The Government of the State of Osun under the auspices of Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has congratulated the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) and the entire people of Ile-Ife, the Cradle of the Yoruba race, on the Ooni’s first Olojo Festival since he ascended the throne of his fore-fathers.
 

 
The festival is billed to hold between Saturday 8th and Monday 17th, October 2016.
In a statement by the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Information, Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Mrs Femi Webster-Esho, the Governor enjoined the people to be law abiding while the celebrations lasts.
The Governor prayed for God’s guidance during and after the celebrations.
Similarly, the State Government of Osun has also congratulated the Timi of Edeland, His Royal Majesty, Alh. Oba Munirudeen Adesola Laminisa 1 and the entire people of Edeland on the celebrations of this year’s Sango Festival which takes place on Monday 10th, October 2016.
The Governor through the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Information, Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Mrs Femi Webster-Esho advised the celebrants to avoid all forms of lawlessness during the festival.
Governor Aregbesola particularly thanked the people for the uplift of the traditions of the Yoruba race through the festival.
He therefore prayed for God’s guidance and protection during and
after the festival.

The leader of Niger State team, Alhaji Aliyu Takuma who is in the State to understudy O’Meal has described the Governor , Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has a man of vision by setting a good pace in education especially in the area of free school feeding and construction of world class buildings in public schools across the state.
 

 
Alhaji Takuma made this remark while his team was taken round companies and factories who are supplying eggs, chicken, fish and beef to feed pupils in Public Elementary Primary Schools.
He said Ogbeni Aregbesola has generated a chain of employment through the introduction of O’Meal in the State saying local people are involved in the process of all that is involved.
Earlier, the Director of the O’Meal, Mrs Olubunmi Ayoola while addressing the delegates said over three thousand food vendors were engaged and youths were also empowered in cocoyam and sweet potato farming .
She said Ogbeni Aregbesola gives the feeding of pupils in Public Primary Schools a priority despite the paucity of fund.
Highlights of the activities were visitations to Tuns Farm, Osogbo, FEG Agro, Ijebu-Jesa, Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoe Farm, Esa-Oke and Butcher Factory where beef is produced.
Present were staff and desk officers in O’Meal Office.

The Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola led administration is committed to the School Feeding Programme despite the financial status of the State.
 

 
The State Programme officer of the Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEAL), Mrs Olubunmi Ayoola stated this while receiving the Niger State delegates who were on a 3 -day visit to understudy the O’MEAL programme in the State.
Mrs Ayoola said Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola , through this programme ,has increased the number of pupils enrolment in schools. Thereby creating a conducive learning environment.
She further explained that the programme has also improved the economy in the State as food vendors and farmers are empowered in the process.
Earlier, Special Adviser to Niger State Governor on Empowerment and Social Protection, Hon Afiniki Dauda , who led the delegation ,commended the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for providing free food for pupils in Elementary School despite the financial crisis that is affecting all states of Federation .
She said State of Osun has become a model for all other states of the federation in the area of O’MEAL. She therefore, promised that Niger State will take a proper cue from State of Osun.
Highlights of the visit were presentations from the collaborating Ministries, Departments and Agencies such as Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Education, Commerce and O’YES commander.

The Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Wednesday applauded the efforts of  National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC),on the fight against fake and counterfeit drugs.

The governor made the commendation while playing host to the Acting Director-General of the Agency, Mrs Yetunde Oni, at the Government House, Osogbo.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori,  the governor urged the agency not to relent in its sensitisation of the public to the evils of fake drugs.

He noted that the agency was set up to rid the country of fake drugs and save the people from drug-related diseases and untimely deaths.

Responding, Oni said she was on an advocacy visit to Osun as well as to further enhance the existing  relationship between the agency and the state government.

She expressed  NAFDAC’s commitment  toward preventing the proliferation of counterfeit drugs, unwholesome foods and  substandard products.

Oni identified some of the challenges facing the agency as  shortage of operational vehicles and constant harassment of its personnel.

She, however, said  farmers in the state needed to be sensitised to the appropriate use of pesticides to avert soil toxicity.

Osun State Government on Thursday introduced Economic Development Levy (EDL), on business owners.
Mr Dayo Oyebamiji, Acting Chairman, Osun Internal Revenue Service (OIRS), made this known at a news conference in Osogbo on Thursday
 

 
Oyebamiji said the EDL was a charge introduced and permitted by law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said the levy was introduced by the Federal Government last year, permitting all the states across the federation to increase their Internally Generated Revenue as part of the efforts to find lasting solution to the current economic meltdown.
He said the state officially launched the level programme on Wednesday to increase the number of revenues that are accruable to state government’s purse in order to meet certain obligations.
He further explained that the levy became imperative following the current economic downturn caused by the appalling fall in the price of crude oil over the years.
He said generation of additional revenue was the key function of levies, adding that it would enable the government to provide qualitative, quantitative services and utilities for the people and for government to overcome recession.
He, therefore, called on residents, traders and transporters in the state to comply with the economic development levy of the state government.
He said the agency had recruited well-trained officers that would be moving round the state with Point of Sales (PoS), machines to fast track quick collection of levies so as to curb multiple and unlawful levy payment.
He said government made the levy affordable, based on the nature of business, assuring that the introduction of the PoS machines would bring about required transparency, accountability and credibility.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, Water Resources, Rural and Community Affairs, Mr Muftau Oluwadare has revealed that State of Osun will be open defecation free by Year 2023.
The Permanent Secretary made this known while delivering a speech at the debriefing meeting on review of Water Sanitation and Hygiene documents held at the Conference Room of the Ministry.
 

 
Mr Oluwadare commended the state government for the provision of toilets along major high ways aimed towards making the state open defecation free. He then called on the Stakeholders to support the efforts of the government to realize this objective.
The Project Coordinator of European Union Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme, Mr Ademola Olanrewaju ,who presented the resolutions of the retreat on the water policy, Water law, water supply and hygiene monitoring and evaluation framework and open defecation free road map said that there must be concerted efforts to achieve the objective.
Mr Olanrewaju explained that European Union has supported the state to develop some key strategic development documents for the Water and Sanitation Sector. He added that some of the documents on ground are no longer in tune with the realities in the state which called for review.

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has implored all the people residing in Orile-Owu and the entire people of the state to continue to be law-abiding and live peacefully with one another.
The Governor gave this charge while presenting the Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the newly crowned Olowu of Orile-Owu, Oba David Ajolola Akinfolabi Lagbedu III at the Palace Square in Orile-Owu.
 

 
Ogbeni Aregbesola who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Olalekan Adeoti said the event was another demonstration of the respect, recognition and attention which the administration in the state accords the Traditional Institution, saying our revered Royal Fathers have a pride
of place in the state of Osun.
Aregbesola enjoined all sons and daughters of the ancient town of Orile-Owu to co-operate and render all necessary support and assistance to the new Olowu. He promised to look into the requests made by the people of the town.
The Council Manager of Ayedaade South Local Council Development Area, Mr. Mukaila Badru called on the people of the town to co-operate and support the efforts of the Council Management to ensure the rapid development of the area as envisioned by the Governor. He appealed to them to pay their taxes and levies as and when due.
The new Olowu of Orile-Owu, Oba David Ajolola Akinfolabi Lagbedu III thanked Almighty God and Ogbeni Aregbesola for the honour done him promising that, he would work for the development and progress of the town.

Source: Guardian Newspaper