A prominent Ibadan-based businessman, Alhaji Dawud Akinola, was on Saturday installed as the new Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, to succeed the former title holder, the late Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao, who died on June 17, 2014.
The certificate was presented by Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, while the turbaning was carried out by the representative of the President-General, of NSCIA in conjunction with the President-General, League of Imams and Alfas.
Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Al-Ilory, the Rector of Agege, Lagos-based MORCAZ, in a sermon, said that the assignment of the Aare Musulumi was a great one that required devotion and absolute commitment.
The Islamic scholar urged the new Aare Musulmi to be committed to the task ahead of him and lead by example at all times, by emulating the great leadership style of his predecessors.
Former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, who was the Chairman of the occasion, praised the late Mr. Arisekola-Alao, saying he was wealthy, humble and very generous in his life time.
Represented by Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, also urged the new Aare to emulate the leadership style of Arisekola-Alao, whom he said devoted all he had to the upliftment of Islam and humanity.
The Governor, in his own personal remarks, urged Muslims to establish schools where children could learn morals, and vocations to cope with the challenges of life, and implored Akinola to prepare for greater challenges as the new Aare.
“Arisekola-Alao was a rare breed whose leadership acumen and generosity transcended Yorubaland.
“Anytime I look at the man to be turbaned today, I pity him because he would have to devote all he has to justify his new leadership status,’’ he said.
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), represented by Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, NSCIA Secretary-General, said the new position was to rally the Imams for the development of Islam, and urged Akinola to see his new position as an opportunity to lift Islam to greater heights.
The Sultan stressed the need for the teaching of religious studies from the primary school level to secondary school, saying lack of this had bred indiscipline.
The new Aare Musulmi, in his acceptance speech, pledged to serve in the new capacity with all he was endowed with by God and would never let the people down, and promised to work in harmony with all Islamic title holders to improve on the legacy left behind by the late Arisekola-Alao during his life time.
Akinola also solicited the cooperation of all Islamic organisations as well as the Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria in fostering unity among the faithful.
Among the prominent dignitaries who graced the occasion were Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, his Osun counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, and Michael Adeyemo, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Others were Alhaja Aminat Abiodun, the Iyalode of Ibadanland, Yekini Adeojo, Sheikh Jamiu Bello, President-General, League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States and Adebayo Adelabu, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Seyi Makinde, Sheikh Muyideen Bello, as well as politicians and Islamic clerics from all over Nigeria.

In the MOU, Osun State is willing to partner with JIL farms and Equipment Limited to develop a 1,500 hectare ranch under the O-BEEF and O-REAP programme for the breeding and development of 2,500 foundation breeding cattle herd, which will include the Tuli and Boran species
 
The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described the notion that Osun State is a civil servants state as a misnomer that must be resisted by all well-meaning indigenes.
The Governor, while signing a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the state government and an America-based equipment leasing and beef rearing company, stated that Osun State is an agrarian state.
In the MOU, Osun State is willing to partner with JIL farms and Equipment Limited to develop a 1,500 hectare ranch under the O-BEEF and O-REAP programme for the breeding and development of 2,500 foundation breeding cattle herd, which will include the Tuli and Boran species.
JIL Farms possesses the ability to finance, operate and maintain the agricultural land into ranches and farmland in such a manner as to maintain the infrastructure and develop additional farmlands for production of livestock and crops.
The partnership will develop a 10,000-head capacity feedlot centre; construct a feed mill for processed grains, a meat processing plant, and a packing plant for vegetables; develop a youth training centre, a livestock and farming out-grower scheme; and a retreat centre for seminars and trainings.
Aregbesola noted that it will be foolhardy for‎ anybody to believe that Osun State will survive with what it receives monthly from the Federal Allocation, which at its best ever was N5 billion, saying what has been sustaining the state is agriculture.
According to Aregbesola: “Although I am no longer excited by signing of MOU because most of it are impressive, most of it are just ceremonies without action thereafter, but with the commitment and drive with which you have shown, I look forward to a better days ahead.
“I am very hopeful of a fantastic result from this collaboration, I have confidence in what the supervisory legal department and our own have done. I hope that activities will commence by January, we will put the resources of the state behind this. I look forward to a celebration of a successful venture.”
Aregbesola enjoined the state Ministry of Agriculture to support the present administration in its effort to make the state realize its potentials as an agrarian state.
The Governor held that the time has come for everybody in the state to turn to agriculture, adding that with the development of agriculture and farming, there will be plenty in the land.
Earlier, the Director JIL equipment leasing and beef rearing Company, Dr. Jenny Caringham, pointed out that his company will bring change into livestock farming in Osun State.
Caringham added that the team will also be going into total agriculture with the latest available technologies that will in no distant time improve employment opportunity for youths in the state.
Caringham commended Aregbesola for taking to agriculture for the development of the state, stressing that his team will give everything it takes to improve abattoirs and beef production in Osun State.
He assured of visibility of the project within 30 days of its commencement of operation in Osun State and that by the end of the first quarter of 2016, there will be a resort centre that will enhance tourism.
He said: “I want to use this occasion to thank the state for this opportunity.
“We will not let you down.
“By January, we will be here to start fully.
“We are not importing anything because we have everything in Nigeria.”
THE EAGLE

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has asked the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to increase its interventions in tertiary institutions in the state in order to complement the efforts of his administration.
According to him, the commitment of his administration to basic education in the state  to prepare a solid foundation ‎for the tertiary institutions has robbed the latter of government attention, hence the need for TetFUND to fill in the gap in order to balance the equation.
He said, “Our commitment to foundation education has robbed us off the commitment to higher institutions.”
‎Aregbesola stated these in Abuja at the weekend when he paid a courtesy call on the Executive Secretary of the Fund, Professor Suleiman Bogoro.
He said he came to seek a mutual relation with the Fund and also explore areas where his government and TETFund can work together.
‎
The governor said Osun State is the second state in the country with the highest number of tertiary institutions ‎noting that he came to the TETFund headquarters to be able to do more for the tertiary institutions.
He said “I came to seek a mutual relationship and exploit areas where his government and TETFund can work together. Knowledge is power, education is the greatest legacy, any society could leave to those who are going to take up the mantle of leadership. The best investment therefore is education. There can’t be any investment of greater value than education.
I want to thank  those who created TETFund, we thank the leadership of this country that thought it wise to create an education trust fund. I’m not here to complain, there’s no reason for it. I’m here therefore to do more for higher institutions in my state.
You would see me more often and I will not put any pressure on you. I will fraternize with you with the mind that my state will get the best from you and you will get the best from the investment.
“My state is probably second in terms of number of highest number of higher institutions in Nigeria. I proudly invite any appropriate head of department to come and survey what we are doing in education particularly the foundation education.
“We are remodeling and restructuring primary education the way no one has done in this country. The higher education is useless when the foundation is defective.
Our universities, colleges and polytechnics must impact on the society because we have peculiar needs. We are not collapsing institutions. We are simply rejigging institutions for them to be more useful‎.”
‎While responding, Executive Secretary of TETFund, Professor Suleiman Bogoro remarked that ‎the country has a lot to thank Osun state government for over the introduction of school feeding noting that the federal and state government must emulate the model.
“Foundation is where the future is. We can not achieve anything if the foundation is poor,” he said
He disclosed that the governor gave him at a closed door session they had,  specific requirements for his state saying ” we shall make sure we make contributions to add value to what the governor has been doing.
“Federal government and other states should learn from Osun state,” he added.
LEADERSHIP

Aregbesola’s Victory at  Election Petition Tribunal
The Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal headed by Justice Elizabeth Ipejime on 6th of February, 2015 declared, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of the August 2014 governorship election in the state.
Aregbesola  defeated Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyiola Omisore in a keenly contested election. Aregbesola defeated Omisore with a  margin of about 100,000 votes. Aregbesola scored 392, 284 votes to the 292, 742 ballots that Omisore got. Omisore  however decided to contest the results at the tribunal.
When Justice Elizabeth Ipejime read out her verdict both candidates were absent in court. The matter went through Appeal Court and Supreme Court where Aregbesola’s election was upheld.
Judge petition against Aregbesola
The Osun State House of Assembly on 5th August, 2015 dismissed the petition by Justice Folahanmi Oloyede seeking for the impeachment of the State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, following the recommendation of the 7-man ad-hoc committee set up to investigate the petition.
The lawmakers said that the petition should be dismissed because the petitioner abandoned her claims by refusing to appear before the ad-hoc committee to substantiate the various allegations levelled against the Governor and the Deputy Governor of Osun State in her petition.
On June 23, 2015, the Osun State House of Assembly received a petition from Justice Folahanmi Oloyede, urging the House to investigate Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Titi Laoye Tomori for misappropriation of state funds. Thereafter, the House constituted a 7-man ad-hoc committee with a mandate of two weeks to investigate the allegations levelled against the Governor.
Death of 50th Ooni Okunade Sijuwade
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubose II, is dead. He was 85 years old. The foremost Oba died in London at about 7:30pm on Sunday July 28th. The Ooni was rushed to London on Friday July 24, and was taken from Heathrow Airport in an Ambulance to the clinic where he passed on four days later.
New Ooni of Ife
During the year, the Osun State Government unveiled a new Ooni of Ife. He is Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, a 41-year old real estate magnate and prince from the Giesi Ruling House in the town. He became the 51st Ooni of Ife. The Secretary to the Osun State Government said the selection of the new Ooni followed the completion of all processes for the filling of the exalted stool.
Then Prince Ogunwusi was selected from 21 candidates presented by the Giesi ruling house for the exalted stool. The statement, made available to newsmen on October 26, 2015 said, “The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has approved the appointment of a new Ooni of Ife.
“He is Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of Giesi Ruling House of Ile-Ife, State of Osun. This choice follows the completion of the due process by the kingmakers and the communication of their decision to Government.” The announcement of a new traditional ruler for the ancient town came 89 days after the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade at a London clinic.
Ogunwusi receives crown
Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II on November, 24, 2015 was crowned with the traditional Ade-Are as the 51st Ooni to preside over the affairs of Ife Kingdom. The crowning confirmed him as substantive Ooni as against an Ooni-elect which he had been until his seclusion in Ilofi.
Oba Ogunwusi was presented with the crown by the custodians at a place called Oke-Ora located between Ile-Ife and Osu on Ilesa Road, Osun State. The monarch, who appeared in public for the first time after spending about 21 days in seclusion, was accompanied by indigenes of the town and members of Isoro cult.
New Oluwo appointed
The joy of indigenes and residents of Iwo land knew no bounds on Monday, 9th of November following the approval of the appointment of Prince Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi of the Gbaase ruling house of Iwo as the new Oluwo of Iwoland by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
The letter of appointment of the new monarch for Iwoland dated 9th of November, 2015 was signed by the Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Moshood Olalekan Adeoti.
Osun Names School After Soyinka
Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola on 23rd November, 2015 inaugurated the N750 million Wole Soyinka Government High School in Ejigbo, Osun State. The school is a 3,000-capacity complex with 72 classrooms of 49 square-metres, each capable of sitting 49 pupils. It has six offices for study groups.
It is equipped with six laboratories, 18 toilets for girls and 18 for boys, one science library, one arts library, facility manager’s office, a bookshop and a sick bay. Soyinka praised Aregbesola, saying he was elated that such honour was bestowed on him. He pledged to visit the school often to see how it was faring.
VANGUARD
 

The governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola yesterday disclosed that he had spent over #1.3billion on compensation to victims of structures separated to pave way for the dualization and expansion of roads in Osogbo, the state capital.
He made the disclosure at the presentation of another cheque of #302, 966 million to 127 victims of the yet to be separated structures along the ongoing dualization of Orita-Olaiya, Asubiaro, Isale Osun road in Osogbo.
Governor Aregbesola who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Grace Laoye-Tomori advised the claimants to use the disbursed money judiciously.
He allayed the fear of some people that the money was drawn from the money meant to pay workers salaries saying that the payment of compensation will not in anyway affect the payment of salaries.
Governor Aregbesola urged the claimants to erect structures that will add value to the ongoing urban renewal programme of his administration adding that he would want to see people make their environment beautiful.
One of the claimant, Mrs Afusat Aderibigbe expressed her appreciation to government for the prompt payment of compensation even before the separation exercise were carried out.
However, while beneficiaries of the compensation were receiving their cheques, a group of irate landlords affected by the construction of dualized Ayetoro road in Osogbo protested the delay in payment of compensation to them.
But Governor Aregbesola appealed to them with the assurance that they would soon be paid their compensation.
LEADERSHIP

Pictures of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori during the Payment of Compensation to the people affected by the reconstruction of Orita Olaiya, Asubiaro, Isale-Osun and Ita Olookan Road, Osogbo, at Laro-Timehin Middle School Isale Osun on Wednesday 16-12-2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, represented by his Deputy,
Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (2nd right); Former Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Architect Muyiwa Ige (left); the Ataoja of
Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun (2nd left) and wife of the Baale of
Isale-Osun, Chief
Saliu Moniade, during the Payment of Compensation to the people affected by the reconstruction of Orita Olaiya, Asubiaro, Isale-Osun and Ita Olookan Road, Osogbo, at Laro-Timehin Middle School Isale Osun on Wednesday 16-12-2015

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Represented by his Deputy,
Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (left) Presenting the Compensation Check to the Olori Baale Isale-Osun, Chief Saliu Moniade (2nd right). With them is the
Ataoja of Osogbo Land, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, during the Payment of Compensation to the
people affected by the Reconstruction of Orita Olaiya, Asubiaro,
Isale-Osun and Ita Olookan Road, Osogbo, at Laro-Timehin Middle School
Isale Osun on Wednesday
16-12-2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, represented by his Deputy,
Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, presenting the Compensation Check to Alhaja Fausat Salam, during the Payment of
Compensation to the people affected by the reconstruction of Orita Olaiya, Asubiaro, Isale-Osun and Ita Olookan Road, Osogbo, at Laro-Timehin Middle School Isale Osun on
Wednesday 16-12-2015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Represented by his Deputy,
Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, presenting the Compensation Check to Mr Busari Saheed, during the Payment of Compensation to the people affected by the Reconstruction of Orita Olaiya, Asubiaro, Isale-Osun and Ita Olookan Road, Osogbo By Ogbeni, at Laro-Timehin Middle School Isale Osun on
Wednesday 16-12-2015.

Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salaam, has again echoed the need for the people of Osun State to tighten their belts and get themselves prepared for a tough time as we enter year 2016.
The speaker in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Mr. Goke Butika, asserted that if all protocols and running of government were removed, each person of the three million population of Osun State would be entitled to N50,000 for food, shelter, upkeep and other demands of life for a period of 12 months.
He said, “We have received the financial estimate for the 2016 fiscal year from Governor Rauf Aregbesola, but the picture does not suggest we are out of the woods yet, and the trickle-down effect of mindless looting of the immediate past administration at the national stage is hitting hard on all federating units called states, but with all hands on deck, hope is not lost”.
He then expressed optimism in the capacity of the Aregbesola-led administration to manoeuvre the financial situation in favour of the masses with modicum of justice for the elites, noting that the informal sector, agriculture and taxation would be turned to for rebooting the economy of the state.
He assured that the mid-term economic framework of the federal government would reflate the economy across the board.
The speaker, however, lauded the resolve of the governor in paying attention to the completion of the ongoing infrastructural drive, saying it was good news amidst looting, stealing and vandalism of the nation’s institutions, which had subjected the country to rot.
He then appealed to the people of the state to support the government for even distribution of resources.
 

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday submitted a N150.7 billion budget proposal to the House of Assembly.
The Permanent Secretary, Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Segun Olorunsogo, presented the budget on behalf of the governor.
The proposed budget size is 25.3 per cent less than the 2015 budget of N201.7 billion.
The draft had a recurrent expenditure of N82,744,396,580 representing 54.9 per cent and capital expenditure of N67,983,848,960.00, representing 45.1 per cent.
It has the recurrent revenue of N113,185,677,170 and capital receipt of N37,542,568,370.00.
The Deputy Speaker, Akintunde Adegboye, read the governor’s letter.
According to the letter, “The proposed budget reflected the economic realities of the state. The economic situation prevented the state from effective implementation of the 2015 budget.”
THE NATION

Alhaji Rilwan Hussein, the Head of Harmonised Vigilante Group in Osun, on Saturday assured residents of the state of adequate safety during and after the yuletide.
Hussein made the pledge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Ede, while speaking on the security of lives and property of the people during and after the yuletide.
He said that the group had deployed its men to all nooks and crannies of the town to complement efforts of the police in making the state safe for the residents during festivity.
The security expert explained that although the state was safe and calm, there could be people of criminal tendencies amongs visitors who would be visiting the state for celebration.
Hussein advised the people of the state to maintain high level of vigilance and cooperate with security agencies to make the celebration a memorable one.
He advocated for deeper synergy between his group and the police to sustain peace and tranquillity in the state.
“Our state is arguably the safest state in Nigeria, as a result of vigilance of the people and proactiveness of the security agencies.
“As a vigilance group, we are mobilising our men towards complementing the efforts of the police during the yuletide, to provide adequate security for the residents.
“We must sustain the peace and tranquillity we enjoy in the state, and keep a conscious watch on those that will be visiting the state for a hitch-free celebration. (NAN)

The Government of the state of Osun on Sunday said it will not relent on its various reforms until violence is completely rooted out of its public schools institutions.

It said part of the rots created by the long years of abandoned education sector in the state is that schools had become breeding grounds for gangsters rather than well-groomed individuals.

The government stated this in the wake of the reported reckless display of violence by some misguided pupils of two state-owned schools at the state capital Osogbo, last week.

In a statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, the government said ugly incidents such as which happened at the Anglican High School and Adele Middle School both in Osogbo were part of the ugly results of long years of neglect of the education sector, a development which created ample opportunities for irresponsible conducts of pupils.

The statement recalled that Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun had at the official unveiling of the first mega high school in the state, lamented what he called a deplorable situation in public education institutions which had constituted breach of the peace to the entire community in the past.

“Recall that when the government commissioned the Wole Soyinka Government High School, Ejigbo Governor Rauf Aregbesola made no  mistake admitting that the old school system and outlook encouraged pupils to behave almost like animals.

“What happened last week was just part of the remnants of the culture of violence inherited in our schools five years ago and which this administration has battled vigorously. It could have been worse. But the dogged pursuit of excellence in character molding and academic brilliance under the present administration in the education sector has stemmed the tide and we are not relenting until we stamp out the last instance of anti-social behaviour in our schools,” the statement noted

Listing the areas of interventions which are aimed at arresting the drift, the statement said a complete transformation of the learning environment and the general conditions of learning are the efforts of the government to ensure that products of public education institutions are individuals who become productive to the society and not those who terrorise the society.

The statement said construction of modern schools structures equipped fully with modern facilities, provision of attractive school uniforms, re-orientation of teachers and pupils, provision of modern learning tools such as e-learning tablets, Opon Imo, and other enviable projects of this administration are aimed at changing the behavioural patterns of the pupils and making them feel confident that they can compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.

Appealing to parents and guardians, the statement said members of the public must compliment the efforts of the government through adequate monitoring of their school children to avert bad company and shameful conducts.

The statement added, “While the government will not shy away from its responsibilities in giving the state an education sector that produces responsible citizens, parents have the task of monitoring their children before and after school hours to ensure that the grooming efforts of the government do not go in vain.”

The statement added that the government will be left with no option than allow the law to take its course against any pupil who strays into violence and other anti-social behaviours.

“We cannot afford to allow a few bad eggs to contaminate and corrupt the enviable and conducive learning environment we are striving hard to put in place in Osun as part of the enduring legacies of this government,” the government added.