In his genuine quest to change the face of education in the state and turn around its economic fortunes by revamping and driving out the inbuilt potentials of educational sector for the betterment of all, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has reassured his administration’s resolve to strategically reshape and resuscitate the dilapidated nature of the public education.
 

He assured that no stone will be left unturned at positioning the state to its rightful vantage of education prosperity.
Governor Aregbesola gave the assurance while touring round the ongoing projects implementing by his government across the state.
However, the train of Governor Aregbesola unscheduled inspection tours took a drastic move at the ongoing construction site of Olaiya-Itaolokan road,   where he was enthusiastically received by the artisans and indigenes of Osogbo who trooped out in large number to demonstrate their wider acceptance of the government’s readiness to reconstruct the road.
Getting to the site, Governor Aregbesola reassured his government’s commitment to continuously turning Osun to a mega city, affirming that the state under his leadership would not hesitate to deliver on its electoral promises made to the people of the state.
The Governor recounted the immense achievements recorded so far, analyzing  that his administration on assumption of office resolved to strategically renew and rehabilitate the multifaceted economic nature of the state by injecting wonders for general improvement.
According to him, the giant strides of the current government in all sectors of the economy had given us a edge above others while our landmark achievements remain a testimony to our assessment.
Governor Aregbesola further disclosed that his administration’s readiness to change the face of urban cities in the state had gone a long way not only in the befitting physiological look of those cities but contributed significantly on the socioeconomic life of the residents of the cities.
The state helmsman also revealed that the reconstruction of Olaiya-Asubiaro-Ita-Olokan road was part of his government’s decisions to restructure the physical look of the state and give the major cities its befitting status so as to facilitate and fast-track the socioeconomic activities in the affected areas.
He described the road under rehabilitation as one of the major roads in the state capital that has a link to several cities and as well hosts major institutions in the state, saying if completed, it would certainly relief the challenges of traffic, expose the region to economic hub and as well add more economic values to the lives of the residents by purposefully  boosting the activities of the institutions on the axis.
As Mr. Governor and entourage trekking from Olaiya junction towards Jaleoyemi and Asubiaro axis amidst encomium, eulogies and commendations while inspecting and evaluating the level of work at the construction site, Governor Aregbesola applauded the contractor for being adherent to the original master plan and template consensually assented to and adopted for the purpose.
He charged the project supervisors on standard and quality output, saying they must live up to the expectation of the masses and prove to the state their capacity and ability to deliver the desired results.
However, the inspection tour of Mr. Governor wore another clothes of dynamic tumultuous emancipation, actualialization and systemic reality while visiting Salvation Army Government Elementary School, Union Government Elementary School, Methodist Elementary School, C.A.C Middle Government School, Ataoja Government High School, Osogbo Government High School, Adventist Government High School, among others.
The residents of those areas were seen raining blessings and prayers on the Governor and his entourage for building what they described as edifice and unprecedented legacy in their respective neighborhoods.
Applauding Governor one after the other, the members of the communities who aligned and displayed positive disposition with the government’s policies on education, reiterating that the current government is building the brighter future required for its citizens.
Apparently, Governor Aregbesola who also called for an accelerated spate of work at those sites, said his government in a shortwhile would commence massive commissioning of the ongoing projects across the state.
It would be recalled that the current government shortly on assumption of office resolved on total overhauling of educational sector with the hope of turning the state to educational paradise and knowledge-based city in the world.
To achieve this lofty sine qua non, Governor Aregbesola having juxtaposed the resolutions on the education summit headed by a renowned play wright and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, declared emergency on education and called for total rebirth of the crucial  sectors in order to place the state to its rightful position of socioeconomic, political and cultural frontline among its peers in the world.
For this purpose, Governor Aregbesola approved the construction of ultra-modern schools ranging from Elementary, Middle and High schools across the nooks and crannies of the state as the tremendous landmark achievements have been gradually and professionally transforming the state.

The Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL) has cultivated 1,500 hectares of land for cocoa to boost the state’s internal generated revenue (IGR).
Addressing reporters in Osogbo, the state capital, OSICOL’s Managing Director Bola Oyebamiji said 623 hectares of cocoa had been planted at Ibokun and another 523 hectares at Iwo.
 

 
Oyebamiji identified the large scale cultivation of cocoa and palm tree as a long-term panacea to the state’s dwindling economic fortune.
According to him, the state has what it takes to revive its economy, if cocoa and oil palm cultivation is embraced.
Oyebamiji, who urrged Southwest residents to embrace cocoa and oil palm cultivation, noted that apart from the comparative advantage it has over other crops, mix cropping with it would also help to sustain the farmers.

He blamed the present economic downturn on overdependence on oil.

The leadership of Methodist Church Nigeria has openly declared it readiness to support government at all levels in Nigeria especially the State Government of Osun on massive agricultural production in order to salvage the current economic crisis.
The declaration was made by the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Emeka Uche, while paying a visit to Governor Aregbesola in his office, at Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo.
 

 
The cleric who lamented over the current economic situation in the country said the nation has driven to a stage where government at all levels must tighten their belts in strengthen the economy of the country for the general well being of her citizenry.
The religious leader who attributed the   dwindling revenues to the coffers of the federal, state and local governments, to what he described as negligence of agriculture by the successive government in the country, stressing that if the nation has diligently and prudently explored her potentials in agriculture, the country would have grown beyond her current stage.
Dr. Uche explained further that, the only sustainable alternative to the current economic challenges was for the government and people of Nigeria to develop the required passions at resuscitating and revamping the lost glory of agriculture, which according to him has been ignorantly neglected by the past administrations in the country.
The Methodist Prelate who commended Governor Aregbesola for building an unsurpassable future for the state on all sectors of the economy especially agriculture, saying Governor Aregbesola has successfully proven his weights as a responsive and responsible Governor whose passion for development can never be measured or estimated.
Dr. Uche who described the allocation of Osun as the least among its peers, commended Governor Aregbesola for aggressively promoting the state within the template of meagre resources.
According to him, Osun has been prudently managing the affairs of the state despite the fact that the state by all standards receives the least allocation from the Federation Accounts.
He stated further that the giant strides of the current administration at building a self-sufficient and economic-independent state had been a driven force for economic realities being pursued by the current government.
Dr. Uche who assured total obedience and compliance towards the civic responsibilities of the citizenry in the country said, the time has come for all Nigerians to demonstrate high sense of commitment and seriousness towards taxation.
The spiritual father who described Nigeria as the only country where citizens display sense of adamancy towards taxation, saying if Nigeria must truly develop, her citizens must support the government with prompt tax payment.
“The purpose of our visit is to establish our staunch support and collaboration for Nigerian government in a bid to strengthen the nation’s economy and serve as helping hands in repositioning the country for all round development.
“We have identified agriculture as the only sustainable means of continuous existence of Nigeria. Our focus is to partner with government at all levels in the area of agriculture to enhance its production capacity and boost the revenues accruable to Nigeria and states of the federation.
“Methodist Church of Nigeria is not only committed to spiritual work but to be part of the process that will strengthen the economy of Nigeria and increase its revenue basis.
“In view of this, we have resolved as a religious institution to engage our members especially the youths on farming as we strongly believe that with the support of government, we shall succeed.
“We are appealing to your excellency to give us the needed supports most importantly enough lands for cultivation and plantation.
“The only way to rescue the country out of the present economic situation is to show our support and collaborate with government on agriculture”, Dr. Uche stated.
In his remarks, Governor Rauf Aregbesola who expressed delight over the economic foresight of the leadership of Methodist Church said their resolution to support the government efforts on agriculture and taxation was a testimony to present economic reality.
Governor Aregbesola also commended the leadership of the Methodist church for identifying with the state on its present economic challenges, promising to render whatever support requires to aid members of the church actualizing its dreams.
The Governor who lamented over the continuous reduction in the global prices of crude oil said, his government would not be distracted in its efforts to uplift the state.
He said, “The declaration of the leadership of methodist church Nigeria to support us in agriculture and taxation is an indication to the fact that everyone in the state should engage in agriculture not only for consumption but for commercialization.
“Massive agricultural production remains the most sustainable alternative to success and progress in any country of the world especially Nigeria that is blessed with fertile soil.
“The wayout to our economic crisis is agriculture. Humanity has never found alternative to consumption of food as a means of survival.
“Science and technology has never found a replacement for food as a means of survival and it is quite idiotic for any nation or society to depend on others for the basic means of existence.
“It is also abnormal for any nation, country, society or community to depend externally on other for food production.
“The starting point of our economic recovery is the capacity to feed ourselves.
“For this reason, on hands must be deck to resuscitate the potentials in agriculture and explore its value for the betterment of all.
Governor Aregbesola further assured the leadership of the church of his administration’s collaborative gestures to ensure that all agricultural ventures in the state collaborate most effectively with the church to actualize its dreams as the state was ready to give it whatever size of land required to ensure that the church dreams come to past.
“This is important because the era of crude oil to me has gone. Any nation that based their wealth on digging the earth have ended up in penury.
“The only successful nations are those that simply believe in teeming the soil for the purpose of planting, cultivating and living on the produce of the land, none of such nations who had adopted farming had ever recorded penury.
“For your church to have openly declared your partnership with government in massive agricultural production apart from evangelism, is a testimony to the progressive nature of Methodist church in the world.
“This declaration by the Methodist church of Nigeria is a reflective signal to bring back our senses fully autonomous- independent nation because wealth is simply the capacity to feed oneself, individuals, community, state and nation as well as saving surplus for the future and for exportation.
“I commend you for your foresight, for your cleared objectives and unflinching support to aid our efforts on economic recovery.
“We will support you with extension services not only on land but in all ramifications to actualize your dreams.

The State of Osun House of Assembly has said that it would give priority to its oversight function by strengthening its monitoring mechanisms in 2016.?
 

 
It said this paradigm shift was necessary to ensure that the state government increases its internally generated revenue and judiciously use the same for the completion of all ongoing projects and execution of new ones.
The Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye dropped the hint during an interview with journalists.
According to him, the resolution of the Assembly was borne out of the fact that what the state needs at this critical period of the economic downturn was to strengthen monitoring mechanisms, especially for the completion of ongoing projects and pending programmes in line with the policy of the state government.

”The situation in Osun in this critical period requires that all stakeholders play their role through the blockage of waste and the improvement of internally generated revenue.
”If you look at the 2016 budget before the house, it is essentially revenue-driven and the Speaker, Honorable Najeem Salaam has stresses it on Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to develop ways to generate more revenue without imposing an unnecessary burden on the people”

”Also, there are many projects that are still being delayed due to the financial crunch and the house is optimistic that after the completion of these projects there would be a positive impact on the economy and life of the people.
”To achieve all these, Mr Speaker has decentralised the monitoring mechanism by mandating all the standing committees of the house to beam their searchlights on every activity of relevant MDAs”, he said.
Oyintiloye also said the Assembly would from time to time ensure effective review, monitoring, and supervision of government programmes, activities, and policy implementation.
In the process of this monitoring, he said, any policy of any MDA that would not be in tandem with the present economic reality would be reviewed by the house.?
He, however, stressed that legislative business of the house would not be compromised and expressed the hope that these measures would go a long way to better the lots of the people.
The lawmaker then urged the people of the state to support the government by paying their dues to enable the government to perform its obligations.

…Says State has identified 60 million active cocoa trees

The General Manager of Osun Waste Management Agency (OWMA), Alhaji Ganiyu Oyeladun, has commended people of the state for their cooperation during the month environmental exercise.
 

 
He said by making the environment clean, people were “creating wealth technically by upholding high hygiene”.
He gave the commendation shortly after the monthly sanitation exercise on Saturday.
Some residents of Osogbo area of the state who participated in the event, urged the state government to ensure proper evacuation of refuse cleared after the monthly sanitation exercise.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the residents were seen as early as 6:30am in some areas of the state capital cleaning their surroundings during the monthly sanitation exercise.

An environmental health officer, Mr Tiamiyu Alade said residents of Osogbo were always prompt in cleaning their surroundings.
Alade said the cleaning culture of the people in the area and the state in general, had been protecting them from any major diseases and epidemic.
NAN observed that there was total restriction of vehicular movement, as major roads in the states were blocked to ensure compliance with the state sanitation law.
At the popular Mayfair junction in Ile-Ife, environmental health officers were seen monitoring the exercise while the major road that led to Osogbo was blocked.
It was the same scenario that played out in Ikirun, Ilesa and Ede.

    … Advocate for Maximized Tax Revenues

The traditional rulers in Osun have cleared the air on the lingering allegation of financial mismanagement, administrative ineptitude and recklessness leveled against the current administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola by the members of the opposition.

The royal fathers gave the vindication in their separate remarks while playing a host on the delegation of Osun State Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, led by the state Chairman, Comrade Amitolu Shittu.
In his address, the Timi of Edeland, Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal while receiving the state leadership of PCRC, expressed disappointment in what he described as unfounded, baseless and frivolous the allegation of financial recklessness purportedly credited to the members of the opposition parties against Governor Aregbesola of Osun, affirming that the current economic hardship was not in anyway the fault of Governor Aregbesola.
The royal father who attributed the present economic complications to what he described as the effects of negligence of the past administrations in the country, saying Nigeria wouldn’t have been in this economic mess if the past governments had diversified the nation’s God-given abundant resources.
The traditional ruler who commended Governor Aregbesola for repositioning the state to the path of greatness among its peers in spite the challenges posed by the present economic situation, said Governor Aregbesola has proven his weights as a true leader whose passion for development of his state can never be distorted.
Identifying some of the successes recorded by the present administration, Oba Lawal said the government of Governor Aregbesola has prudently managed the resources of the state for the general well being of the citizenry, adding that his laudable achievements can never be over-emphasized.
The royal father further explained that the present administration has demonstrated high sense of commitment towards the plights of the masses, affirming that the current administration had also maximized the little resources of the state for the betterment of all.
Oba Lawal lamented over the state of the nation’s economy especially its effects on the life of the states of the federation, reiterating that had it been the past administration had looked beyond the oil boom, Nigeria would have been the best among its peers in the world.
The traditional ruler expressed optimistic in the agricultural potentials which according to him has the capacity to take the nation to the greatest heights of economic prosperity.
Oba Lawal who recounted back to early 50s when the economic main stay of Nigeria was purely on agriculture and solid mineral, adding that in spite this non-oil sector, the entire country was successfully governed.
The royal father commended the Late Obafemi Awolowo for his genuine foresight and undaunting selfless efforts  which according to him brought Nigeria and Africa to the frontline of socio-political and economic liberation in the world.
Oba Lawal said the downward trend in the global prices of crude oil was a signal to the fact that the time has come where a nation could only succeed through productivity, industrialization and commercialization.
“I want to say emphatically that the current economic hardship is not the fault of Governor Aregbesola because we all know that the prices of crude oil has dropped sharply in the international market and this downturn has culminated to the present situation.
“The current government in the state has been doing its best in all areas of the economy especially on security as we all know that our state is one of the peaceful states in Nigeria.
“People should stop blaming or pointing faulty fingers at Mr. Governor for this because to me it is not his fault. What we need to do now is to extend our support and collaboration to the Governor as obedient citizens and as well perform our civic duties to government with regular tax payment”, Oba Lawal stated.
The traditional ruler who described tax as grease that lubricates the wheel of progress, canvassing support for the current government in Nigeria especially Osun state.
He therefore urged the current government to also look inward and go back to the economic drawing board so as to facilitate the desired socio-economic prosperity and political sustainability in the country.
Also in their separate remarks, the Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi and Alayegun of Ode-Omu, Oba Lamidi Oke, eulogized Governor Aregbesola for prioritizing security and education in the state, saying his efforts on the sectors had impacted meaningfully in the lives of the people.
The duo maintained that the procurement of security facilities by the current government had reduced drastically the rate of crime in the state.
The royal fathers further stated that the provision of security vehicles by the state government has helped to reawaken the security consciousness of the people in their towns, adding that the noble initiatives has equally gone a long way towards the protection of lives and property of their subjects.
They said the current government has supported the state with adequate security apparatus and necessary equipment which according to them had rescued the state from all forms of crimes.
The traditional rulers stated that the kind gesture of Mr. Governor on security most importantly the provision of Armour Personnel Carriers, APC, to all the security agencies across the Local Governments in the state has really helped to stem the tide of insecurity in their various communities.
The duo further remarked that the drastic security measures taken by the present administration has positioned the state to be one of the peaceful states in Nigeria, saying for that initiatives, the present administration ought to be commended.
The royal fathers however condemned the allegation of financial mismanagement leveled against the State Governor by a section of the public, saying instead of pointing fingers of blames on Mr. Governor or anyone whatsoever, there is a need for the people to study the circumstances around the nation’s economy which according to them culminated to the present situation.
They therefore advised the people to remain hopeful and prayerful for quick economic recovery of the state and Nigeria at large.
Meanwhile, the monarchs who early commended the leadership and members of the State Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC for their prompt security intervention in the state, said their productive and proactive contributions towards the actualization of a secured state had yielded meaningful results in years past.

The governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola played host to the team of the national feeding program on Thursday the 21st of January,2016  at the Governor office Secretariat, Abere.
The team led by the programme manager, partnership for child development, Mrs Bimbola Adesanmi, said it had come on a learning visit to the state.
Mrs Bimbola Adesanmi stated that is was only wise for the team to visit Osun as the state had pioneered the idea of school feeding, adding that the team could learn a thing or two from the success of the program in the state.
See photos Below

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (5th right); his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (5th left); team leader, programme manager partnership for child development, Mrs Bimbola Adesanmi (3rd right); staff from office of vice President, Mr Dotun Adebayo (4th left); staff from office of the Vice President, Mrs Titi Adeyemi-Doro (4th right) and others. during a courtesy visit by officials from the Vice President office to brief the Governor on efforts towards rolling out National School feeding programme at the Governor office Secretariat abere, on Thursday 21-1-2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (3rd left); team leader, programme manager partnership for child development, Mrs Bimbola Adesanmi (right); staff from office of vice President, Mr Dotun Adebayo (2nd left); staff from office of the Vice President, Mrs Titi Adeyemi-Doro (2nd right); Aace foods inter, Mrs Juliet Daniel (left). during a courtesy visit by officials from the Vice President office to brief the Governor on efforts towards rolling out National School feeding programme, at the Governor office Secretariat abere, on Thursday 21-1-2016.

Osun State Investment Company’s managing director, Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji yesterday remarked that Aregbesola’s critics would later eulogize his intimidating achievements in the state at the end of the day. Oyebamiji, who made the remark in an interactive session with newsmen in Osogbo, charged the governor to disregard his political detractors who would want to get him derailed in achieving his positive aim in governance.
 

 
He however counseled Aregbesola to forge ahead in his developmental projects which had transformed the state in the last few years of his administration. Oyebamiji specifically lauded the massive road construction projects of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, Oyebamiji noted that the bane of location of industry in Osun State by investors has been lack of good road networks adding that with the measures taken by Aregbesola, investors will be encouraged to invest in the state.
The managing director also identified large scale cultivation of cocoa and palm trees as long term panacea to the dwindling economic fortune of the state, saying that the state has what it takes to revive its economy if cocoa and oil palm cultivation is embraced.
According to him, Osun Investment Company has cultivated no fewer than 1,500 hectares of cocoa with 623 hectare in Ibokun and 523 hectare in Iwo.
While charging the people in the South West to embrace cocoa and oil palm cultivation, Oyebamiji noted that apart from the comparative advantage it has over other crops, mix cropping with it would help sustain the farmers.
Alhaji Oyebamiji maintained that until Nigerians are able to produce substantial part of what they consume, the economy will continue to dwindle blaming the present economic downturn on over dependence on oil.
To further boost the economy of the state, the managing director disclosed that the company is planning to establish a petroleum refinery to be located at Dagbolu in Olorunda local government area of the state.
He further disclosed that the investment company has estates spread all over the country including 34 three bedroom apartments in Lagos, 14 flats in Abuja and another 19 flats in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Osun Community Protests Invasion By Thugs
Koba Ope community in Osogbo, Osun State capital yesterday appealed to Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to intervene in alleged invasion, intimidation, harassment, and assault on members of the communities by thugs of Fountain University Osogbo.
Addressing the press in Osogbo, the chairman of the community, Imam Ayatullah Abudulkabir Adepoju said members of the community that shared boundary with the university have continued to suffer in the hands of rented thugs.

Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola today met with executive members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Amongst the associations’s executive members who meet the governor include, President of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Otis Anyaeji, Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Ifedayo Akintunde, Chairman Nigeria Society of Engineers, Ibadan Branch, Engr.Bola Olowa, Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Alade Ajibola, and Executive Secretary Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Olusola Obadimu.
See photos below

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left), in a warmth handshake with President of Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Otis Anyaeji (middle), Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Ifedayo Akintunde (right), at Ibadan Airport on Wednesday 27/01/2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd left), President of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Otis Anyaeji (3rd right), Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Ifedayo Akintunde (2nd right), Chairman Nigeria Society of Engineers, Ibadan Branch, Engr.Bola Olowa (right), Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Alade Ajibola (2nd left), and Executive Secretary Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Olusola Obadimu (left), at Ibadan Airport on Wednesday 27/01/2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and President of Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Otis Anyaeji at Ibadan Airport on Wednesday 27/01/2016.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. (2nd left), President of Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Otis Anyaeji (2nd right),Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Ifedayo Akintunde (right), and Past President Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Alade Ajibola (left), at Ibadan Airport on Wednesday 27/01/2016.