SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OSUN, OGBENI RAUF AREGBESOLA, AT THE SPECIAL INDEPENDENCE DAY SERVICE OF THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COUNCIL, HELD AT ALL SAINTS CATHEDRAL, BALOGUN AGORO, OSOGBO, ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2015
 
Protocols,
It gives me great pleasure to be at this Special Independence Day Service, a national independence thanksgiving. I must therefore thank the National Christian Council (NCC) for the invitation to be part of this special occasion.
Let me also specially thank all the Christians that have supported us, especially the Church of Nigeria, the Anglican Communion, for their unflinching support for our administration, through thick and thin and for living out the biblical creed that enjoins Christians to pray for leaders and those in authority. That we are still in office today is due partly to your prayers and support. God will stand by you at all times, especially in your days of adversity.
It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord for all things. It is more important even for us as a nation. It is always easy for an individual, group or even a nation to take the goodness of the Lord for granted after some time of comfort. This is why God instituted the Feast of Passover, an annual reminder to the children of Israel for the great deliverance they received when He took them out of the clutches of Pharaoh in Egypt. These people were under the yoke of oppression for 400 years but God took them out with a mighty hand.
There is a similarity between this story and our nation, Nigeria. We were also under the yoke of British imperialism for more than 100 years. But God in his infinite mercies, working through our founding fathers, especially the nationalists, gave us independence in 1960. Though we celebrate Independence every year, we appear to have forgotten what God did for us as our other actions do not glorify God and we have since refused to move forward as a nation. Since 1960, we seem to be moving in circles and at every turn, it always look like we need a new independence.
Our experience in the most recent past will drive home the point. We were under the yoke of internal colonialism. A few people cornered the resources of the nation and plundered it to their satisfaction. While these few people were having their heart’s fill, the rest of the country was groaning as the nation tottered on the brink of disintegration. States could no longer pay salaries while insecurity and violence were the order of the day. As usual, we called on God and He answered us and gave us President Muhammadu Buhari. I do not need to make a case for him. We are living witnesses of how he has restored order and things are changing for good. Fuel scarcity has disappeared. Even states are paying workers now. Our country is getting the respect of the world again.
What we have received is a new opportunity to resume our journey to greatness. We must therefore guard our independence jealously and with the fear of God. We must resolutely say ‘never again’ will we find ourselves in the grip of such evil people that will take us back to the brink again.
As believers, we must live out the creed of our faith, the most important of which is love. The essence of religion is to make the believer a better person. Many of us regrettably are still living our old life of sin – hate, unrighteousness, greed, immorality and idolatry.
This independence is another opportunity to reconnect to our faith and rededicate our lives to God, love our neighbours like ourselves, eschew violence, embrace peace and be generous of spirit and our substance.
Let me once again thank the Christian Council of Nigeria for inviting me to be here and for the support and understanding I have received from Christians since our administration came into being in November 2010. I wish you all happy independence celebration and fruitful thanksgiving. May our sacrifice be acceptable unto God and may He answer our prayers. Amen.
I thank you all for your kind attention.
Osun a dara!
 
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
Governor, State of Osun

Pictures of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase; Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at Government House, Osogbo State of Osun, on Monday 28/092015.

From left-Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase; Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at Government House, Osogbo State of Osun, on Monday 28/092015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Araegbesola (2nd right); his deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase (3rd left); Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Kalafite Helen Adeyemi (2nd left) and Commissioner of Police (CP), Kola Sodipo, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Government house, Osogbo State of Osun, on Monday 28/092015.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (2nd left); his deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase (left), Former Osun Governor, Senator Isiaka Adeleke (4th left),State Chairman Police Community Relations Committee (CPRC), Comrade Amitolu Shittu (3rd right), Zonal Chairman Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Otunba Femi Arowosola (2nd right) and the State Public Relation Officer of the CPRC, Engr. Adeniran Ibitoye, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, at the Government House, Osogbo State of Osun, on Monday 28/092015.

…..as IGP commends Osun for supporting Police

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday said the challenge of insurgency and kidnapping can be overcome in Nigeria if there is an effective synergy between the Nigeria Police and the Department of the State Security Service (DSS).

The governor stated this when the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House‎ in Osogbo.

This was even as the IGP commended Governor Aregbesola for his giant strides of transforming Osun in the last five years of assumption as the Governor of the state.

Aregbesola noted that the two security agencies of government must work symbiotically for the interest of Nigeria’s democracy, saying that civilisation is possible only on the basis of security.

He added that the synergy needed by the agencies must be effective to penetrate the ranks of insurgents and kidnappers thus bringing their activities to a halt in the country.

According to him, “The Police and the DSS must synergise, they must share intelligence because perpetrators of kidnapping and people who carry out the act of insurgency are human beings. With adequate intelligence, it will be easier to penetrate their ranks and liquidate whatever evil plan they have before the carry it out.

“I am appealing to the two agencies who are today Federal Government agencies to realise the need for the two of them working together in the interest of effective maintenance of peace and order, particularly on the issue of kidnapping which is assuming a frightening dimension.

“If their acts have been nipped in the bud at their nascent stages, we would not have the monstrous expression of them as we see now. So please, I plead for the two civil security agents that are vital for the maturation of our democracy,” Aregbesola advised.

The governor however used the occasion to call on the Inspector General of Police to provide an additional six Area Commands of police in the Federal Constituency in the state to make nine Police Area Commands.

“We are happy that our administration has brought better atmosphere of peace, we will improve on the ambience of peace and security, we are working towards total eradication of crime in our state.

“The IGP can still help us in the discharge of responsibility of police by providing Area Commands in each of our Federal constituencies, just nine, we have three now, Osun needs nine, why am I requesting for nine when threat to peace are limited?

“We are requesting in conscious ‎awareness of the overworking of your men here. They are over stretched.” The governor told the IGP.

He called Nigerians to see the Police as their friend, saying that under the leadership, police exist for them to go about their daily activities and well-being.

Speaking earlier, IGP Solomon Arase lauded Aregbesola for his appreciation of the ‎police by providing them with equipment that will make the discharge of their duties effectively.

The IGP said he will do everything at his disposal to ensure that men of the Nigeria Police Force respect the fundamental rights of Nigerians‎, adding that the police under his watch will be civilised in the way they deal with civilians.

He called on traditional rulers in the state to assist police in its work as the space is bigger for the police alone, saying Community policing is added form of Police.

The IGP said, “My coming to Osun today is to conduct two or three functions, one, to congratulate you on the giant strides you are making in developing Osun, two, to say thank you to you for the assistance you are giving to the state police command.

“The Police are men who put out their lives for the peace of the country, they operate in an hostile environment yet they are not appreciated, I thank you for appreciating them. , also I have come to Osun for the passing out of unit commanders in Ila Orangun,” he said.

Despite the financial constraint of the Osun State government, it has expressed its commitment to fulfil its obligation to the contributory pension scheme by remitting all dues as soon as funds are available.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola made the pledge while issuing out N1.47billion bond certificates to 188 retirees in the Primary school and Local Government under the Contributory Pension Scheme in the state.
While presenting the certificates to the beneficiaries of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) at a programme held at Local Government Service Commission Multipurpose Hall, Governor Aregbesola who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr Sunday Owoeye assured that better days are on the way for the pensioners in the state.
The beneficiaries are the second batch who received the bonds certificate under the Contributory Pension Scheme. The state government had earlier given out N593million bond certificates in December 2014 under the first batch of the scheme.
His words: “we shall fulfill our obligations to contributory pension scheme by remitting all dues as soon as funds are available to us”.
“We regard our pensioners as senior citizens whose welfare is paramount to us. If we can set up ‘Agba Osun’ to take care of our elderly, why won’t we take care of our retirees?, the governor stated.
He however debunked accusation by some retirees that the government had diverted the bail out funds, saying “it is unfortunate the attempt by a very tiny section of the retirees to politicize their own affairs and thereby play into the hands of the opposition.
The governor also noted that his administration has increased the monthly pension from 200 million naira in 2010 to 520 million naira in 2013, adding “though we had started lagging behind in 2014 on pension payment, we still committed a total of #4.9 billion to pensions.
He stressed that his administration has implemented 140 per cent increase in pension, promising that efforts are on to implement the upgrading of all pensioners earning below #10,000 as soon as the finances of the state are buoyant.
Earlier in his welcome address, the permanent secretary, Bureau of Local Government Staff Pension, Mr Kayode Aliu Afolabi, noted that the Contributory Pension Scheme since commencement in Osun in 2010, has witnessed some positive developments.
He said, “Osun is not only among the few states in the federation that have fully implemented the CPS, it is actually the second in the South West geo-political zone to have done so.
He however urged the beneficiaries to make use of knowledge acquired during the pre-retirement workshop organised for them.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Dr Busirat Ogundipe, expressed appreciation to Governor Aregbesola for fulfilling his promise, urging the governor not to be deterred by the opposition’s allegations.
LEADERSHIP

Osun State Government has warned the residents of the state of possibility of flooding in the state, admonishing them to desist from dumping refuse inside gutters and water channels throughout the state.
A statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Olusegun Aduroja, said that the prediction was based on information got from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency on the possibility of heavy rainfall.
“The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has predicted that due to excessive rainfall during this raining season, there is the possibility of flooding in the state,” he stated.
The Permanent Secretary stated further that both the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency and the counterpart in the state, the State Emergency Management Agency, have reinforced the warning.
The Permsec stressed that in order to prevent flood disaster, the people of the state should heed the warning noting that to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed.
The statement also called on Osun Waste Management Agency to redouble its efforts in waste clearing and management.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

…Bags UNILAG Law students award of Excellence

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said that the myriad of awards and accolades that Osun has received under his watch will continue to be a motivation for him to leave behind a good legacy of a modern, developed and prosperous state.

Aregbesola, according to a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, spoke in Lagos while receiving an award from the Law society of the University of Lagos over the weekend at the Eko Hotel, Lagos.

In the governor’s speech titled “Strictly for those that can see” ‎Aregbesola was quoted as noting that he will be focused  and determined at all times not minding detractors to leave behind a far better state than what he inherited.

He pointed out that he is encouraged with the various laurels that had come to the state in recent past recognising the developmental projects his administration has brought to Osun.

Aregbesola while recounting his various developmental projects said his administration when it came on board commenced the building of new state-of-the art 100 Elementary Schools, 50 Middles Schools and 20 High Schools.

He added that his administration introduced the revolutionary Opon Imo which contains all the recommended textbooks for all subjects examined by WAEC, NECO and JAMB.

Aregbesola noted the present administration has rehabilitated all the hospitals in the state, stocked them with drugs and made the provision of qualitative healthcare free in the state, as part of the human development programme.

According to him, “You have decided to honour me, in your own words, on the basis of my achievements in office, considering the infrastructural development I have put in place in the State of Osun; and you have also considered how I have managed the economy of the state, making me to be worthy of emulation.

“I am honoured by your kind words. For considering me worthy of your honour, God will honour you too. I am particularly struck by your observation of the infrastructure development our administration has carried out in Osun.

“Before our coming, Osun could be rightly described as backward. Development is often measured by the quality of human development in terms of education, health, standard of living of the people and the built environment, among others.

‎”In our first 100 days, we engaged 20,000 youths in the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) and doubled the figure after two years. For this reason, the Federal Office of Statistics recorded Osun as having the least unemployment figure in the country.

“There is a linkage between roads and our health. Bad roads cause accidents and travelling on bad roads makes one sick. Bad roads also hinder physical interaction between people. Our road development plan is ambitiously unprecedented in the history of the state. It covers township roads, intra and inter-city roads, as well as inter-state roads,” The governor told the gathering.

Aregbesola revealed that the extent of his commitment to changing the face of Osun through the construction of modern road networks can be seen in the huge amount of road construction going on simultaneously all over the state.

‎He pointed out that a total of 21 township roads were constructed and rehabilitated in Osogbo, 13 township roads in Ede and 15 inner township roads constructed and commissioned in Ilesa.

The governor added that 79 kilometres of intra-city roads were constructed and rehabilitated In addition to 20 other roads traversing the cities, and covering a total of 294.27 kilometres in the different Federal Constituencies among other several kilometre of roads in the state

He said, “I can continue with our achievements. These are just a fraction of what we have done with our little resources. I also do not wish to impress you. I am only stating the facts to confirm your observation, and the basis of which you are giving me this award.

“We have some challenges recently, which is not unique to us, but our traducers, working with a section of the media, has painted a doomsday scenario in Osun. Far from it.

 “We have prudently managed the state’s resources, denying political functionaries and my aides their statutory entitlements, as our own sacrifice in the development of our state,” he stressed.

The Osun State House of Assembly has warned that no Ministry, Department and Agency (MDAs), as well as officials of government would be spared in its efforts at strengthening the system to ensure that the people get the best from their commonwealth.
It said it would go deeper and be more critical beyond its usual supervision to ensure effectiveness in the governance of the state.
The Assembly Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam dropped the hint while receiving the former Governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola who visited him for Ileya festival celebration.
“Of recent, we have been beaming our searchlight on the activities of some specific agencies of government and even contractors because we have to step up to further enhance the performance of this government.
“We are ever ready to be more critical and go deeper. It does not mean that we want to witchunt anybody, but to ensure that everyone secure the best in terms of raising the profiles of the masses and ensuring that financial appropriation served its purpose.
“Whether you are a contractor, a worker or even political office holders, everyone must be put on his or her toes.
“No MDA or government official would be spared in this operation. We want to scale up our supervision,” Salaam said.
He said that Assembly would not approve the budget of any MDA without convincing the parliament about the performance of its last budget, especially in the area of revenue generation.
The Speaker who used the avenue to address the issue surrounding the delay in the formation of standing committees of the House said, it would not in any way affect the oversight function of the House on the executive.
He said the Assembly was only taking its time to have better hands at various committees to be able to deliver effectively.
“There is the need to understudy ourselves and see how we can make use of the potentials in the new members and put each of them at the appropriate committee where they can perform optimally,” he said.
Salaam then lauded Prince Oyinlola for the visit, saying, the gesture was a demonstration of a good leadership.
Earlier, Oyinlola had commended the parliament for playing its role towards the development of the state.
He appealed to every stakeholder, especially workers to come out new to serve the state diligently, saying, “this state belong to all of us and its survival depends on what we do today that would be the reflection of what happens tomorrow.
“In as much as we want our state to survive, we should come with the mind to serve diligently”.

‎The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has described Senator Ayo Fasanmi as an elder statesman and politician whose high moral and loyalty to the progressive course is worthy of emulation by all progressive politicians.‎

In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, Governor Aregbesola congratulated Pa Fasanmi, on his  90th birthday.

He said Pa Fasanmi has demonstrated an astounding trait of progressivism for over half a century of his political career.

The governor added that Pa (Senator) Ayo Fasanmi has been fearless in his fight for a just society and return of military to the barracks.

‎

He said: “Pa Fasanmi is a role model of any progressive politician, his devotion to integrity of character and loyalty to the progressive course are rare in a country like Nigeria where ethical and moral values have almost totally collapsed.‎

‎

“Senator Ayo Fasanmi at the age of 90 has a fantastic record of not shifting grounds in his loyalty to democratic values, freedom and justice, which had, continued to be the guiding principle of his political career and participation spanning over half a century.

“Unlike most politicians that we now have in the country whose stock in trade is moving from one party to another and lacking a consistent focus, Pa Fasanmi has been consistent in the way he practises politics from the era of Chief Obafemi Awolowo with the belief that the lot of the masses must be better.

“On behalf of my family, good people of Osun and all Yoruba Nation, I pray that God Almighty will grant Pa. Fasanmi many more years in health and happiness”. Aregbesola stated

Osun indigenes and non indegenes boarding the free train transportation provided by Aregbesola’s Administration to Lagos and environ after the celebration of Eid-Il-Kabir Festival, at the Osogbo Railway Terminus on Sunday 27-09-2015

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Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has sent heartfelt condolence to the families of those who lost their lives in Saudi Arabia as a result of stampede during the performance of hajj rites on Thursday.

Aregbesola, in a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, described the incident in Mina near Makkah  as unfortunate but one that happened according to the will of God who must be praised forever.

In the statement the government of Osun said it has established contact with the Osun delegation in Saudi Arabia, which confirmed that no single pilgrim from the state was among those who lost their lives.

Accordingly, he assured the families of the pilgrims from the state to be calm as their people, all pilgrims from Osun, are alive and in good condition.

The statement said: “This incident is very unfortunate.

“Information at our disposal is that even though the nationals of many countries were affected, including  Nigerians, no pilgrims from Osun is affected.

“We have contacted the Osun delegation in Saudi Arabia and confirmed that all our pilgrims are in good condition.

“This message of assurance is germane to allay the fears of the good people of our state.

“We urge families of these pilgrims at home to be informed that their people were not affected by the unfortunate incident.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to the states whose indigenes are affected.

“Our sympathy also goes to the families of the affected pilgrims.”

“We also commiserate with the entire Muslim Ummah across the world and pray that Allah gives the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.”

“Government and the entire people of Osun pray that Allah reposes the souls of the dead in Aljana Firdaus.”

” From God we come, to Him shall we return”.