The Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has urged states and local governments across the country to complement Federal Government’s efforts in driving technology development.
The minister who gave the directive at a recent technology gathering, said the efforts being made by the federal government in driving technology development in the country would not yield optimum results without active participation of the states and local governments. She stressed the need to address the important issues of the role of the states in many of the initiatives put in place at the federal level.
According to her, common areas of interests that could be explored, include the implementation of the National Broadband plan, National Policy on Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Digital and financial inclusion, local content framework, use of frequency spectrum and National Strategic E-government framework and collection of data on ICT sector.
“There is no doubt that the states and local governments are in a good position to contribute their quota in this respect. State governments have more complete knowledge of their localities and can work closely with service providers in their respective states to identify where and what kinds of services should be made available and where there are underserved and unserved areas,” she said.
She also added ” States are also in a better position to obtain the most accurate data possible for use of broadband and to continuously update and refresh the data provided by   service providers to make it more and more accurate over time. States can implement independent verification programs to confirm service availability and actual experienced upload and download speeds.”
She however acknowledged that some state governments like Akwa Ibom, Edo, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo were already taking important steps in leveraging ICT for social and economic development in their states.
These states, she noted, had  put in place projects and programmes that are driven by ICT, that impact on the lives of the people.
According to her,  “To ensure the sustainability of these initiatives and ensure that they transcend administrations, we suggest that states that do not have ICT initiatives, establish dedicated institutional frameworks for coordinating ICT matters which could include the creation of ICT Ministries or ICT development agencies in the states.”
THIS DAY

THE Government of the State of Osun has jerked up funding to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo from N1.6 billion to over N2 billion; an increment of 375 per cent when compared to what it used to be for seven and half years under the PDP administration.
The state Commissioner for Finance Wale Bolorunduro, stated this in a statement issued and signed, copy of which was made available to newsmen in Osogbo.
He explained that the hospital has consequently developed an operational drug manufacturing plant; a dental department as well as its own oxygen plant.
He declared that the hospital has passed all the necessary accreditation tests which culminated in its award as one of the best teaching hospitals in West Africa.
While noting that there has been an improvement in the working relationship, Bolorunduro assured that the teaching hospital will continue to receive remarkable support from the current administration in the state.
The commissioner hinted that while the erstwhile government gave a total sum of N1billion to the hospital for capital developments and accreditations in seven and half years, Aregebsola has given N2 billion to the hospital under three years of the administration.
He said further that there has been significant increase in the subventions to the hospital to take care of the salaries, running costs, maintenance, adding that Aregbesola has shown more commitment and passion in spreading the lean earnings of state to the cover such significant mileage.
According to him, “under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s three-year old administration, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo has witnessed an increase in funding from N1.6 billion to over N6 billion, a 375 per cent increase when compared with a seven and half year period under the Osun PDP rule.
“In fact, while the erstwhile government of Osun PDP gave a total sum of N1billion to the hospital for capital developments and accreditations in seven and half years, Ogbeni Aregbesola has given N2 billion to the hospital under the three years of its administration.”
“There has been significant increase in the subventions to take care of the salaries, running costs, maintenance, etc. Show me where your money is and I just know where your heart is kept: Aregbesola has shown commitment and passion in spreading the thin earnings of Osun to cover such significant mileage.
“Under the administration of Ogbeni Aregbesola, the teaching hospital located in Osogbo has developed an operational drug manufacturing plant, a dental department as well as its own oxygen plant. The teaching hospital has passed all the necessary accreditation tests and certified. It recently won award as one of the best teaching hospitals in West Africa. Over there in Ibadan, there are signs that things will pick up soon, but until then, the efforts of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola should not be lost on the citizenry or eclipsed by the clouds of the rainy day.”
DAILY INDEPENDENT

The Commissioner  for Commerce, Co-operative and Empowerment, State of Osun, Mr. Jaiyeoba Alagbada, has  charged the Federation of Informal Workers Organization of Nigeria (FIWON), to imbibe the spirit of  efficient delivery of services and productivity.
Alagbada said this during an interactive session with members of FIWON State of Osun Chapter, in Osogbo, as part of the activities to mark the 53^rd independence anniversary celebration.
He said, “FIWON constituted a large workforce and also being the life wire of the state, the current administration is making all efforts to empower them and allow them be recognized in service delivery”.
The Commissioner urged FIWON members to participate in the Micro Credit Agency that will soon be set up by the government in the state and also the small and medium scale, in order to aide their services in the state.
He stressed the importance of the group, and said if any state does not place high premium on its informal workers, such state is not ready for growth and development.
Alagbada, however, said, FIWON should turn deaf ears to  any anti- government campaigns, capable of hindering their progress and growth, in order to ensure a better state.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce, Cooperative and Empowerment, Dr. Olalekan  Yinusa described FIWON as an important organization upon which every government stands to excel in their governance.
Yinusa maintained that the current administration in the state has really demonstrated concern about the development of the state and well being of the people living in the state regardless of the religious or political affiliation.
He charged the artisans to beware of any libelous information from the opposition parties against Aregbesola, insisting that the present administration would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the informal workers are been carried along in policy making.
Earlier, the State of Osun FIWON Coordinator,  Comrade Ibrahim Olayinka who referred to the members of the organization as agent of change, vowed to give maximum support to present administration in the state.
He,  therefore, charged the members on the need for them to sensitize people around them about the ongoing re-classification in the state education sector.

In honour of those who have lost their lives in the crash involving the plane conveying the remains of the former Governor of Ondo, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, in Lagos yesterday, the Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has declared a three-day mourning in the state.
 
To this end, the Governor has enjoined people of all faith to devote the three days of mourning to intensive prayers for the repose of the souls of the dead and prayers against such calamities in our state and our region.
 
The Governor expressed regrets over the tragedy. He described it as a calamity for all Nigerians.
 
 
Signed:
 
Semiu Okanlawon
 
Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy
 
Office of the Governor
 
Osogbo
 
10/03/2013
 
 

The Government of the State of Osun on Wednesday officially commissioned the Salvation Army Middle School, Osogbo amidst pump and fanfare as parents, guardians and students thronged the venue in thousands.
The elated parents defied the rain to witness the epoch-making commissioning event of the new school, which is one of the 100 elementary, 50 middle and 20 high schools under the schools infrastructure upgrade tagged O’School.
The governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who dressed in the middle school uniform said the commissioning of the Salvation Army Middle School, is a resounding reaffirmation that Osun education policy is a train engineered for a one-way trip to success.
The Deputy Governor of Osun who also doubles as the Commissioner for Education, Chief Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, pointed out that the school has proved the skeptics wrong. She said though it did not come cheap, the building which she described as one of the many to be commissioned, represents the crowning glory of the Aregbesola revolutionary agenda in the education sector.
Laoye-Tomori said, “I feel like ‘break dancing’, even at my age. The joy excitement, sense of fulfilment all rolled into one; I specifically thank God that I am alive to see the coming to fruition of a ‘vision’ seen, conceptualized, and deployed by my indefatigable governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola.”
Aregbesola speaking further held that the trip began with the Education Summit convened when he assumed office, noting that the Summit was summoned against the background of the decay the administration met in public schools, which it found simply unacceptable.
According to him, “The Summit was summoned against the background of the decay we met in Osun public schools, which we found simply unacceptable. The Summit, composed of eminent Nigerians like the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, came up with a reform blueprint to overhaul public sector education in the state.
“We have since been working assiduously to implement the reform plan. The commissioning of this school is good evidence that all is going to plan with our reform. As part of the reform, we decided to reorganise the school system into Elementary, Middle and High school categories.
“The Elementary level will comprise pupils from ages 6 to 9 years, which corresponds to primary 1 to 4 pupils under the existing system. The Middle level from primary 4 to JSS 3 of ages 10 to 14, now classified as Grades 5-9, and the High School level age range will be between 15 and 17 years, corresponding to Senior Secondary School III, to be known as Grades 10-12.” The governor revealed.
Aregbesola stressed that the Elementary and Middle School level’s buildings will each accommodate 900 pupils, while the High School building will have capacity for 3,000 students.
He added that there will be 100 of such buildings at the Elementary, 50 at the Middle, and 20 at the High school levels, making a total of 170. The governor added that the High Schools are a mega structure of mini-city size each having three schools in one with facilities for all subjects in the Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, including state of the art laboratories, recreation centres and a food court.
“The overall aim of the reforms we are carrying out is to develop the new man intellectually, socially and morally. This new man is placed in the centre of society who views his own development as part of and for the development of society
“This is a non-parasitic and non-oppressive man who views his existence in light of the growth of others; he views whatever he acquired to be subsumed in the overall interest of others. He is a man in himself and a man for society. This is the Omoluabi essence.” The governor told the gathering.
Aregbesola appealed to parents to support the government in its efforts by preparing their wards for the new system and especially kit them with the new uniform, saying the gains are already tumbling in as the state is witnessing progressive improvement in the academic performances of our pupils.
He noted that beside distribution of Opon Imo and the school feeding programme, the economic ramification of the education reform is simply colossal. “Some 3,000 women have been employed for the Elementary feeding programme; this is in addition to the gains it has brought to the production capacities of farmer-suppliers of farm produce, as well as the poultry and beef inputs for the food menu.” The governor added.
He also reminded those present at the event to remember the depressing outlooks of the former schools which he said were never fit for learning. He said the transformation of the schools is another illustration of the massive transformation taking place in all aspects of the lives of the Osun people.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Senator Sola Adeyeye said negligence of education of children by the parents is detrimental to progress.
The Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial district added that a nation that does not invest in education of its youth has failed as a nation. He commended the governor for his commitment to education in the state.
The Professor of Molecular Biology noted that while most of the states in the country have been unable to access the UBEC funds because they could not contribute their counterpart fund, Osun State has accessed its own fund because it did not wait for the Federal Government to contribute its own counterpart funds.
He scored the state higher in education provision among the states of the federation, saying education in the state is going through revolution. The Chairman of O’School, Otunba Lai Oyeduntan, said the state of education in the state was embarrassing before Aregbesola came to power. According to him, in order to correct the anomaly, government proposed to build new buildings as part of its restructuring. Oyeduntan disclosed that by the end of the year about 15 middle schools, 13 elementary schools and 10 high schools will be delivered. He added that all necessary infrastructure have been and are being put in place to ensure smooth take-off of the schools.
In his turn, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Nojeem Salam, commended the governor for this achievement, saying since the creation of the state, it has never had it so good. The Speaker said these achievements have put the state in the class of first in the country.
He mentioned the provision of Opon Imo and other investments in education system, which he said have revived the education sector of the state.

Photos from the official Commissioning of Salvation Army Middle School, Alekuwodo, Osogbo and flag off of the new school system (Re-classification) in the State of Osun on Wednesday 02-10-2013

The newly commissioned Salvation Army Middle School, Alekuwode, Osogbo, the State of Osun on Wednesday 02—10-2013

The newly commissioned Salvation Army Middle School, Alekuwode, Osogbo, the State of Osun on Wednesday 02—10-2013 

From left, State of Osun Deputy, who doubles as commissioner of education, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sheriafat, during the official Commssioning of Salvation Army Midle School, Alekuwodo, Osogbo and flag off of the new school system (Re-classification) in the State of Osun on Wednesday 02-10-2013

From right, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his deputy, who doubles as commissioner of education, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; the Atatoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun and others, during the official Commssioning of Salvation Army Middle School, Alekuwodo, Osogbo and flag off of the new school system (Re-classification) in the State of Osun on Wednesday 02-10-2013

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola takes a group picture with the students of Salvation Army Middle School, Alekuwodo, Osogbo at the commissioning and flag off of the new school system (Re-classification) in the State of Osun

Ede is one of the most popular ancient towns in Yorubaland. It lies on approximately latitude 07° 40′North and longitude 04°30′East. It is in the guinea savannah zone. It is has two local governments namely Ede North and Ede South Local Governments. The population is put at 159,866 according to the 2006 Population Census
The people engage in farming, trading and commercial activities are found on a large scale because of the central nature of the town and closeness to major cities like Osogbo, Iwo, Ife and Ejigbo.
Ede is important in the history of the State due to the presence of the Federal Polytechnic, Redeemer’s University, railway tracks connecting Lagos and Northern Nigeria, River Osun which passes through the town and Ede Water Works that supplies water to about twenty (20) local governments in the state.
The Timi of Ede is the traditional title of the paramount ruler and the present Timi is Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal Laminisa I.
For more on the Towns in the State of Osun, visit the website – www.osun.gov.ng

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Senator Mudashiru Hussain (Osun West) spoke with a Correspondent of The Nation Newspaper on revenue allocation, local government autonomy, politics in Osun State and other partisan issues…find excerpt below…
What are your achievement as a the member of the National Assembly from the Osun-West District?
When a legislator begins to spell out his achievements like the executive, it further reminds us of our defects and our own brand of democracy. Under normal circumstances, a lawmaker is to represent his constituency, and give voice to his or her people in every piece of legislation that should be pushed forward, but it is quite obvious that our constituents are demanding some results different from lawmaking and oversight functions. In the light of this, I must say that, in the last two years, I have attracted some projects to my constituency in Osun. For the past two and half years of being a member of the senate representing Osun west District. I was able to contribute immensely to robust debates on national issues that affect my senatorial district and Nigeria in general to improve the well being of Nigerian youths reduce unemployment and poverty in the land. I sponsored a bill, which was read as first reading in the Senate and it is ready for second reading (The bill is seeking gender equality in the society), and I sponsored a motion on rehabilitation of all national stadia in the country, which was approved by the senate and refered to my committee for investigation. However, I initiated a lot of federal projects to various local governments within my senatorial district such as building of schools, sinking of boreholes erection solar energy poles and, of course, distribution of 500kva of transformers to all the local governments in my senatorial district, not mindful of what I did positively to better the life of individuals, especially in the area of securing federal job appointments such as Custom Immigration NDELA Technical Corp and some others for quite a sizeable number of people.
 
How would you rate the performance of Governor Rauf Aregbesola?
Let me paint the picture before the APC-led government took over. our people were made to contend with economic blunders, which rendered Osun to a civil service state; another name for a failed state; a situation that compelled Aregbesola to seek new window of economic opportunities in the state through his six-point action plan known as ‘O’ concept. Through the concept, the issue of capital flight was addressed. Another landmark was how the APC government led by Aregbesola removed Osun from the list of perpetual debtors and insolvency. As a matter of fact, the way and manner he bought back the suffocating loan bequeathed to him by his predecessor was another as financial surgery. Today, Osun has become a bride for investors, and it is on record that the state has the lowest unemployment rate, according to the Federal Bureau of Statistics. The infrastructural development in the state of Osun under the leadership of our amiable Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola cannot be overemphasized.
Since the beginning of this administration, we have launched a very aggressive economic drive which has positive impact on the citizenry such as OYES, OMEAL OREOS, OBOPS, OFISH, OHONEY, OBEEF, rehabilitation and construction of middle school and secondary school and elementary school a lover the state the Road Network are not behind our government is comparable with previous administration because Rauf has the Zeal focus and the commitment to take Osun to the next level.
THE NATION

The State of Osun House of Assembly has directed the contractor handling Ajegunle/Fajuyi/Igboya and Ooni/Ila roads in Ife Central Local Government Council Area of the state to convince the House why the contract should not be terminated.
The state parliament gave the directive on Monday at a meeting with the contractor handling the roads and officials of the local government council and the State Ministry of Works and Transport.
Presiding over the meeting, the Chairman, House Committee on Works and Transport, Honourable Abiodun Awolola, expressed displeasure over the low pace of work on the road project.
According to him, “the development of Ile-Ife is so important to us, being the source of Yoruba race and we will not condone any contractor who connives with government officials to jeopardise the effort of the government in providing good roads for the people.
“There have been pressure from the people of the State about the low pace of work there and if we don’t do what we need to do, how do you want us to explain to our people?
“When you are coming back here on Thursday, you have to convince us why the contract should not be terminated,” Awolola said.
The House then directed that the contractors should liaise with the government officials in-charge of the projects, with a view to sorting out the cause of the delay.
However, while Engineer Oladeji claimed that the project was 25 per cent completed, the Director of Works in Ife-Central Local Government Council, Engineer L.A Salawu, objected, claiming that the level of work was about 14 per cent completed.
Sequel to the directive of the House, both the contractor and the government officials in-charge of the project then promised to fashion out ways of ensuring that the project is completed on time. The contractor has then being ordered to appear before the committee on Thursday to brief the House on the matter.
OSUN DEFENDER