The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to use the opportunity of the coming 2015 elections to win the confidence of Nigerians by conducting a free, fair and credible general election.
The governor admonished the electoral umpire not to be biased and fall short of the expectations of the teeming masses of the country who are looking forward to an election where the majority of votes will count.
Aregbesola, according to a press release by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, was quoted as stating this when he hosted the state outgoing INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, who paid him a farewell visit at the Government House in Osogbo.
He commended INEC on the conduct of the last governorship election in Osun despite all the forces against a free and fair election saying the commission stood its grounds by allowing the popular will of voters in the state.
Aregbesola held that the August 9 governorship election remains the best ever conducted by the commission, noting that it will be a credit to the commission if that feat is repeated in the 2015 general elections across Nigeria.
He also charged INEC to be above board in fulfilling its landmark promises to survive the antics of those who might want to subvert the democratic wishes of the people.
Aregbesola said, “In spite of everything, INEC has done its beat by bringing civility and honour to the conduct of the last August 9 governorship election in the state.
“The election that we had in Osun was about the best conducted by INEC not because we won, but because the process was seen to be free and fair by all parties.”
On the use of card readers for the conduct of the 2015 election, Aregbesola urged INEC not to renege on its promise of using the technology.
He said, “The deployment of the machine aside from making the election credible, will foil attempts by fraudulent people to clone the voters card. The card reader will bring credibility and ensure that the electoral wishes of Nigerians are not jeopardized.
“Our destiny as a people lies on how best we can mobilise and defend the common good of the people”. The governor noted.
Speaking earlier, the outgoing Commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju said his sojourn in the state had helped him in garnering life time experience and challenges.

He noted that it took the intervention of God and his forthrightness to have stayed on the job than expected due to attempt by some alleged desperate politicians who wanted to discredit at all cost.
“There was nothing that they did not say to make sure that our image and reputation were tarnished. But I thank God for his mercies. They alleged that I am a card-carrying member of a particular party.
“We thank God that at the end of the day, all their allegations were unfounded and false. We are happy that we have come and served meritoriously. We wish Osun the best among the committee of states, and long live Nigeria”. Ambassador Akeju said.

Photos of the Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola receiving a report compiled by labour on ways to improve the State Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) from the Chairman, Labour Committee on IGR, Comrade Francis Adetunji during the official presentation of the report at Governors’ office, Osogbo, State of Osun.

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) receiving a
Report Compiled by Labour on Ways to Improve the State Internal
Generated Revenue (IGR) from Chairman, Labour Committee on IGR,
Comrade Francis Adetunji (2nd right), during the Official Presentation
of the report at Governors’ Office, Osogbo, State of Osun. With them
are, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Osun Chapter, Comrade
Saka Adesiyan (left); Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) Osun
Chapter, Comrade Bayo Adejumo (3rd right) and others

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); his
Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (3rd left); Head of Service, Elder
Olayinka Owoeye (2nd left); Chairman, Labour Committee on Internal
Generated Revenue (IGR), Comrade Francis Adetunji (right); Chairman,
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Osun Chapter, Comrade Saka Adesiyan
(left); Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) Osun Chapter,
Comrade Bayo Adejumo (2nd right) and others, during the Official
Presentation of the Report Compiled by Labour on Ways to Improve the
State IGR at Governors’ Office, Osogbo, State of Osun

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (centre); his Deputy,
Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (4th left); Head of Service, Elder Olayinka
Owoeye (3rd left); Chairman, Labour Committee on Internal Generated
Revenue (IGR), Comrade Francis Adetunji (3rd right); Chairman, Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) Osun Chapter, Comrade Saka Adesiyan (2nd left);
Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) Osun Chapter, Comrade Bayo
Adejumo (4th right) and others, during the Official Presentation of
the Report Compiled by Labour on Ways to Improve the State IGR at
Governors’ Office, Osogbo, State of Osun

As from January 2015, the government of the State of Osun would no longer accept collection of cash for payment of fees, fines, charges and other forms of revenue collection in the state.

The state, according to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, has concluded all arrangements to go digital in the collection of its revenues and erase all avenues through which revenue officials come in contacts with raw cash.

Aregbesola, according to a statement by his Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, was quoted as dropping this hint when members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and representatives of all trade unions submitted a report of their efforts at seeking alternative sources of revenue for the state in the face of the dwindling revenues from the federation account.

“I must announce this to all of you that as from next month (January), no revenue official will be allowed to come in contact with cash again. This is because we have decided to go digital in our revenue collection. So, be it school fees, fines, charges, and all other forms of payment in obligations to the government by the citizens, no cash will be collected again,” Aregbesola told the representatives of the workers.

The governor, while explaining to the workers why his government has taken the bold step, said the government, at this critical time, must know what accrues to it and not only what is recorded by revenue collection officials.

Aregbesola had earlier described as patriotic, selfless and commendable, the initiative by the workers in the state to confront the dwindling resources of the state arising from the persistent meagre allocation from the Federal Government by, on their own volition, seeking fresh avenues of generating revenues to ensure economic survival of the state.

“I thank the entire workforce in the state for their sense of responsibility; for their exhibition of the Omoluabi ethos.

“I find it difficult to deprive any worker his or her income at the end of each month. So, for the workers to express their readiness to tolerate and absorb the delay in salary payment is the highest demonstration of understanding and patriotism. That sense of duty, patriotism and extreme sacrifice is appreciated.

 “We will study this report very seriously and intimately and come up with our own white paper of the actions of government such that at the end of the day, you will come to appreciate the deep consideration we shall give to your suggestions,” he was quoted as saying

Aregbesola regretted that the revenue crisis had created complications in the payment of salaries across the country saying, “Either at the federal or at the state level, where is it that are workers in this country are being paid as at when due?

“We thought this situation will not last long. That was why we used our strategic reserve to augment salaries for one year. All our savings were spent on augmentation of salaries. Our commitment to the welfare of workers is incomparable.”

Chairman of the NLC in the state, Comrade Saka Adesiyan, while explaining why the workers took the initiative, said it was more realistic for workers, having seen the true picture and bearing in mind the previous good disposition of the Aregbesola administration to workers’ welfare, to embark on moves to find alternative ways of getting revenues to run the state.

Comrade Adetunji Oladele of the Trade Union Congress, who read the highlight of the proposals by the workers before presenting the document to the governor, said the committee set up met all the 64 agencies in the state to seek their inputs into the proposal.

“We did that so that no agency would claim that they are not aware of the initiative. Everybody contributed. We made them to understand that the economy of the state is going down to an extent that if we don’t look inward on how to increase the Internally Generated Revenue, we might not be able to sustain ourselves.

The TUC chairman expressed hope that the government would have the needed political will to embark on some of the proposals in order to ensure adequate revenue for the state.

The governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has restated the need for peace to continue to reign in all parts of the state as a condition for sustained progress.

Aregbesola said a key focus of his administration since inception is the maintenance of peaceful co-existence among the residents, saying the landmark achievements of the past four years would not have been possible had peace not been restored to the state.

The governor, who spoke at the 24^th Iwo Day celebration, an annual celebration that brings together all Iwo indigenes regardless of religious and political divides, reminded the people that what obtains in many parts of Nigeria at the moment should serve as adequate reminder on the need to eschew violence and promote harmonious living.

Aregbesola, who was represented at the event by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, while facilitating with the people of Iwo, said community leaders, parents and other stakeholders must consider vigilance and parental control of their children as very critical at this period.

Aregbesola said, “What our country faces today calls for vigilance. We have worked in the last four years to restore peace to our state and that has ensured the progress this state has witnessed.  It is a fact that one of the many advantages of gathering at community days like this is its capacity to help promote peaceful and harmonious existence among our people. And Iwo has been a remarkable model in this regard. This town is a quintessential model of peaceful co-existence and cohabitation of different faiths and cultures.

“Iwo, which is renowned for its critical role in the development of the Islamic faith in Yorubaland is also home to some of the most vibrant and active Christian institutions in this part of the country. Indeed, Iwo is a study in communal harmony and social cohesion which are much needed in our multicultural age. Iwo, therefore, is a solid affirmation of the wisdom of our policy of promoting communal peace and harmony.”

Earlier speaking at the event, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, who was the Father of the Day appealed to all indigenes to, regardless of their political and religious inclinations, work in harmony for the progress of the ancient town.

Mr. Seyi Onajide, the Managing Director of R T Briscoe Nigeria Ltd, who was the chairman of the occasion, advised youths in the town to be creative under the country’s prevailing economic circumstances.

He said it is only in being creative that they would overcome the economic hardship in the country and move to higher heights.

Aregbesola made the call in a message he sent to the 29th Modakeke Akoraye Day Celebration and launching of N500 million Community Development Fund at Modakeke.
The governor, who was represented by Mr Wahab Adeniji, member, Local Education Authority Board, Modakeke, said peace was imperative for any sustainable development to take place.
“My administration is determined to ensure that infrastructure is provided in every part of the state, including Modakeke”, he said.
Earlier, Mr Tajudeen Oke, the National President of Modakeke Progressive Union, called on the Osun government to provide basic infrastructure in the area.
“The Modakeke community, in spite of not being lucky to enjoy government patronage, has provided public facilities which government itself is benefiting from in boosting its revenue generation.
“One of such facilities is the Magistrate Court premises”, he said.
The traditional ruler of Modakeke, Dr Francis Adedoyin, commended the indigenes of the area who have contributed towards the development of infrastructure in the community.
He called on members of the community to live peacefully with one another and be God-fearing in all their endeavours.
(NAN)

Medical experts who are indigenes of Osun State based in United States of America have offered to foot the surgery expenses of a 40-year-old Rachael Akinola with degenerating hip pains in the U.S.
This is coming even as no fewer than 3,000 people benefited from the free medical treatment carried out by the team in the state.
The medical team led by Dr. Oluremi Ilupeju were in the state on a five-day free medical treatment for the people of five selected towns in the state, including Erin-Osun in Irepodun Local Government, Inisa in Odo-Otin Local Government, Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government, Ile-Ogbo in Ayedire Local Government and Osun in Atakunmosa-West Local Government Council of the state.
Rachael Akinola (an orphan) had been battling with hip pains for the past 20 years since she lost her husband to a fatal motor accident. She was admitted at the Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital in Lagos but she was abandoned by her relations in the hospital and later discharged when she could not bear the cost of the medication.
When X-ray was conducted on her at Comprehensive Health Centre, Iragbiji, headquarters of Boripe Local Government Council of the state, the medical team agreed to carry Mrs. Akinola along with them to the U.S. for proper surgery.
Ilupeju disclosed that Akinola would require a $200,000 for the surgery, adding that the association will take up the bill.
The medical team had earlier visited some handicapped and homeless places in the state where they donated some medical items worth several millions of naira and conducted free medical checks on the children.
They also gave out scholarships to 31 students in the state in 2013 in addition to a promise to support the state government in the area of good health delivery as part of the contribution to the development of the state.
Chairman of ETCETERA Interactions Limited, Mr. Samuel Olaitan, who is also the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the medical mission, commended the team for a job well done, noting that the medical team had been supportive of the state government.
According to him, “this free health care is the largest so far, as it cuts across five local government areas of the state”.
Also speaking, the President of Osun State indigenes in the U.S., Pastor Oyetunde Oyegoke, who observed that the people of the state have been finding it difficult to take their sick relatives to the hospital, advised that the government at all levels should provide ambulance for emergency and station them in all the local government areas.
Pastor Oyegoke who lauded Governor Rauf Aregbesola and former Commissioner for Health, Mrs. Temitope Ilori for accommodating them.
He assured that the team would not relent in striving for good living of the people of their state.
He expressed sadness over the health condition of the people of the state, as he observed that most of them are battling with eye problem.
He charged the government to intensify effort at finding last solution to, saying “eyes are very important parts in the body and it must be given adequate care”.
Outlining the programme of the association, Pastor Oyegoke, said “we have a goal for each year. We started with education last year with 31 scholarships for brilliant students in the state. This year, we have selected five places which are: Erin-Osun, Inisa, Iragbiji, Ile-Ogbo and Atakumosa respectively.
“We have programme for handicapped which is the primary and most important aspect of our programme because they did not have anybody.
“We appreciate the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, most especially the former Commissioner of Health, Mrs Temitope Ilori, for accommodating us. We understand their plight most especially the reduction in the allocation from the Federal Government which they said had affected them.
“We are calling on well meaning and politicians in the state to see the good living of people they govern as important,” he added.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

Vice-Chancellor of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Prof. Bashiru Okeshina, has disclosed that 32 programmes of the university have so far been accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
He said the NUC has also approved eight postgraduate programmes for the university and that the programmes would begin in the 2014/2015 academic session.
Okeshina disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Osogbo on the achievements and challenges of the university in the 2013/2014 session.
“The university processed and obtained the approval of the NUC for the commencement of one new undergraduate academic programme in 2013 and four programmes in 2014.”
According to him, the university through a `Learned Conference Policy,’ has sponsored over 250 academic and non-academic staff to attend local and international conferences, trainings and seminars.
He said 85 academic staff had benefited from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) on Academic Staff Training and Development (AST&D) to pursue studies within and outside Nigeria.
“Academic and non-academic staff have also attended international and local conferences, to broaden their horizon because the management is committed to continuous training and exposure,” Okeshina said.
According to him, with the university duly recognised as a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), it will now have access to unparalleled resource of networks and support.
“Membership of the ACU will also highlight the institution’s commitment to a steadfast belief in social responsibility and international development.
“With this development, UNIOSUN will join other commonwealth universities to share innovation and international best practices,’’ Okeshina added.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

All candidates vying for elective positions in Osun State during the 2015 general elections have been asked to verify their details as submitted before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for necessary correction.
A statement issued and signed by the Chief Public Affairs Officer of the commission, Adenike Tadese, enjoined the candidates to check details of their names, which will be pasted at the commission’s office today, including the 30 local government councils of the state.
Tadese said the pasting of the names and their details was in compliance to Section 31 Subsection 3 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), which provides for publication of personal particulars of all candidates contesting elections within seven days of the receipt of form CF 001.
The statement said further that INEC, Osun State, to this end, shall display at the state office of the commission and 30 local government offices and area office, Modakeke-Ife, notice of list of candidates.
The particulars of candidates for the presidential/National Assembly elections, according to the statement, shall be displayed on December 25, 2014 while those of the state House of Assembly elections shall be displayed on January 1, 2015.
“By this act, members of the public, by law, have the opportunity to scrutinise the documents submitted by candidates as pasted by INEC,” the statement said.
It, however, maintained that any person who has any claim to question information given by these candidates should approach the court of law.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

It’s another season of funfair, as the people of Iwude Ijesha celebrates this year’s edition of Iwude Ijesha Festival. The festival which promises to be an unforgettable experience of cultural display and excitement which started on December 17 and end on December 27, would feature several cultural activities.
According to Chief Olu Falomo, chairman Iwude Ijesha planning committee, “This month-long festival which starts in the palace of Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland in ILesa, extends to other parts of Ijesaland such as Ipole, Ibokun and Ijebu-Ijessa, before ending where it started in Ilesa, Osun state. It is therefore a festival that involves not only Ilesa metropolis but also other parts of Ijesa north and south as they are now called today”.
The purpose is to bring all Ijesha people of all religion together to celebrate and felicitate at this all important festival and to bring all Ijesha people in the six local government areas of Ijeshaland together. The Iwude festival was started by Owa Obokun Owari, who celebrates it every three months. It was Owa Obokun Atakumosa who expanded it to the scope of Iwude a very elaborate festival” he added.
Mrs Dupe Ajayi Gbadebo, Chairman Publicity Iwude Ijesha planning committee noted that the festival affords Owa Obokun the opportunity to remember his ancestors, pay homeage to them, offer sacrifices and prayers to God for the good of his people, peace and prosperity in the land and abundant blessings for his subjects. It is also designed to ward off diseases, sickness and other problems from Ijeshaland through massive celebrations and joy and gladness.
OSUN DEFENDER

Cross section picture of crowd of indigenes of Osun who came from Lagos State through the free train transportation provided by Osun Government for the celebration of Xmas, at Osogbo Railway Terminus, State of Osun on Thursday 25-12-2014.