
 
He thanked God for the opportunity given to his administration to renew its relationship with the newly constituted leadership of OSCAN, just as he expressed hope that the visit would put an end to possible misunderstanding among religious faithful.
 
According to him, it will be a grand mistake for us to deny the fact that, our administration and Osun State Christian Association of Nigeria have had a tumultuous relationship.
 
He added, “but the question to ask is why must a government who in all honesty wants to have harmonious relationship with all faiths to the extent of even given them recognition in their own specific rights have conflict with one of the faiths.
“We must bear it in mind that it takes two to tango just as it takes two to be harmonious. It is not possible for two people either individuals,  organisations or institutions to get along without a huge sense of maturity, forbearance and understanding.
 
“However, immediately those two people who must coexist and get along appreciate the need for forbearance by tolerating one another, maturity takes place. listening to the chairman’s speech, l want to believe that we are in a new season. New season has just began”. Aregbesola stated

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun will on Tuesday 11^th October 2016, sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Growth and Employments in States 4 (GEMS4).
 

 
GEMS4 is a DFID funded programme that will link and expand the market for unique wholesale and retail products from Osun into larger local and international markets.
Some of the industries that will benefit from this unique partnership between the state and GEMS4 include the Soap Making Industry, Agro-Processing industry among others.
The unique products identified so far for repackaging, branding and marketing for larger markets includes local black soaps, the popular ‘dodo Ikire’, domestic goats and sheep etc.
GEMS4, operated by Coffey International, seeks to improve income and employment opportunities within Nigeria’s wholesale and retail sector, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable.
The project aims to create and sustain 10,000 full-time equivalent jobs and increase incomes for 500,000 people.
The signing of the MoU with GEMS4 by governor Aregbesola will take place at 1pm on Tuesday at the state government’s Exco lounge.

Mrs Olubunmi Ayoola, Programme officer of the Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEAL), says the free meal programme in the state has boosted enrolment of pupils in public schools.
Ayoola spoke on Friday in Osogbo while receiving a delegation from Niger State on a three-day visit to understudy the O’MEAL programme of the state.
 

 
She said that the Gov. Rauf Aregbesola-led administration in the state would continue to implement the feeding programme in spite of the scarce financial resources available to the state.
“Through this programme, there has been a relative increase in pupils’ enrollment in the state public schools,’’ Ayoola said.
She said that the programme also impacted positively on the state’s economy as food vendors and farmers were empowered in the process.
In her remarks, Mrs Afiniki Dauda, Special Adviser to Niger State Governor on Empowerment and Social Protection, who led the delegation, commended Gov. Aregbesola for the programme.
She said that the programme showed the commitment of the Aregbesola-led administration to the welfare of the people of the state despite the financial crisis affecting most states.
Dauda said Osun state was a model to all other states of the federation in the area of O’MEAL.
According to her, Niger will take a cue from Osun to run a similar programme.
NAN