In the state of Osun today like the Yoruba would say the tune is ‘new dawn, new drum’. As day dawns in the state of the Virtuous so does the Aregbesola administration comes up with not only a new progressive idea but also one form of developmental stride or the other. Of course for a visionary, focused and determined leader no challenge is insurmountable. What we are witnessing in the state of Osun today in terms of democracy dividends never enjoyed by the people of the state before, sort of lends credence to the popular saying that; ‘where there is will, there is a way’.
With the award of Gbongan/Akoda road contract recently to Ratcon Construction Nigeria Limited, the can-do administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the state of Osun is again set to achieve another feat in the area of infrastructure renewal, a key aspect of his administration policy thrust. The road, which was awarded at the cost of N29.3 billion is going to be a dual carriageway and not only this, it will also carry along with it construction of a trumpet bridge to be called Chief Bisi Akande Trumpet Bridge which will be constructed at Gbongan junction.
Reports in this newspaper quoted the Special Adviser to Ogbeni Governor on Works and Transport, Engineer Oladepo Sabiti Amudah who signed the contract with the company, as assuring that the road – which will be financed by the company with initial mobilisation of 15% – will be completed in 18 months. The 30 km expressway according to the Special Adviser, will include four pedestrian bridges, street lights, two layers of asphaltic surface with 60mm and 40mm thickness, reinforced concrete side drain, culverts and ditches, reinforced retaining wall, earthwork landscaping and road marking and signs. With this description even a lay man can easily have an insight into the quality of work to be delivered by the company. And it also shows that Ogbeni Aregbesola has a penchant for quality as evident in the roads he oversaw their constructions when he was commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Lagos state.
The road revolution going on in the state of Osun under Ogbeni Aregbesola’s leadership deserves commendation. In contradistinction to what obtained during the era of the locusts (Oyinlola and company era) when inter-state and intra-city roads experienced unprecedented paralysis – being all things but passable – the roads in the state are now undergoing massive transformation. This is quite a feat as political and good governance observers with an eye on spectacular performance in government know that the condition of roads serves as one of the most physical measures of a government’s performance. Good roads no doubt enhance commercial activities and serve as a catalyst for economic growth while it boosts people’s happiness. In saner climes this is why good road network cannot be removed from the priorities of governments. Obviously if our nation is to be enlisted on the world map of development ours must not be different. Ogbeni Aregbesola knows this very well hence the road revolution initiatives he gladly embarks upon.
As we have consistently mentioned on this page the difference between a responsible and purposeful government like the one in the state now and its do-nothing predecessor headed by Oyinlola and his bunch of excuse givers, is just too clear. For instance the Gbongan/Akoda road construction project which is the subject-matter of this editorial had no head or tail for eight years of Oyinlola’s paralysis. Rather than doing that road even with the billions of naira his government borrowed from the bank at the tail the end of his government it only revelled in wasting the fund on white elephant project that never saw the light of the day – construction of stadia, that is. And not only for Gbongan/Akoda road project alone, the same unpalatable fate befell other projects embarked upon by Oyinlola’s maladministration.
By the time the Gbongan/Akoda road is delivered it will surely serve as Osun’s economic beehive. Being one of the strategic roads, and if we are not making a mistake here the most strategic one leading to the state Osun economy will experience an unprecedented boost at the completion of the road. We have absolute confidence in the ability of Ratcon Construction Nig. Ltd. to deliver the goods. We therefore urge the company to live up to expectation as a tested and trusted construction company. We wish both the state government and the company a glorious end as far as this newly awarded road contract is concerned.

Governor Aregbesola of Osun has said that the emerging network of roads in the state, south-west of Nigeria are meant to achieve the desire to turn the state to a mid regional commercial hub of the zone.
He said this as he turns the sod on another 18 kilometer Osogbo East Bye Pass dual carriageway marking the beginning of construction activities of the very unique N14.5bn road project.
His Director of Communications and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon, quoted the Governor as expressing optimism that the emerging network of new roads in Osun will boost economic activities in no small measure.
The new project is coming less than two months after the flag-off of the Gbongan-Akoda dual carriageway, the construction of this road will ease traffic logjam in the state capital thereby making passing through Osogbo to other towns easier and aiding economic activities.
The new road starts from the Iwo-Osogbo Roundabout and terminates at the Roundabout along the Osogbo Ikirun Road.
The west side of the road was constructed in 1994 during the military administration of Navy Commander Anthony Udofia under the World Bank Assisted Multi-State Roads Project.
Source: http://nigeriapoliticsonline.com/osun-flags-off-second-bye-pass-road-as-aregbesola-says-roads-are-to-boost-economy/

In  pursuance of the Six-point integral action plan, the government of the State of Osun, under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, will tomrrow, launch the next phase of the restoration for healthy living programme, tagged ‘O Clean Plus’.
This was contained in a press statement issued from the headquarters of the state Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, New Secretariat Complex located along Gbongan road in Osogbo, the state capital.
According to the statement, private sector participation in waste management, conversion of waste materials to cooking gas (bio-gas) and inauguration of Osun environmental enforcement team and buy-back programme for used nylon, shall be undertaken on the occasion.
Dignitaries from within and outside the state have been invited to the occasion, which shall kick-off by 9:30 am at the Centre for Black Culture International Understanding behind New Secretariat Complex, Gbongan road.

In this maiden edition of ROYAL CORNER, Osun Defender Managing Editor, Kola Olabisi, spoke with Oba Rauf Olayiwola Olawale Adedeji II, the Akinrun of Ikirun on some sundry topical issues in his palace recently. Excerpts:
OSDF: Let us know your profile sir?
AKINRUN: My name is Oba Rauf Olayiwola Olawale Adedeji II, Akinrun of Ikinrunland. I came to the throne on the 5th of July, 1990 and before ascending the throne, I was a banker.
OSDF: How will you access Ikinrun before and since becoming an Oba?
AKINRUN: By the grace of God, there has been a great transformation since I came into the saddle. This is to the blessing of Almighty Allah. A lot of progress has been made educationally, socially, economically and so on.
OSDF: Your most remarkable moment since becoming an Oba?
AKINRUN: I cannot pinpoint one. There are many. Through the help of God, we have been able to achieve a lot. Above all, there is peace, tranquility, unity, harmony and that is important because it has helped us a lot in terms of the development of the town.
OSDF: Have you ever regretted being the Akinrun?
AKINRUN: There has never been such a moment. Anybody who is born into a royal family one day hopes to be on the throne. It is an aspiration and hope. There is no regret at all.
OSDF: Was your ascension to the Akinrun stool that easy?
AKINRUN: It was not that easy because there were other competitors and in Yorubaland, any throne that does not attract competition is not a worthwhile one. Through the grace of God, I emerged the winner.
OSDF: What is your relationship with other brother Obas in the state?
AKINRUN: I have a cordial relationship and we relate very well. I see them as brothers and colleagues and my relationship with them has been that of mutuality, love and harmony. There has never been any moment of disagreement.
OSDF: Any message for your subjects?
AKINRUN: Fear God; embrace hard work; persevere in patience; develop tenacity of purpose and those in the diaspora should come home and join hands in ensuring the development of the town.
OSDF: What is your take on the recent canvass for declaration of amnesty for Boko Haram sect members?
AKINRUN: The issue of Boko Haram is a controversial one which I would not want to dabble into as such.
Those who have solicited for amnesty know what they mean and it is left to the Federal Government of Nigeria to say either yes or no. Aside this, I don’t want to go into it. It is a security issue and I don’t know much about it.
OSDF: Your perception of religious tolerance in the South-West part of the country, particularly State of Osun?
AKINRUN: We are known for religious tolerance in this part of the country particularly in this state. Our governor is helping the issue by giving everybody his or her own dues, whether Christian, Muslim or traditional worshipper. There is harmony. Hardly is there a family where these three religions are not in existence. That is the reason for peace in this state.
OSDF: How far have you accomplished your mission and vision since becoming Oba?
AKINRUN: My mission was to be an accomplished Oba and I feel within me that it is being achieved gradually. There is room for development and improvement and as time goes on, I think I will hope and pray for complete achievement and realization of those visions.
OSDF: What major challenges are confronting your office?
AKINRUN: The functions of a traditional ruler are multi-faceted but most importantly, peace and tranquility in his domain, conflict resolution and many more. The main hindrance is that we don’t have power to enforce whatever we do. The attitude of the people. There is need for attituditional change. I have a different opinion for the calling of constitutional roles by the monarchs in that it is established already in respect of our traditions and cultures. The atmosphere in which we operate is not totally conducive. Working with a Council of Chiefs also means that I have to carry them all along in decision-making.
OSDF: Describe the Obaship institution before and now that you are an Oba?
AKINRUN: Before I became an Oba, I knew very well that such an institution was on ground but what it took was not known to me but now that I am in the system, I know what it takes; the constraints, challenges, people’s perception and so on.
OSDF: What major reform will you canvass for in the Obaship institution?
AKINRUN: We should come to terms with the reality of the modern times. There should be a mixture of the ancient and modern. Our governments should evolve along the lines of our traditions and cultures.
OSDF: Holistic appraisal of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s two-year in office?
AKINRUN: Ogbeni is wonderful, very wonderful. He is very hard working. I see him as an answer to the prayer of the state. Once upon a time, an oba described the state as a toddler despite its age. That time, the state recorded no progress. But now, things have changed drastically. That time, the state was like a glorified local government. Osogbo was like a glorified local government headquarters. But now, we are recording progress in all sectors like education, health, provision, of social amenities etc. I can say that life is becoming more abundant in this state through the efforts of Ogbeni who is being helped by Almighty Allah. Things have changed drastically. We are recording progress in all sectors.
OSDF: What type of person do you think Ogbeni Aregbesola is?
AKINRUN: I think he is very religious, simple and courageous. He is opposed to injustice and he has love for humanity which is motivating him to do what he is doing he is somebody who upholds justice; who loves fellow human beings. If he does not love humanity, he would not be doing it. I know he is doing it at his own expense because of the energy he puts into it; he doesn’t sleep. He works 24 hours a day; seven days a week.
OSDF: Any message for him?
AKINRUN: I want him to remain focused despite the opposition. He is toeing the path of his mentor, Chief Obafemi Awolwo.
OSDF: What is the relationship between the state Council of Obas and the government?
AKINRUN: The council is dormant today. We are not holding any meetings. The relationship is cordial.

The efforts of the State Government of Osun on environmental sanitation have reduced cases of malaria from 500,000 to 200,000 as at 2011.
The governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this in Osogbo, the state capital on Tuesday at the official launch of O’Clean Plus, an initiative, designed to create wealth through wastes in the state, which is the second phase of the Osun Clean (O’Clean) programmes, just as he inaugurated an Environmental Task Force to sanction environmental law offenders.
Aregbesola, who also distributed 64 new waste disposal trucks, stated that his administration is also taking serious steps towards the production of biogas from wastes for popular use of the people.
According to him, the most effective measure for good health is personal hygiene and care for the environment, as it has been reported that 1.6 million people die yearly as a result of poor sanitation.
He added that the state government has achieved the lowest maternal mortality rate in Nigeria due to the series of efforts put in place to ensure claenliness of the environment.
The governor said: “Through the O’Clean, we have been able to get the people actively involved in regular environmental sanitation exercises, which take place at fixed periods. We also got the 20000-man army of our O’YES cadets involved in street cleaning exercise on daily basis throughout the state.
“An important achievement of the environment ministry is the continued dredging and clearing the pathways of rivers and streams in the state which have checked the ugly incidents of flooding in the state. For three years running, we have been free of flooding in the state. We are happy and thankful to the Almighty that flood no longer troubles our people.
“We have since reorganised our waste management strategy in the state. We have brought in private waste collectors who go door-to-door to collect waste for a small fee. We also purchased numerous refuse collection trucks to complement the private collectors, for more effective waste management.
“As we speak, no less than 31 of these trucks are in operation across the state, with 37 drivers, for greater reach and coverage. The trucks ply different designated routes every day to collect wastes at designated points where people have been told to put them”, the governor stressed.
On the the production of biogas under the O’Clean Plus, he said that it has a variety of benefits including its use as cooking gas, electricity generation and as fuel for automobiles.
Some products of biogas reactor, he said, could also be used as organic fertilizer, while bio-insecticide can also be generated as a by-product, noting that biogas is a clean fuel that helps reduce greenhouse gas emission.
Also, the tree-planting project, called ‘Igi-Iye’ scheme, he stressed, is also in furtherance of the state green policy, aimed at lining the streets and roadsides of Osun with trees, adding that apart from their aesthetic significance, the trees will also serve as wind breakers and carbon sinks for greenhouse gases.
He said that the trees will also help to improve forestation, thereby checking the incidence of climate change and global warming, adding that for this purpose, about 2.5 million seedlings of various tree species are already being planted.
According to Aregbesola, the goal of the nylon buyback programme, also under O’Clean Plus is to arrest the menace of plastic waste and litter, which is, in fact, a global challenge.
He said: “In our own clime, plastic wastes, such as plastic bottles and water sachets are a major source of environmental hazards. So, the buyback programme is a practical, plastic waste management scheme, which will help in their recovery, recycling and reuse, thereby eliminating their nuisance value”.
He further noted that the Private Sector Participation (PSP) in the management of waste in the state is to complement government’s efforts and to also create a source of economic empowerment for more people in a win-win solution to series of problems.
While inaugurating the environmental task force, Governor Aregbesola said that the officials would be responsible for the enforcement of all sanitation laws and regulations throughout the state, saying that they would be humane but firm.
In his address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Mr Bola Ilori, said that as part of the efforts to prevent malaria and some other diseases, an aerial spray of the entire state would be carried out to prevent mosquito bite.
He said that the newly-commissioned 64 trucks would be stationed on every street and people would be made to pay a token for the disposal of their waste.
The governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, represented by his Chief of Staff, Honourable Patrick Obahiagbon; the wife of the Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the Speaker of the State House Assembly of Osun, Najeem Salaam, commended Aregbesola for his initiative at putting a stop to environmental-related diseases.
They said that his developmental stride in the state is enough to earn him second term in office as governor.