Osun State is committed to boosting its internally generated revenue (IGR) and relying less on federal allocation, Special Adviser to Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Bade Adeshina has said.
Speaking during the 2014 budget presentation, he said the government is repositioning and strengthening its IGR mechanisms by “beaming its searchlight towards the informal sector.”
Adeshina has allayed workers fears over the safety of their contributions in the pension scheme, adding that the governor is committed to improving workers’ welfare.
Speaking at a forum to sensitise pensioners, he said the state would ensure that the scheme is well-administered by competent persons.
According to him, participants should not worry about receiving their pensions after retirement as the contributions are kept with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in line with the Pension Reform Act 2004.
He said those who condemn the contributory pension scheme do so out of ignorance.
THE NATION

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has said that his determination  to reverse the rot in the public education  through the  new school reclassification policy is unstoppable.
He said this at the inauguration of the newly built Baptist Central Elementary School, Ilare, Ile Ife on Tuesday.
The ceremony had in attendance, the state governor’s wife, Sherifat;  the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr. Najeem Salam; other lawmakers; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade;  and commissioners.
The governor was dressed in a elementary school uniform together with his deputy and commissioners to the event.
Aregbesola, who has come under criticisms because of the  education policy, said that he would not stop because his aim was to ensure that pupils in public schools in the state had equal access to quality education, like their counterparts anywhere in the world.
He said, “Our mission to transform public education in the state is unstoppable. We want our children to have qualitative education and to be able to compete with other students from anywhere in the world.
“ This is a one-way journey and we will not be distracted  from this objective, even if it means that we have to step on toes.”
The governor said that he had no religious motives behind the transformation going on in the state.
He said the schools would admit  children irrespective of their ethnic or religious affiliation.
Aregbesola’s administration inherited rotten  public schools, declared that his regime had committed N31.31bn to transform the schools. All these efforts are in the  interest of the majority of the people of the state.
He said that his administration had continued to record trail-blazing achievements despite the dwindling allocations from the Federal Government.
Reacting to the claim of a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Iyiola Omisore, the governor  said that the administration had only spent N1.2bn.
He said that criticism should be based on facts, rather than concocting lies to misinform the public to gain cheap publicity.
The deputy governor, who is also the commissioner for education, said the new school was a testimony of the sincerity of Aregbesola’s administration towards the education reform.
She described the   elementary school as an architectural masterpiece, which according to her, was designed not only to attract the pupils but also to provide a level-playing ground for them irrespective of their socio-economic background.
She said, “Education reform of this government is a complete package to provide a level-playing field for all pupils of school-going age in the state.
“We also introduced school meal system, called O’Meal, to provide balance diet to enhance physical and mental strength and development of the pupils.

“The school is an architectural masterpiece designed to accommodate 1,000 pupils. The classrooms are well-ventilated.”

PUNCH

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will today, February 18 2014 commission one of the numerous Osun Elementary Schools in the State, Baptist Elementary Central School, Ilare in Ile-Ife.
The pictures below show the school located at the Ilare area of Ile Ife.
Osun Elementary Schools are built for pupils of primaries 1-4
“It is a fantastic project, may God continue to be with the Governor” said a parent.
Osun a dara!
 

 

Not less than 23,000 units of Opon Imo (tablet of knowledge) have been distributed to pupils in Osun State-owned schools, Commissioner for Special Duties Ajibola Bashiru has said.

Bashiru said the customised computer tablet was a critical part of the education revolution of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration.
He said the delay in the supply of the remaining tablets was caused by the need to reconfigure them.
The commissioner said the tablets were produced through a partnership between the state and a Chinese firm.
He said the partnership would also lead to the production of durable and affordable telephone handsets at the state’s Technology Village.
Bashiru said: “We are doing this for technological transfer because it would not be economic to import that magnitude of devices from abroad. So, why not have the manufacturing company here? As we speak, the company is on ground and the manufacturing and installation of the software of this product is being done in Ilesa.
“The company will meet the telephone demands of Nigerians at a cheaper rate. Over 5,000 indigenes have been trained on the manufacturing of telecommunication devices and some of have been sent to Ghana for further training.”
He said the administration recruited about 7,350 teachers, who were trained to improve learning in public schools.
Bashiru said: “When the Aregbesola administration assumed office, we brainstormed on how to jump start the non-existent economy, because the allocation that accrues to the state from the Federation Account was not enough to pay salary. That was why we got the Chinese firm to produce the computer tablets here and established a garment factory to produce school uniforms in the state.”

Photos from the Maiden Conference of Ahlus-Sunnah of Nigeria (COAN) at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos on Saturday 15-02-2014

From right, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Architect Namadi Sambo and National Chairman, Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah wa’ Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) and Conference of Ahlus-Sunnah of Nigeria (COAN), Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, during the Maiden Conference of Ahlus-Sunnah of Nigeria (COAN) at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos on Saturday 15-02-2014

From left, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal and Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Architect Namadi, during the Maiden Conference of Ahlus-Sunnah of Nigeria (COAN) at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos on Saturday 15-02-2014

From left, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal and Chieftain, All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, during the Maiden Conference of Ahlus-Sunnah of Nigeria (COAN) at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos on Saturday 15-02-2014

Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme is a revolving 2-year volunteers scheme introduced on the 17^th day of December, 2010 by  Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola  in  less than 100 days as governor in fulfillment of a manifesto promise earlier made to the people. The OYES scheme empowers 20,000 volunteers across the state’s 31 Local Government Areas including Ife East Area Office. Ultimately, the scheme aims at empowering 80,000 or more volunteers in 8 years.
The partnership planned as one of the initiatives for curbing unemployment and youth insurgency across the state will amply equip both past and present cadets with sound business acumen, customer service skills and financial management

To promote entrepreneurial development and skill acquisition, First Bank of Nigeria, through its mobile payments – FirstMonie, has made 3, 000 youths of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) as FirstMonie  agents. The OYES cadets will educate customers on how to log onto the FirstMonie platform, ensure the business location remains open and maintain cash flow and e-money balances.

According to the Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, with the OYES and FirstMonie partnership, we aim to drive financial inclusion as well as wealth creation by providing opportunities for youths of Osun State to serve as merchants and agents instrumental to deepening financial inclusion campaign through agency banking while leveraging on the FirstBank brand and wide network of branches through its mobile money solution, FirstMonie.
AFRICA BUSINESS

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs and Project Coordinator, Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project, Adelere Adeyemi Oriolowo, has commended the government of Osun State, for its support on the success made by the project in the state through provision and prompt release of counterpart fund coupled with the enabling environment to operate.
He made this commendation at Olura of Ira’s palace, Oba Julius Fatanmi, during his visit to Ira –Ikeji-Ile – Ara-keji – JABU Road proposed to be implemented and financed by the state government.
Earlier, he had visited some ongoing projects such as 11.2km Ita-Oni – Onikoko road, 3.5km Ilesa/Akure Expressway – Ayodeji Road, 9.5km Okinni – Igbokiti – Idi-Emi – Pakiti Road – O-fish farm Road, 9km QIIP Farm road, Kuta among others, to ascertain the level of completion.
Other projects visited were completion of the 3-span bridge at Sasa River abandoned several years ago and other markets projects.
He also lauded the administration of Rauf Aregbesola, for the support given on community-based Routine Road Maintenance. The system,which was designed to engage the people living on the corridor of road as road maintenance groups, has assisted in maintaining the condition of the roads at 12km Iwo – Pataara Road, 10.8km Idiroko/Akinleye Road and 5km Esa-Oke, all year round. This system has not only provided job opportunities to the people, it has also increased their livelihood.
TRIBUNE

The State of Osun came second position in the just concluded food competition organized by Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism in conjunction with Tourism Care and Hospitality Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter held at Cultural Centre, Mokola, Ibadan.

The competition, which attracted participants from all Yoruba speaking states such as Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara and Kogi States, showcased traditional foods from each of the participated states.

At the end of the competition, Ogun State came first, State of Osun took second position while the host state, Oyo State came third.

Presenting the prizes on behalf of the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, Princess Adetutu Adeyemi Akhigbe, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Babalola congratulated the participating states and local governments for their active involvement in bringing the traditional foods in Yoruba speaking states to the limelight.

Princess Adeyemi, who emphasized that the aim of the programme is to bring the dying and almost forgotten indigenous foods of Yoruba people to the world class.  She then enjoined youths to embrace and learn the best way to prepare these food as this is part of heritage they will inherit form their parents.

Receiving the prizes on behalf of the State, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Mrs. Olajumoke Bello thanked the organizer of the programme for bringing the age-long indigenous food like Eki, Sokun-Sokun, Moin-moin, Iyan Federal, Iyan Gbere, Ikokore, amala funfun, Efo ebolo, worowo and a host of others to the attention of the public.  She also commended the participants from the State of Osun for exhibiting the virtues of Omoluabi in all their activities and for keeping the flag of the state flying among other states.

Highlight of the activities were the inspection of traditional foods by the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism and other states’ delegates, cultural entertainment and award of prizes to the exceptional traditional foods to participating states and local governments.

Present at the occasion were Permanent Secretaries from the participating states, Managers of Hospitality Industries, Iyalojas and hundreds of participants from Yoruba speaking states.
OSUNNEWS

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been commended for developing technical and vocational education in the state.

A former Chairman of Ila Local Government and member, Technical and Vocational Education Board, Barrister Olusegun Durotolu gave this commendation at Inisa during the tour of the nine technical colleges.

Barrister Durotolu explained that if technical and vocational education is well developed, it will solve the problem of unemployment permanently in the state.

The board member said that the tour was to appraise the problems on ground and how to alleviate them.  He added that the skill ‘G’ Construction Company will soon be mobilized back to the site to complete the renovation of the Technical Colleges in the State.

The Principals of Technical Colleges, Gbongan, Ile-Ife, Osu, Ijebu-Jesha, Otan-Ayegbaju, Inisa and Ara expressed their gratitude to the Government and identified the areas where they need its assistance.
OSUNNEWS