Photos of the Governor of Osun and Coordinator for the South-West, Buhari/Osinbajo Campaigns Organisation, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola being presented with a copy of the book The GMB Phenomenon by the author, Mr. Aderemi Idowu, a London-based Housing expert and former Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the ACN in the United Kingdom at the Office of the Governor, Osogbo, Osun last Thursday.

Osun state government, yesterday announced the expulsion of five public schools’ students fingered as perpetrators of the crises that ravaged two neighbouring schools in Osogbo.
The schools, Osogbo High School, and Government Technical College, both located few meters away from each other, along Osogbo/ Iwo road, in Osogbo, had in February, engaged each other in deadly clashes, forcing the government to close the schools.
The government, according to a release signed by the permanent secretary, Osun state Ministry of Education, Mr. Lawrence Oyeniran, and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, arrived at the decision after a careful consideration of the cases that involved the two schools.
It also claimed that it considered the final year students of schools, who are scheduled to sit for the year 2015, May/June, West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, and year 2015 NABTEB, respectively.
It added, that it took cognisance of the need to enforce discipline among the students and maintain peace in the schools, before arriving at the decision to expel the students.
The statement further stated that, parents of returning students and the students themselves are to sign undertakings as stipulated by the government and should mandatorily attend a meeting with the management of both Schools on Monday, 9th March, 2015 by 11:00a.m

The State of Osun House of Assembly has urged the owners of private schools operating in the state to improve the standard of teaching in line with the state government policies on education.
The Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam, made the call in Osogbo on Monday, when the Assembly received delegates of the state chapter of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS).
The Speaker noted that some private schools dropped the standard with which they operate after few years of operation.
He advised the proprietors to ensure clean and conducive environment for learning, stressing that teachers must be well-coordinated in dressing and morally, as the pupils learn from them.
According to him, the private schools owners have been assisting the government in providing jobs for the people, saying, the association needs encouragement from government to be able to do more.
“It is not everybody that the government can provide jobs for, but you are assisting government to put food on the table of some of those not captured by government.
“You must ensure that the environment of your schools are neat and ensure that the structure you use to house your pupils meet the required standard.
“The business of teaching must be done with keen interest, so that the required result could be gotten. That is the notion you must encourage your teachers to have.
“Unlike in the past, the policies of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration in the area of education have increased the enrolment into public schools. This is not meant to debar your progress, but because it is an assignment we must do.”
While calling for the continued support of the association for the state government, he assured that the House would look into issues on multiple taxation, fees charged for external examinations and other fees that affect the association.
Earlier, the President of NAPPS, Prince Wale Oyeniyi, appealed to the state parliament for reduction of taxes and other fees being paid by private schools owners.
OSUN DEFENDER

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has urged the military and other security agencies in the country not to allow themselves to be used to intimidate voters before, during and after the general elections.
The governor made the call during a courtesy visit to him by the General Officer Commanding II Mechanised Division, Ibadan, Major General Sanusi Muazu, in Osogbo on Monday.
Aregbesola noted that the traditional role of the military was to protect the territorial integrity of the country and ensure an atmosphere where democracy must thrive.
The governor added that military and other security institutions must ensure that they were not used to harass civilians during the elections as it was done in Osun State during the last August 9 governorship election.
‎He said: “It is a great misnomer and misuse of the military and tax payers’ resources for military and other security agents to be deployed during elections as instruments to harass and intimidate the citizens’ freedom and liberty, and bully them for partisan and selfish interest of gaining electoral advantage.
“During the last governorship election here, security agencies were unprofessionally utilised to harass, intimidate and oppress the people whose taxes were used to pay their salaries.
“Our victory is due to the steadfastness and resolute determination of our people to assert and defend their rights. Some security agents in connivance with the opposition did all they could in a most desperate manner to steal the people’s mandate.
“Security agents wore the same identical hand band to carry out their acts but the popular wish of the people prevailed.”
Governor Aregbesola urged Major General Muazu and other security personnel not to tolerate any instruction or order that would compromise their professionalism during the forthcoming general elections. Speaking earlier, Muazu assured the governor that military would not intimidate or harass the electorate during the March and April elections.
SUNNEWS ONLINE

Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday described Pastor Enoch Adeboye as a detribalised Nigerian, who champions truth and peace in the country.

The governor disclosed this in a statement signed by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, on the occasion of the 73rd birthday of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Aregbesola said the clergy has lived a truly inspiring life dedicated to service in the vineyard of the Lord worthy of emulation by all, especially as the country approaches the next general elections and at all times.
The statement reads: “We want to use this occasion of Pa Adeboye’s 73rd birthday to remind Nigerians that he symbolises peace and truth and that he has lived a truly inspiring life of dedicated service in the vineyard of the Lord.
“As the country is about entering another period of elections, we need him and other God-fearing men in our country to seek the face of the Lord for the success of the forthcoming elections and also offer spiritual support to the nation’s leadership at all levels.”
While enjoining Nigerians to pray for long life for the clergy so that he would continue to wax stronger in the vineyard of the Lord, the governor also prayed to the Almighty God to grant Adeboye long life and the grace to continue to do that which will benefit Nigeria and the world at large

All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Osun State House Assembly from the Obokun State Constituency, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has observed that creation of additional local government development areas in Osun State will accelerate growth and development.
Oyintiloye, who commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the decision to create additional local government development areas in the state, described the action taken so far as a giant step towards grassroots development. According to him, “Aregbesola’s commitment to create more local government is a giant step towards grassroots development.
Oyinlola spoke of his participation in the referendum conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) at Isale-Alfa Unit 9, Ward 1, Obokun Local Government Area of the state, being part of the constitutional provision for the creation of new councils.
He noted that the initiative of the Governor as well as the exercise would deepen good governance.
The Governor had presented a bill to the state House of Assembly for the creation of additional 27 local government areas.
Oyintiloye also lauded the state legislature for supporting the Governor to achieve his course by directing the commission to conduct the referendum in compliance with the Constitution.
According to him, the referendum conducted by OSSIEC has shown that the government is actually serious about the creation of new councils, and committed to meet all legal, technical and constitutional procedure for the exercise.
Describing local government as the closest government to the people at the grassroots, he said the creation of new councils would further bring development closer to the people.
DAILY INDPENDENT

Afenifere Deputy Leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi yesterday said that the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term by a section of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, was a ruse, adding that Yoruba will not vote for an incompetent leader.
The Second Republic senator lamented that his colleagues, including Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Sir Olaniwun Ajayi and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, spearheaded the endorsement without sparing a  thought for the future.
He said the foremost Awoists, who have called on the Southwest to support the President, have mocked their antecedent and rich history of struggle for a better Nigeria, adding that they are not leaving behind worthy legacies.
Fasanmi spoke with our correspondent on phone on the endorsement, the general elections and issues that will shape the contest. He said a glorious dawn was imminent, urging Nigerians to gird their loins.
Fasanmi, who was the President of the Action Group (AG) Youth Association in the 1960s, lamented that his colleagues and disciples of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, have derailed by supporting an inept government.
He said: “The purported endorsement is unfortunate, illogical, embarrassing, and misleading. It is confusing. It is artificial. It is not profound. Thy are my colleagues in the days of the Action Group Youth Association. What legacy do we want to hand over to the next generation? When you are endorsing an incompetent person, a government of rot, a government that has failed, it is worrisome. I am dejected.
“This is the lent season. I am praying for my colleagues, my party and Nigeria. My prayer is that Gen. Buhari will win. Our leader, Awolowo, predicted that the progressives will come together. This is the time. Buhari is a disciplined Person. He is incorruptible. He is fit to rule this country. he is a better person.”
Fasanmi challenged the Afenifere chieftains to list the achievements of President Jonathan in the Southwest that could warrant their endorsement of his candidature.
He said the Federal Government has marginalised the region in the distribution of appointments and amenities, wondering why the Afenifere chieftains are rooting for his second term.
Fasanmi described the promise by the President to implement the National Conference Report as a fallacy, stressing that the report will be considered by the National Assembly before any action can be taken.
He added: “They said that they are supporting Jonathan because he has promised to implement the National Conference report. Jonathan cannot implement it. It must go to the National Assembly. When Gen. Buhari wins, APC legislators in the National Assembly will do the job.
“Under Gen. Buhari, Nigeria will witness that glorious dawn predicted by the late chief Awolowo. There will be a dawn of the new era. They are attacking Buhari. But, Buhari is a disciplined and incorruptible person.  Buhari is not a soldier again. He is now a democrat. He has demonstrated it. On three occasions, he lost the presidential elections and he went to court. He is a different person. Awo will never support ineptitude like my colleague are doing. But, Yoruba will not heed their call to support Jonathan.”
Fasanmi warned against further postponement of the general elections, saying that it could lead to a crisis of monumental proportion.
He added: “The people are ready for the elections. But, they are dragging their feet. They are postponing the doomsday. This government has failed. It cannot restore insecurity. It cannot curb corruption. It cannot provide employment. And they want a second term. It is very unfortunate.”
THE NATION

The Nigerian Army has pledged not to intimidate or harass genuine voters during the March 28 and April 11 general elections.
This assurance was given by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division, Ibadan, Major-General Sanusi Muazu during a courtesy call on the governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in Osogbo.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Tuesday by the media aide to the governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon.
The statement quotes the GOC as saying that, “the military will not in any way intimidate or harass the electorate during the March and April elections.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that security is provided. We cannot do otherwise than to protect civilians. It is the taxpayers’ money that we depend on. We will do everything to make sure that lives and property are well protected.
“It is a familiar terrain that we are in, I have served ‎in the region in various capacities and I can as well charge the people of Osun to sleep with their two eyes closed because the election will be free, fair and credible with the provision of adequate security.”
Responding, the governor was quoted to have called on the military and other security agencies to guard against allowing themselves to be used to intimidate the electorate or to subvert the will of the people, advising soldiers and other security agents not to obey any instruction or order that will compromise their professionalism during the forth-coming general elections.
The governor said: “It is a great misnomer and misuse of the military and tax payers’ resources for military and other security agents to be deployed during elections as instruments in harassing and intimidating the citizens’ freedom and liberty, and bully them for partisan and selfish interest of gaining electoral advantage.
‎”During the last governorship election here, security agencies were unprofessionally utilised to harass, intimidate and oppress the people whose taxes were used to pay their salaries.‎
DAILY POST

Pictures of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,  decorating the General Officer Commanding of the 2nd Mechanise Division of Nigeria Army, Ibadan, Major General Sanisi Nasir Muazu, during his working visit to the Governor in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 02-03-2015

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; General Officer
Commanding of the 2nd Mechanise Division of Nigeria Army, Ibadan,
Major General Sanisi Nasir Muazu, and Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi
Laoye-Tomori, during the GOC working visit to the Governor in Osogbo,
State of Osun on Monday 02-03-2015

From left, Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Mts Titi Laoye-Tomori;
Governor Rauf Aregbesola,; General Officer Commanding of the 2nd
Mechanise Division of Nigeria Army, Ibadan, Major General Sanisi Nasir
Muazu; Head of service, Mr Sunday Owoeye; Executive Secretary,
Odo-Otin Local Government, Mr. Tope Adejumo; Col.FJN Uwabujo; Deputy
Chief of Staff Administration, ColJude Chukwuemeka Ogbona and AH
Ibrahim, during GOC working visit to the Governor in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 02-03-2015

As the March 28 and April 11 general elections inch in, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has called on the military and other security agencies in the country not to allow themselves to be used in intimidating voters, before, during and after elections.

The governor gave this advice during a courtesy ‎call on him by the General Officer Commanding II Mechanised Division, Ibadan, Major-General Sanusi Muazu at the Government House in Osogbo on Monday evening.

‎Aregbesola noted that the traditional role of the military is the protection of territorial integrity of the country and ensuring an atmosphere where democracy must thrive.

The governor added that military and other security institutions must ensure that were not used to harass civilians during the elections as it was done in Osun during the last August 9 governorship election.

‎He said, “It is a great misnomer and misuse of the military and tax payers’ resources for military and other security agents to be

deployed during elections as instruments in harassing and intimidating the citizens’ freedom and liberty, and bully them for partisan and selfish interest  of gaining electoral advantage.

‎”During the last governorship election here, security agencies were unprofessionally utilised to harass, intimidate and oppress the people whose taxes were used to pay their salaries.‎

“Our victory is due to the steadfastness and resolute determination of our people to assert and defend their rights.

“Some security agents in connivance with the opposition obviously did all they could in a most desperate manner to steal the people’s mandate.

“Security agents wore the same identical hand band to carry out their acts but the popular wish of the people prevailed”. The governor told the G O C and his entourage.

He charged the G.O.C and other security personnel not to tolerate any instruction or order that will compromise their professionalism during the forth-coming general elections.

Speaking earlier, Major-General Muazu assured the governor that military will not, at all levels, not in any way intimidate or harass the electorate during the March and April elections.

He held that people under the coverage area which include Osun should sleep with their two eyes closed before, during and after the elections, noting that the military will provide the necessary support for other security agencies.

He said, “We Will erything possible to ensure that security is provided. we cannot do otherwise than to protect civilians. It is the taxpayers money that we depend on. We will do everything to make sure that lives and property are well protected.

“It is a familiar terrain that we are in, I have served  ‎in the region in various capacities, I can as well charge the people of Osun to sleep with their two eyes closed because the election will be free, fair and credible with the provision of adequate security”. he stressed.