Osun with its capital at Osogbo  is an inland state in south-western Nigeria.  It is home to several of Nigeria’s most famous landmarks, including the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria’s pre-eminent institution of higher learning located in the ancient town of Ile-Ifo, an important early centre of political and religious development for Yoruba culture.  Osun State was created from the old Oyo State in 1991 and has an estimated population of 4,137,600 people.
The state shot into international limelight recently when the government’s initiative at providing work to the unemployed youths in the state attracted the attention of the World Bank.
The state government, under the leadership of Rauf Aregbesola, on assumption of office in May 29, 2010 set up the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), to address the issues of teeming youth unemployment in the state. The scheme was borne out of a realisation that conventional employment approach would hardly make any impact on the jobless situation of youths in the state and  the only way one could bring in a fairly large number of those who do not have anything to do would be engaging them in community, social and public services. Also, “when you engage the segment of the society with the highest potential for mischief, what you have done is simply eliminating threats to lives and property. If you don’t have productive areas to engage the youth, they would engage themselves in all sorts of societal menace,”Aregbesola said.
To start the scheme rolling, the government put up an advertisement in major newspapers calling for volunteers to participate in the project
According to the governor: “ The first advertisement attracted 250,000 applicants and we picked 20,000 without any primordial consideration. We gave the beneficiaries discipline and leadership training.”
The participants were categorised  into Green Gang (for environmental beautification and greenery), Sanitation Czars (for sanitation), Public Works Brigade ( maintenance of roads, public buildings and infrastructure), Paramedics (emergency services and primary health support), Traffic Marshall (maintenance and sanity on the roads), Sheriff Corps (maintenance of communal peace and order) and Teacher Corps (volunteer teaching in public schools).
A major advantage of this initiative is that the participants are engaged in what would benefit their communities and the undertaking was not stressful. A cadet does not have to work for more than two or three hours a day, and they don’t work throughout the day. They have time to do other things for themselves.
According to the governor: “So many of them took advantage of it to get themselves into other things. Some went into trading, some went into cooperative arrangements. Many of them are successful as we made it clear from the beginning that the scheme was not going to be a permanent engagement. If you serve for two years, we expect you, with the training you have received on leadership and training and the time you have to do things for yourself, to put your heart together and get something doing”.
Aregbesola said the World Bank became interested in the scheme after the state government intimated it of   its intention to embark on OYES.  “It interested them and they sent people to come and understudy us,” the elated governor said.
Besides, he said the OYES provided the background and basis for the setting up of the Federal Government’s Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) which was launched in Abuja recently.
This is a laudable scheme which every state government desirous to take the jobless youths off the streets, should embark on. The injection of N200 million into the system as allowances to the cadets helps to stimulate the economy and keeps economic activities bubbling.
Besides, the programme is not discriminatory as youths from all parts of the country are eligible to participate.
Perhaps, what the Federal Government should do to make the scheme more effective nation-wide is to match the figures of the trainees in each state with equal  number of support to make it more appealing.
Also, for those who may want to go into other  specialised self-employed schemes, more time could be given for acquisition of the requisite training and skills needed for such self employments.
DAILY INDEPENDENT

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, donning public school uniform with a brown fez cap, taught the pupils of the newly commissioned Salvation Army Middle School inside one of the classrooms and also explained the need for the re-classification of school.
He said there was the need to maximise the resources of the state, adding the number of the pupils in the school justified the facilities put in place to enhance qualitative learning.
“Our dream is to make you all renowned scholars in the future, so that you can be pride to Osun State and the entire country,” he said.
Responding to question from a pupil on the source of his motivation, the governor said “the secret of my success is commitment and passion to achieve my set goals and objectives.
“That is why you too must be absolutely committed to your academic pursuit, so that you can be great in the future.”
At the inauguration of Salvation Army Middle school, Aregbesola said the new educational system was borne out of the educational summit organised by his administration when it came on board in 2010.
He disclosed that a sum of N14.67 billion had been earmarked for the construction of elementary, middle and high schools, to provide durable structures for the new educational system.
While describing as unfounded, allegation that the state was heavily indebted to financial institutions, Aregbesola said “in the recent financial reports of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), NDHS Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Osun was not listed among the states with heavy debts.”
He contended that the new educational system was aimed at addressing challenges in the state educational sector, to match up with the dynamic developments in the global community, just as he sued for the cooperation of all stakeholders.
OSUN DEFENDERe

Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola yesterday reiterated his commitment to animal husbandry as part of his agriculture programmes to reduce dependence on the northern part of the country for meat.
Speaking at Oloba Cattle Ranch at Iwo during the official commencement of sales of rams to Muslims for the purpose of Eid-El-Kabir festival, the governor explained that he was committed to promoting ram and cattle feed lot in Osun state.
Aregbesola who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti noted that the ranch has the capacity to accommodate 10,000 animals for fattening.
Aregbesola said if Osun can plug effectively into venture of raising its own animal protein, it will provide at least 5,000 different jobs and five times more indirectly through animal husbandry and allied industries.
He added that the scheme would be managed by private sector operators in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the state Government.
“What we are opening is a vista for self sufficiency in meat production and unlimited business opportunities in agro allied industries. The rams that are being offered today are of the highest quality.”
At least, 2,600 big rams were displayed for sale at the farm with price ranging from N30,000 to N70,000 depending on the size of the ram. Buyers were already thronging the farm to buy rams for Ileya festival.
Aregbesola urged people of neighboring states to also take maximum advantage of the ranch and buy rams for the forthcoming Ileya festival.
DAILY TRUST

OSUN MUSIC AWARDS 2013 edition is a special project aimed to encourage and promote works and talent of osun born and based artistes in music,dance,comedy,Disc jockey,photography and video,broadcasting and entertainment management that have positively contributed to osun entertainment without Jury or favour.
 
 
Here are lists of the award categories.
Award Categories
Osun Best Artiste of the year (male/female)
Osun Best song of the year
Osun Best Group artiste
Osun Best comedian of the year
Osun Best Yoruba presenter
Osun Best English presenter
Osun Best Dance Group in the state
Osun Best Newspaper/magazine
Osun Best Radio Presenter (Entertainment)
Osun Best TV Presenter (Entertainment)
Osun Best Photographer of the year
Osun Best DJ of the Year
Osun Best Use of Blog (General)
Osun Best Music Producer
Osun Entertainment Promoter of the year
Osun Best Radio station of the year
Osun Best TV station of the Year
Osun Best Entertaining Commissioner of the Year
Osun Best supporting ministry
Osun Future/Promising Artiste of the year
Osun Best musical Video of the year
Osun Best musical video director
While the Osun future/promising artiste of the year will go home with a cash prize however, each award winner goes with gift items.
To Nominate your Favourite for a particular Award , kindly Send the nominee’s name , picture, profile, category of award to info@osunmusicawards.com and djbassman01@yahoo.com . The Nominees with the highest nomination will be up for the proper recognition and proceed to the next round.
Those who get the highest nominations will submit their profile,picture and material to the office of the director of corporate affairs,osun state broadcasting corporation (OSBC) Ile-awiiye,oke baale,p.m.b 4425, osogbo,state of osun,Nigeria
The nomination will last for two and half weeks. The event is packaged and put together by Muzik Planet entertainment a subsidiary of Bassman Entertainment Company.
OSUNMUSICAWARDS

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.