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Category: Politics

EID-L-_Fitri 2014-1

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground. Insert: From right, Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun; Asiwaju Adeen of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chieftain, All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bayo Salami; Alhaji Fatai Diekola and others, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground. Insert: From right, Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun; Asiwaju Adeen of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chieftain, All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bayo Salami; Alhaji Fatai Diekola and others, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground. Insert: From right, Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun; Asiwaju Adeen of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chieftain, All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bayo Salami; Alhaji Fatai Diekola and others, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground. Insert: From right, Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun; Asiwaju Adeen of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Chieftain, All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bayo Salami; Alhaji Fatai Diekola and others, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) addressing the Muslim faithful, during 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer at Central Eid Praying Ground, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) addressing the Muslim faithful, during 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer at Central Eid Praying Ground, Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from Muslim faithful on his way to Central Eid Praying Ground, during the 2014 Eid-El-Fitri prayer in Osogbo, State of Osun on Monday 28-07-2014

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Osogbo20Commissioning-8

Polling-UnitIt is only a self-seeking and bastard indigene of Modakeke who will vote for Senator Iyiola Omisore in the incoming governorship election as the community has never in any way benefited anything from his romance with government and governance. Instead of adding to the fortune of the community, his numerous activities are antithetical to the progress of the community.

 It is on record that Iyiola played a prominent role in the various attempts by Ife people to run over Modakeke community during which many people were killed; hundreds maimed with multi-million naira property destroyed. That was when Iyiola was the deputy governor. Iyiola cannot say he does no know that thousands of Modakeke farmers had their farmlands seized by the Ife people who are now smiling to the banks through illegally living on the cash crops of the deposed Modakeke farmers like cocoa, kolanut etc while countless of the affected farmers have died prematurely out of frustration.

What has Iyiola done to redress the anomaly as a deputy governor and as a senator for eight years? What physical development did he bring to Modakeke since his engagement as a public officer? How many unemployed graduate youths of Modakeke indigene Iyiola used his connection to employ? Has he ever brought a job slot from Abuja or Osogbo for any of the jobless Modakeke youths? How many of Omisore’s domestic staff are indigenes of Modakeke since he has an opportunity to occupy public offices? How many Modakeke sons and daughters has he helped to secure contract when he was a deputy governor and senator for 8 years? What effort has Omisore made to ensure that the three wards making up Modakeke since over 40 years ago become, at least, a full-fledged local government council?

This is necessary as it it on record that former Oranmiyan Local Government council which was only five wards when Modakeke was three wards has now been promoted to Ife-Central and East Local Government council areas. What has been the effort to restore the authentic headquarters of Ife-East Local Government Council Area, which has been operating illegally at Oke-Ogbo area of Ile-Ife for many decades? Operation of Oke-Ogbo as the headquarters of Ife-East Local government is a perpetual fraud as correspondence from the Presidency are still being sent to Modakeke as the original headquarters of the Ife-East Local Government.

The list of why Omisore should not be voted for in Modakeke is endless. Any indigene of Modakeke scouting for votes for Omisore is a glaring enemy of the community who are only interested in swelling their pockets and not the overall development of the community.

-By Kola Olabisi (Facebook page)

OSUN DEFENDER

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EID-L-Fitr 2014-3c

EID-L-Fitr 2014-3c‎The sight of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun on Monday created frenzy at the state capital, Osogbo as joined thousands of Muslim faithful at the Oke-Baale praying ground to mark the end of the 30 days Ramadan fast

The Governor’s convoy, which snaked through the capital city from the Government House in Oke Fia to Oke Baale praying grounds created excitements as residents trooped out in a show of solidarity with the Governor apparently because of the forthcoming governorship poll slated for August 9th.

Many of the residents who displayed Aregbesola’s campaign posters, brooms and other insignias of support for the governor, also chanted various songs which indicated their readiness to resist any attempt to manipulate the coming election.

At various points in the capital such as Oke Fia, Orita Olaiya, Gbeemu,Oja Oba, up until the praying ground, the residents held Aregbesola’s convoy hostage as they insisted he must stop to listen to their songs and see them display their support for him.

Speaking immediately after the prayers, Aregbesola said for Nigeria to be peaceful and progressive, Nigerians must promote religious tolerance, endurance and forbearance.

He emphasised that Ramadan preaches tolerance, endurance and forbearance adding that the message is not for Muslims alone but for all Nigerians.

He urged Muslims to imbibe the spirit of patience and tolerance which are the major characteristics of the 30 days fast, saying if this is done the nation as a whole will be better for it.

According to the Governor, “Ramadan teaches tolerance, forbearance and forgiveness, we want Muslims to imbibe the virtues of Ramadan in their day to day lives and let it be part of their normal routine and in their daily relationships.”

“All Nigerians of whichever faith must imbibe the attribute of tolerance, perseverance and forbearance. These are the things this country needs now to guarantee peace and stability that will make us to be productive.

“I urge us all to embrace love and endurance, it is when there is peace that we can pursue productive engagements that will guarantee for us good life”. Aregbesola noted.

He added that it is in good life that that the people can enjoy their existence, stressing that if the essence of life is for human beings to live well then peace which is the only guarantee of happiness must be a watch word for all and sundry.

Concerning the coming elections, Ogbeni Aregbesola explained that he is believing in God and the overwhelming support of the people of the state to be victorious in the polls.

Speaking earlier in his Eid el Fitri sermon, the President General League of Imams and Alfas in the South-west including Edo and Delta states, Sheik Mustapha Ajisafe, said Muslims should endeavour to continue practising what Ramadan preaches even after the Ramadan.

Sheik Ajisafe, who also called on the entire congregation to pray fervently for Governor Aregbesola, charged Muslims to remain steadfast and embrace always the tenets of Islam.‎

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Dad_1

Dad_1We today endorse Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for re-election. Readers will know that National Pilot shares the public concerns about Aregbesola’s firmness and sensitivity to the ethical values in government. Our endorsement is poised on the unequivocal confidence that he’s the best candidate in the field and the belief that the on-going revamp in the State of Osun could be completed by him.

Ahead of the Election Day, our endorsement comes with recommendations on how Aregbesola can tackle some voters’ concerns and stand against external forces capable of jeopardizing All Progressives Congress (APC’s) candidate on August 9. All efforts at re-enacting Ekiti State scenario needs to be foiled.

However, our endorsement is not to say, Aregbesola’s near four years government is without defects. If he’s re-elected as promised, he would correct those inadequacies. But if Iyiola Omisore of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is elected, the on-going massive renewal that cuts across all sectors could be sacrificed at the altar of politics. Our view of Aregbesola mirrors that of millions of overwhelming voters who are choosing him over Omisore and Alhaji Fatai Akinade Akinbade of Labour Party (LP).

First and foremost, we want to outline Aregbesola’s success story in the past years as well as his re-election based policies. In near four years, socio-economic and political activities have experienced somewhat turn around.

An Unusual Man

Aregbesola is an unusual man, a view he himself has admitted. He has equally branded himself as “an unusual man running an unusual government in an unusual way.”

As a governor, he adopts simplicity as a trademark. Little wondered why he chose to be called “Ogbeni,” which literarily means “Mr Man.” He prepares to move around as an “ordinary-man.” He uses no siren, which Nigerian leaders usually used to show off.

His government policies are people-oriented and he has attached some level of uniqueness to his programmes. Aregbesola by way of special identity changed the state’s name from Osun State to State of Osun. He equally, introduced state anthem and logo.

For the first time in the 19 years of existence, the governor accorded Oshogbo, the state capital, its status as the state capital through Beautification.

ECONOMY

At the inception, Aregbesola’s government in its economic solution encapsulated in Six-Point Integral Action Plan, namely ‘banishing poverty; banishing hunger; banishing unemployment; restoring healthy living; promoting functional education; and enhancing communal peace and progress.’

To a high degree, the government’s propounded economic solution had scaled down unemployment, poverty, hunger, inequality and poor human capacity.

To his credit, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has increased from N300 million to N1.6bn without increasing tax payable by citizens, the governor said at the Economic Summit in April. It’s worthy of note that Osun is the 34th on the Federal Allocation Table.

In an attempt to bring about a strong resurgence in the state economy, Aregbesola embarked on the massive infrastructure capable of sustaining and refreshing the state’s economy. The multi-billion naira Omoluabi Garment Factory, the RLG/Adulawo Technology City, the Ultra-Modern Abattoirs, the new markets, among many others; are part of his infrastructural developments.
To enhance state’s economy, road projects that connect major cities/towns within the state are being reconstructed massively. These projects are to complement other roads infrastructural development of his administration.. In the current phase, the projects are being implemented to facilitate smooth movement of goods and services. Among others, about 415.89km of inter-city and township 128km roads have constructed in the State of Osun.

HEALTH CARE

Aregbesola’s government shared President Winston Churchill’s view that“Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.”His government since inception has prioritised health services to the people of the state.

His government has recorded remarkable achievements in the provision of infrastructural facilities, high improvement in modern equipment in a bid to strengthen the health system. In pursuit of meeting the set out goals by the state, nine General Hospitals were renovated which comprises the Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo; State Hospital, Iwo; State Hospital, Ikire ;State Hospital, Ile-Ife; State Hospital, Ipetu-Ijesa; State Hospital Ila-Orogun, State Hospital Ikirun and State Hospital, Ilesa.

The government has embarked on renovation of 8 secondary Health Facilities; Comprehensive Health Centres at; Modakeke, Ode Omu, Bode Osi, Oke Ila, Iresi, Konda, Inisha, and Edunabon. The Aregbesola administration in partnership with the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) office has completed the construction of another 62 new Primary Health Centres.

In 2011, the government in collaboration with Oranmiyan Worldwide organised free eyes screening, surgery and distribution of eye glasses to about 5,000 people and also in June 2012, there was a collaborative medical exercise with Nigerian Medical Association Osun branch for a free screening and surgeries wherein 2500 clients benefited.

EDUCATION

In February 2011, when the state education was at the verge of collapse, Aregbesola just two months after assumption of office, organised an Education Summit with a view to charting a new way forward in the educational sector of the State of Osun in line world-best practices.
Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, chaired the summit, which proffered solutions to the perennial problems being experienced in the country and Osun in particular. Stakeholders agreed on having three classifications of schools under basic education; these are elementary, middle and high, rather than the existing primary, junior and secondary levels.

To this end, a comprehensive overhaul of physical and human component has been carried out in the education system.

In Education, over 750,000 school students have been provided with school uniform coupled with empowerment of 3,000 tailors; 150,000 students provided with computer tablets (Opon Imo), an electronic learning tool preloaded with 17 subjects, 54 textbooks, and past questions of JAMB, WAEC AND NECO of the past 10years, among others.

Also, his government had embarked on recruitment of teachers, provision of instructional materials, psychological and social support through value re-orientation, revival of ideals of hard work, honesty, discipline, determination, revival of Boys and Girls Clubs, calisthenics activities are simultaneously being introduced. The government reduced tuition fees in State-owned tertiary institutions by 30%.

EMPLOYMENT

Tremendous number of achievements have been recorded in terms of employment with about 40,000 Youths employed under the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme; 2. 5,000 Youths trained and empowered in Information Communication Technology under the Osun Youth Empowerment Technology (OYESTECH).

CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS VALUES

The new education policy introduced by Aregbesola, which nearly plunged the state into religious crisis, was averted. The Osun Baptist Congress had specifically staged a protest to resist admitting hijab wearing pupils into the Baptist High School, Iwo, under the new education policy.

The governor waded off the controversy from degenerating into chaos at the peace meeting between the Muslim and Christian Communities at the Baptist High School in Iwo, which has been the epicentre of controversy over the reclassification and merger policy.

The governor had in many occasions demonstrated his commitment to the promotion of cultural values, which earned him the Most Outstanding Chief Executive award of the West African Culture Development Body for the promotion of culture, ethics and values in Africa.

Presenting the award, the Editor, Tribe Times Magazine, Mr Hillary Damissah, who is also the organizer of Nigeria-Ghana Culture Showcase, said that Aregbesola was chosen among the governors in the 36 states of Nigeria and 10 regions in Ghana.

He said that the decision to honour the governor was taken at an event preceding the occasion marking the 2011 Nigeria-Ghana Culture Showcase organised by the West African Culture Development Body, saying that there was a nomination of Chief Executive of states and regions in Nigeria and Ghana who are keying into promotion of African values and culture, where Aregbesola eventually emerged.

Without iota of doubt, Aregbesola is demonstrating his readiness to winning the August 9 governorship election. However, it’s worthy of note that the controversial new education policy though generated undue hype on the part of the opposition party; lack of conduct of local government elections and the wrong believe that Aregbesola’s cabinet is dominated by “Osun-abroad” politicians are some of the contentious issues that need to be tackled.

How to resist militarisation of the state during the Election Day to avoid Ekiti scenario to play out is more than relevant, as the nation’s leading opposition party could not afford another defeat in the upcoming election.

By Mandate International Publications

OSUN DEFENDER

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timthumb (5)

timthumb (5)Former governor of Osun State, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, has said there would be no problem if military is brought in for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election to maintain peace.

Speaking at his country home in Ede, weekend, the former governor who is a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC in the state, said the people would resist the move, if the military was to harass the electorates.

According to him, “If the military are brought in for security and to maintain peace, there is nothing wrong with that as far as they go about their business of doing just that so far they do not harass or intimidate people, but once they start doing opposite what they were sent to do, that there will be where the problem will start.”

Alhaji Adeleke said the way the country’s polity was being heated by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was frightening and dangerous, nothing that even in the dark days of the military, things were not this bad.

“Now everything is all about muscling up the opposition, you militarized the environment, it is dangerous. You want to arrest people without them doing anything, you disfranchise them, because you want to rule at all course. Why don’t you forget about democracy and rule as an emperor or rule by fiat and sack all elected officers?”

Urging the ruling party to have a change of mind, he said they should not forget that the people of the South West were no fools, “if you remember anytime democracy was scuttled in Nigeria, it started from here. The military intervention in 1966 and 1983 started from what happened in South West and they are in that direction now. Because when the people are push to the wall, they will fight back and doing so, democracy might be truncated.”

He disclosed that there were plans to put him under house arrest before the election in Osun State without any offence, saying “I know what to do to protect my house, I will use Yoruba method, anybody that comes into my house illegally, anything that happens to such a person is his business.”

“Why will they seal up my house when I have not committed any offence? You are pitching one political party against the other. In 1969, I was a student in Ido Osun grammar school; I saw military men running inside the bush, some trying to take off their uniform but could not because their skin was peeling off with the uniform. That was Agbekoya for you. Those guys are still around. That is why I am advising they should be careful.”

 VANGUARD

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Download and Share our Countdown Posters. It is 12 days to the Day Osun Decides. Who will you be voting for?  Share with us on Facebook (Government of the State of Osun) or Twitter @stateofosun
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OGBENILEKANSI

OGBENILEKANSIThe tone for this piece was set last Wednesday as an old school mate of mine from Anambra State sought my views on the Osun State governorship election “in the light of what happened in Ekiti”. He nearly provoked me as he asked for my “honest opinion”. I retorted, “Had I ever given you a dishonest opinion.” He merely smiled in response, fixing his gaze on me nonetheless, prodding for an analysis of the chances of the two parties.
As I told quite a number of others who asked me a similar question, no two political situations are ever the same. The Ekiti election was mainly between Ayo Fayose and Kayode Fayemi. Osun’s will be fought by Rauf Aregbesola and Iyiola Omisore. It is my view that the days of strong adherence to political parties are gone. It was so with the parties of the First and Second Republic and, at least in the West, with the Alliance for Democracy in 1999. The situation has since changed for reasons beyond the scope of this space.
Although Ekiti and Osun are neighbouring states, the sociological make-up are quite different. Osun is certainly more diverse than Ekiti and it is therefore easier to mobilise the Ekiti with one slogan than it would be in Osun.
Then, the candidates. Omisore is not quite a Fayose. Attempting to ape the Ekiti political warlord merely made the Ife man look pathetic. It was so  unnatural. It would be more difficult for any man to mount the soap box in Ilesa hoping to win over the Ijesa with two ears of roast corn in his hands than it was for Fayose. There are issues, too. Who killed Bola Ige is an issue in Ijesa land that shares the same senatorial district with Ile-Ife.
Mr. Omisore flaunts some credentials. He had been a deputy governor in the state. It does not matter if it remains a subject of dispute whether he was impeached or resigned. He later went to the Senate and could claim some “distinguished” representation on account of serving as chairman of the Appropriation Committee.
Like Fayose, he has access to the hugely important federal might and budget. The federal government controls the security apparatus and the electoral commission itself is a federal executive body. Money cannot be a problem. The federal government and the party in control are desperate to root out the opposition from the West with a view to boosting its chances at the polls next year.
However, Aregbesola is an unconventional politician, a doughty fighter and a a tested tactician. In the short period of his involvement in Osun’s political milieu, he has shown such dexterity that is uncommon. In 2011, he was the only governor who could rouse his people to vote for a weak Action Congress of Nigeria presidential platform, in addition to winning all the federal and state legislative seats. The scheme had failed even in Lagos State. He is a politician and has campaigned so vigorously that nothing was left to chance.
In terms of campaign style, he stood head and shoulders above the PDP candidate. In performance, he has enough to show and, in terms of perception, he is believed to have provided the now famous or infamous stomach infrastructure. The emergence of Mr. Omisore hurt even his party. Other aspirants are either out or are reluctantly trudging along. It could be asked, where are former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and his deputy, Erelu Olusola Obada today? Are they with Omisore? Has a new political factor emerged in Ede to rival pioneer Governor Adeleke? In Okuku, could the Oyinlola influence be dismissed? In Igbomina land, is Chief Akande no longer relevant?
In Ikire, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade would probably have been a factor had he won the ticket of a contending party. But, in Osun, the Labour Party is not any stronger than it is in Ekiti. The party would be lucky to rake in as many votes as Hon. Bamidele.
The outlook appears bright for Aregbesola. The man knows that he carries a heavy burden- on his lean shoulders is laid the fortunes of the All Progressives Party in the march to 2015. If he wins, he brings the party back into reckoning and inflates an ego deflated by the results from Ekiti. But, should he lose, the PDP would once again have shown that its control of the national political machinery cannot be matched by any other party.
In a way, therefore, the Osun election is about the destiny of Nigeria. Those who believe that the PDP has failed Nigeria would be looking in the direction of APC to show that an alliance between the mainstream political forces of the far North and the West could save the country. Others would believe that a failure of the opposition in the region, following the installation of Labour PDP in Ondo and Fayose PDP in Ekiti signals a new national political equation.
If I were permitted a vote, my heart and head are agreed that Aregbesola is the true way to success and progress.
THE NATION

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Eid-el-fitri free train – 1

Pictures of the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State. Insert: Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun stood in line to board the Free Train Ride on Saturday 26-07-2014

The Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State. Insert: Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun on queue to board the Free Train Ride on Saturday 26-07-2014

The Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State. Insert: Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun on queue to board the Free Train Ride on Saturday 26-07-2014

The Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State. Insert: Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun on queue to board the Free Train Ride on Saturday 26-07-2014

The Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State. Insert: Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun on queue to board the Free Train Ride on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun rushing to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun rushing to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun rushing to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun rushing to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun rushing to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun rushing to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun rushing to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun rushing to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun rushing to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun rushing to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun rushing to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun rushing to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun on queue, waiting to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

Indigenes and non-indigenes of Osun on queue, waiting to board the Omoluabi Free Train Ride offered by Governor Rauf Aregbesola for this Year’s Eid-Ul-Fitri Celebration at Iddo Terminus, Lagos State on Saturday 26-07-2014

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sss-officials-nigeriaOsun State Government yesterday condemned the Department of State Service, DSS over the invasion of the corporate head office of its client, TNS-RMS, holding its staff hostage for 7 hours before detaining some of them.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, at a briefing, it said the company, a duly-registered research agency, engaged in empirical surveys across the country for government agencies and private individuals, and had been conducting Needs Assessment Performance Evaluation Study, NAPES, for the government periodically since the advent of the administration three and half years ago.

Akere said the administration took the periodic survey seriously and as a matter of duty since it served as a feedback mechanism to test the impact of government policy on the populace.

The Commissioner said though the DSS was at liberty to seek inquiry into whatever TNS-RMS had been doing, but it would not accept any act of infringing on its constitutional right as a registered company in Nigeria.

He said: “What is not acceptable and open to resistance is for the DSS to present itself as an agency in the manipulative control of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and a direct threat to citizens’ liberty and the Nigerian nationhood. The DSS must be wary of returning Nigeria to the inglorious era of General Sani Abacha when might was right and the citizens became serfs in their own Republic.”

VANGUARD

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Osun State government yesterday said it has uncovered plans by some people, said to be going round major cities in the state marking buildings for demolition in a bid to incite the populace against the government.

A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere and made available to newsmen, said the state government was not embarking on any kind of demolition.

Akere told residents of the state to challenge anyone that marks their building for demolition and report such to the police for proper action.

Akere also denied claims by the opposition party, particularly, the People Democratic Party, PDP, that the state government has concluded plans to introduce a new tax regime, if Aregbesola is reelected, adding that Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration neither intends to introduce any tax regime nor intend to increase its usual tax levy as allegedly claimed by the PDP.

He said: “It has come to the notice of the state government that the PDP in a leaflet it is distributing claimed that Governor Aregbesola is planning to introduce a new tax regime on operators of private schools. This claim is fictitious and a figment of the author’s imagination.

“It’s problem is lack of ideas and wondering how the present administration raised its internal revenue from a mere N300 million when the party was in power to N1.5 billion within three years, hence it attempts to incite the populace against the All progressives Congress, APC-led administration.”

Calling on members of the public to ignore the claim by the PDP, Akere challenged the PDP and its candidate to make their campaign issue-based, “rather than playing dirty politics by playing with the peoples’ intelligence.”

NATIONAL MIRROR

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