Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni  Rauf Aregbesola, has said that the state would soon become the hub of cocoa production in Nigeria with the revival of the moribund Osun Cocoa Production Industry.
 

 
 
The governor made the remarks in Ede during a facility tour of the resuscitated Cocoa Production Industry in partnership with Chinese Company, Golden Monkey of China.
The partnership between Osun Government and the Chinese Company to revive the cocoa production after 15 years is based on 70 and 30 percent equity respectively.
Mr. Aregbesola said the present production capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes per day was a good development when compared to its 5,000 metric tonnes capacity per day in 2001, after which it was abandoned.
“With this production level, the name of our state will be on the map of the world as a centre of excellence in the processing of cocoa and other products.
The governor said the Cocoa Industry would go a long way to support the state’s agricultural plan to develop cocoa farming in the state.
He commended the partnering company for its commitment to the contractual agreement by hitting the ground running.
Earlier in her remarks, Song Lin, the Assistant General Manager of Skyrun Cocoa Production Industry, said the management had increased the production capacity of the industry four times.

She said the company was presently producing cocoa liquid and soon, the organisation would be producing cocoa powder and cake.‎
In his speech, Adewale Adeeyo, the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Industry, said the state invested a lot of energy to make the project a reality.‎‎
Mr. Adeeyo explained that with the resuscitation of the company, the business of cocoa produce buyers and farmers had been positively rejuvenated. (NAN

Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam has commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for reinvigorating his interest in cocoa produce and other agro-allied businesses saying that Was a smart move for a state desires to boost its internally generated revenue.
 

 
Speaker Salaam made the statement in Ejigbo while addressing supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that the only credible alternative now was to rejig agriculture in the state with a view to having a comparative advantage on the national table.
He said the state parliament under his watch would throw its weight behind the governor on his drive to push agriculture as a new frontier for revenue generation, asserting that the strive to put smile on the faces of the people would not be halted by global economic downturn with the new drive on agriculture.
Speaker Salaam then charged the rural dwellers to enhance their capacity on modern farming by engaging the officers of extension office and ministry officials, as he urged the officials of agric ministry to design a scheme that would facilitate a productive engagement between themselves and the farmers.
He further enjoined all adults in the state to fight unemployment with farming and agribusiness, saying the situation of things now has compelled the youth to have a rethink on white collar job, which is getting complicated by the shrinking industries and resources.

The governor, state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, yesterday met with the members of the State Farmers Association, at Oke-Osin, Atakumosa West Local Council.
In what was a move like no other, the farmers expressed their gratitude to the governor for honoring his word and paying them such an August visit.
Here are pictures from the one of a kind meeting.
 

Head of the Farmers Feed School welcoming Ogbeni and his team to the farm meeting

Farmers Women leader addressing the gathering as Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his team listen on

Chairman of the ” Agbedowo” association thanked the government for its support for agriculture

Another Woman holds the floor, appealing to government to do more to aid rural farmers

Some of the various groups present at the meeting with the governor

Mr Governor takes the floor to the applauds of the crowd.

The crowd is held spell bound as Ogbeni addresses them on government’s efforts in the agricultural sector

Some hung on the trees just to be part of this unique meeting

Cocoa is a major export product of the state of Osun

Ogbeni goes to farm

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has insisted that his administration would spare no effort in making agricultural sector the bedrock of economic sustainability in the state.
 

 
 
 
Aregbesola also restated his administration readiness to continuously turn around the fortunes of farmers  in the state for better productivity.
Governor Aregbesola gave the assurance while addressing the members of the State Farmers Association, during a meeting at Oke-Osin, Atakumosa West Local Government area of the state.
Governor Aregbesola who described agriculture as the only sustainable alternative to current economic reality, said his government would do all it could to empower the farmers for an increased productivity.
The Governor who decried  the way and manner in which the nation’s resources had been grossly mismanaged in the past said, the time has come to invest tremendously in agriculture so as to cushion the effects of the present economic situation.
Aregbesola contented that the era of perceiving crude oil as a sustainable economic resources in the country has gradually faded away, hence called for the need to genuinely diversify the economy for better productivity and an enhanced general well being.
Governor Aregbesola further explained that his government since assumption of office has been investing significantly on agriculture having considered it as the everlasting sector for economic sustainability.
He said as part of his six Integral Action Plans for the good people of the state, his government had successfully identified agriculture sector as the only surviving tool for socioeconomic and political integration.
Governor Aregbesola attributed some of the successes recorded in agriculture sector to what he regarded as prompt empowerment and motivation of farmers in the state, stressing that on no account has his administration fail to prioritize the sector in its annual economic planning and appropriation.
Aregbesola said as part of his administration’s commitment to revamp  agriculture, the current government had resolved in moving round the rural areas where it was believed farmers were predominated in order to appropriately articulate the general needs of farmers and enhance greater productivity.
He revealed that the appropriate steps taken by his administration in resuscitating the dearth state of agriculture sector in the state, thus brought about the landmark achievements recorded so far.
Aregbesola who expressed dissatisfaction over the current state of the nation’s economy predicted that unless government at all levels appropriately diversify the economy into agriculture, mining, solid minerals, science and technology among others, the economic survival of the nation was at stake.
He added, “our government having being informed on the need to diversify economic decided to bring the farmers to the limelight of economic sustainability”.
“We have brought dividends of democracy to the grassroots and as a matter of fact today, we have recorded greater benefits on these genuine initiatives”.
“As part of our mission to support subsistence farmers to commercial farmers, we have so far granted loan facilities to our farmers and also disbursed the needed facilities and chemicals across the state’s farmers”.
“To this end, we are projecting further in our resolves to facilitate more benefits and support,  to facilitate more participation in farming”.
Governor Aregbesola therefore encouraged all to develop interest in farming so as to reduce the unemployment rate and as well increase the agricultural productivity in the state.
Earlier, Chairman, Farmers Field School, Mr. Timothy Akingbade commended Governor Aregbesola for keeping the promises made to the people of the state, saying the impacts of the present administration have been greatly felt over the years.
Mr. Akingbade implored the state government not to relent in its efforts at repositioning agriculture sector, just as he assured ultimate support of farmers.
While giving analysis of the loan facilities provided for the farmers in the state, a representative of the Quick Impact Intervention Programme for Farmers, Mr. Eluyemi Arowolo, disclosed that almost N1billion has been given out as loan to farmers across the state.
Mr. Arowolo who confirmed the statement in the report issued out by the organization on the loan facilities being provided by the Bank of Agriculture, said the organization was determined to assist any farmer who is confident of what he does.
He therefore urged those who have benefited from the loans to as a matter of necessity refund it within the agreed period so as to open advantage for others.
In his remarks, the Olosin of Osin, Chief Lawrence Apata lauded Governor Aregbesola for prioritizing farmers’ welfare in all his policies and programmes.
Chief Apata who described Governor Aregbesola as a lover of farmers, said in the history of the state, no government has ever paid adequate attention to farmers as being done by the present administration.
He called on the state government to continuously supporting farmers and provide the needful needs so as to enhance the better participation in farming and as well boost the agricultural sector.
Chief Apata who identified social amenities as the major challenge of rural dwellers, thereby implored Governor Aregbesola to fast track the provision of modern facilities especially mobile networks, motorable roads, portable water, electricity among others.

The government of the state of Osun has directed the closure of all unregistered private hospitals and related health institutions across the state until they are properly updated and registered.
 
 

 
 
This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Akinyinka Esho, the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Health.
Esho also directed all registered clinics and convalescent homes to report at the ministry to re-affirm their status within seven days.
 
He said the state government had resolved to review the activities of all private hospitals and other health facilities in order to ensure proper health care service delivery.
 
The permanent secretary, therefore, enjoined all the affected private hospitals and clinics to comply with the directives, warning that failure to do so would attract severe sanctions.

The  Director General of  the National Productivity Centre (NPC),  Alhaji Kashim Akor,  has expressed the centre`s  readiness to   establish  a branch office  at Osogbo, Osun State capital,  to improve  the state`s  productivity.
 

 
 
The director general stated this when the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, visited the NPC head office in Abuja.

He said the centre would key into the governor’s programmes in ensuring accelerated human resources development and capacity building for the Osun public service.
Akor disclosed that the   governor’s visit was the first of its kind by a serving governor in the history of the centre.
 
“The NPC would help in building the capacity of the state workforce and organisations through training and installation of Productivity and Quality Improvement Programme (P&QIP). We would also want your assistance in the establishment of a state productivity committee in units in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state as well as in providing airtime on Osun Radio and Television for dissemination of productivity messages,” he said.
 
Governor Aregbesola stressed the importance of the NPC in making   the Nigerian workforce efficient and proactive in service delivery.
 
He said he would actively engage the centre in making  the state civil service productive toward achieving  the All Progressives Party (APC) change agenda.

The Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has commended the speedy spate of works on the ongoing construction of Osogbo Government High School, which he described as a worthy legacy.

 
 
Governor Aregbesola also applauded the contractor and artisans working on the site for meeting up to the expectations of the state in accordance with the agreed terms and conditions.
The Governor gave the commendation while touring the premises of the construction site, located at Oke-fia area, Osogbo.
Aregbesola who expressed satisfaction over the completion stage of the building shortly after his unscheduled inspection tour to the school, said with the rate of work on the site, the state is confident of commissioning the edifice within a short time.
He also acknowledged the quality materials being used on the site, saying his government was bent on ensuring quality delivery in all aspects of the economy.
Governor Aregbesola said in spite the current economic crisis in the state and Nigeria at large, his government would not for whatever reason condone the use of substandard materials in all the ongoing projects in the state.
Governor Aregbesola insisted that the current administration under his leadership would apply both human and material resources to ensure overall development in all nooks and crannies of the state.
The Governor who attributed his government’s laudable achievements in all sectors of the economy especially on education to what he regarded as his brilliant implementation of necessities and priorities.
He therefore implored the all the contractors working at different government sites to maintain the quality tempo in all they do.

The government of Osun has warned parents and private school operators in the state to desist from the act of assisting students in engaging in examination malpractices or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
 

 
Mr Festus Olajide, Permanent Secretary, Osun Ministry of Education, Science and Technology gave this warning through a press statement released to newsmen in Osogbo.
According to Olajide,  “the state government has observed with displeasure that malpractice is orchestrated in certain schools in the guise of registering students in what is called “Miracle Centres”.
He said apart from the fact that such a practice is against the code of conduct in examinations, the practice is also a betrayal of the policy of the state government, stressing that among other things, the practice of mass cheating had led to lack of seriousness by students.
He said the act of malpractices had caused proliferation of private high schools who engage in the act, causing indictment of both Public and Private High Schools by WAEC & NECO and also resulting to turning out of half baked secondary school leavers.
The state government therefore warns that any private school henceforth found in the irresponsible act will have their operational licence revoked, while supervisors involved in the act will be blacklisted.
The Permanent Secretary further disclosed that disciplinary measures will also be taken against the principal of any indicted school in line with the provision of the state  Public Service Rules: 030401 and 030402 which prescribe dismissal for any officer found guilty.
He also said officials caught in such act would be handed over to the police for prosecution adding that any school found culpable would also be de-recognised by the appropriate examination bodies.